Thanksgiving has arrived and families across the country will return to a long-standing tradition.
When it comes to food, some families will prefer apple pie, while others may opt for pumpkin or pecans. And some families will fry their turkey instead of roasting it all day.
Meredith Carothers, a food safety expert with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, called the cooking method a “great way” to prepare a Thanksgiving classic that “has become so popular in the United States.” the years”.
But she cautions that, if your family wants to deep-fry a turkey, there are some important safety tips you should know to avoid disaster during the holidays.
First, those who fry a turkey must make sure it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees, as measured by a food thermometer in the thickest part of the brisket, the innermost part of the wing, and the innermost part of the thigh. .
Carothers also said deep-frying turkeys can pose a fire risk, burns from hot oil and more. She urges those celebrating Thanksgiving to only deep-fry turkey that has been completely defrosted.
“Any additional frozen crystals or ice or anything on the turkey that goes into that fryer will immediately interact with the hot oil and vaporize and turn into super hot steam. Carothers said.
And that splashing can cause a big burn or fire when the oil comes in contact with an open flame. For years, dramatic videos have gone viral on social media of fires erupting from dangerous frying settings.
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Here are some other safety tips for cooking your turkey, whether you’re deep-frying or grilling this year
- Fry your turkey in a large, outdoor space where you won’t be near a building or “anything else that could catch fire,” says Carothers.
- There is a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Make sure your vessel is large enough to hold the oil and turkey.
- Avoid deep-frying the turkey with the filling, explains Carothers, as this can be “too variable when fully cooked”.
- Take regular precautions when handling raw meat, such as washing hands after handling.
- Do not leave cooked turkey at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Payment procedures Other safety tips from the Department of Agriculture.
