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I was just wondering is anyone uses a thermometer when cooking a whole bird. The desired temperature for breast is 145 to 150F and 165F for the dark meat. So while cooking the whole bird if you wait for leg to reach the 165 will the breast be overcooked?
Usually it takes longer for the breast to get to the right temperature than it does for the leg. Fortunately, the leg has more fat and doesn't dry out if it's cooked a little longer, to get the breast to the right temperature.
We ended up starting the turkey breast side down for a while, then turning it over and cooking till the thickest part of the breast between the leg and breast was at 155. I actually prefer to cut the turkey up and cook it on the smoker but as for the whole bird in the oven it gets a little tricky on the temps. If there's one thing I hate is dried out breast meat.
I cooked mine in a countertop roaster oven and let the whole thing get to 165 because my husband is a little paranoid about food safety. It was really nice and juicy. I bought the roaster three years ago for about $25 and all I use it for is cooking a turkey, but it works great for that.
I cooked mine in a countertop roaster oven and let the whole thing get to 165 because my husband is a little paranoid about food safety. It was really nice and juicy. I bought the roaster three years ago for about $25 and all I use it for is cooking a turkey, but it works great for that.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Yes, and my thermometer is electronic with a unit that I can take to the family room or wear on my belt that I can use to check the temperature any time, and it will beep when done. I use the deepest part of the breast for the probe, being careful not to hit the bone. Comes out perfect every time, usually 1/2 hour or 45 minutes less than what it shows on the timetables.
I was just wondering is anyone uses a thermometer when cooking a whole bird. The desired temperature for breast is 145 to 150F and 165F for the dark meat. So while cooking the whole bird if you wait for leg to reach the 165 will the breast be overcooked?
Well, for starters you insert the thermometer in the thigh, away from the bone, and not the leg.
I usually find that I get the best results when I use an oven to cook a turkey.
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