Should You Let Turkey Sit Out Before Cooking? (3 Things You MUST Remember)

Sharing is caring!

Wondering if you should let your turkey come up to room temperature before cooking it?

And how long can you leave it out before it becomes a problem?

There are benefits in allowing the raw turkey to come up to temp before cooking.

But you need to know how long you can safely do so. Otherwise, there is a risk of bacteria growth.

Below you find out exactly how long uncooked turkey can be left out, so your not worrying anymore!

Is It Safe Keeping Raw Turkey Out of The Fridge Before Cooking?

Yes, it is safe to keep a raw turkey out of the fridge before you cook. 

BUT UNDER A STRICT TIME FRAME.

Food poisoning from poultry can dangerous. Risking it because you want to speed up the defrosting or cooking time is not worth it.

Read until the end for my tips on how to safely prepare and cook a turkey.

The Safe Time Frame For Raw Meat To Be Out Of The Fridge

So how long can I leave the raw turkey out of the fridge?

There are some considerations that are highlighted below. Although I want to set a general rule of thumb.

The factors to consider are:

– Was it defrosted or still part frozen?

– What is the ambient temperature?

The impact of these will be covered further but right now we can agree that:

You can leave the turkey out before cooking but for no more than 60 minutes.

If you go for any longer it will start to reach an aggressive temperature. A cooking industry term for improper temp conditions.

Note: Some types of meat are more prone to bacteria than others. But it is better to be safe by applying this rule to any raw meat.

The ‘Danger Zone’ – Check For Food Safety!

What is the temperature range that food-borne bacteria multiply?

Do not leave a raw or thawing turkey at temps between 40°F – 140°F for longer than 60 minutes. 

What Are The Advantages Of Leaving Turkey Out For 60 Minutes? 

• Dry out the turkey surface to help achieve golden skin & lower moisture evaporation.
• Relaxes the meat proteins which can help achieve tender cooked meat.
• Even cooking from an average internal temperature.

What Are The Risks Of Leaving Turkey Out For Over 60 Minutes?

• Food poisoning from bacteria growth.
• Potential cross-contamination on surfaces or other food products.

What We Recommend

There are plenty of cooking mistakes to build upon with techniques. I have included some tips for cooking turkey later.

I have set a rule for the time frame when leaving a turkey out. While also highlighting some advantages of doing so. But forthrightly they do not outweigh the disadvantage of illness. 

You can achieve an even cook with tender meat and crispy skin without it sitting.

Do not leave raw meat unrefrigerated unless you have to. Like if you apply to season or are preparing a brine.

What If I Want To Defrost A Frozen Turkey By Leaving It Out?

Below are the 2 safe and common methods for defrosting a turkey.

I want to state that you should never leave a turkey out or use hot water when defrosting. This will condition with dangerous temp range.

Temperature adjustments may need to be made to your fridge if it is over 40°F.

Methods For Defrosting Turkey

Defrosting In A Refrigerator

• Keep the turkey in the original packaging.
• Check the weight and estimate the defrost time.
• Place at the bottom on a roasting tray or something that will catch excess water.

Cold Water Method

• Re-wrap the turkey in 2 layers of plastic wrap. 
• Fill up your sink or a container large enough with cold tap water.
• Submerge for 30 minutes and check again.
• If the cavity is still frozen then replace the water.
• Repeat every 30 minutes until thawed.

The Physical Signs To Tell If My Delicious Turkey Has Thawed

A frozen bird is solid to the touch. And (obviously) be very cold to the touch.

The packaging and raw turkey flesh may still have ice crystals on them. But what if your turkey isn’t showing these signs and you want to be sure?

The turkey flesh should have a little bounce to the touch.

A good tip is to try and move the wings to judge the wiggle room. They will move freely and without any sound.

This is a good indication you no longer have frozen meat.

Use A Food Thermometer For An Accurate Reading 

The physical signs are a great start. But I will always recommend confirming with a food thermometer. They aren’t just for checking cooked foods!

Using a calibrated instant-read thermometer will give you the exact temperature. This is the most precise and accurate way of knowing if your turkey has thawed.

What Reading Is A Safe Internal Temperature For A Thawed Turkey?

The safe temperature for your turkey should be 32°F – 39°F.

Insert the probe into the middle of the breast meat and thigh.

Note: Sticking your probe in raw meat will cause contamination and the risk of a foodborne illness.

Do not forget to clean it straight after using it.

Turkey Meat – The Facts You Need To Know

There are two different types of meat in a turkey. 

White from the breast meat and dark from the thigh or legs.

The white meat has a lighter taste and is dense texture. The darker meat has a gamey taste as it is closer to the bones.

You are monitoring 2 internal temperatures. Insert at least 1 digital meat thermometer into these cuts.

The dark meat should read 180°F.

The white meat should read 160°F.

Cooking Tips For A Flavorful Turkey

• Buy fresh and free range.
• Brine your turkey with a kosher salt and water solution the night before.
• Use a smoker with chips for a woodsy flavor.
• Cook at a slower pace and low heat.
• Use a spice rub with brown sugar to help form a crispy skin by caramelization.
• Wrap the turkey breast in tin foil while you wait for the internal temp of the dark meat.
• Use weight-based formulas to estimate timings.

Smoke On!

Charlie

Hungry For More?