The age old Thanksgiving question. Do you stuff the turkey before or after you cook it?

Question

I've heard you can stuff the turkey before its cooked and there will be no problem. I've also heard that if you stuff it before its cooked you can end up with salmonela poisoning. My mom usually stuffs it before its cookedand so far nothings happed but I'd like to know are we just lucky? Someone calm my turkey day fears

Answer 1

Always before...ive never heard of anyone stuffing the bird after.

Answer 2

Before

Answer 3

Before

Answer 4

You stuff a turkey IMMEDIATELY before putting it in the oven. The problem of salmonella arises if you stuff the bird and then don't cook it right away because the juices from the turkey can get into the stuffing and the temperature of the stuffing doesn't get high enough to kill the bacteria.

Stuffing the bird afterward doesn't make sense to me. The stuffing has to be cooked for several hours. An alternative is to not put the stuffing in the bird, but bake it in a covered casserole dish alongside the bird. In this case, it's not called "stuffing" but "dressing."

Answer 5

Before cooking!

This is the first time I am hearing about salmonella poisoning in stuffed turkey. Usually, turkey is quite safe and the truth is that it never lasts long enough for anyone to get sick, don't you agree? Your mom is doing it the right way and you all were not just lucky. More like well-fed and satisfied!

Personally speaking, I do not belieive you have any reason to be afraid. Just have the best Thanksgiving dinner of your life!

And, Happy Thanksgiving to you!!!

Answer 6

I don't stuff because The stuffing prevents the bird from cooking all the way through and the stuffing grows bacteria. Also the stuffing draws moisture out of the turkey and makes it dry. Plus the idea of scooping food from a body cavity is unappealing to me.

I've been hosting Thanksgiving at my house for 9 years and I never stuff the turkey. It took my mom a while to get used to the idea but she finally understands.

We make cornbread dressing in a casserole dish. And I fill the turkey's cavity with lemons, carrots, celery, etc.

Answer 7

If you choose to stuff a turkey, you must use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey and the stuffing. The temperature of a whole turkey must reach 180 °F in the innermost part of the thigh and the center of the stuffing must reach 165 °F. If the stuffing has not reached 165 °F, continue cooking the turkey until the stuffing reaches 165 °F.

If the turkey has a "pop-up" temperature indicator, it is also recommended that a food thermometer be used to test in several places, including the innermost part of the thigh and the center of the stuffing.

Answer 8

If you cook it long enough, there is no danger of any resident bacteria. I usually make a traditional dressing from cornbread in lieu of the stuffing, but both are darn fine eating! Happy Thanksgiving. Be sure to thaw the bird thoroughly before cooking, and cook according to the recommended times - a little more won't hurt. Also, be sure to baste a lot to help preserve moisture unless you bag the turkey which helps retain precious moisture.

Answer 9

Stuff it before, or don't stuff it at all. You could put the stuffing in something else and just baste it a few times with the turkey juices. What ever the case may be, cook it properly and you won't have any problems with food poisoning. Enjoy!

Answer 10

The difference between "stuffing" and "dressing" is whether its in the bird or not. I don't stuff my turkey at all. Instead I fill the cavity with copped onion and other flavorful goodies, and bake the "dressing" in a separate dish. The stuffing inside the turkey can harbor salmonella if the turkey is undercooked. Follow the basic cooking instructions on the turkey packaging and you should do fine.

Answer 11

Before.