Neither Thanksgiving dinner nor a Christmas party would be complete without a classic roasted turkey. Your special marinade recipe creates a perfect balance, which is commendable, but is that all there is to cooking a whole turkey?
The answer to the question is No. There’s a lot you need to consider to cook the perfect Thanksgiving dinner.
Even if you season your turkey with the most flavorsome herbs and spices, it will taste bland if it isn’t cooked properly.
To make sure you prepare it evenly, you would need to purchase a temperature probe. But how do you proceed once you have the best meat thermometer? Or, where to put meat thermometer in turkey?
Check out the guide below to catch on a few turkey tips.
Page Contents
Turkey Tips – Proper Probe Placement in Your Turkey
Types of Thermometers
Before we discuss where to put thermometer in turkey, it’s essential to learn about the types of meat thermometers available out there.
Instant-Read Thermometer
As the name suggests, “instant” thermometers allow you to check the temperature of your turkey instantly.
Whenever you want to gauge your turkey’s temperature, just remove it from the oven and insert the temperature probe. The best instant read thermometer will allow you to calibrate temperature in about 4-5 seconds.
Wifi Thermometer
A Wifi thermometer is one of the best smoker thermometers out there and for the right reasons.
You can connect this thermometer with your smartphone and monitor the temperature without being glued to your grill while smoking a brisket.
Since it’s a “Wifi” thermometer, you won’t have to worry about range. For instance, you can sip on coffee with your family inside the house while cooking beef in your yard. Cool, isn’t it?
Oven Thermometer
Not every thermometer is safe to insert in your turkey during the process of cooking. However, an oven-proof thermometer allows you to place the probe in the food as it cooks.
As such, it is ideal when you’re cooking a whole turkey or a smoked brisket.
Nevertheless, make sure that you opt for the best oven thermometer to enjoy a pleasant cooking experience.
Pop-Up Thermometer
Whether you’re smoking a turkey on a pellet grill or an air fryer toaster oven, a pop-up thermometer is a handy gadget to keep.
You can place the probe ½ inches deep into the turkey, and once the optimal temperature is reached, the tip will pop up. There you have it! A succulent turkey to enjoy for dinner.
Lastly, if you want to avoid the hassle of wires, you can opt for a Thermopro meat thermometer. It comes with a remote that you can carry in your pocket and monitor the temperature of your turkey.
Best Meat Thermometer Tips
We appreciate the effort and time you spare to arrange the dinner party and marinate the turkey bird. Perhaps you have also already invested in the best food thermometer, but let’s consider a few other factors before you get that turkey grilling.
- Take an alcohol swab and wipe the probes of the thermometer clean (You can also wash the probe, but be careful not to splash water on the display.)
- Check the temperature before placing it in pork, beef, or turkey (Many of us miss out on that one!)
- Fill a container with ice cubes and a glass of water. Now insert the probe in it until it reaches zero degrees celsius.
That’s it! Once your thermometer reaches 32 Fahrenheit, it’s ready for use!
Where to Place Thermometer in Turkey?
As this year’s host, you have marinated the turkey for hours, prepared the seasonings, and adjusted the thermometer. Unfortunately, if you don’t know where to stick thermometer in turkey, all your efforts will go down the drain.
Where to Put Meat Thermometer in Turkey
First, you need to determine the place where you have to insert it.
You can’t just put a meat thermometer anywhere in the turkey and expect to get accurate readings.
We all know that the fleshy part of meat requires the longest cooking time. So, it’s best to stick a thermometer in the turkey’s thigh or breast (since they are thicker than the other parts)
Thigh
The turkey’s thigh has plenty of meat and muscle, which takes a bit longer to cook. So, place the thermometer into the muscle of the leg.
Nevertheless, remember not to insert the probe too close to the bone. A thermometer does not give accurate results when it comes in contact with a bone.
Breast
Turkey breast contains plenty of flesh and thick meat, which makes it perfect for accurate thermometer readings. Additionally, there is no cartilage or bone to interfere with the probe’s temperature.
How to Place the Probe in Turkey
Remember to insert the probe ½ inches into the turkey. If the thermometer is inserted any less than that, it won’t get correct readings, and if it is pushed further down, it may touch the bone.
If you’re inserting the thermometer into a thigh, make sure to place it at the beginning of the meaty area. In contrast, while inserting it in the breast, place the probe horizontally near the turkey’s neck.
How Do I Know My Turkey is Ready?
Once the turkey is ready, it may turn slightly brown. It all depends on how you’ve seasoned it. The meat thermometers are designed precisely for this purpose (to determine whether the protein has been cooked or not).
Whether you use a pellet grill, electric smoker, or propane grill, the safe minimum temperature for turkey remains the same.
While each type of meat has its optimum temperature, a turkey is considered ready when it reaches a safe minimum temperature of 165°F.
So, as soon as the thermometer’s probe reaches the precise temperature, you can remove the turkey from the grill.
As a pro tip, remember to cover the turkey in foil before serving. It will preserve its flavor and keep it tender and juicy.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice, you want to give your best when hosting a dinner. Thus, we are pretty sure you’d enjoy serving a delicious, perfectly roasted turkey to your guests.
You can complement your efforts and step up your cooking skills by learning where to put thermometer in turkey through this guide.
