It’s turkey time and we’ve got you covered. Each year, our Turkey Talk-Line experts answer more than 100,000 calls from home cooks across North America. From thawing inquires to questions about what to do when your son tries stuffing the turkey with Lego, they’ve heard it all.
We asked our Turkey Talk-Line experts the top four questions they receive each year. Their answer? The four Ts, of course!
Thawing
Each year, Butterball’s Turkey Talk-Line receives thousands of questions about how and when to thaw turkeys. The safest method is refrigerator thawing. For this method, simply place the whole unopened turkey breast-side-up on a tray in your refrigerator. You’ll need one day (24 hours) of thawing for every four pounds of turkey. For example, a 16 LB turkey will take 4 days! Check out our how-to thaw video here.
Temperature
Wondering if your turkey is done? It’s time for a temperature check! Always use a meat thermometer to determine when your turkey is fully cooked. The turkey should reach 180° F in the thigh, 165°-170°F in the breast and 165° F in the center of the stuffing.
Don’t worry, we’ve got a video for this too. Click here for temperature tips.
Two-Hour Rule
Got chatting with your family and lost track of time? Don’t worry. Your turkey can remain on the counter for up to two hours after cooking.
Pro Tip: Cover your turkey with tinfoil when it comes out of the oven to keep it warm for serving. This will help free up space in your oven to heat-up side dishes and buy you some time to add the finishing touches to your Thanksgiving feast!
Three Days to Eat
You miss 100% of the leftovers you don’t eat. After dinner, make sure to store leftover turkey in an airtight container. It can stay in your fridge for up to three days. Any longer and it’s time to hit the freezer. In need of some leftover turkey recipe inspo? We have everything from shepherd’s pie and turkey casseroles, to soups and pastas! Click here for recipes.
We’re taking the liberty of adding a fifth T – telephone. Call 1-800-Butterball or text 844-877-3456 for answers to your turkey questions. Click here for Turkey Talk-Line hours!