FAQ
Need to know the best way to thaw a frozen turkey? We have the answers.
How to thaw a turkey? Refrigerator thawing is recommended but, to save time you can submerge your turkey in cold water. Do not thaw at room temperature as illness causing bacteria may grow. Refrigerator Thawing You can thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Simply place your bird in its unopened wrapper breast-side up on… Read more How to thaw a turkey
How do I use a meat thermometer? Insert your oven-safe meat thermometer in the thigh, not touching bone, before placing your bird in the oven. Position it in so you can read while the turkey is roasting. If your thermometer isn’t oven-safe, don’t leave it in the turkey during roasting. Check temperatures by inserting the… Read more How do I use a meat thermometer?
What’s the best way to stuff a turkey? Since your preparation involves raw food ingredients, follow proper food safety and handling procedures to ensure a safe turkey every time. To stuff your turkey: Prepare your stuffing just before you place it in the turkey. Use only cooked ingredients, including cooked meats and seafood and use… Read more What’s the best way to stuff a turkey?
Check the doneness of the turkey. Turkey is cooked when the temperature reaches minimum 180°F/82°C in the thigh and minimum 165°F/74°C in the center of the stuffing.
Steps to prepare turkey for roasting Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove original plastic wrapper. Remove the neck and giblets from the body and neck cavities. Drain any juices and pat dry with paper towels. Stuff just before roasting. (Stuffing ingredients may be prepared earlier.) If you un-tucked the legs for rinsing or stuffing, tuck… Read more How to prepare a turkey for roasting
How to prepare a turkey for cooking? Thaw your frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Place your turkey on a tray to prevent uncooked juices from dripping onto other foods. Cook your turkey within four days of thawing. Roast a fresh turkey as soon as possible, but no later than the “Best Before” date on the… Read more How to prepare a turkey for cooking
How do you safely handle a turkey? Follow these simple food safety guidelines: Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator or cold water. Keep thawed or fresh turkey in the refrigerator. Prevent uncooked juices from dripping onto other foods in the refrigerator by placing packaged turkey on a tray. Thawed turkey may be kept in the… Read more How do you safely handle a turkey?
How to read date codes? FROZEN TURKEY As a rule, you can keep a Frozen Butterball Turkey in its’ original packaging for a minimum 2-year period. The turkey must remain frozen. The packaging must be without tears or holes and the vacuum seal intact. A production date code should be printed on the back/side of… Read more How to read date codes on Frozen products
How do I store leftover turkey? Within two hours of roasting, remove stuffing from your turkey and carve meat off the bones. Refrigerator Storage: Wrap turkey and stuffing separately and consume it within three days. Frozen Storage: Wrap turkey and stuffing separately in heavy foil, freezer wrap or in freezer-bags. For optimum flavor, use stuffing… Read more How do I store leftover turkey?
How to Make a Turkey Lifter? A lot of cooks experience a “Hmmmm… How do I do that?” moment when they are about to move a hot turkey from the roasting pan to the platter. A simple turkey lifter, made from a few lengths of kitchen twine, offers a simple solution. Just remember: No matter… Read more How to Make a Turkey Lifter
Is a pre-stuffed turkey safe? Yes. Butterball turkeys are stuffed immediately after processing. Then they are blast-frozen so there is no opportunity for bacterial growth. The turkey is cooked from frozen so again there is no opportunity for bacterial growth. But to be absolutely sure, your turkey’s safe to eat, just follow these roasting directions:… Read more Is a pre-stuffed turkey safe?
Oven Safe Leg Holder Some Butterball turkeys now have an oven safe device to secure the legs. Features Non Metallic Designed using food grade material, the leg holder securely keeps the legs of a turkey close to the body. The legs can easily be removed from the device for rinsing and stuffing the turkey prior… Read more Oven Safe Leg Holder
How to Smoke a Turkey? Get an amazing smoked flavour while leaving your oven free for other dishes. Follow the instructions below for a water or electric smoker and get a taste unlike any other. SMOKING TIP For food safety, your turkey must pass through a critical range of 40° F to 140° F in… Read more How to Smoke a Turkey
Sodium Nitrite: The Facts The purpose of this fact sheet is to educate our Butterball Consumers and Customers about the fundamental role of nitrite in biology in order to address unfounded fears and concerns about the addition of sodium nitrite to some of our turkey products. Why is sodium nitrite used in some Butterball… Read more The Role of Sodium Nitrite
Sustainability At Butterball/Exceldor we are committed to environmental stewardship and social responsibility in all facets of our business. The food business is entirely dependent on the availability of natural resources and we are committed to doing our part to address the challenges of climate change and energy and water conservation. We have established a comprehensive framework to… Read more Sustainability