Thanksgiving – You Asked It!

Tag: Thanksgiving

Cost of Thanksgiving Meal

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Karen Blakeslee

The cost of a festive holiday meal will be a little easier on your wallet in 2023. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the cost of the classic Thanksgiving meal for 10 people will be $61.17. This is a 4.5% reduction from 2022. The driving factor is the decline in price of turkey. For the Midwest region of the U.S., the average cost is $58.66.

Turkey accounts for 43% of the price of a Thanksgiving dinner. The decrease in cost is likely due to a decrease in avian influenza and the recovery in numbers of turkey flocks. The prices have also decreased for several other popular foods served on Thanksgiving menus.

Turkey with a Side of Food Safety!

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Karen Blakeslee

thawing turkey Whether it is a simple meal for two, or a large gathering with a buffet, food safety is a priority at any meal, and especially at the holidays. Nobody wants the gift of foodborne illness!

Are you the host for the holiday meal? Reduce your stress by starting a list now to plan the location, food and recipes, activities and games, and what your guests could bring. Put it in a timeline or on a calendar to stay on schedule.

Are you buying a fresh or frozen turkey? If you choose fresh, be sure to place an order with your grocer or butcher shop and pick it up 1-2 days before the meal. Frozen turkeys can be purchased any time and stored in the freezer. Pay attention to grocery sales to save some money.

Frozen turkeys are best thawed in the refrigerator or in cold water. In the refrigerator, plan on at least five days for a 20 pound turkey. In cold water, allow about 30 minutes per pound of turkey.

Do you only have one oven? Use a slow cooker for hot dishes. A table top roaster oven can be used like a regular oven for many items. Even electric pressure cookers can cook up some tasty dishes! Some items, such as dessert or bread can be made ahead and frozen.

When cooking the turkey, remember that 325 degrees F is the lowest oven temperature to safely cook turkey. Use a food thermometer to be sure it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Learn more at www.ksre.k-state.edu/foodsafety/topics/holiday.html

Learn more at www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/poultry/turkey-farm-table

Videos on Thanksgiving Food Safety

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Karen Blakeslee

The USDA Food Safety YouTube channel has videos to help consumers prepare turkey safely for the holidays. The videos include:

Thanksgiving Food Safety

More videos can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@USDAFoodSafety

Tips on preparing and serving ham can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/hams-and-food-safety

Start Planning for Holiday Meals

Posted on November 15, 2021 by Karen Blakeslee

Thanksgiving meal It’s almost that time of year for holiday parties and meals with family and friends.

Turkey is the star of many holiday meals. For tips on buying, preparing, serving and more with turkey, see Turkey Basics: Safe Cooking at from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Are you cooking for a large family reunion? Or are you volunteering to serve a holiday community meal? Information about Quantity Food Preparation on the K-State Extension Food Safety website can help you plan and serve a safe meal.

Don’t panic! Good planning helps you from hitting the panic button. The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline receives many questions about holiday food safety. Reduce your fears of food safety by contacting them at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or MPHotline@usda.gov.

Learn more about Holiday Food Safety from K-State Research and Extension

Skip the Rinse, For Any Meat

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Karen Blakeslee

Turkey with thermometer — Insert a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat and away from bones.

The concept of clean typically means we wash or rinse items to make them clean. We wash dishes, clothes, cars, etc. So, it may seem that rinsing meat or poultry before cooking makes them clean. This practice, in fact, can cause foodborne illness instead. It is an old practice that is very outdated.

Today’s modern food safety system provides cleaned meat during processing. No rinsing is required at home. If you do, any potential bacteria on the meat can be splashed onto other surfaces. If those are not cleaned, that leads to cross-contamination.

What is the best practice? Simply using a food thermometer to verify doneness and to destroy foodborne illness-causing bacteria. Follow these temperature guidelines:

Steaks, roasts, chops—145°F
Ground meat—160°F
All poultry—165°F
Fish and seafood—145°F

Source: USDA Washing Food: Does it Promote Food Safety?

Thawing Turkey Guide

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Karen Blakeslee

Are you buying a frozen turkey for your holiday meal? Remember to plan ahead to thaw it safely and in time for roasting. The refrigerator is the best choice to safely thaw frozen food. Do not leave it sit on the countertop at room temperature.

Allow about 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of frozen turkey. It will likely take longer. So for a 12–pound turkey, plan for at least three days thawing time in the refrigerator.

The cold water method can be used in a pinch. Leave the turkey in the wrapper. Submerge it in a clean sink or large container full of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes and allow about 30 minutes per pound of turkey. Cook immediately.

See How to Safely Thaw a Turkey from the USDA for more information.

Are You in Charge of the Holiday Meal?

Posted on October 15, 2020October 15, 2020 by Karen Blakeslee

Stuffing cooked inside a turkey must reach 165°F.

While the holidays can be stressful, don’t let the holiday meal stress you out! Take time to plan ahead to ease the stress and have success.

Decide when to purchase a fresh or frozen turkey. Order a fresh turkey to be picked up the week of Thanksgiving.
If buying a whole turkey, plan for one pound per person.
Plan for about one week to thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator safely. Do not wash the turkey before cooking.
Use a food thermometer to determine doneness; all poultry products should reach a minimum 165°F.

More information can be found at Food Safety for Holiday Meals.

Happy Thanksgiving to You!

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Karen Blakeslee

The Thanksgiving meal is the largest meal many cooks prepare each year. Getting it just right, especially the turkey, brings a fair amount of pressure whether or not a host is experienced with roasting one.

Plan your menu several weeks before the holiday. Shopping early will ease the countdown tension for your Thanksgiving meal.

A good resource to plan for the holiday meal is www.foodsafety.gov/keep/events/thanksgiving/.

Tag: Thanksgiving

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