Easy Tips on How to Know if Ground Turkey is Cooked
Are you still worried about what degree ground turkey needs to be cooked to be considered cooked? Don't be distressed anymore. After reading this article, you will understand all the secrets about turkey cooking!
The most reliable method: Measure with a thermometer
The thermometer is a very practical little helper in the kitchen. It can help us accurately know the internal temperature of food and thus know whether the food is cooked. It is very suitable for beginners.
When cooking ground turkey, when you think the ground turkey is almost cooked but are not sure if it is fully cooked, you can insert the thermometer into the very center of the ground turkey, ensuring that the probe of the thermometer is completely buried in the minced meat. Then observe the temperature of the thermometer. Generally, when the internal temperature reaches above 74°C (165°F), it means that the ground turkey is cooked.
Of course, if you want to be more cautious, you can wait for the internal temperature of the ground turkey to rise to around 77°C (170°F) before ending the cooking to avoid excessive temperature causing the ground turkey to become dry and tough.
How to tell if ground turkey is cooked without thermometer?
Although the thermometer is the most reliable way to judge whether the turkey is cooked, it is not the only way. The following methods can also easily determine whether the turkey is cooked.
Look at the color
The most intuitive way to judge whether the turkey is cooked is to observe the color of the turkey. Generally, the color of raw turkey is pink, and the color of cooked turkey is gray or light brown.
Look at the texture
Did you know? Raw turkey is usually elastic and cannot be broken by hands or chopsticks; but if the turkey is cooked, its meat will become loose and will fall apart with a light touch of the hand.
Taste it
If you think the turkey is cooked, but you are not sure, you can take a small piece of turkey to taste it. If the turkey tastes soft and tender without a firm texture, it means that the turkey is cooked.
Smell the smell
You can also judge whether the turkey is cooked by smelling the smell of the turkey. Generally, cooked turkey will emit a faint meaty aroma, not the smell of raw meat.
What does ground turkey look like when it's done?
The state of cooked turkey by different cooking methods is different.
If it is roasted turkey, then after being cooked, the appearance of the turkey is golden yellow and looks very attractive. It looks golden in the sun. The skin tastes crispy and the meat inside is tender and juicy. It is very delicious and is a method loved by many people.
But if it is boiled turkey, then the color of the cooked turkey is light white or beige. At this time, the turkey tastes very soft and tender. At the same time, the texture of the turkey meat will also be well maintained and has high nutritional value. It is very fresh.
If it is stir-fried turkey, then the turkey will generally be cut into different states such as pieces, cubes or shreds. During the stir-frying process, sauce will also be added for seasoning. Therefore, the color of the stir-fried turkey looks relatively diverse, including red, yellow or brown. Stir-fried chicken has a strong fragrance and is very delicious with rice.
If it is fried turkey, the surface of the turkey is golden yellow, just like putting on a layer of golden armor for the turkey meat. At this time, the skin of the turkey will become super crispy. With one bite, there is a "crunch" sound. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the taste level is extremely rich.
How long does ground turkey take to cook?
First of all, it should be made clear that the cooking time of minced turkey is not fixed. It is affected by the thickness of the minced turkey, the cooking temperature, whether a lid is used, etc.
Under normal circumstances, if the minced turkey is not very thick and medium heat is used during cooking, it will take about 10-15 minutes to cook the minced turkey; but if the minced turkey is larger, it will take longer.
During the cooking process, the minced turkey needs to be stirred with a spatula or chopsticks to ensure that the minced turkey is heated evenly to avoid local overheating that causes the meat to become old and woody.
How long to cook ground turkey on stove?
The amount of time it takes to cook the Turkey on the stove depends on the size of the Turkey and the temperature of the stove.
If it is a relatively small Turkey block, the stove temperature is about 180℃ -200 ℃, then only need to bake about 30-45 minutes; Keep turning during the roasting process to avoid burning the Turkey; The Turkey is ready when the skin is slowly turning golden and there is a sizzling sound.
If it is a medium size Turkey, then the roasting time will be relatively long, the stove temperature at 180℃ -200 ℃, need to roast 45-60 minutes or so to roast the Turkey, during the roasting process, you can use a toothpick to poke the meat, observe the color of the Turkey to determine whether it is ripe.
Of course, if it is a whole chicken Turkey, then the time will be longer, when the stove temperature is set at 160℃ -180 ℃, it takes 2-3 hours to roast, if the Turkey is relatively large, then it takes longer.
How to know when ground turkey is bad?
In life, you can judge whether turkey is spoiled by the following methods:
First, you can judge whether turkey is spoiled by looking at the color. Generally, good-quality turkey should be light red or pink in color. If your turkey is grayish green, black or has a grayish white color, then it means the turkey has spoiled.
Secondly, you can judge whether turkey meat is spoiled by smelling. Under normal circumstances, fresh ground turkey has a faint meaty smell, which is normal. If the turkey smells sour, rancid, or other pungent ammonia smells, it means the turkey is spoiled and cannot be eaten anymore.
Another way is to judge whether turkey is spoiled by touching the turkey meat. Fresh ground turkey feels elastic and the meat is relatively firm. If the turkey is sticky, it means that this turkey is of poor quality or has spoiled.
Finally, you can judge by checking the expiration date of the turkey. Generally, turkey will be labeled with an expiration date. If it has exceeded the expiration date on the packaging, the risk of spoilage will be greatly increased. Do not buy it.
