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Why NOT to Wash Your Thanksgiving Turkey

food preparation

A person chops a head of red cabbage.

Jun 8, 2020

Braised Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

Several fruits and vegetables have long shelf lives so you can stock up for nutritious meals, even during a pandemic! 
Close shot of a woman washing her hands with soap in a kitchen sink.

Mar 16, 2020

Proper Handwashing and Hand Sanitizer Use

Our NC State Extension food safety specialist provides a quick tutorial on proper handwashing practices and hand sanitizer use for disease prevention and control. 
Cleaning wood cutting board in kitchen sink

Mar 13, 2020

Which is Safer? Wood vs. Plastic Cutting Boards

It's an age-old question and source of great debate among family and friends. So which really is better from a food safety standpoint, plastic or wooden cutting boards? 
Close-up Photo of Baked Potatoes Wrapped in Foil On a Baking Tray

Nov 22, 2019

Let Your Baked Potatoes Breathe

Baked potatoes are an ideal side for any holiday meal, whether you add some sour cream, cheese, butter or…botulism? We’ll show you how (and why) to give your spuds space to breathe after baking. 
Boy and girl eating sweet pie with dirty mouths, their parents eating in the background

Nov 22, 2019

How to Safely Prep Your Holiday Pies

It's not a holiday meal without some sort of pie. Every family member has their favorite, but so do bacteria. Find out which types of pie pose more or less risk and how to address those food safety issues. 
Overhead view of fall holidays table with friends hands picking some fingerfood appetizers from a charcuterie board

Nov 21, 2019

Safely Serving Holiday Appetizers

You can always count on a collision of family, friends and finger foods during certain times of the year. We can't guarantee everyone will get along, but we can help you serve them safe and scrumptious appetizers! 
Unidentified person removing a pan of roasted turkey with stuffing fresh from the kitchen oven.

Nov 21, 2019

How to Tell When Your Turkey Is Done

How long should I cook my turkey? How do I know if it’s done? Hint: Make sure you cook your bird to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 
Happy father bringing Thanksgiving turkey to the table for his family's' meal.

Nov 21, 2019

Tips for Timing Your Holiday Meal

With such an ambitious menu, you'll want to make sure everything is timed just right to avoid food safety issues. But what should you cook first? And how long can your prized turkey or other foods sit out? 
Mother and her daughters preparing stuffed turkey with side dishes for Thanksgiving

Nov 21, 2019

Should I Precook My Turkey Stuffing?

As far as we’re concerned, it’s not a question of “if” there will be stuffing at Thanksgiving, but “how much”! We’ll help you incorporate this hall-of-fame side dish safely into your holiday meal. 
Raw whole turkey defrosting on a kitchen sink. A dish cloth is in close proximity to the defrosting meat, creating a cross contamination and food safety issue.

Nov 21, 2019

Why NOT to Wash Your Thanksgiving Turkey

While it’s tempting to wash your turkey before cooking, you could actually do more harm than good - learn why!