The last thing you want on Thanksgiving weekend (besides family squabbles) is bacterial food sickness, right?
So here are some questions to test your holiday food knowledge, with answers from experts below.
1. You just placed the raw turkey in the roasting pan. Your next step is: A. Washing your hands with warm soap and water. B. Setting the oven timer.
2. Pick two: Frozen turkeys are most safely thawed: A. On the counter top. B. In the refrigerator. C. Outdoors. D. In a sink full of cold water.
3. Turkey is safe to eat when a meat thermometer inserted into the bird (check the thickest part of the thigh or breast) reads at least: A. 190 degrees. B. 130 degrees. C. 165 degrees. D. 220 degrees.
4. True or false: Turkey meat that is pink is safe to eat as long as the thermometer reading reaches the correct degree.
5. True or false: The temperature of the stuffing also needs to be checked with a meat thermometer, even if it was cooked outside the turkey.
6. True or false: When eating leftovers, they should be very cold, out of the refrigerator, or hot, at least 165 degrees
7. Roast turkey intended for leftovers should go from oven to refrigerator within: A. 2 hours. B. 4 hours. C. 6 hours. D. Let it sit out all day for the latecomers.
8. It’s safe to eat leftover gravy for: A. 1-2 days; B. 2-3 days. C. 3-4 days; D. a week.
9. It’s safe to eat leftover, refrigerated turkey for: A. 1-2 days; B. 2-3 days. C. 3-4 days. D. one week.
10. You skipped the home cooking and ate your turkey dinner at a restaurant. True or false: You can safely eat the contents of your refrigerated doggie bag for several days.
Answers:
1. A. Wash your hands!
2. B and D, in the refrigerator or in cold water.
3. At least 165 degrees.
4. True.
5. True, and it should also be at least 165 degrees.
6. True.
7. A, Within 2 hours.
8: 1-2 days.
9. C. 3-4 days.
10: False: Eat restaurant leftovers no later than the next day.
Information for this quiz comes from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Extension. Read more on their safe holiday cooking websites:
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