Turkey Leftover Tips

Part of the pleasure from holiday turkey dinners is enjoying the leftovers. According to the Food Safety Inspection Service with U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated, if leftovers were handled properly. When reheating turkey in the oven, the following is suggested by FSIS/USDA: set oven temperature no lower than 325º F; reheat turkey to an internal temperature of 165º F; use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature; and to keep the turkey moist, add a little broth or water and cover. To reheat turkey in the microwave, important food safety tips include: cover the food and rotate for even heating; be sure to allow standing time; check the internal temperature of the food with a food thermometer to make sure it reaches 165º F; and check your microwave owner's manual for recommended times and power levels. For more information on turkey and holiday food safety, visit the University of Illinois Extension Solutions website at: http://www.solutions.uiuc.edu/ or the Food Safety Inspection Service with USDA website at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/. For additional food safety information about meat and poultry, call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Questions? Contact Tammi Koltveit, Community Worker, Family Nutrition Program (FNP) at koltveit@uiuc.edu

Family Nutrition Program
The Family Nutrition Program (Food Stamp Nutrition Education) teaches and promotes safe and healthy eating for families on a budget.