How to Stuff
Stuffing can either be placed (or "stuffed") in a turkey or it can be cooked separately in an oven-safe dish.
Stuffing a Turkey
Here are some tried-and-true guidelines for stuffing your turkey:
- Prepare your stuffing right before you place it in the turkey.
- Use only cooked ingredients in stuffing
- Use pasteurized egg products instead of raw eggs.
- Place the prepared stuffing in turkey just before roasting. Do not stuff the night before, as it could cause food-borne illness.
- Stuff both neck and body cavities of a completely thawed turkey, allowing 1/2 to 3/4 cup of stuffing per pound. Do not pack stuffing too tightly, as it may promote uneven cooking.
- Do not stuff turkeys when cooking on a grill or water smoker. Do not stuff your turkey if you are using a fast-cook method in which the turkey will be done before the stuffing.
- Stuffing should reach 165°F when done.
