Food Safety While Hiking, Camping
& Boating
Countdown to the Thanksgiving Holiday
USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHotline
(1-888-674-6854)
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health
agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring
that the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products
is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.
Food Safety Information
United States Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
USDA PhotoAs Thanksgiving approaches, cooking the traditional turkey dinner gives rise to anxieties and questions. What
kind of turkey should I buy? Should I buy a frozen turkey or a fresh one? How do I store my turkey?
A few simple steps will not only ease your holiday fears, but will ensure a delicious and a safe meal for you, your
family, and your friends. The following information may help you prepare your special Thanksgiving meal and help
you countdown to the holiday.
Plan Ahead
Plan your menu several weeks before the holiday.
Shopping early will ease the countdown tension for
your Thanksgiving meal. Ask these questions to help
plan your meal. Do you want a fresh or frozen
turkey? Do you have enough space to store a frozen
bird if purchased in advance; if not, when should you
purchase a turkey? What size bird do you need to
buy?
Fresh or Frozen
If you choose to buy a frozen bird you may do so at
any time, but make sure you have adequate storage
space in your freezer. If you buy a fresh turkey, be
sure you purchase it only 1-2 days before cooking.
Do not buy a prestuffed fresh turkey.
Use the following chart as a helpful guide:
WHAT SIZE TURKEY TO PURCHASE
Type of Turkey
Whole bird
Boneless breast of turkey
Breast of turkey
Prestuffed frozen turkey
Pounds to Buy
1 pound per person
1/2 pound per person
3/4 pound per person
1 1/4 pounds per person
–- keep frozen until
ready to cook
Size of Turkey
4 to 12 pounds
12 to 16 pounds
16 to 20 pounds
20 to 24 pounds
Number of Days
1 to 3 days
3 to 4 days
4 to 5 days
5 t