The color pink in cooked turkey meat raises a "red flag" to many diners and cooks. They are conditioned to be leery of cooked fresh pork that appears pink; they also wonder if cooked poultry and other meats with a pink blush are safe. Turkey juices do change from raw-meat pink to a clear color as the bird cooks, but that doesn't equate with safe eating.
"That isn't necessarily the temperature that the pathogens are killed at. The red color is actually due to the presence of myoglobin which makes the turkey safe to eat. Bloody Juice Inside a Turkey - Is It Safe To Eat? I know what you're thinking.
"What is myoglobin and is it dangerous?" I'm about to answer all those questions, but let's start from the start. What Exactly Is That "Bloody" Juice? What causes the pink color in turkey meat? 7. How do I know if my turkey is fully cooked? 8.
Are there any health risks associated with pink juice in turkey? 9. Can brining a turkey cause pink juice? 10. Should I be concerned about pink juice in my turkey? 11.
What is the safe internal temperature for cooked turkey? 12. How can I avoid pink. The little pink means done right, not danger! The color of cooked turkey is not a perfect indicator of safety and doneness.
Relying on a food thermometer to reach the USDA-recommended internal temperature of 165°F throughout is the only foolproof way to know your turkey is properly cooked, pink color or not. Why is my frozen turkey red? Color changes can occur in frozen foods but the foods remain safe to eat. The bright red color of meat as purchased usually turns dark or pale brown depending on its variety.
This may be due to lack of oxygen, freezer burn or abnormally long storage. Freezing doesn't usually cause color changes in poultry. The color of the "juices" is not an exact indicator of whether food was cooked to/held at a safe temperature.
If the thermometer is accurate and was properly placed, then that's what you should trust. Factors Affecting Juices Color There are a few factors that can influence the color of the juices when cooking a turkey. One such factor is the presence of myoglobin, a protein found in muscle tissue.
Myoglobin can give the juices a slightly pink or reddish color, even when the turkey is fully cooked. This does not necessarily indicate undercooking, and it is considered safe to consume as long. You might be wondering, "is it OK to eat pink turkey?" This question comes up every Thanksgiving, so we asked food safety experts if it's safe to eat pink turkey.
Turns out, color can't tell you everything about turkey doneness; look for these signs turkey is safe to eat and fully cooked instead. Pinkish juices in a turkey can be normal and don't necessarily mean your turkey is undercooked. Yep, the color of the turkey's juices doesn't translate to safe or unsafe eating.