Turkey Stuffing question...

[Kathi OD]

Am I the only one whose family stuffs the turkey the night before cooking it?

For as long as I can remember (at least 50 years), we've always stuffed our turkey the night before. Never have had anyone get sick because of T-Day dinner and always have had a moist bird. What gives?

 

[shortbun]

We used to and stopped because it's not healthy or safe. I'll give you that it tastes better.

 

[Art 1]

No, you are not.

 

[C.Ann]

I've had food poisoning several times, so that would not "fly" with me (no pun intended - LOL).. I just couldn't do it - or eat it..

But - it sounds like there's been no problems in your family for 50 yrs...

What do you put in your stuffing?

 

[poochie]

Am I the only one whose family stuffs the turkey the night before cooking it?

For as long as I can remember (at least 50 years), we've always stuffed our turkey the night before. Never have had anyone get sick because of T-Day dinner and always have had a moist bird. What gives?

I know what you mean our family also always stuffed their bird the night before. Then my mom would get up so early to put him in the oven as it was always a huge bird.

Also no one ever got sick in the family all those years either.

 

[Kathi OD]

I've had food poisoning several times, so that would not "fly" with me (no pun intended - LOL).. I just couldn't do it - or eat it..

But - it sounds like there's been no problems in your family for 50 yrs...

What do you put in your stuffing?

I use cooked sausage, milk, broth made from veggies and the turkey innards, apples, cooked onion and celery, pepper, salt, and poultry seasoning.

 

[C.Ann]

I use cooked sausage, milk, broth made from veggies and the turkey innards, apples, cooked onion and celery, pepper, salt, and poultry seasoning.

Interesting.. I use all the same ingredients except the broth and turkey innards.. Now do you cook all of this before you stick it in the bird? (The sausage, onion, celery?)

 

[minkydog]

Nope, my mom cooked her stuffing in a big frying pan. Me? I put mine in the crockpot. Yum!

 

[Kathi OD]

Interesting.. I use all the same ingredients except the broth and turkey innards.. Now do you cook all of this before you stick it in the bird? (The sausage, onion, celery?)

Yes, everything is cooked, and then assembled into the stuffing and mashed into the bird.

I also rub the turkey cavity with kosher salt before stuffing it. Then he gets covered with a damp dish towel (the old-fashioned, linen-like kind). I have 2 sisters and we each got a set of these when we got married, just for turkey roasting. They don't get used for anything else. Tomorrow morning before he goes in the oven, he'll get rubbed down w/ about 2T of mayonnaise and his wingtips and leg stubs will get adorned w/ aluminum foil wraps.

 

[Kathi OD]

Nope, my mom cooked her stuffing in a big frying pan. Me? I put mine in the crockpot. Yum!

Now that's two ways of preparing stuffing I've never heard of before. Very interesting. How do you do prepare it in the crockpot?

 

[minkydog]

Now that's two ways of preparing stuffing I've never heard of before. Very interesting. How do you do prepare it in the crockpot?

I just mix up the dried bread crumbs (wheat and corn breads) with my wilted celery & onions, season with sage and thyme, moisten with broth. Spray my crockpot with PAM spray and put the dressing in it for about 4 hours. It's very moist and delicious!

 

[dislaney]

I switched to making mine in the crockpot a few years ago and it's the best! Easy and delicious!

 

[Kathi OD]

I just mix up the dried bread crumbs (wheat and corn breads) with my wilted celery & onions, season with sage and thyme, moisten with broth. Spray my crockpot with PAM spray and put the dressing in it for about 4 hours. It's very moist and delicious!

And Easy Peasy too!

 

[C.Ann]

Yes, everything is cooked, and then assembled into the stuffing and mashed into the bird.

I also rub the turkey cavity with kosher salt before stuffing it. Then he gets covered with a damp dish towel (the old-fashioned, linen-like kind). I have 2 sisters and we each got a set of these when we got married, just for turkey roasting. They don't get used for anything else. Tomorrow morning before he goes in the oven, he'll get rubbed down w/ about 2T of mayonnaise and his wingtips and leg stubs will get adorned w/ aluminum foil wraps.

Well it certainly sounds delicious.. Yum!

Never heard of rubbing the bird down with mayo.. Hmmm.. I might have to try that sometime!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I wonder if the coating of Kosher Salt inside the bird before the stuffing goes in helps to kill bacteria?

 

[Kathi OD]

Well it certainly sounds delicious.. Yum!

Never heard of rubbing the bird down with mayo.. Hmmm.. I might have to try that sometime!

I don't know anyone else who does it either, but I know that my grandmother did it. I'm assuming it helps to keep him moist.

I wonder if the coating of Kosher Salt inside the bird before the stuffing goes in helps to kill bacteria?

Maybe, I don't really know for sure.

 

[cm8]

Am I the only one whose family stuffs the turkey the night before cooking it?

For as long as I can remember (at least 50 years), we've always stuffed our turkey the night before. Never have had anyone get sick because of T-Day dinner and always have had a moist bird. What gives?

we still stuff our turkey and let it roast.... Will never change it either!!

 

[chamonix]

As long as your stuffing is cool before you put it inside the bird, there is no big huge bacteria risk placing it inside the bird instead of in a side dish.

Also, don't forget it's not good to pack it too tight!

Then again, I am probably not the best person to give advice about this since our method is to stuff it tonight and throw it in the oven to cook as we sleep. We eat very early tomorrow, and we always have a huge turkey, and like it done long and slow.....so, it goes in when I hit the sack! I would rather get up early to take a turkey out of the oven, then get up early to put one in.

(I don't go to bed until the wee hours though, and get up very early to take it out, so it is actually cooking a "normal" amount of time. )

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am sure you will get a better bird with it stuffed the night before, makes logical sense. I miss ordering a RARE HAMBURGER. So good...

Since it goes against the guidelines of food safety, I prefer to wait until right before cooking. I use a food thermometer to make sure things are temped right. I can't help it.

This yr. we are cooking them unstuffed in the interest of time. I will miss the stuffing from the turkey.

 

[donaldduck352]

I wonder if the coating of Kosher Salt inside the bird before the stuffing goes in helps to kill bacteria?

With a bird stuffed with COOKED stuffing,preferbaly still warm,the salt will sucrete the moister into the stuffing and vice-a-versa.The taste will go through out the bird!!!!

Use a thermotter(sp),place it between the thigh and leg bone.When the temp hits 165,she is good too go.At 165 all bacteria is killed..Just make sure to baste the bird alot after 3-4hrs with the bottom grease.