Introduction to a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving week has finally arrived, and with it, the daunting task of preparing a delicious and safe meal for family and friends. More than 90% of people in the U.S. celebrate this food-centric holiday, with over 1 in 4 attending meals that include more than 10 other people, according to the Pew Research Center. Under this kind of pressure, having the right tools can make all the difference in ensuring a successful and enjoyable holiday dinner.

Essential Tools for a Successful Thanksgiving

With the help of national food safety experts, we have identified the top kitchen devices and aids that are essential for a safe and tasty Thanksgiving meal. These experts have provided their top suggestions for tools that can make or break your holiday dinner, along with two bonus tips for after the meal.

Digital Meat Thermometer

A digital meat thermometer is vital to ensuring that your roast turkey and other dishes reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, eliminating the risk of food poisoning from germs like salmonella and Campylobacter. According to Darin Detwiler, a Northeastern University food safety expert, "A reliable thermometer ensures you’re not guessing, because guessing is not a food safety strategy."

Color-Coded Cutting Boards

In the hustle of a holiday kitchen, the risk of cross-contamination is real. Using dedicated cutting boards for each type of food, and color-coding them (red for meat, yellow for poultry, green for veggies), can help prevent the spread of germs. Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, recommends avoiding wooden cutting boards, as they can retain bacteria that thrive and grow to large enough quantities to cause illness.

Sharp Knives

As an emergency medicine doctor who has stitched up many Thanksgiving injuries, Dr. Tony Cirillo urges home cooks to make sure their kitchen knives are sharp. A sharp knife cuts cleanly, while a dull knife requires more pressure, which can cause dangerous slips.

Sturdy Roasting Pans

Pulling a hot turkey out of the oven can be tricky, especially if the pan you cook it in is flimsy. Using a sturdy metal roasting pan or, in a pinch, stacking two foil roasting pans together for strength, can help prevent accidents. Dr. Cirillo is a big fan of double-panning, saying, "Dropping the turkey is generally not good on Thanksgiving."

Cooking Timer

Just as important as getting food to the table is making sure it doesn’t sit out too long. Using a cooking timer or clock alarm can help ensure that leftovers are packed away within two hours to prevent bacterial growth that can cause illness. Don Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University, emphasizes the importance of timely food storage.

Ruler

When storing leftovers, it’s essential to put them in shallow containers. Measuring using a ruler or even the short side of a credit card can help ensure that dense foods like stuffing and sweet potatoes reach a depth of no more than 2 inches (5 centimeters) to allow for quick and complete cooling in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

Having the right tools and following simple food safety guidelines can make all the difference in ensuring a successful and enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner. By investing in a digital meat thermometer, color-coded cutting boards, sharp knives, sturdy roasting pans, a cooking timer, and a ruler, you can help prevent foodborne illnesses and create a memorable holiday meal for your family and friends.

FAQs

• Q: What is the minimum internal temperature that cooked turkey should reach to ensure food safety?
  A: 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Q: Why is it important to use color-coded cutting boards?
  A: To prevent cross-contamination and the spread of germs.
• Q: How often should I check the temperature of my leftovers?
  A: Every two hours to ensure they are stored safely and prevent bacterial growth.
• Q: What is the maximum depth for storing leftovers in containers?
  A: 2 inches (5 centimeters) to allow for quick and complete cooling in the refrigerator.

  By JONEL ALECCIA

  It’s the start of Thanksgiving week, the time when home cooks across America suddenly recognize the daunting task ahead.

More than 90% of people in the U.S. celebrate the food-centric holiday and more than 1 in 4 attend meals that include more than 10 other people, according to the Pew Research Center.

Under that kind of pressure, what host wouldn’t want the best tools to make sure the holiday dinner goes off without a hitch?

With that in mind, we asked national food safety experts which kitchen devices and aids are essential to ensure a safe and tasty Thanksgiving meal.

Here are their top four suggestions for aids that can make or break your holiday dinner, plus two bonus tips for after the meal:

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.