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Meat thermometers
Buying guide
Where to Put a Meat Thermometer in a Turkey
Check the thickest breast area plus the innermost thigh and wing areas. Keep the sensing tip in meat, away from bone and outside the cavity.
Where to Insert a Meat Thermometer in a Whole Turkey
Insert into the thickest breast and the innermost thigh, keeping the sensing area clear of bone and the cavity. Recheck from another angle and use the lowest valid reading.
Where to Stick a Meat Thermometer in a Turkey
Check a whole turkey in three places: the thickest breast, the innermost thigh and the innermost wing. Keep the sensing area in meat rather than against bone, and verify every location reaches 165°F.
Where to Place a Meat Thermometer in a Turkey
Aim for the innermost thigh and wing and the thickest breast. The probe must sit in meat, not against bone.
Common questions
Questions before you buy
What temperature should a meat thermometer read for turkey?
It should read at least 165°F in the innermost thigh, innermost wing, and thickest part of the breast.
Where do you put a thermometer in a turkey?
Place it in the center of the thickest flesh, avoiding bone. Check the breast plus the innermost thigh and wing.
Can turkey be done in the breast but not the thigh?
Yes. Different parts heat at different rates, which is why each required location needs its own reading.
Should the thermometer stay in the turkey while it cooks?
Only if it is designed as an oven-safe leave-in thermometer. Use an instant-read thermometer solely for brief spot checks.