Is It Safe to Leave a Turkey Uncovered in the Fridge?

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Many people have different ideas about how to best prepare a turkey for Thanksgiving. Should you dry-brine your turkey, wet-brine it, or not brine it at all? We’ll get right to the point: Epi says that dry-brining is the only brining method you should think about when getting your holiday bird ready. The process is as simple as putting the raw turkey in the fridge for a few days after coating it in salt and maybe some other spices. It’s a lot easier to do than a wet brine, and it gives the meat so much flavor that your guests will never complain about dry, bland meat again. But let’s back up:

As Thanksgiving approaches, many home cooks are preparing to roast a turkey for their holiday meal One common question is whether it is safe to leave the turkey uncovered in the refrigerator before cooking The short answer is yes, it can be safe to leave your turkey uncovered in the fridge for a certain period of time. However, there are some guidelines to follow to ensure food safety.

Why Uncover the Turkey?

There are a few reasons why you may want to leave your thawed raw turkey uncovered in the refrigerator:

It allows the skin to dry out – Exposing the skin to air will draw out moisture. This helps produce crispy, browned skin when roasted.
It seasons the meat – Leaving the turkey uncovered allows any added herbs, salt, pepper or seasoning to really penetrate the meat.
It improves flavor – As moisture evaporates from the skin, it concentrates the turkey flavor.

Is It Safe?

Yes, it is safe to refrigerate your thawed turkey uncovered, but only for 1-2 days maximum. Safety precautions need to be followed:

Thaw properly – Make sure the turkey is completely thawed using a safe method: in the fridge, cold water, or the microwave. Do not thaw at room temperature.
Use immediately – Cook the uncovered turkey right away, within 1-2 days max. Do not leave it for longer periods.
Refrigerate below 40°F – Store the uncovered bird on a tray or pan on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator at 40°F or below.
Handle carefully – Use clean utensils and wash hands thoroughly when handling raw turkey to prevent bacteria spread.
Cook thoroughly – Roast or grill the turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer to destroy any harmful bacteria.

Safety Risks

Why can’t you leave a turkey uncovered for longer than 1-2 days? Potential food safety risks include:

Bacteria growth – Salmonella and other bacteria can grow rapidly on raw turkey meat at temperatures above 40°F.
Drying out – The turkey can become too dry if left uncovered for several days. This affects texture and flavor.
Freezer burn – Exposure to air causes freezer burn on frozen meats. This can ruin the taste and quality of the turkey.

What the Experts Recommend

Food safety experts, including the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, agree that 1-2 days is the recommended time limit for refrigerating turkey, or any raw meat and poultry, uncovered.

The USDA states that for optimum safety, thawed raw turkey should be cooked within 1 to 2 days. Any longer could allow bacteria like Salmonella to multiply rapidly at fridge temperatures above 40°F.

The FDA also advises against leaving raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb or veal uncovered in the fridge for more than 1 or 2 days before cooking.

Proper Handling for Food Safety

To keep your holiday turkey safe, besides limiting uncovered fridge time, proper handling is also crucial:

Cook to 165°F as measured by a food thermometer in the thickest part. Use a probe thermometer for accuracy.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Store in shallow containers and use within 3-4 days.
Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw turkey and juices away from ready-to-eat foods. Wash hands, utensils, sinks and countertops thoroughly after contact.
Thaw frozen turkey safely in the fridge, cold water, or microwave only. Do not thaw at room temperature.

Following safe time limits, cooking temperatures and proper handling guidelines will help protect you and your family from potential illness this Thanksgiving.

Summary

It is safe to leave your thawed raw turkey uncovered in the refrigerator for 1-2 days maximum before roasting. This allows the skin to dry out for crispier texture. However, be sure to follow proper thawing, storage temperature, handling and cooking guidelines to prevent bacterial growth and foodborne illness. Limit fridge time for uncovered raw poultry to no more than a day or two, and enjoy your delicious and safer Thanksgiving turkey!

is it safe to leave a turkey uncovered in the fridge

Why dry-brining results in the best turkey:

The wet-brining method involves some complex maneuvers. To begin, you will need to find a big bucket or bag for the turkey to bathe in. It’s a process prone to nightmarish outcomes (#throwback to when former Epi food editor Rhoda Boone ended up with a fridge flooded with turkey water). You’re far less likely to encounter such problems when making a dry-brined turkey. There will be some extra space in the fridge, but that’s just how Thanksgiving turkey works, no matter which way you go.

Dry-brining has more going for it than mere user-friendliness. It also makes the turkey skin extra crispy: when the turkey is left out in the fridge, the skin dries out, which makes it crisp up beautifully in the oven. Additionally, dry-brining ensures the turkey meat is penetrated with seasoning throughout.

When you dry-brine a bird, the salt draws out moisture from the turkey, causing the salt to dissolve. Once dissolved, the salt combines with those turkey juices and gets reabsorbed into the meat. Muscle proteins are broken down along the way, making the juiciest, tenderest, and savoriest turkey you’ll ever eat—no basting or buckets needed.

Dry brining vs. wet brining:

There are two ways to brine your Thanksgiving turkey: a wet brine or a dry brine. To dry brine a turkey, all you have to do is rub it in a salt-and-herb mix and put it in the fridge for a long time (about an hour per pound). For wet brining, you have to soak the turkey in a salt-water solution (herbs, spices, and aromatics can be added), and sometimes beer or molasses is added to the water as well. You do this for several hours or overnight.

Is it OK to leave a turkey uncovered in the fridge?

FAQ

How long can I leave a turkey uncovered in the fridge?

DO NOT OVER BRINE! Remove turkey from brine, pat dry, and store in refrigerator (uncovered) until ready to cook. Your turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking.

How long can you leave uncovered meat in the fridge?

1 to 3 days: Salt and Refrigerate Lightly sprinkle salt all over the cut of meat, and keep it uncovered on a rack in the fridge.

Should the turkey be covered in the refrigerator before cooking?

While not 100% necessary, uncovering the turkey and allowing it to sit uncovered in the refrigerator the day before or even several hours before roasting helps the skin dry out, resulting in crispier skin. If you are using a wet brine, you will need to rinse off the brine first or the turkey will be too salty.

Should I cover my uncooked turkey in the fridge?

You can leave meat uncovered in the fridge, just make sure it’s not touching other stuff and good practice is to put it on the lower level so that if it gets knocked over, any juices don’t fall onto other items in the fridge.