If theres one thing ubiquitous with the American holiday of Thanksgiving, its eating turkey. Millions of people throughout the United States sit down to a big meal that typically includes turkey as one of the main courses. Dining on a big roasted or fried bird has been a staple for centuries because turkey is one of the foods believed to have been shared between the pilgrims and Native Americans when they celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621. (Although we now know that its more likely they may have eaten fowl like ducks and geese along with some venison, explains NPR.)
For many people, roasting a turkey is a little bit easier thanks to a simple little gadget known as the pop-up timer. This smart piece of technology lets you know when your turkey is done so you dont have to stress over it. All you have to do is wait until the red indicator stick pops up and you know the bird is done and its time to eat.
But have you ever wondered how that timer knows exactly when your turkey is completely cooked? Read on to find out.
Turkey poppers are a beloved appetizer for any occasion. These tasty bites consist of ground turkey mixed with stuffing and seasoning, wrapped in crispy bacon. When cooked in the oven, the bacon crisps up while the inside cooks through. A key question home cooks have is, what temperature do turkey poppers pop? Let’s explore the science behind these fun finger foods.
How Do Turkey Poppers Work?
Turkey poppers get their signature “pop” from small metal skewers called popper sticks inserted into the raw poppers. The sticks contain a spring wrapped around them and a piece of metal on the end nestled inside the uncooked turkey mixture.
As the poppers bake, the metal tip heats up until it reaches around 180°F. At this temperature, the metal melts, freeing the spring loaded stick and causing it to pop up out of the turkey! This signals the inside of the popper has finished cooking.
Why Turkey Poppers Pop
The popping action serves an important purpose – it indicates when the inside of the poppers are safely cooked through,
Poultry needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer to be considered safe to eat. If undercooked, bacteria could still remain, posing a potential foodborne illness risk.
The popper sticks are calibrated to pop up when the internal temperature hits 180°F This ensures the turkey mixture has cooked through completely once the stick pops up The unique popping mechanism removes the uncertainty around doneness,
Ideal Internal Temperature
While the popper sticks pop at 180°F, you still want to verify the turkey filling reaches the FDA recommended safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F. This eliminates any harmful bacteria that could make you sick.
Using an instant read thermometer, check the temperature of a few turkey poppers once the sticks have popped up. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part, avoiding touching any bones. If the reading is below 165°F, return the pan to the oven for additional cooking until 165°F is reached.
Cooking ground turkey to the proper internal temperature is critical for food safety. 165°F destroys dangerous pathogens that can cause foodborne illness if poultry is undercooked.
Cooking Times
Cooking times for turkey poppers can vary based on size and oven, but here are general guidelines:
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In a 375°F oven, turkey poppers take 15-20 minutes to reach 165°F.
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From frozen, allow 5-10 extra minutes.
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Grill cooked pops may take 10-15 minutes.
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For extra large poppers over 2 inches, add 5 minutes to the cook time.
Always verify doneness with an instant read thermometer after the popper sticks have popped up. Test cooking times to determine the ideal timings for your oven and popper recipe.
Tips for Perfect Poppers
Follow these tips for flawless turkey poppers every time:
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Use fresh poppers within 1-2 days for best results. Freezing can make the bacon detach.
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Arrange in a single layer on a foil or parchment lined pan so they cook evenly.
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Bake in the center of the oven for optimal air circulation.
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Flip halfway through cooking to brown both sides.
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Brush with maple syrup or brown sugar for candied bacon if desired.
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When grilling, use indirect heat and flip frequently.
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Always check temperature with an instant read thermometer before serving.
Freezing Raw Turkey Poppers
Uncooked turkey poppers can be frozen for 2-3 months. To freeze, place assembled but uncooked poppers in a single layer on a parchment lined pan and freeze solid. Then transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container.
To cook frozen pops, bake from frozen – no thawing needed. Just add a few extra minutes to the cook time as noted above. The popper sticks will still pop when the interior hits the right temperature.
Freezing is very convenient for making big batches in advance. Pull them from the freezer to oven anytime for easy appetizers!
Fun Recipe Ideas
While classic turkey poppers are delicious, you can get creative with different fillings too:
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Feta, spinach and sun-dried tomato
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BBQ pulled turkey and cheddar
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Jalapeño popper style with cream cheese
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Apple, cranberry, pecan for Thanksgiving
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Breakfast poppers with turkey, egg, cheese and bacon
You can also use ground chicken, pork or sausage instead of turkey. Just cook to the recommended safe internal temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Turkey poppers make the perfect finger food for parties, game days, and other gatherings. Serve warm from the oven with dipping sauces like barbecue, ranch, honey mustard or hot sauce.
They also pair well with fresh crudités, fruit, chips and dips. For a meal, enjoy alongside roasted veggies, mashed potatoes or in sandwiches.
However you serve them, turkey poppers always disappear quickly! Just be sure to cook them to 165°F internal temperature so they are safe to eat. With this guide, you’ll be a pro at making these fun and delicious appetizers.
A Funky Thermometer
If your turkey has a pre-inserted pop-up timer — most turkeys you buy from the grocery store do — you dont have to worry about using a separate meat thermometer. When the turkeys timer pops up, its signaling to you the bird is done. Heres how it works:
A pop-up timer found in a turkey or chicken normally has four parts (see above):
- A: The stick that pops up (typically red)
- B: The outer case (typically white or light blue)
- C: A spring
- D: Piece of soft metal similar to solder
The soft metal (D in the ) is solid at room temperature but turns to a liquid (melts) at about 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius). When the metal melts, it releases the red stick (A) and the spring (C) pops up the stick so you know the turkey is done.
Turkey is done when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius). If your turkey didnt include a pop-up timer, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for doneness. Simply insert the thermometer into the innermost part of the turkeys thigh and wing, and the thickest part of the breast, being sure not to hit bone. If it registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit, its done.
One little-known fact is that these timers are reusable. If you dip the tip in hot water it will re-melt the metal and you can push the pop-up piece back into place. Then let it cool, and the pop-up piece will be back in its original position — ready to use again.
The Turkey Pop Up Timer!
FAQ
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
- The USDA recommends cooking turkey to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
- This temperature kills pathogens like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and avian influenza viruses.
- You can remove the turkey from the oven at a temperature as low as 160°F because the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.
- Turkey can remain pink even after cooking to a safe temperature, and smoked turkey is always pink.
- A whole turkey has two different types of meat, white breast meat and dark meat, so cooking times and temperatures may need to be adjusted.
- Pop-up turkey timers are not reliable because they can indicate temperatures that are much higher than the recommended temperature.
What if the turkey timer doesn’t pop-up?
If your turkey didn’t include a pop-up timer, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for doneness. Simply insert the thermometer into the innermost part of the turkey’s thigh and wing, and the thickest part of the breast, being sure not to hit bone.
What temperature is a stuffed turkey done at?
Check these places on your turkey and look for these temperatures: 180°F in thigh. 170°F in breast. 165°F in stuffing.
Do turkeys have pop-up thermometers?
Some turkeys include pop-up thermometers that are already placed in the bird to make life more convenient. The idea is simple: the thermometers will pop up when the predetermined temperature is reached. But these handy indicators might not be as helpful as you think.
What is a pop-up Turkey timer?
The pop-up turkey timer, also known as a popper, is a handy little device included with most store-bought turkeys to help determine doneness. It’s designed to pop up when the turkey reaches the ideal internal temperature, taking the guesswork out of cook times. But just how accurate and reliable are these pop-up turkey timers really?
What temperature should a Turkey eat?
“They’re not very accurate and not very precise,” says Keith Schneider, a food safety professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that the internal minimum temperature of a turkey needs to reach 165°F to be safe.
Can a thermometer tell if a Turkey is cooked?
“While these thermometers are generally accurate within 1 to 2°F, they can sometimes pop up before the turkey is fully cooked, potentially signaling temperatures just below the safe threshold,” Baker says. Schneider agrees that the temperature could be off by a couple of degrees and you won’t know unless you use a meat thermometer.
Why do poppers not work?
Unfortunately, there are a few reasons why poppers often don’t work as expected. While convenient in theory, pop-up timers have some inherent flaws that affect their accuracy: Inconsistent calibration – Poppers can be calibrated to pop at slightly different temperatures, ranging from 160°F to as high as 185°F.
Should you use a pop-up thermometer if you don’t have a thermometer?
If you only have a pop-up thermometer, Baker and Schneider agree that they serve as an indicator and are better than nothing. “If you don’t have a thermometer, and your bird comes with a pop-up thermometer, that’s a good indication of when it is done,” says Schneider.