Can I cook a turkey in the microwave?

Unsafe Turkey Cooking Methods

Turkey in the Crockpot

Most food experts say that cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker is unsafe, because the low cooking temperature keeps the cavity at an ideal temperature for breeding bacteria for too long a time. The same holds true for turkey. Note that a slow cooker is not the same as a roaster oven, such as those made by Nesco.

Turkey Roasted Overnight

Lots of us have recipes from our mothers and grandmothers that call for roasting the turkey overnight at a temperature ranging from 200 to 250 degrees F. This is unsafe. The lowest recommended oven temperature for roasting a turkey is 325 degrees F. Once again, the long slow cooking is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. And if the turkey is stuffed the danger is even greater.

Turkey in the Microwave

The microwave cooks too unevenly, with hot spots and cool spots, to be safe. The largest cut of poultry that I cook in the microwave is boneless skinless chicken breasts. Don't even cook a turkey breast in the microwave oven.

Cooking a whole, stuffed turkey in the microwave oven is not recommended. Full size microwave (650 to 700 watts) ovens can usually accommodate a small turkey (8 to 10 pounds), turkey breast or boneless turkey roll. Make sure the turkey is fully thawed as microwave thawing followed by microwave cooking crates uneven cooking.

A whole turkey takes 7 to 9 minutes per pound at 50 percent power and rotating the dish every 15 minutes. Consider using an oven-cooking bag to ensure even cooking. A turkey roll or boneless turkey breast can be cooked using the microwave probe. Follow manual directions for monitoring temperature with a probe.

Since metal thermometers cannot be used during microwave cooking; check doneness when cooking is finished by inserting an instant read thermometer in several different areas of the turkey. The whole turkey is done when the temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F.

Turkey Breast in the Crockpot

I have many recipes for this method. I've always considered it safe, but in my research I've found that this method is now also considered risky. If you don't have anyone in your family in the high risk group, go ahead. I'll continue to cook my turkey this way unless I'm serving someone at risk. But now I know there is a risk.

Deep Frying Turkey

This method produces a perfectly safe bird, but the method itself can be dangerous and has led to many fires. The Underwriter's Laboratory has decided not to certify any turkey fryers. If you do choose to deep fry your turkey, make sure the container is large enough, and that the frying is done outside away from flammable materials (that includes your house and deck!). Keep kids and pets away and make sure the oil cools down in a safe place before disposing. And have a couple of fire extinguishers ready and waiting.

Stuffing Your Turkey the Night Before

Never never never stuff your turkey until it's ready to go into the oven. Even if the stuffing reaches a safe internal temperature, the bacteria have had plenty of time to produce toxins that are not destroyed by heat and can make you sick.

Thawing Turkey at Room Temperature

Again, this allows bacteria to reach truly dangerous levels. Either thaw the turkey in the refrigerator, under running cold water, or cook it frozen.

The Brown Paper Bag Method

Do not cook turkey in a brown paper bag unless it is one that has been approved for food use. The chemicals used in manufacturing these bags could leach into the turkey and cause health problems.

The Trash Bag Method

Do not use a trash bag to brine or marinate the turkey, for the same reason. Oven roasting bags and frozen birds sold in the bags are perfectly safe.

Turducken

Turducken can be perfectly safe, but only if it is prepared quickly and the ingredients that aren't being immediately used are refrigerated. Do not prepare this recipe in advance. Also do not bake the turducken at temperatures below 325 degrees F; again, overnight and long slow cooking is dangerous. And be sure that the very interior is cooked to 165 degrees F (some sources say 180 degrees F).

Never do that. And don't jam it in and force the door closed. The microwave will not work properly and you'll probably break it. There are hot and cold spots in every microwave, so parts of the turkey will be overcooked and parts undercooked. That's a sure recipe for food poisoning.

not good turkey

How To Safely Microwave a Turkey - Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide

The time for cooking a turkey in the microwave is 9 to 10 minutes per pound on medium ... Microwaves sometimes cook a whole turkey unevenly, so microwaving it in an oven ...

gizmodo.com/5098734/how-to-safely-​microwave-a-turkey

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Let's Talk Turkey

Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze. In the Microwave Oven. Check your owner's manual for the size turkey that will fit ...

www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Lets_Talk_​Turkey/index.asp - Cached

Microwave Oven Method - Turkey Cooking Techniques - Turkey ...

Cooking Techniques - The Good Method Microwave Oven Method. Cooking a whole, stuffed turkey in the microwave oven is not recommended. Full size microwave (650 to 700 ...

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HOW TO COOK A TURKEY | HOW TO COOK A THANKSGIVING TURKEY

OK, before I tell you how to cook turkey there are four prerequisites to successfully ... Other methods such as running cold water over it or placing it in a microwave oven ...

www.howtocookathanksgivingturkey.com - Cached

NO it will get rubbery, the skin will never cook right and get crispy.

And no Matter what to cook in you nned space for the heat and air to circulate.

I sure wouldn't. If it did cook it would be so dry you couldn't eat it and the center probably would still be uncooked.

Um..lol i dont think it will taste as good. Its also unhealthier to do that in my opinion.

NO NO NO

ROFL