A NUTRITION EDUCATOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION OFFICE SAYS SAFELY COOKING YOUR TURKEY NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY AT THANKSGIVING.

THE FIRST STEP IS BE MAKING SURE YOU ARE CAREFUL WHEN THAWING OUT A FROZEN TURKEY. THE U OF I’S LAURA BARR SAYS FOR EVERY FOUR TO FIVE POUNDS…THE BIRD NEEDS 24 HOURS TO THAW.

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ADDITIONALLY, BARR SAYS YOU DON’T REALLY NEED TO RINSE OFF THE TURKEY BEFORE COOKING IT.

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BARR RECOMMENDS COOKING STUFFING SEPARATE FROM THE TURKEY AND ALSO NOTES THAT TURKEY LEFTOVERS ARE ONLY GOOD FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS. IF YOU WON’T EAT IT ALL BY THEN, SHE RECOMMENDS FREEZING LEFTOVERS.