Perfectly cooked turkey starts with an accurate temperature reading.

A thermometer is essential to getting an accurate read, ensuring that your turkey iscooked to perfection.

Depending on your cooking method, thermometer placement is key.

Southern Living French Onion Turkey on a platter to serve

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The same goes for deep-fried turkeypull it out of the oil briefly to insert the thermometer.

When grilling, confirm to check the temperature on the side facing away from the heat source.

There areseveral types of thermometersto choose from, each offering different advantages.

Meat Thermometers on a red plaid background

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Each pop in of thermometer offers unique benefits, making it easier to achieve a perfectly cooked turkey.

Both options give you the control you oughta cook your turkey to perfection.

Skipping this step may result in the juices running out as you slice, leading to a drier result.

Turkey in Roaster

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However, avoiding these common mistakes will help you achieve the best results:

Turkey being carved on a large platter