(TNND) — With Thanksgiving right around the corner, safe home cooking is essential to maximize the time spent with family and friends during the holiday.
While many people may pick a restaurant over a home-cooked meal, it is important to maintain food safety within your kitchen if you are cooking at home for the upcoming holidays.
According to The National Restaurant Association, here are four food safety tips to implement in your kitchen that are essential for you to follow.
Master the Art of HandwashingBeware of Sink ContaminantsProperly Manage LeftoversThaw Your Turkey Safely
It is important to always wash your hands before cooking with running water. You should be scrubbing for at least 20 seconds with enough soap and use a paper towel or hand dryer to dry your hands. To prevent cross-contamination in your kitchen, it is also super important to wash your hands after touching uncooked meats.
While cooking, it is easy to forget about your sink and everything that touches it while you are cooking. It is important to regularly clean your sink and the water fixture as you are using it, especially after washing your hands.
According to the National Turkey Federation, you should be using labels to mark your leftovers post-Thanksgiving. The Vice President of Food Science at the National Restaurant Association says “If you refrigerate items before freezing, keep a close eye on how long they’ve been in the fridge. Remember, the maximum seven-day storage rule is cumulative. For example, if your leftovers have been in the fridge for four days, you only have three days left after you thaw them. Be clear with your labeling system to understand how long food items were refrigerated before going into the freezer.”
If you are thawing a turkey this holiday season, you should use methods like placing it in the fridge or using the microwave to safely do so. Putting any type of meat on the counter to defrost gives harmful bacteria the opportunity to grow.
As you gear up for Thanksgiving, utilize these tips so you can have a nice and safe holiday with your family – and a delicious meal.
