These days, it seems like we’re constantly washing everything in sight. From hands to countertops, keyboards to kids’ toys.

And with covid-19 a serious threat, it’s the best thing you can do.

Except when it comes to that turkey.

Yep, it’s true. Poultry doesn’t exactly seem super clean, but no matter how gross or how slimy that bird feels, whatever you do, do not wash your turkey.

According to the USDA, rinsing a raw turkey, whether fresh or frozen, will not get rid of that unwanted bacteria on your bird — in fact, that’s pretty much impossible to do without the high heat of the oven (more on that later).

Actually, washing your turkey increases the chance of spreading bacteria. It’s because the water that splashed off your bird will — no matter how careful you are — inevitably splash onto other surfaces like your countertops, dish towels and other nearby items. Basically, the risk of cross-contamination from washing your turkey is actually greater than if you just left it alone to begin with.

Cooking kills bacteria

The best, and really only, way you can kill bacteria on your bird is to cook it.

Cooking a turkey to the USDA recommended temperature of 165ºF will rid it of any and all food-borne illness-causing bacteria. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh, a wing, and the thickest part of the breast.

Now, just because you aren’t washing the turkey, the USDA says washing your hands is critical and imperative when it comes to keeping food preparation safe.

According to USDA observational research, “participants did not even attempt to wash their hands, or did not wash their hands sufficiently about 95% of the time before and during meal preparation.

“Hand washing is recommended to control the spread of germs, especially before, during and after preparing food (especially after touching raw meat or poultry).”

The USDA recommends washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap under warm water. And if any surface comes in contact with the raw poultry, like countertops or cutting boards, wash that area with hot, soapy water, too.

Just, whatever you do, do not wash that bird.

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