Cooking Christmas dinner comes with plenty to think about. The roast potatoes need crisping, the gravy needs finishing, and you've got a whole turkey in the oven that you really don't want to overcook.
But how do you know when your Christmas turkey is perfectly cooked?
The answer is simple: use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. Unlike cooking times, which can vary depending on your oven and the size of your turkey, a thermometer tells you what's happening inside the meat.
Whether you're cooking your first Christmas turkey or you've been hosting for years, here's how to use a turkey thermometer, where to insert it and which Thermapen thermometers can help you serve a juicy, delicious Christmas dinner.
Why Use a Meat Thermometer for Christmas Turkey?
Following your turkey's packet instructions is useful for planning Christmas dinner, but cooking times aren't always an accurate indication of when the meat is ready. The size and shape of your turkey, your oven temperature and how often you open the oven door can all affect how quickly it cooks.
A meat thermometer helps you:
- Avoid dry, overcooked turkey by checking its temperature instead of relying on timings alone.
- Cook safely by confirming that the thickest parts of the meat have reached a safe internal temperature.
- Take control of Christmas dinner by knowing how your turkey is progressing while you prepare the trimmings.
- Check multiple areas to ensure the breast and thighs are thoroughly cooked.
In fact, we put this to the test by cooking three Christmas turkeys using different methods. The turkey cooked according to its packet instructions reached a whopping 97°C, while the turkeys cooked using temperature measurements finished at much lower temperatures. For a straightforward home approach, check that the coldest areas of your turkey reach 75°C for 30 seconds with your meat thermometer. Other validated time and temperature combinations can also be used, including 70°C for two minutes.
Discover what happened in our Christmas turkey time vs temperature experiment.
Types of Meat Thermometers for Turkey
At Thermapen, we sell two types of meat thermometers to help you cook your Christmas turkey: instant read thermometers and leave in thermometers. Both measure internal temperature, but they work in different ways.
Instant-Read Turkey Thermometers
An instant read thermometer is used to check the temperature of your turkey at different stages of cooking.
Simply insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat and wait for the reading. A fast thermometer, such as the Thermapen NANO, which delivers readings in just 0.4 seconds, makes it easy to check several areas of a large turkey without keeping the oven door open for long.
Instant read thermometers are particularly useful for checking that the breast and thighs have reached a safe temperature before serving.
Leave-In Turkey Thermometers
Cooking the Christmas turkey can feel like a big responsibility, but a leave in thermometer makes it easier to keep track of your roast.
Insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat, away from the bone, set your target temperature and monitor your turkey as it cooks without repeatedly opening the oven. Depending on the thermometer, you'll receive an audible alarm, an app notification or both when your turkey reaches your chosen temperature.
The beauty of knowing what's going on in the oven is that you can focus on everything else, whether that's perfecting the roast potatoes, preparing the gravy or enjoying Christmas with your guests.
For the best results, we recommend using both types together. A leave in thermometer monitors your turkey throughout cooking, while an instant read Thermapen lets you check several areas before serving.
Where to Put a Meat Thermometer in a Turkey
Knowing where to insert your meat thermometer is just as important as using one. A whole turkey doesn't cook evenly. The breast and thighs are different sizes and contain different types of muscle, so they can reach their target temperatures at different times.
To check your Christmas turkey accurately:
- Check the thickest part of the breast. Insert your thermometer into the centre of the meat, avoiding the breastbone and cavity.
- Check the thickest part of the thigh. Position the probe in the meaty area, away from the bone.
- Take readings in several places. Move the thermometer through the meat to find the lowest temperature, rather than relying on a single reading.
- Check that your turkey is safely cooked throughout. Don't assume the entire bird is ready because one area has reached its target temperature.
The simplest way to check your turkey is safely cooked is to make sure the coldest parts reach 75°C for 30 seconds. Alternatively, you can cook it to 70°C for two minutes, as both are recognised safe cooking temperatures. These are the cooking combinations recommended by the UK Food Standards Agency to ensure that harmful bacteria are destroyed and that turkey is safe to eat:
|
Turkey Temperature |
Time held at temperature |
|
60°C |
45 minutes |
|
65°C |
10 minutes |
|
70°C |
2 minutes |
|
75°C |
30 seconds |
|
80°C |
6 seconds |
If you're using a leave-in thermometer, keep the probe in place during cooking and use an instant-read thermometer to check the remaining areas before removing the turkey.
Which Meat Thermometer Is Best for Your Christmas Turkey?
Whether you're looking for a simple thermometer for your Christmas roast or something that lets you monitor temperatures while you're busy preparing the rest of dinner, there's a Thermapen to suit your cooking style.
Best Instant-Read Meat Thermometers for Turkey
Thermapen NANO
Our newest and most advanced Thermapen makes checking your Christmas turkey quicker and easier than ever.
Key features:
- Ultra-fast 0.4-second readings
- Accurate to ±0.3°C
- Ultra-bright, 360° auto-rotating display
- Built-in magnet for convenient storage
- Smart sleep/wake technology
- IP67 waterproof
- Made in Britain
- 5-year guarantee
Thermapen ONE
The Thermapen ONE is ideal for home cooks who want fast, accurate temperature readings for everything from Christmas turkey to Sunday roasts.
Key features:
- 1-second readings
- Accurate to ±0.3°C
- Waterproof to IP67
- 360° rotating display
- Folding probe design
- Free calibration certificate
- 5-year guarantee
Thermapen Classic
The Thermapen Classic is a dependable choice for cooks who want accurate temperature readings without additional features.
Key features:
- 3-second readings
- Accurate to ±0.4°C
- Splashproof to IP65
- Folding probe design
- Free calibration certificate
- 2-year guarantee
ThermaStick Pocket
If you're looking for a compact, easy-to-use meat thermometer for Christmas cooking, the ThermaStick Pocket is a practical option.
Key features:
- Fast temperature readings
- Accurate to ±0.5°C
- Waterproof to IP66
- Compact, pocket-sized design
Best Leave-In Meat Thermometers for Christmas Turkey
DOT Digital Thermometer:
The DOT Digital Thermometer is ideal for cooks who want to monitor their turkey without having to constantly check the oven.
Key features:
- Continuous temperature monitoring
- Loud temperature alarm
- Easy-to-read display
- Simple controls
- Suitable for ovens and BBQs
- Magnetic backing for convenient positioning
BlueDOT Bluetooth Thermometer
The BlueDOT Bluetooth Thermometer lets you monitor your turkey's internal temperature through a free smartphone app, so you can check its progress while preparing the vegetables or spending time with family.
Key features:
- Bluetooth temperature monitoring
- Free smartphone app
- Up to 25-metre Bluetooth range
- Audible temperature alarm
- Suitable for ovens and BBQs
- Magnetic backing
ChefAlarm Kitchen Timer & Thermometer
ChefAlarm combines a leave-in meat thermometer with a kitchen timer, helping you stay organised while everything comes together.
Key features:
- Continuous temperature monitoring
- Loud temperature alarm
- Built-in kitchen timer
- Counts up and down
- High and low temperature alarms
- Magnetic backing for convenient positioning
