Authored by: Addy Gray-Johnson, MPH student, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The secret to a safe and delicious Thanksgiving is simple: keep things clean, separate raw foods, cook to the right temperatures, and chill leftovers quickly. These four steps help prevent food poisoning and make your holiday meal both joyful and safe for everyone at the table.
Start the Holidays Right—With Clean Hands and Clean Spaces
A great Thanksgiving meal begins long before the turkey hits the oven.
Keep Clean With These Simple Habits
● Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds (sing the chorus of your favorite holiday song!)
● Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water
● Clean cutting boards, countertops, and utensils before switching tasks
A clean kitchen is your first line of defense—and your guests will thank you for it.
Avoid Cross-Contamination: Keep Foods Separate
Raw turkey and ready-to-eat foods don’t play well together. Keep them apart to prevent harmful bacteria from spreading.
Separation Made Simple
● Use one cutting board for raw meat and another for produce
● Store raw turkey, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from other foods
● It’s recommended not to return cooked food to a plate that held raw ingredients
Think of it as giving your ingredients their own “holiday bubble.”
Cook It Right—Temperature Matters More Than Timing
Your oven timer can’t tell you whether your turkey is safe—the food thermometer is
your holiday hero.
Temperature Tips for a Safe Feast
● Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F
● Check in three spots: thickest part of the breast, innermost thigh, and innermost wing.
● Reheat leftovers to 165°F
● Stir microwaved foods to eliminate cold spots where bacteria love to hide.
If you check the temperature, you won’t have to check on your family from the ER later.
Chill Out—Literally
The holiday hustle can be chaotic, but your food should never sit out and “relax” too long.
Keep Leftovers Safe
● Refrigerate leftovers with 2 hours
● Put perishables (meat, poultry, eggs, dairy) in the fridge immediately after shopping.
● Thaw frozen foods safely in the fridge, cold water, or microwave, never on the counter.
Cold temperatures slow bacterial growth, so make sure your fridge is set to 40°F or below.
A Safe Holiday Is a Happy Holiday
When you follow the Core Four: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill, you protect your family from food poisoning and keep the holiday festivities focused on fun, gratitude, and great food.
For more food safety tips, recipes, and resources, visit FightBAC.org. Here’s to a safe, tasty, and joy-filled Thanksgiving!