Should stuffing be fully cooked before you stuff into a raw turkey?

Here's why:

* Safety: Raw turkey meat can carry bacteria like Salmonella. Stuffing cooked inside the turkey doesn't reach a safe internal temperature (165°F/74°C) consistently, so bacteria can thrive.

* Temperature: The center of a stuffed turkey often doesn't get hot enough to kill bacteria.

* Uneven Cooking: The turkey cooks from the outside in. Stuffing in the center might not reach a safe temperature by the time the turkey is done.

Instead of stuffing the turkey:

* Cook the stuffing separately. Use a casserole dish or baking pan.

* Stuff the turkey after cooking. This allows the stuffing to cook through and reach a safe temperature.

* Consider a "dressing" instead. This is a cooked stuffing that is served alongside the turkey, not inside it.

Remember: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey and stuffing reach a safe internal temperature.