Tips and tricks

How to cook poultry like a chef

Food safety

Always follow these basic hygiene and food safety rules when cooking:

  • Freeze poultry immediately at the correct temperature (between 1°C and 4°C).
  • Keep poultry separate from other food on your prep surfaces.
  • Wash your hands and clean prep surfaces frequently.
  • Cook thoroughly according to recommended temperatures and cooking times.

There is no need to wash or rinse raw poultry. Doing so may even cause cross-contamination. If you do rinse poultry, make sure to thoroughly wash the sink and tap with soap and water, then disinfect with bleach.

Tips for fighting bacteria

Remove the plastic wrapping from fresh or frozen turkey or chicken.

  • There is no need to wash or rinse raw poultry. Doing so may even cause cross-contamination. If you do rinse poultry, make sure to thoroughly wash the sink and tap with soap and water, then disinfect with bleach.
  • Avoid all contact between raw poultry and its juices and ready-to-serve foods, both in the fridge and during food preparation.
  • Do not place cooked food in a dish that contained raw poultry.
  • Place raw or cooked poultry dishes on the lower shelves of your fridge so their juices cannot leak onto other foods and contaminate them.

TOOLS AND WORKING SURFACE

  • Use a cutting board and utensils that are clean and in good condition. Bacteria can get stuck in cracks.
  • Be sure to frequently replace dish cloths and towels that have been used to clean work surfaces or utensils.
  • Thoroughly wash and disinfect all containers used for storing raw meat or poultry.

Do not reuse marinades to make sauces, unless they are boiled for 5 to 10 minutes.


Note: Marinating meat or poultry does not destroy bacteria.