Do you know how to wash a turkey? It’s a cinch. Washing a turkey in preparation for roasting or frying is a simple and easy task. Both fresh and frozen turkeys should be washed both inside and out with cold water before stuffing and cooking them. It doesn’t take long.

Here are the simple steps to wash a turkey after it is thawed out:

• Remove the turkey from the plastic wrapping.
• Remove the neck and giblets from the cavity.
• Wash both the inside and outside of the turkey in cold water.
• Drain any excess water.
• Check the outside skin. Remove any feathers or parts of them that are still attached to the skin.
• Now comes the yucky part. Yet, it is an important step. Reach into the cavity and feel around for any veins that may have been missed before packaging. Remove them from the cavity.
• If you are using the neck and giblets or in another recipe, wash and drain them, too.

Your bird is now ready to stuff and roast or fry.

Important: To eliminate the risk of harmful bacteria, always use soap and water to wash your hands, utensils, sink, and all work surfaces.