Buy a fresh turkey if you plan to roast it within the next day or two. Never buy a pre-stuffed fresh turkey. Bacteria can grow quickly in the stuffing , causing food borne illness. You can buy the turkey frozen and store it in your freezer for later use. Don t buy a turkey with a torn package.
Torn packages can lead to freezer burn, which dries out the meat.
If you buy a pre-stuffed frozen turkey, keep it frozen until time to cook. Frozen turkeys are usually great buys. Watch newpaper ads to compare prices. Many stores have low-priced specials before and during the holiday season. To keep turkey safe, follow these guidelines.