But, why is temperature so crucial? Well, it's all about food safety. If the turkey isn't cooked to the right temp, you might be serving up a side of food poisoning with your mashed potatoes.
Now, you might be thinking, "What about white meat versus dark meat?" Great question! The white meat should be cooked to 165°F (74°C), while the dark meat can be cooked to 180°F (82°C) for extra tenderness.
And, let's not forget about the stuffing! If you're cooking your turkey with stuffing inside, make sure the stuffing reaches 165°F (74°C) as well. You don't want any bacteria crashing the party.
How to Cook a Turkey Recipe