Why You Should Never Wash Chicken Before Cooking It
Chicken is undoubtedly a favorite food of many. This highly versatile meat can be grilled, roasted, pan-fried or cooked in numerous other ways to create some of the most mouth-watering dishes out there.
If you’ve ever been to a meat market or the butcher, you will have likely seen some of the conditions under which chicken is sold, and let’s just say they’re not always the most hygienic.
As a result, many people believe that washing chicken is necessary to make it safe to consume. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In 2019, the CDC put out a warning about the dangers of washing raw chicken before preparing or cooking it. But how could something considered good practice in other cases be so dangerous when it comes to chicken? Well, the answer lies in the risks associated with cross-contamination. Put simply: you might get really sick!
Cross-Contamination Risks
Washing raw chicken can actually increase the risk of cross-contamination in your kitchen. When you wash raw poultry, bacteria present on its surface can be splashed around your sink and countertops, as well as other surfaces near it. These bacteria, mainly Salmonella and Campylobacter, are commonly found on raw chicken and can cause serious illness if ingested.
It only takes a small amount of these pathogens to make someone sick. In fact, the USDA estimates that every year, more than 1.3 million people in the US suffer from salmonella infections related to foodborne illness.
The Effectiveness of Washing Chicken
Even if you didn’t get sick from washing your raw chicken, it’s still an inefficient method. Water alone isn’t enough to get rid of bacteria. That’s pretty much the case for most bacteria and viruses.
Think of chicken skin like your own skin; you wouldn’t just rinse off your hands with water and consider them clean, would you? No. Well, the same principle applies to chicken.
So how do you ensure that your chicken is safe to consume without washing it?
Cooking Chicken Properly Will Kill Bacteria
Instead of washing raw chicken with water, you just need to ensure that it’s cooked properly. This might involve using a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F (75°C).
Cooking poultry until this temperature kills all bacteria present on its surface and prevents any chance of foodborne illnesses from occurring.
Alternative Methods for Cleaning Chicken
The use of vinegar and lemon juice can be effective in reducing bacteria on the surface of the chicken. Marinades can also be helpful in reducing bacteria and enhancing flavor. Additionally, dry-brining can help to tenderize and flavor the chicken while reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Safe Handling of Chicken in Your Kitchen
Even before cooking chicken, it’s essential to handle it safely in your kitchen. The following tips can help you avoid cross-contamination and illnesses caused by raw poultry:
- Always keep raw chicken in a separate container from other foods while storing it in the refrigerator.
- Use different cutting boards, utensils, and containers for raw chicken to prevent contamination of other foods during preparation.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling any food, especially after touching raw chicken or any kitchen equipment that came into contact with it.
- Discard all packaging materials of poultry properly without letting them touch other surfaces.
Final word
As I hope I’ve demonstrated, washing chicken just isn’t an effective method for eliminating bacteria on its surface. It poses numerous risks associated with cross-contamination that can cause food-poisoning or other serious illnesses.
Focus on practicing good hygiene habits when handling your ingredients in the kitchen. Follow safe cooking methods recommended by experts to ensure your meat turns out delicious and free of bacteria.