HowLongFreshHowLongFresh
Back to FAQ List
🛡️Food Safety

Should You Rinse Raw Chicken Before Cooking It?

HowLongFresh ExpertJul 24, 2025

Overview

No — in fact, it's not a good idea at all. The United States Department of Agriculture advises against the practice of rinsing poultry or meat before cooking it. The problem is that when you rinse raw chicken, you’re allowing the bacteria that is present on the surface of the poultry to spread to everything else that’s nearby — including sink and counter surfaces, kitchen utensils and any other foods that might be within spattering range of the rinsing water. And as the USDA also points out, any bacteria present on the chicken’s surface will be destroyed if you cook the poultry properly and thoroughly.Long-Lasting Produce Stock up and enjoy Your Questions Answered Steak that's changed color

This information applies to: beef, chicken, cranberry, eggs, ground beef, hamburger, pie, potatoes, salad, shrimp, steak, stuffing, turkey

Tags

cooking expiration freezing leftovers refrigeration safety storage thawing

Related Foods

beef
chicken
cranberry
eggs
ground beef
hamburger
pie
potatoes
salad
shrimp
steak
stuffing
turkey