The effects of two vacuum packaging methods (hot and cold vacuum packaging) on the storage stability and sensory characteristics of cooked meat were compared. Ground turkey breast and leg meat patties were cooked, vacuum packaged appropriately, and stored up to 22 days. Lipid oxidation was measured by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test. In addition, Total aerobic count and sensory evaluation (flavor, juiciness, tenderness, overall acceptability) were conducted. There was no significant difference in aerobic plate count by packaging methods; however, panelist rating revealed that hot-packaged turkey leg meat had higher juiciness and overall acceptability scores than cold-packaged ones. Although TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) values of all types of patties increased gradually, TBARS values of hot-packaged leg and breast were significantly lower than those of cold-packaged ones. Our results indicate that the hot-packaging method is superior to the cold-packaging method in controlling lipid oxidation and improving sensory values
