Meghan Markle ridiculed as ‘Salmonella Sussex’ after Thanksgiving clip
Meghan Markle is facing an unexpected wave of online criticism after a Thanksgiving cooking video left some viewers concerned about her kitchen hygiene.
The To take alum, 44, posted a short Instagram clip showing herself cooking and preparing a raw turkey, but is quickly mocked and nicknamed ‘Salmonella Sussex’ by critics who accused her of making a fundamental food safety mistake.
In the video, Markle can be seen sprinkling herbs, rubbing spices into the turkey and adding lemon zest while wearing multiple rings and bracelets. The clip, set to Bob Dylan’s Turkey huntingwas captioned with a playful nod to holiday humor: “Let the ‘game’ begin. Get it? #momjoke.”
But the online reactions were far from lighthearted. Commenters on handling raw poultry – a practice that many claim can trap bacteria and cause cross-contamination.
“Meghan, what the hell is going on here?!” wrote one user. Another added: ‘I don’t know anyone who wears their rings and bracelets when handling food. Especially a turkey. Guaranteed spread of bacteria.”
Others echoed similar concerns, calling the video “disgusting,” “gross” and evidence that Markle “had no idea what she was doing” in the kitchen.
Several commenters emphasized the risk of spreading bacteria from touching surfaces after handling raw poultry.
One person tweeted: “She spreads bacteria to everything she touches. Poultry needs to be handled gently and lots of hand washing to avoid cross-contamination. Good grief.”
The response came just days after Markle shared a warm Thanksgiving message through her As always lifestyle brand. In a newsletter, she wished supporters happy holidays and looked back on her family’s celebrations.
“I am so grateful for your support and warmth as we have grown As always all year round,” she wrote, expressing her gratitude that the brand’s items, such as jam, honey, candles and wine, had become part of customers’ homes and traditions.
Markle continued, “Please know that when I look around my home and see my husband and children, family, dear friends (as well as navigating the timing on the turkey and the love and layers that come with hostessing), I feel grateful.”
Despite the wholesome message, the turkey prep clip overshadowed the sentiment for many viewers.
As the video circulates, reactions online remain sharply divided: some amused, some annoyed, but almost all weighing in on what has unexpectedly become the most high-profile holiday cuisine controversy of the week.
