Let’s Talk Turkey

The star of Thanksgiving day is the turkey, so choosing the right turkey is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner, but with so many choices how do you select the right turkey for you.

First Let’s Talk Size – Experts say that you will need between 1 and 1 ½ pounds of turkey for every adult.  Take into consideration that the weight of your turkey includes bones and giblets, so add a few more pounds and if you want left overs add a few more to that number.

Now Let’s Talk Turkey Type – Fresh turkeys are a good choice, but you need to be certain that you can store them properly before cooking.  In order to be labeled fresh a turkey must never be 26 degrees.

Fresh turkeys are a good choice too and doesn’t mean that you are sacrificing taste or freshness.  Commercially frozen turkeys are flash/snap frozen as soon as they are butchered, thus maintaining freshness.  Be sure to consider that to thaw a turkey you must calculate 24 hours for every 5 pounds.  If you buy a frozen turkey you need to also consider how to thaw and where to keep it while it is thawing.

Not Previously Frozen turkeys have been chilled below 36 degrees but not below freezing.  This helps preserve the bird and is a good option if thawing time is not possible.

Specialty turkeys are in supermarkets, local farm stands and specialty shops. Ben Franklin thought all turkeys were special and suggested it would be a more appropriate bird to represent our nation, but now a days there are so many “special” birds it is hard to know which one might be right for you.

Organic turkeys can be labeled as Organic if the turkey was raised on 100% organic feed, given access to the outdoors (that does not mean cage free) and has not received antibiotics, again note it doesn’t say hormones or additives, so check the labels carefully.

Kosher turkeys can only be labeled as such if they are processed under rabbinical supervision.  They are grain-fed, have had no antibiotics and are allowed to roam free. They are typically brined in a salt brine.  Even if your religious beliefs don’t dictate purchasing a Kosher turkey, it is a good option.

Free-range turkeys means that a turkey has access to the outdoors, but again be careful just because they can go outdoors doesn’t mean that they are never caged, nor does it mean that they are roaming in an uncrowded area.  The reasons we choose free range is for humane and taste reasons, as turkeys that can roam free produce high quality meat.

Natural turkeys mean that no artificial color or ingredient has been added and that they have been minimally processed, it does not reflect the way the turkey was raised.

Heritage turkeys are a great choice for those who like darker, more flavorful meat and less breast meat.  Small farmers often raise these turkeys for local consumption.

Self-basting turkeys sound like a good choice.  Remember Mom or Grandma opening the oven and basting the turkey with that very large turkey baster.  Well, these turkeys claim to help eliminate this step by injecting the turkey with or marinating them with a solution of broth, water spices and flavor enhancers.   Read the ingredients before buying, a general rule of thumb is if  you can’t pronounce it you might want to consider not eating it.

Whether you are cooking your turkey in your Woodland Hills apartment or visiting friends or family, we wish you a very happy Turkey Day.