Get the Perfect Texture – My Guide to Grinding Turkey at Home
As an avid home cook and barbecue enthusiast, I love being able to customize the texture of my ground meats When it comes to turkey, buying pre-packaged ground turkey can be hit or miss in terms of texture That’s why I decided to start grinding my own turkey at home using a meat grinder. Grinding my own turkey allows me to achieve the ideal coarseness for burgers, meatballs, sausage, and any other ground turkey recipes I’m making.
After plenty of trials and errors, I’ve perfected my technique for grinding tender, juicy turkey with my meat grinder. In this guide, I’ll walk through my simple step-by-step process so you can grind your own turkey just the way you like it.
Why Grind Your Own Turkey?
Here are some of the biggest benefits I’ve found from grinding my own turkey meat:
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Total control over the texture – I can fine tune the grind for any recipe Coarse for chili and burgers, or finer for meatballs
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Improved freshness and flavor – Grinding just before cooking maximizes taste and juiciness.
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Cost savings – Buying whole cuts of turkey like breast to grind is cheaper than packaged ground turkey.
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Ability to add seasonings – It’s easy to mix in spices and herbs when grinding my own.
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Food safety – Grinding it myself eliminates any risk of contamination from processing and handling.
Choosing the Right Meat
The first step is selecting high quality turkey. I prefer to use fresh, organic turkey breast without the skin or bones. Thigh meat also works well. The better the raw turkey, the better your custom ground turkey will turn out.
Cutting the Meat
I start by cutting the turkey into 1-2 inch chunks using a sharp knife. This makes the turkey easier to feed into the grinder and creates an even grind. Keep the pieces uniform in size for ideal results.
Chilling for Better Grinding
For safety and to help the turkey grind more easily, I chill the cut meat in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes before grinding. Partially freezing can also help, just don’t let it get rock solid.
Assembling the Meat Grinder
Once my turkey chunks are thoroughly chilled, I assemble my grinder. I secure the hopper, auger, and my desired grinding plate according to the grinder’s instructions. For turkey, I usually use a medium grinding plate.
Feeding the Meat Through
Now the fun part – grinding! Working in small batches, I slowly feed the chilled turkey pieces into the grinder’s hopper using the food pusher. Let the machine work at its own pace. Don’t overstuff the hopper.
Seasoning the Ground Turkey
After grinding each batch, I transfer the fresh ground turkey to a bowl. I mix in any seasonings I want like salt, pepper, fresh herbs, or spices. Then it’s ready for cooking!
Storing and Handling
For food safety, I try to cook my ground turkey soon after grinding. But it will keep in the fridge for 1-2 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. Always thaw frozen ground turkey in the fridge before using.
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Grinding a whole Turkey! Making Stock!
FAQ
How to grind turkey meat in a grinder?
You grind turkey the same way you grind any other meats – chill your grinder, cut the meat into chunks, chill the meat, and send it down the auger. The only tricky part with turkey is all the sinew in the legs; make sure those don’t end up in the meat.
How to make ground turkey with a meat grinder?
- Clean and debone turkey thighs, removing skin and connective tissues, and cut meat into 1/2″ wide strips. …
- Grind the meat into a medium-size bowl according to your meat grinder manufacturer instructions, finishing by grinding the eight saltines into the mix.
Can you ground your own turkey?
Ground Chicken or Turkey: You can grind chicken or turkey using this method, however the meat is so much leaner that the ground meat tends to become very dry once cooked. Ground Fish: For ground seafood, choose fattier fish, like salmon or tuna.
How to grind up cooked turkey?
You can grind up cooked turkey in a food processor with a little bit of water and egg to make a “raw ground beef/meat” type substitute.
How to grind Turkey at home?
Investing in a good quality meat grinder is essential for grinding turkey at home. There are two main types of meat grinders: manual and electric. Electric grinders are more efficient for larger quantities of meat, while manual grinders are suitable for smaller batches.
Can you grind turkey meat without a grinder?
Boneless, skinless, and raw turkey meat. As many pounds as you would like. Here are the steps to grinding your own turkey meat at home without a grinder: Select the right cut of turkey: Choose turkey breast or turkey thigh for the best results. Thaw the turkey completely in the refrigerator if it’s frozen.
How do you grind turkey meat?
Once you have your turkey meat prepared and your grinder set up, it’s time to start grinding. Feed the turkey meat through the grinder, using the appropriate settings for the desired texture. For ground turkey, a medium grind is typically ideal, but you can adjust the settings based on your recipe and personal preference.
What size meat grinder should I use for ground turkey?
For ground turkey, a medium grind is typically ideal, but you can adjust the settings based on your recipe and personal preference. Investing in a good quality meat grinder is essential for grinding turkey at home. There are two main types of meat grinders: manual and electric.
Should you use a manual or electric Turkey grinder?
Electric grinders are more efficient for larger quantities of meat, while manual grinders are suitable for smaller batches. Whichever type you choose, make sure it’s designed for grinding meat and is easy to clean. Once you have your turkey meat prepared and your grinder set up, it’s time to start grinding.
Should you grind Turkey before using it?
Freshness – You can grind turkey right before using it for maximum freshness. Ground turkey from the store is often days old. Food safety – Grinding it yourself avoids any risk from potential processing contamination. Texture control – You can customize the coarseness by choosing different grinder plates.