Thanksgiving is a holiday full of family, fun and lots of food. The centerpiece to Thanksgiving dinner, and in some ways the holiday itself, is of course the turkey. But if its your first time buying a Thanksgiving turkey or its just been a while since youve thought about what kind of turkey youre going to get, all of the different types and labels can get confusing. To make things a bit easier, weve put together this glossary of common turkey types to help you find the best turkey to buy for your Thanksgiving celebration.
The holidays are fast approaching, which means it’s time to start thinking about the star of your festive feast – the turkey! With so many options to choose from at the grocery store, it can be overwhelming trying to select the best brand and type of turkey for your gathering. To help make your shopping easier, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide on how to find the perfect turkey for your holiday table.
What Makes a High-Quality Turkey?
When evaluating the quality of a turkey, there are a few key factors to consider:
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Breed – Heritage and organic turkeys are usually considered higher quality than standard supermarket varieties. Heritage breeds like Narragansett Bourbon Red and Standard Bronze tend to be more flavorful.
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Diet – Turkeys that are vegetarian fed, avoid antibiotics and hormones, and eat a natural diet tend to be healthier with a better flavor.
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Fresh vs. Frozen – Fresh turkeys if cooked shortly after being processed generally have a superior texture and taste over frozen. However, frozen can still be great if thawed properly.
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Cost – Higher quality turkeys usually come with a higher price tag. However, cost isn’t always an indicator of quality.
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Reviews – Look at reviews online and ask butcher recommendations to help determine the best brands and types
The Best Turkey Brands and Where to Buy Them
Based on expert opinions, reviews, quality of ingredients, and price, here are my top picks for the best store-bought turkey brands:
1. Trader Joe’s
With rave reviews from customers, Trader Joe’s All Natural Brined Young Turkey hits all the marks for quality and value. These minimally processed birds are veggie fed with no antibiotics or hormones. Trader Joe’s turkeys come fresh in two sizes – 12-16 lbs and 17-22 lbs. At under $2 per pound, it’s a tasty bargain.
Where to Buy: Trader Joe’s, November
2. Honeysuckle White
Consistently earning praise for moist, tender meat with wonderful flavor, Honeysuckle White Fresh Turkeys are premium quality. Raised by independent farmers with no antibiotics, they are available fresh or frozen at select grocers and premium priced.
Where to Buy: Kroger, Tom Thumb, other select grocery chains
3. Jennie-O
Jennie-O’s Oven Ready Turkey gets rave reviews for being tasty, juicy, and easy to cook right from the freezer. The pre-seasoned turkey cooks in about 4 hours with no thawing. While on the pricier side, it saves prep time.
Where to Buy: Walmart, Albertsons, other major grocery chains
4. Whole Foods 365 Organic
For organic and free-range turkey, Whole Foods Market’s 365 Organic Young Turkey is a prime choice. Priced at $2.99 per pound, it’s costlier but has premium organic status and a flavor to match.
Where to Buy: Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh
5. Butterball
It’s hard to go wrong with the classic Butterball Turkey, consistently rated as very tasty and juicy. Available in a wide range of sizes, Butterball Turkeys offer great quality at a reasonable price.
Where to Buy: Walmart, Albertsons, Kroger, most major supermarkets
6. Aldi Never Any!
For budget-friendly turkey, you can’t beat Aldi’s Never Any! Turkey. Rated as a “Best Value Bird” by Consumer Reports, it’s praised as tasty with no antibiotics, hormones, or steroids. Price is under $1 per pound.
Where to Buy: Aldi
Turkeys You May Want to Avoid
While the brands above earned top marks, a few budget turkey options fared poorly in customer reviews:
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Good & Gather (Target) – Described as chewy, rubbery, and nearly inedible by some reviewers. Very inexpensive at $.79/lb but poor quality.
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Kroger – Inconsistent quality with many complaints of a too dry, flavorless meat. Mediocre 3.6 star rating despite higher price tag.
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Honeysuckle White Frozen Young Turkey – Unlike the fresh version, the frozen Honeysuckle earned complaints of a greasy, soggy texture and off-putting taste.
Choosing the Right Size Turkey
When deciding how big of a turkey to buy, plan for about 1 pound of turkey per person. An 8-12 lb turkey will feed 8-12 people, 12-16 pounds for 12-16 people, and so on. For easy reference:
- 8-12 people: 12-16 lb turkey
- 10-15 people: 16-20 lb turkey
- 15-20 people: 20-24 lb turkey
- 20-24 people: 24-28 lb turkey
Allow 1-2 pounds extra if you want ample leftovers. You can also buy two small turkeys instead of one large.
To Brine or Not to Brine?
While not mandatory, brining your turkey helps ensure a juicy, flavorful meat. Consult brining directions on the packaging, but typically plan to submerge the wrapped raw turkey in a saltwater solution overnight before cooking.
If you don’t want to brine, look for a self-basted turkey, where the bird is injected with a salt solution. This helps keep it moist.
Fresh vs. Frozen Turkey – Which is Best?
Fresh turkeys tend to have the edge for superior flavor and texture. However, frozen can still be great if given proper thawing time in the refrigerator. Here are some tips:
- Buy fresh turkeys 1-2 days before cooking.
- Allow at least 24 hours thawing time for a frozen turkey in the fridge.
- Let the turkey sit at room temp for 30 mins – 1 hour before roasting for ideal juiciness.
Most agree fresh is ideal if you’re cooking within a couple days. But frozen works well too if thawed and roasted properly.
Should You Pay More for a Heritage or Organic Turkey?
In my opinion, splurging on a certified organic or heritage breed free-range turkey takes your holiday meal to the next level. The rich, nostalgic turkey flavor shines through. If your budget allows, go for it!
However, a standard high-quality turkey like Honeysuckle White, Jennie-O, or Trader Joe’s can still be succulent, delicious, and more budget-friendly. So your wallet doesn’t have to take much of a hit.
Don’t Wait – Shop Early for the Best Selection!
I recommend shopping for your turkey 1-2 weeks in advance around Thanksgiving. Store inventory tends to fly off the shelves quickly the week prior to the big day. You’re more likely to get better selection, size options, and availability if you shop earlier.
Most grocers get fresh shipments 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving. Just reserve enough fridge space!
Get Ready for Turkey Day with These Tips
Roasting up the perfect turkey is part technique, part art. Follow these tips for success:
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Thaw safely – Thaw frozen turkeys in the fridge, allowing 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs.
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Dry brine – For added flavor and moisture, dry brine for 12-24 hours before cooking. Simply rub salt, pepper, and herbs into the skin.
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Roast at 325oF – Cook at a low temp to allow the interior to finish cooking before the outside burns.
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Baste frequently – Baste every 30 minutes with broth, butter, or pan drippings to prevent drying out.
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Let rest before carving – Allow the turkey to rest for 30-60 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to the best turkey brands, you can’t go wrong with premium choices like Honeysuckle White, Trader Joe’s, Jennie-O, or Whole Foods Organic. For budget options, Butterball and Aldi turkeys offer quality and value. Shop early for best selection, thaw properly, cook slow, baste frequently, and let rest before serving.
Fresh TurkeyA fresh turkey is one that has never been stored below 26°F, according to the
Self-basting/Pre-basted TurkeyBasted, self-basting and pre-basted turkeys are turkeys that have been injected with a solution while being processed. The solution is usually a mixture of fat, water, salt, sugar, seasonings and/or “
The Best Store Bought Turkeys
FAQ
Is a Butterball turkey better than others?
Butterball turkeys are of the highest quality product and will be sure to impress your guests. Here’s why Butterball is the right choice, especially for the holiday season: Butterball turkeys are always tender and juicy because we take the extra step of individually pre-brining them based on size.
Which supermarket has the best turkeys?
We asked the top chef Ravinder Bhogal, founder of the London restaurant Jikoni, to cook and blind-taste six turkeys from the top supermarkets. The results show that — surprise — Waitrose has the tastiest one on offer. More of a surprise was that the joint winner came from Aldi.
What is the best grade of turkey?
Grade A is the highest quality and the only grade you are likely to see at the retail level.
Does the brand of turkey make a difference?
If you have the choice, consider buying a generic turkey instead of one from a brand name. They often come from the same place as well-known brands, and they’re usually much cheaper. Most of the time you won’t be able to taste the difference when cooking Thanksgiving turkey.
Are specialty turkeys good quality?
While specialty turkeys offer premium quality, you can also get excellent results from major brands like Jennie-O and Butterball. Going beyond the generic store brand is key. Plainville Farms premium fresh turkeys earn top honors for their unmatched flavor and texture.
Who makes the best whole bird turkey?
1. Fossil Farms Whole Bird Turkey Nearly every customer review is five stars, and it’s no surprise why. These high-quality Nicholas breed birds from sustainable Fossil Farms are raised in a free-roaming, cage-free environment in Pennsylvania by third- and fourth-generation farmers.
Which kosher turkey is best?
If you want a kosher turkey that tastes as good as the best premium turkeys, Empire Kosher is the top choice. Wilde Chicken & Turkey offer the best tasting organic turkeys based on customer reviews and expert tests. Their Willie Bird Turkey brand is certified organic and USDA approved.
What are the best turkeys to order online for Thanksgiving?
Here are the best turkeys to order online for Thanksgiving this year, according to customer reviews. (Spoiler: My top choice is the Fossil Farms Whole Bird Turkey, which starts at $73.) Looking for some bubbly prosecco cocktail pairings? Need an alternative Thanksgiving Meal? 1. Fossil Farms Whole Bird Turkey
Where can I buy a smoked turkey?
Purchase Burgers’ Smokehouse Hickory Smoked Whole Turkey from Amazon, starting at $99.99. Deep-fried turkey is a Southern staple, and Uncle Ray’s Cajun Mild Deep Fried Turkey is the best choice for this specialty. The turkey comes from a Texas-based producer that’s been perfecting its cooking technique and flavors for over three decades.
Is Whole Foods 365 the prettiest turkey?
The 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Turkey was the second-most expensive turkey we tested—it flew to the top spot of the lists of most evaluators. And its virtues weren’t limited to its organic seal or its flavor: Social media editor Alexis Priester thought it was the prettiest turkey, too, which is important for that perfect Instagram moment.