Springtime in Montana is such a wonderful welcomed time, especially after a long cold winter. There’s nothing like a spring in the west when there is warmth in the air, the birds are chirping, and everything- I mean everything, is green. The daylight is longer, the air warmer and it’s the transition between winter and summer which around here could be one month or one day. There is still lots of snow up high in the mountains, the creeks are running high and fast, and the toms are strutting and of course, gobbling. No better time to cook wild turkey!
The forests and fields are green and full of new sprouts of asparagus, spinach, fiddlehead ferns, ramps, mushrooms, and so much more. What compliments freshly harvested turkey meat more than the vegetables that are sprouting up right along with them? Pairing spring turkey along with spring bear and all the other fresh, sweet, tender shoots is what “From Field To Table†is all about. Imagine all the fantastic, colorful, flavorful, plate combinations that are possible by eating your own locally sourced foods.
One of the most basic common culinary rules regarding menu development is to purchase your produce locally in season. It only stands true, this is when the products are the easiest to obtain, most available, highest quality, and least expensive. For example, during spring, a menu choice might include sautéed turkey with morels, wild onions, and fresh spinach, tossed with pasta, and cream sauce. Whereas in the fall a menu choice could be roasted venison, glazed root vegetables, served with smashed potatoes, complimented with a fruit sauce. This is exactly what “From Field To Table†is all about.
Spring mushrooms compliment the flavor profile of wild turkey, they are the most available, highest quality, and least expensive at this time. I don’t forage for many wild mushrooms but morels are very easily identifiable. Spring mushrooms are most available at farmer’s markets as are all other new-growth vegetables and herbs. Other mushrooms that are sometimes overlooked include Wine Cap, Turkey-Tail, Wood-Ear, Oyster, Shaggy Manes, and many more. There are many similar mushrooms that can get you very ill. Pair up with someone that has the foraging skills and knowledge of harvesting safe-to-eat mushrooms.
For many people, turkey is a staple of holiday meals and family gatherings But most of us are only familiar with the taste of domesticated, store-bought turkey Wild turkey is an entirely different variety of this large bird, with a distinct taste all its own.
So how does wild turkey taste compared to the turkey you buy at the grocery store? Is it gamier drier more flavorful? And what’s the best way to cook it for optimal taste?
In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about the unique flavor of wild turkey meat, how it differs from domestic turkey, and tips for cooking and seasoning it.
An Overview of Wild Turkey Flavor
Wild turkeys live very different lives compared to domestic turkeys bred for consumption. They roam free, foraging for food and flying frequently. This makes the meat lean and muscular with a robust, gamey taste.
The flavor of wild turkey is often described as:
- Rich, intense, and savory
- Slightly gamy, but not overpowering
- Earthy and rustic
- More pronounced “turkey” flavor than domestic breeds
The meat has a firm, dense texture. When cooked properly, it can be moist and tender but the leanness makes it important not to overcook.
Much of the unique taste comes down to diet and lifestyle. Grains, wild berries, nuts, seeds, and insects all contribute to the depth of flavor. The varied natural diet and constant exercise result in more concentration of protein and essential fatty acids like omega-3s.
How Wild Turkey Compares to Domestic Turkey
Farm-raised domestic turkeys have been selectively bred for size, white meat, and fast growth over flavor. They live a sedentary life eating processed feed. As a result, the taste is much more mild, with a softer, less resilient texture.
The most noticeable differences between wild and domestic turkey include:
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Stronger, gamier flavor – The wild turkey’s muscles get a regular workout, developing a robust taste. Domestic turkey tends to be blander.
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Lower fat content – Wild turkey is very lean. The high fat content in domestic turkey helps make it juicier.
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Darker meat – The legs and thighs of wild turkeys have a darker color from increased myoglobin in frequently used muscles. Domestic turkey meat is lighter.
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Firmer texture – Wild turkey breast meat is dense with less marbling than domestic varieties. The texture can be slightly chewy if overcooked.
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Smaller proportion of white meat – Wild turkeys have a smaller ratio of breast meat to dark meat, as their breast muscles are built for flying, not bulk.
Tips for Cooking Wild Turkey
Cooking wild turkey requires some different techniques than your Thanksgiving bird. Here are some tips for working with wild turkey meat:
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Don’t overcook – Because it’s leaner, wild turkey can dry out if cooked too long. Use a meat thermometer and stop before it exceeds 165°F.
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Braise or stew – Slow, moist cooking methods are great for tougher dark meat. Consider braised turkey legs or thighs.
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Brine first – Soaking in a saltwater brine hydrates the meat so it retains moisture during cooking.
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Make a rub – Coat with spices and herbs before roasting or grilling. Try rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, mustard, chili powder, or juniper berries.
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Sear then simmer – Browning adds flavor. For breast meat, sear in a pan then bake at 300°F with liquid added.
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Marinate overnight – Letting it sit gives time to tenderize meat and infuse additional flavor.
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Watch the skin – Wild turkey skin crisps quicker than domestic. Keep an eye so it doesn’t burn.
Seasoning Ideas for Wild Turkey
Wild turkey pairs well with robust seasonings that complement its flavor. Consider using:
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley
- Warm spices like garlic, shallot, paprika, mustard, cumin, chili powder
- Tart ingredients like citrus, vinegar, wine
- Umami flavors like mushrooms, soy sauce, miso
- Fruity accents like cranberries, apples, figs
- Savory nuts like pine nuts, pecans, hazelnuts
- Earthy choices like wild rice, farro, chestnuts
Experiment to find your favorite combinations. A basic herb rub of rosemary, thyme, sage and garlic is classic. For a more elaborate marinade, mix pomegranate juice, soy sauce, olive oil, figs and juniper berries.
Is Wild Turkey Meat Tough?
If not cooked carefully, wild turkey can turn out chewy and tough, especially the legs and thighs. The leanness means less intramuscular fat to keep the meat tender.
Proper preparation is key. Methods like brining, marinating, braising, or stewing all help break down the muscular texture. Use moist heat, cook at lower temperatures, and avoid overcooking.
Also keep in mind that younger wild turkeys will tend to be more tender. The meat of older, larger birds requires more time and care to reach optimal tenderness.
What About Leftovers and Storage?
One perk of wild game like turkey is that it holds up remarkably well as leftovers. With proper storage, cooked wild turkey keeps for 4-5 days refrigerated and 2-3 months frozen.
The leanness prevents the rapid spoilage issues seen with fattier meats. Just make sure to cool it properly before refrigerating in shallow containers allowing air flow.
For ultimate convenience, turkey leftovers can be utilized in so many ways. Think turkey sandwiches, soups, casseroles, salads, nachos, or an easy protein boost to fried rice or omelets.
Where to Buy Wild Turkey Meat
If you don’t hunt turkeys yourself, you can sometimes find wild turkey meat at specialty butcher shops, high-end grocers, or online mail order sites. Availability depends on the region.
Options may include:
- Whole wild turkeys
- Bone-in turkey breasts
- Packages of just legs, wings, thighs or tenderloins
- Ground turkey meat
- Sausage and deli meats featuring wild turkey
Prices are typically higher than standard turkey. But fans say the rich, authentic flavor is worth the splurge for a special meal.
Is Wild Turkey Right for You?
For the adventurous eater or passionate cook, trying wild turkey can be an exciting experience compared to bland domestic turkey. The complex flavor profile and leanness does require proper cooking technique to avoid a dried out or chewy finished dish.
If you’re up for the challenge, wild turkey can be a delicious centerpiece that feels anything but ordinary. Look for opportunities to sample it and experiment with preparation methods. With the right care and seasonings, it could become a new favorite at your holiday table or family dinner.
Wild vs. Domestic Turkey
When you cook wild turkey, it is more flavorful than domestic turkey because the wild bird is more active, and actually fly, which means the muscles are worked more resulting in higher oxygen content and leaner, darker meat. The more the muscle works the more flavor there is, for example, the leg and drum of a domestic turkey has more flavor than the breast. It is darker because of the oxygen content and works harder. A duck is all dark meat because it is a bird of flight. The domestic cousins of wild turkey have been cross-bred to provide a higher yield, have enlarged breasts, are pumped with brines, etc. The bone structure of wild and domestic turkeys are almost identical, but the size of the muscles, moisture content, and color of the meats are much different. Due to the fact that wild turkey breast is lean, it very easily becomes dry if overcooked.
Wild Turkey Taste Test & Food Review
FAQ
Do wild turkeys taste good?
Wild turkey is some of the best game meat in existence. It’s lean, flavorful, and absent of a traditional “gamey” taste. And unlike big game animals, it’s fairly easy to process on your own!
Is wild turkey healthy to eat?
During turkey season, you have a chance to harvest your own wild turkey, which is much healthier than its domesticated counterparts. Even store-bought turkey has plenty of benefits for us. It’s a great source of lean protein.
How do you make wild turkey not taste gamey?
The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution.
Does wild turkey bourbon taste good?
For a borderline bottom-shelf whiskey, Wild Turkey 101 is surprisingly complex and flavorful. It’s loaded with aromas of toasted vanilla beans, peppery rye, oak, and gentle spices and a palate of caramel corn, vanilla beans, cracked black pepper, cinnamon, and oak.
What does a wild turkey taste like?
Gary Spangenberg commented, “Wild turkey tastes the same as domestic to me as far as flavor goes, but the white meat is dryer, and the thighs and legs are darker and a little stronger. Best to use gravy from a domestic bird or store bought gravy.”
What is the difference between domestic turkey and wild turkey?
The breast meat of wild turkeys is darker and contains less fat than domestic turkey. The thighs and legs are even darker with more intense turkey flavor. The texture is also slightly firmer than domestic turkey. Overall the taste is not drastically different, but wild turkey is considered more “gamier” and robust.
What does a turkey leg taste like?
The legs and thighs can take on very subtle flavor notes that approach beef, depending on the cooking method (e.g., a long braise in stock followed by a smoke). A typical wild turkey yields 8–12 pounds or more, including bone-in meat, depending on the size of the bird and assuming that all parts are kept (legs, thighs, wings, breasts, and giblets).
What is a wild turkey?
Wild turkeys have white breast meat with darker meat found in the thighs and legs, similar to domestic turkeys. The meat is incredibly lean throughout—unlike domestic turkeys—and breasts can easily dry out if overcooked. On the other hand, the legs, wings, and thighs require several hours of cooking at low temperatures in order to tenderize.
Do turkeys have a bad sense of smell?
“Smells are interpreted by the olfactory lobes in the forepart of the brain,” Dickson said. “These lobes are small in the turkey and probably indicate a poorly developed sense of smell.” Eriksen adds, “The olfactory sense in most birds, including the wild turkey, is poorly developed.
Can you eat wild turkey?
A Guide to Cooking and Enjoying This Lean Game Bird Wild turkey is absolutely delicious to eat when handled and prepared properly. The rich, bold flavor of wild turkey can be preferable to bland domestic turkey for many hunters and cooks. However, the two types of turkey require different techniques to end up moist and tender on the dinner table.