It’s that time of year again – turkey time! As you start planning your holiday menu one of the most important decisions is which brand of turkey to choose. The two heavyweights in the turkey world are Butterball and Jennie-O. But when it comes to taste quality, price, and more, which one is better? I dug into the details to find out.
A Quick Overview of Butterball and Jennie-O
First, a quick intro to these two turkey titans.
Butterball is the largest producer of turkeys in the United States They’ve been in business since the 1950s and produce over 1 billion pounds of turkey every year. Their turkeys are famous for being juicy and flavorful.
Jennie-O is another major player in the turkey game. They started in 1940 and produce over 200 million pounds of turkey annually. Jennie-O is known for high quality birds that are milder in flavor compared to Butterball.
Now let’s get into the nitty gritty details!
Taste and Flavor
When it comes to taste, Butterball seems to have a slight edge. Their turkeys are renowned for their classic, buttery flavor. The rich, savory notes are sure to please even picky eaters. The brining process Butterball uses helps lock in moisture and flavor.
Jennie-O turkeys offer a milder flavor profile. This makes them a good choice if you prefer a less intense turkey taste. However, some people feel Jennie-O birds can be slightly drier than Butterball.
So if you like a more pronounced turkey flavor, Butterball is probably your best bet. But Jennie-O is a good option if you prefer something more subtle.
Price
Butterball turkeys are typically a bit pricier than Jennie-O. However, prices can vary substantially depending on store location and turkey size.
Jennie-O turkeys are usually more budget-friendly, so they’re a smart option if you’re looking for value. Just keep in mind you may sacrifice a bit on taste and moisture.
Regardless of which brand you select, always shop around. Turkey prices can fluctuate wildly from store to store, even for the same brand. Finding the best deal takes a little extra effort but it’s worth it!
Availability
Good news – both Butterball and Jennie-O turkeys are widely available at most major grocery store chains. Because they are the two largest producers, their market saturation is excellent.
So no matter which brand you opt for, you should have no problem tracking down a bird in your local area. Be aware of holiday demand though – popular sizes may sell out closer to Thanksgiving. Plan ahead and buy early if you want the best selection.
Cooking Considerations
Here are some key differences in how Butterball and Jennie-O turkeys cook up:
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Butterball turkeys come pre-brined or pre-seasoned. This makes them super convenient for roasting right out of the package.
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Jennie-O turkeys are typically unseasoned. So you’ll need to brine or season them yourself if you want more flavor.
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Jennie-O turkeys can be better for frying or smoking since they don’t contain salt injections.
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Both brands offer turkeys of all sizes, so you can find the right bird for your holiday crowd.
So think about how you want to prepare your turkey when making your brand selection. A little pre-planning goes a long way!
Customer Reviews
Scouring customer reviews can provide great insight into real-world experiences with Butterball and Jennie-O.
Butterball earns rave reviews for their moist, flavorful meat. Fans say their turkeys are “fool proof” and perfect for holiday meals. There are some complaints about shipping for mail-order birds arriving partially frozen.
Jennie-O also receives positive marks for being juicy and delicious. Their loyal customers love the milder taste. Like Butterball, there are a few concerns about proper thawing and shipping for mail-order turkeys.
So both brands have their fair share of happy turkey eaters! At the end of the day, it comes down to your individual taste preferences.
The Bottom Line
When choosing between Butterball and Jennie-O, think about these key factors:
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Flavor – Butterball offers richer, more classic turkey taste. Jennie-O is milder.
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Price – Jennie-O tends to be more budget-conscious.
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Cooking – Determine if you want a pre-brined or seasoned turkey.
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Availability – Both brands are widely available.
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Reviews – Look at feedback but take with a grain of salt.
While Butterball edges out Jennie-O in terms of flavor, both produce quality turkeys. I recommend buying a small bird of each to do your own taste test well before the holidays. Find the one that best suits your preferences. Then you can relax knowing your star turkey is already squared away for the big day!
Bubba Burger Turkey Burgers
Bubba Burgers Turkey Burgers contain no artificial ingredients, additives, or preservatives. A 32-ounce pack of eight burgers cost me $8.99.
My experience with Bubba Burger is pretty good, and I swear that every burger I’ve ever seen from this brand has been crooked in some way. The patty got a good sear and was pretty thick, even though it was a bit too small for the bun.
What I think about the taste of this patty is pretty much the same as what I thought about the Applegate and Trader Joe’s patties. The taste is perfectly fine, albeit a bit boring. Id need to upgrade it with my own seasonings and toppings in order to really enjoy it. What pushed Bubba Burger ahead of the others, however, was the texture. The patty seemed to hold its juices much better than the Applegate Organics and Trader Joes burgers while it was cooking because it was thicker.
Trader Joe’s Turkey Burgers
Trader Joes Turkey Burgers are made with a blend of white and dark turkey meat, which is seasoned with kosher salt and rosemary extract. A one-pound pack of four patties cost me $3.79.
From the outside, these looked like Applegate Organics burgers. They were about the same size and thickness, but they were a little rounder. They got a bit of a sear while they were cooking, but the color wasn’t as strong as it was in some of the other patties I tried.
The taste: This patty also boasted a really clean and fresh turkey flavor. However, the flavor wasn’t as strong as some of the better-rated brands I tried, even though it was slightly better seasoned than the Applegate Organics recipe. I’m sure that Trader Joe’s customers can make a really tasty meal out of these patties by seasoning and topping them however they like, but I gave them a lower rating because other brands were already really tasty.
What is Butterball premium?
FAQ
Are Butterball turkeys better than others?
Is Jennie O’ turkey good for Thanksgiving?
Is Jennie O ground turkey a good brand?
Is Butterball Turkey better than Jennie-O?
Butterball turkeys can range from 10 to 32 pounds. On the other hand, Jennie-O typically ranges from 10 to 25 pounds. Just because we feel that Butterball is the best turkey doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the best option for you. Both Butterball and Jennie-O turkeys have respective pros and cons.
Is Butterball the same as Jennie-O?
In addition to turkeys, Butterball provides a range of turkey products, which comes pretty much equal to Jennie-O’s selection, but the best thing is both brands complement each other in this regard. While Jennie-O offers turkey sausages, Butterball offers turkey bacon and turkey deli meats.
Are Jennie-O & Butterball a good brand?
Both brands produce high-quality meat, with the Jennie-O milder and Butterball more flavorful. Both brands have their turkey farms and offer excellent products. Though both brands have excellent quality turkey products, you should know a thing or two about what they offer.
Does a Jennie-O Turkey taste bad?
Not that an unseasoned Jennie-O turkey would taste bad, far from it, but Butterball specializes in tenderized and juicy turkey meat. Both Jennie-O and Butterball brands follow the highest turkey packaging standards taking utmost care to pack and deliver their products in a sanitary manner.
Is Butterball a good Turkey?
Butterball turkeys are easy to season and absorb additional flavors, but they are delicious unseasoned as well, which is probably an advantage they have over Jennie-O turkeys. Not that an unseasoned Jennie-O turkey would taste bad, far from it, but Butterball specializes in tenderized and juicy turkey meat.
Are Butterball & Jennie-O mashed potatoes good for Turkey?
Turkey is a staple of holiday meals in the United States. Many companies nationwide distribute this poultry, but two notable brands dominate the market: Butterball and Jennie-O. Chances are, you’ve enjoyed at least one of these products with a side of mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.