We make safety and quality standards our #1 priority. Our products are traced from farm to table to help ensure the food you serve is as safe and fresh as possible.
But we don’t stop there. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve taken additional health and safety precautions to ensure the safety of all involved in the production of our turkey.
Is Honeysuckle White Turkey Good? A Detailed Look at This Popular Brand
With the holidays right around the corner, you may be wondering which brand of turkey to get for your festive meal. Honeysuckle White is one of the most popular and widely available turkey brands on the market. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know if Honeysuckle White turkey is a good choice?
In this comprehensive article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Honeysuckle White turkey to help you determine if it lives up to its reputation for quality. We’ll cover everything from how the turkeys are raised to reviews from real customers, to how Honeysuckle White compares with the competition. Read on for the full scoop on this famous turkey brand.
An Overview of Honeysuckle White Turkey
Honeysuckle White is one of the major turkey brands sold in American supermarkets and grocery stores. It’s owned by Cargill, one of the largest private companies in the USA. Honeysuckle White turkeys are marketed as all-natural, humanely raised on family farms without the use of antibiotics or added hormones.
Their premium “Honeysuckle White Whole Turkey” line features free-range turkeys that are given access to outdoor pastures. The brand touts traceability as a key selling point, allowing consumers to enter a tracking code online to follow their specific turkey back to the farm where it originated. This focus on transparency helps ensure quality.
Honeysuckle White Turkey Review Summary
When we analyzed numerous reviews from sites like Walmart.com and specialty cooking blogs, the consensus on Honeysuckle White turkey was largely positive:
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Many praise the tender, juicy meat with delicious, robust flavor. Some say it’s the best turkey they’ve ever tasted.
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The natural raising practices without hormones or routine antibiotics earn high marks. Customers appreciate this healthy approach.
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The traceability feature is very popular for providing insights into exactly where the turkeys come from.
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Several reviews highlight the reasonable pricing compared to other turkey brands, especially for a holiday centerpiece.
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Negative feedback is limited but includes occasional comments about dryness, bland flavor, and rare spoilage issues. Proper cooking technique and handling reduces these risks.
How Honeysuckle White Turkeys Are Raised
Understanding how the turkeys are raised can offer useful insights into the quality of the meat. Here are the key details on Honeysuckle White’s sourcing and farming protocols:
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All turkeys are raised on family farms located in the Midwest and East Coast regions of the U.S.
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The turkeys are fed a vegetarian diet of corn, soybean meal, vitamins, and minerals. Growth hormones and animal by-products are never used.
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Antibiotics are only administered for therapeutic purposes under veterinary supervision, not routinely.
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Turkeys are free to roam barns with access to fresh air and sunlight streaming in. Enrichments like perches and pecking objects are provided.
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Honeysuckle White turkeys are harvested once fully matured, at around 5-6 months of age.
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Strict quality control checks are enforced during processing to ensure safety and proper handling.
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The practices meet the guidelines for Certified Humane and American Humane Certified animal welfare, though the brand isn’t officially certified.
For the Whole Turkey line, birds are free-range with continuous outdoor access to rotate on pastures, which enhances their flavor.
How Does Honeysuckle White Turkey Compare to Butterball?
Butterball is undoubtedly the most famous turkey brand in America. Here’s how it stacks up against Honeysuckle White:
Similarities:
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Both are large, national turkey brands widely available at major grocery retailers.
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They offer comparable products like whole turkeys, breasts, ground turkey, sausage, etc.
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Neither use artificial growth hormones or routine antibiotics.
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Pricing is competitive between the two brands.
Differences:
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Butterball provides more diverse size options for whole turkeys.
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Only Honeysuckle White includes traceability back to family farms.
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Butterball asserts higher formal standards for animal welfare.
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Honeysuckle White’s whole turkeys are free-range while Butterball’s are not.
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Many reviews suggest Butterball has more flavor, but Honeysuckle White tastes more naturally mild.
Overall, Butterball just slightly edges out Honeysuckle White in prestige and quality feedback from turkey-loving consumers. But both are excellent options for a delicious holiday bird. Go with Honeysuckle White for traceable, free-range perks.
Is Honeysuckle White Turkey Worth the Price?
Given the significant time, care and higher farming standards invested compared to generic store brands, Honeysuckle White turkeys are competitively priced. Some average pricing at major national retailers:
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Honeysuckle White Whole Turkey: $1.29-$1.59 per pound
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Honeysuckle White Turkey Breast: $3.99-$9.99 per pound
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Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey: $3.49-$4.99 per pound
The free-range varieties understandably come at a 10-20% premium over standard Honeysuckle White turkeys. But these price points are on par with other major turkey producers, so you aren’t paying more for the added quality.
Many customers agree that Honeysuckle White is a great value for a centerpiece holiday bird you feel good about, versus generic brands where you don’t know the source. It offers quality and care worth splurging on.
Is Honeysuckle White the Best Turkey Option Overall?
With its focus on premium quality, humane raising practices, and traceability, Honeysuckle White absolutely ranks among the best turkey brands available today. However, competitors like Butterball, Norbest, and Jennie-O also have loyal fans.
Here’s a balanced look at why Honeysuckle White is an excellent turkey choice, but not necessarily the single “best” option for all:
Pros:
- Delicious, tender, juicy meat when properly cooked
- All-natural with no hormones or routine antibiotics
- Select free-range varieties available
- Traceability back to family farms
- Competitively priced among major brands
Potential Cons:
- Inconsistent moisture and flavor feedback
- Not certified for animal welfare by third-parties
- Less size diversity than some brands
- Mixed reviews on taste compared to alternatives
The Bottom Line: Honeysuckle White is a very good brand for naturally-raised, humanely produced turkey with traceability. But other reputable brands also have their advantages. We recommend buying it on sale or when you want to take advantage of the free-range, farm-traceable characteristics. There are no major drawbacks to Honeysuckle White if you prefer a milder flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honeysuckle White Turkey
Here are quick answers to some of the most common questions consumers have about Honeysuckle White turkey:
Are the turkeys organic?
No, they are not USDA certified organic, just described as “all-natural”.
Are they sold pre-cooked?
Honeysuckle White turkeys need cooking unless labeled “fully cooked”. Most are sold raw.
Can I buy them online?
Yes, Honeysuckle White turkeys can be purchased online through grocery delivery services or some direct retailers.
Are they available year-round?
While supplies increase during the holidays, some stores do sell Honeysuckle White turkey products year-round. Check your local availability.
How long should I cook it?
Refer to the package guidelines or Honeysuckle White website cooking instructions for proper cook times based on the size of your turkey.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, Honeysuckle White turkeys can be safely frozen for 6-12 months for maximum freshness. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before cooking.
The Bottom Line: Is Honeysuckle White Turkey Worth Buying?
When it comes to a delicious, high-quality turkey from a brand you can trust, Honeysuckle White remains an excellent choice for your holiday table or any time of year. The turkeys are humanely raised without antibiotics on family farms, providing meat that is juicy, tender and flavorful when cooked properly.
Traceability and free-range options give conscientious buyers peace of mind. While not the undisputed best turkey for all, Honeysuckle White consistently satisfies the majority of shoppers looking for good taste and ethically raised meat. So you can confidently serve this popular brand of turkey knowing it meets high standards for quality, care and value.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING PREMIUM PRODUCTS.
Honeysuckle White® turkeys have been USDA Verified since May 2015. What that means to you is that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides companies that supply agricultural products or services the opportunity to assure their customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products or services through their Process Verified Program.
What that means is Honeysuckle White® turkeys are:
+ Proudly raised without growth-promoting antibiotics. Antibiotics responsibly used only when needed for treatment & prevention of illness.
+ Raised by independent farmers who are trained on animal handling practices.
The Best Store Bought Turkeys
FAQ
Which brand of turkey is the best tasting?
Williams Sonoma Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
We often turn to Willie Birds for our Thanksgiving needs because the turkey tastes like turkey. It’s not too gamey and has that true turkey flavor you want as the base for your gravy. You can get the fresh bird brined or unbrined.
What is the rating of honeysuckle turkey?
Frozen Bone-in Turkey Breast 4.2 out of 5 stars, average rating value. Read 40 Reviews. Same page link. Honeysuckle White® is the first to offer frozen bone-in turkey breasts raised without growth-promoting antibiotics at a price comparable to conventionally raised turkeys.
Are honeysuckle white turkeys already brined?
Our Frozen Whole Turkey is pre-brined to lock-in the flavor that will turn your next special occasion into an unforgettable event. Our juicy, wholesome and quality whole turkey comes in a variety of sizes. Our turkeys are as delicious as they are nutritious, try our turkey oven roasted, grilled, smoked or deep fried.
Do honeysuckle white turkeys have dark meat?
With Honeysuckle White® brand, white meat lovers can get the turkey breasts they crave. Dark meat lovers can grab a leg or thigh. So, whether you’re grilling, roasting or simmering, Honeysuckle White® turkey offers the selection you need.
Are honeysuckle white turkeys good?
Honeysuckle White turkeys are known for their gentle and natural flavor. The meat is very tender and very easy to handle, so they turn out soft and juicy, just like advertised. Just like Butterball, Honeysuckle White also strives to give the customers what they promised and does a great job in doing so.
Is honeysuckle white a Turkish brand?
According to Deborah Socha, Honeysuckle White’s Brand Manager, “The Honeysuckle White brand is committed to food opening, and we are the only major Turkish brand that only serves turkeys on family farms.” As per the brand manager, they are committed to letting consumers see more than farm-to-table marketing.
Are honeysuckle white turkeys better than Butterball turkeys?
If you like Butterball turkeys, you will likely like Honeysuckle White turkeys as well, but they do differ in some aspects. So, if you prefer a more gentle flavor, Honeysuckle While would be better for you, and if you are more into soft and juicy turkey meat, Butterball would be a better choice for your taste.
Is honeysuckle white good?
There are sporadic complaints of spoiled or partially frozen turkeys upon delivery. Proper handling is key. Not all love the texture, with a minority finding it too mushy or soft versus nicely tender. Analysis Overall, feedback skews positive for Honeysuckle White across multiple online review platforms.
Are honeysuckle white turkeys frozen?
Honeysuckle White turkeys are sold frozen at major grocery chains across the United States. You can find their wide selection of premium products: Be sure to check labels closely for the Honeysuckle White brand when buying turkey from your grocer’s frozen section.
Are honeysuckle white turkeys USDA approved?
For Honeysuckle White turkeys, the USDA verification guarantees: Not all turkey brands undergo such rigorous verification. The USDA’s seal of approval shows Honeysuckle White adheres to high-quality processes from start to finish. Honeysuckle White turkeys provide high-quality nutrition, making them a healthy choice for families.