Is Popeyes Turkey Good? A Detailed Look at Their Famous Cajun Bird

Popeyes is well known for their mouthwatering fried chicken and spicy chicken sandwiches. But did you know they also offer fully cooked Cajun-style turkeys for Thanksgiving? Popeyes has sold pre-seasoned Thanksgiving turkeys since the 1980s. Their turkeys are injected with a signature blend of Creole butter and Cajun spices. Many people find cooking and roasting a whole turkey intimidating. That’s where Popeyes comes in – their ready-to-heat Cajun turkeys provide convenience without sacrificing flavor.

But how good are Popeyes turkeys really? Should you order one for your next Thanksgiving feast? Here is a detailed look at the pros, cons, taste, pricing and more to help you decide if Popeyes turkey is worth it.

Overview of Popeyes Cajun Turkey

• Popeyes rubs down their frozen raw turkeys with a proprietary blend of Cajun spices containing paprika, onions, garlic, cayenne and other zesty flavors.
• The turkeys are then injected with a Creole marinade infused with butter, onions, garlic and Louisiana seasonings.
• The turkeys arrive fully cooked so you simply thaw, heat and serve. No lengthy roasting required.
• Available sizes range from 8-16 pounds, designed to serve groups of 8-12 people.
• Prices typically start around $40-50 for a smaller turkey, and $50-70+ for a larger 16 lb bird.

Potential Benefits of Choosing Popeyes Turkey

Here are some of the biggest advantages of ordering a pre-cooked Cajun turkey from Popeyes:

• Convenience – It saves you the work of thawing, prepping, seasoning, stuffing and roasting a raw turkey yourself. Just thaw, heat and serve.
• Predictable cook time – Takes only 60-90 minutes to reheat versus guessing doneness on a raw bird.
• Flavor – Reviews praise the Cajun spices for delivering a flavorful, juicy turkey compared to a typical bland roasted turkey.
• Moistness – The Creole butter injection helps keep the meat tender and moist.
• Value – Popeyes turkeys are competitively priced compared to grocery store options.

Possible Drawbacks to Consider

However, Popeyes turkey does come with some potential drawbacks:

• Leftovers – The bold Cajun flavor may make leftovers less versatile compared to plain turkey.
• Pre-cooked – Some people strongly prefer roasting a fresh raw turkey themselves.
• Spice level – The Cajun kick might be too spicy for sensitive palates. Scrape off skin to reduce heat.
• Sides not included – You’ll still need to prepare side dishes and gravy yourself.
• Limited availability – Popeyes requires preordering as quantities are limited for the holidays.

How Does Popeyes Turkey Actually Taste?

So how does the flavor, texture and moisture of Popeyes Cajun turkey really stack up? Here are some thoughts on the taste from people who have tried it:

• “The Creole butter keeps it incredibly moist. The Cajun flavor is bold without being overpowering.”
• “The white meat is very tender and juicy. The dark meat could be a little more moist but still has great flavor.”
• “It has a noticeable kick of spice but isn’t nearly as spicy as we expected. Much better taste than an oven roasted turkey.”
• “The seasoning penetrates deep into the meat, well beyond just the skin. This is now our go-to Thanksgiving turkey.”
• “We were worried it might be too spicy for the kids but the heat level is mild enough for everyone to enjoy.”

The consensus seems to be the turkey stays tender and moist with a well-balanced moderately spicy Cajun flavor. While it may fall short of a perfectly roasted fresh turkey, it provides great convenience without sacrificing taste.

Nutrition Info on Popeyes Cajun Turkey

Here are the basic nutrition facts per 3 oz serving of Popeyes turkey:

• Calories: 110
• Fat: 3g
• Carbs: 0g
• Protein: 19g
• Sodium: 450mg

So it’s relatively low calorie and high in protein. The sodium content is moderately high, which is expected for a boldly seasoned Cajun turkey.

How to Order a Popeyes Turkey for Thanksgiving

Here is a summary of how to order a pre-cooked Popeyes turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner

• Call your local Popeyes starting in early October to pre-order your turkey.
• Be ready to provide your contact information, desired turkey size, and pre-pay over the phone.
• Select a preferred pickup date and time window. Be prompt for pickup as quantities are limited.
• Thaw the frozen turkey for 24-48 hours in the refrigerator before cooking.
• Heat at 325°F for 60-90 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Is Popeyes Turkey Worth Buying for Thanksgiving?

Considering the convenience, taste, value and ease of preparation, Popeyes Cajun turkey is absolutely worth considering for your Thanksgiving feast. While it may not surpass a fresh roasted turkey for some turkey purists, it eliminates most of the frustrating guesswork and long roasting time.

The bold Cajun flavor provides a more exciting alternative to a typical plain roasted turkey. Leftovers may be less versatile, but the seasoned meat also makes amazing sandwiches and casseroles. For smaller gatherings, the reasonable price point is another major plus over large supermarket turkeys.

The drawbacks like pre-cooked status and potential spice are relatively minor tradeoffs. You can always remove the skin if the seasoning is too hot. All in all, Popeyes turkey delivers a moist and flavorful holiday bird without the roasting stress.

Frequently Asked Questions About Popeyes Turkey

Here are answers to some other common questions about Popeyes Cajun turkeys:

How much does a Popeyes turkey cost?

• Prices range from $40-50 for smaller 8-12 lb turkeys, and $50-70+ for larger birds. Having one shipped pre-cooked costs $99 extra.

What is Popeyes turkey injected and seasoned with?

• Popeyes injects their turkeys with a Creole butter marinade. The Cajun seasoning contains paprika, onions, garlic, cayenne and other spices.

Does the turkey need to be thawed before reheating?

• Yes, Popeyes turkeys arrive frozen so you’ll need to thaw in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking.

How long should I reheat a pre-cooked Popeyes turkey for?

• Plan on 60-90 minutes at 325°F to fully heat through. Check it reaches 165°F at the breast, thigh and stuffing.

Can I order a Popeyes turkey last minute?

• No, Popeyes requires 1-2 months preordering to ensure availability for the holidays. Ask your local store when preorders open.

Is Popeyes turkey very spicy?

• It has a distinct Cajun kick but most reviews say it’s moderately spicy rather than overly hot. Scrape off skin to reduce heat.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, Popeyes Cajun turkey delivers on its promise of a moist, flavorful holiday bird with just a bit of Mardi Gras spice. The bold Cajun flavor is a tasty change from the standard plain roast turkey. While it may not match a fresh oven-roasted turkey for some palates, it eliminates much of the frustrating thawing, prep and guesswork involved in roasting a bird yourself.

For cooks looking to streamline Thanksgiving dinner, Popeyes takes care of the hard part while still providing a delicious centerpiece. The reasonable price also makes it a great choice for smaller gatherings. Considering the convenience, taste and value, Popeyes turkey is absolutely worth trying for your next Thanksgiving feast.