Where Do Turkey Chops Come From? A Closer Look at the Origins of This Tasty Poultry Cut

Turkey chops have become an increasingly popular alternative to pork chops and chicken breasts for a nutritious protein option. Their mild flavor and tender meat make them versatile for all kinds of recipes. But despite their growing availability, some home cooks may still wonder – where exactly do turkey chops come from?

In this article, we’ll trace the origins of turkey chops to understand their place on the turkey anatomy and how they are prepared from a whole bird.

What Are Turkey Chops?

Turkey chops are essentially thick slices of meat cut from the breast section of a whole turkey They contain a part of the rib bone and are sliced diagonally across the grain of the breast meat.

Turkey chops usually weigh 4-8 ounces each They look similar to pork chops but have a milder, slightly sweeter flavor profile When cooked correctly, turkey chops can be just as moist, juicy and flavorful as other chops.

The main advantage of turkey chops compared to pork or chicken is their lower fat and calorie content Turkey is overall a leaner and healthier poultry choice

Where on the Turkey Do Chops Come From?

Turkey chops originate from the breast portion of a whole turkey. The breast is the largest section of meat on a turkey and where the lean white meat is found.

To produce chops, the whole turkey breast is first removed from the bird. The boneless turkey breast is then portioned into smaller roasts or steaks.

These turkey breast roasts are sliced diagonally across the grain into roughly one inch thick chops. Each chop will contain a thin sliver of the breastbone, which adds flavor.

The size of the original turkey breast determines the shape, thickness and overall yield of chops. Smaller heritage breed turkeys have more petite breasts compared to commercial broad-breasted turkeys raised specifically for maximum white meat.

Why Cut Turkey Breast into Individual Chops?

There are some distinct advantages to portioning a whole turkey breast into individual chops compared to leaving it intact:

• Smaller Portions: Chops provide ready-to-cook single servings ideal for small families. Roasting a whole breast may provide too much meat.

• Faster Cooking: Sliced thinner into chops, the turkey cooks much quicker than roasting an intact breast. Chops may take only 15-25 minutes to cook through.

• Added Flavor: The partial bone-in chops contain a tiny portion of rib bone that infuses flavor and moisture as the meat cooks.

• Versatility: Uniformly shaped chops are extremely versatile for recipes like grilling, breading/frying, baking, sautéing, or chop skillet meals.

Where to Buy Turkey Chops

A few years ago, finding turkey chops could be difficult. But today, they have become widely available at most major grocery stores.

Fresh turkey chops are usually located in the poultry section alongside whole turkeys and other turkey cuts like ground meat. Many high-end butcher shops and specialty online retailers also sell premium turkey chops.

For the freshest cuts, try to buy turkey chops 1-2 days before you plan to cook them. Look for moist, plump chops without any drying or discoloration.

Commercial Turkey Chop Production

The vast majority of turkey chops purchased in supermarkets come from large-scale commercial turkey processing facilities. Here is a general overview of how they mass produce turkey chops:

• Turkeys are raised on farms until reaching ideal market weight.
• Fully grown turkeys are transported to processing plants for slaughter.
• The birds are defeathered and eviscerated automatically by machines.
• Workers manually remove head, feet, and organs before the carcass is chilled in cold water.
• After further cleaning, the breast meat is separated from the carcass by automated poultry processing equipment.
• Breasts move down the line to be portioned into roasts then chops by specialized meat cutting machines. Some chops may have a sliver of rib bone left attached.
• Chops are packaged, weighed, labeled then chilled for transport to retailers.

This large-scale commercial chop production allows for ample availability at a lower cost than artisanal turkey producers. Small turkey farms may use more whole-bird butchering methods to produce premium heirloom breed turkey chops.

Try Delicious and Lean Turkey Chops!

Now that you know exactly where turkey chops originate from on the turkey itself, you can better appreciate this nutritious and flavorful poultry cut! Try substituting turkey chops in your favorite pork chop recipes for a healthier alternative. Or use that partial bone to infuse a delicious pan sauce or gravy.