Turkey is an iconic and traditional holiday entrée that requires a great deal of preparation and cooking time. I do enjoy setting aside an entire day, or even 2, to focus on all the work that goes into cooking a whole turkey.
The smell of a roasting turkey is intoxicating. I especially enjoy the rewards of leftovers for sandwiches and a whole carcass for making a batch of bone broth to fill my freezer for the winter. Alas, I generally only put the effort into cooking a whole turkey once a year.
Sometimes I just want some turkey without all of the effort associated with preparing it. I will make meatloaf from ground turkey, but it just isn’t the same. My new go-to turkey meal is grilled turkey cutlets.
Turkey cutlets are thin, lean steaks sliced from fresh turkey breasts. They are delicious and healthy when quickly marinated or spice-rubbed and then grilled. Grilled cutlets take only minutes to prepare. Cooking cutlets on a George Foreman Grill takes just minutes and they tend to remain moist.
I like to serve grilled turkey cutlets with some traditional side dishes, such as mashed potatoes and grilled Brussels sprouts (a recipe follows).
Turkey cutlets are a versatile lean protein choice perfect for quick weeknight dinners or easy lunches. Unlike whole turkey breasts cutlets are already thinly sliced and ready to cook. But where can you find high-quality turkey cutlets for your recipes? Here are the best places to buy juicy, flavorful turkey cutlets.
Understanding Turkey Cutlets
Turkey cutlets are thin, broad slices of boneless, skinless turkey breast meat. Sometimes called turkey scallopini, paillards or schnitzel, cutlets typically weigh around 4 ounces each. The thin shape enables quick and even cooking. Turkey cutlets contain over 25 grams of protein per serving and little fat, making them an exceptionally healthy meat choice. Their mild flavor takes well to all sorts of seasonings too. They work great in everything from sandwiches and wraps to salads, sautés and more. Let’s explore the best sources for fresh and frozen turkey cutlets.
Buying Turkey Cutlets at the Grocery Store
Many grocery stores now carry turkey cutlets, often near other packaged raw poultry products. Here are some top grocery store turkey cutlet brands to look for
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Honeysuckle White: Natural, minimally seasoned turkey cutlets from this leading brand. No antibiotics or added hormones.
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Shady Brook Farms Their 99% fat free turkey cutlets contain 25g protein each, Also no antibiotics or added hormones,
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Applegate: Organic turkey cutlets from humanely raised turkeys. No GMOs or artificial ingredients.
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Tyson: Classic all-natural turkey cutlets at budget-friendly prices.
For best quality, choose responsibly raised brands without artificial additives. Check the sell-by date and pick the freshest option.
Finding Turkey Cutlets at Warehouse Clubs
Big box stores like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s often sell largepackages of turkey cutlets, typically two big trays of 10 to 12 cutlets each. This offers savings for bulk buying and meal prepping:
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Kirkland: Costco’s house brand of huge turkey cutlet packages. All-natural and made in the USA.
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Members Mark: Affordable, non-GMO turkey cutlets available at Sam’s Club in big quantities.
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Wellsley Farms: BJ’s house brand of American Humane Certified turkey cutlets. No artificial ingredients.
Check freezing dates and plan to use or freeze bulk packs within a few days.
Ordering Turkey Cutlets Online
Several online grocery delivery services make it easy to buy fresh, high quality turkey cutlets:
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Thrive Market: Wide range of organic and responsibly raised turkey cutlets.
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Crowd Cow: Grass fed, free range turkey cutlets from small family farms.
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Butcher Box: Subscription service with heritage breed turkey cutlet options.
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Instacart: Lets you order turkey cutlets for delivery from local grocery stores.
For ultimate freshness and convenience, have turkey cutlets shipped overnight.
Purchasing Turkey Cutlets at Butcher Shops
For the freshest turkey cutlets, visit a local butcher shop or meat market. Ask them to slice boneless turkey breasts into thin cutlets. Benefits of custom cut turkey cutlets:
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Freshly sliced to your preferred thickness
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Locally sourced turkey options
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Control over turkey breed, diet, etc.
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Ability to buy exactly as many cutlets as you need
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Support small businesses and quality meat purveyors
Just call ahead to confirm they offer turkey cutlet preparation.
Quick Tips for Buying Turkey Cutlets
Keep these turkey cutlet shopping tips in mind:
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Inspect for freshness – Pick plump, shiny cutlets without dry spots.
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Check weight – Heavier cutlets over 4 ounces cook better than thinner ones.
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Consider enhanced vs natural – Enhanced cutlets have added broth for moisture.
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Estimate portions – Figure 3 to 4 cutlets per adult serving.
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Allow time to thaw – If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Cooking Your Turkey Cutlets
Once you’ve brought home fresh turkey cutlets, cooking them is a cinch. Quick cooking options include:
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Pan searing or sautéing in a bit of olive oil just 2-3 minutes per side.
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Grilling over direct medium heat for 6-8 minutes total, flipping once.
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Baking in the oven at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until no longer pink inside.
Turkey cutlets pair deliciously with all types of spices, herbs, sauces and sides. Now that you know the best places to find high quality turkey cutlets, you’re ready to start enjoying their convenience and versatility!
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Turkey Cutlets
Here are answers to some common questions about purchasing turkey cutlets:
What are turkey cutlets?
Turkey cutlets are very thin slices of boneless, skinless turkey breast meat weighing around 4 ounces each. Their thin shape enables quick cooking.
Where can I find turkey cutlets in the grocery store?
Check the packaged raw poultry section, often near whole turkey breasts. Top brands like Honeysuckle White and Shady Brook Farms make turkey cutlets.
Are turkey cutlets healthier than other meats?
Yes. Turkey cutlets are over 90% lean protein and contain zero carbs and little saturated fat. They have 25+ grams of protein per 4 ounce serving.
Should I buy fresh or frozen turkey cutlets?
Both options work well. Choose fresh for cooking immediately or frozen to store longer. Defrost frozen cutlets overnight in the fridge.
How many turkey cutlets should I buy per person?
Figure 3 to 4 cutlets per adult serving, depending on appetites. Cutlets weigh 4 ounces each before cooking so allow 1 to 1 1/2 pounds per person.
What’s the easiest way to cook turkey cutlets?
Pan frying in a bit of oil over medium-high heat just 2-3 minutes per side is quickest. Baking at 400°F for 10-12 minutes is easy too.
Easy & Delicious Grilled Turkey Cutlets on a Foreman Grill
- 2 turkey cutlets thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil EVOO
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Place the cutlets on a plate.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. Whisk in salt and pepper to taste.
- Coat both sides of the turkey with 2/3 of the dressing.
- Reserve the remaining dressing. Set the cutlets aside while you prepare your grill.
- Preheat a Foreman contact grill to high with the top closed. Place the drip tray at the end of the grill.
- Put the cutlets on the grill and close the top.
- Cook the cutlets for 2 to 4 minutes. You are looking for an internal temperature of 165°F. Check with a digital meat thermometer.
- Remove the cutlets to a clean cutting board and coat with the rest of the dressing.
- Allow the meat to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve the turkey cutlets over mashed potatoes, polenta, or cauliflower purée with a green vegetable.
- You can slice the turkey before serving, if desired.
Tips for Grilling Turkey Cutlets
Turkey cutlets are sliced from the very lean breast portion of the bird. There is no skin and almost zero fat or carbohydrates. Cooking this delicate cut can be tricky.
Turkey in general is a protein that should not be undercooked or overcooked. It is not safe to consume undercooked poultry. And, overcooked turkey becomes dry and chewy. It is important that you be mindful of the timing and the temperature while grilling turkey. I advise using a reliable meat thermometer when cooking turkey cutlets. The internal temperature of the meat should be between 165°F and 170°F.
Don’t lose sleep if you accidentally overcook the turkey. If in fact you cook the meat a bit too long, try the suggestions outlined here. Remove the turkey from the grill to a clean cutting board and tent it with aluminum foil for 5 to 10 minutes.
The foil tent will allow the meat to slightly steam and the moisture will not escape. Resting the meat allows for the juices to be reabsorbed. If you cut the turkey immediately after being removed from the grill the juices will run out and the muscle will seize and become tough.
As in the first recipe here for lightly dressed grilled turkey cutlets, I like to reserve some of the dressing to add more moisture back into the cutlets after cooking. Another way to do this is to heat up a few spoonfuls of broth or stock in a pan.
Slice the cutlets very thinly against the muscle grain. Then, place the slices of meat in the stock, toss just to coat (only seconds), and serve the moist meat with your sides or in a tortilla with toppings. You can also do this with leftover turkey cutlets to rehydrate them.
