Plus, does turkey really make you tired? And what you should not do when preparing it.
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Gertrude Stein wrote that “a rose is a rose is a rose. We were intrigued by her observation and concerned about the hefty price tag of the customary Thanksgiving main course these days, so we set out to see if the same could be said for turkeys.
Fans of the popular Thanksgiving bird have probably heard people call their expensive heritage turkeys “life-altering” for years. However, heritage birds require investment as they can cost up to $11 per pound, while bargain birds only cost less than $2. Furthermore, since it will be served with Brussels sprouts, yams, and pumpkin, how could anyone distinguish it from a typical grocery store bird if it is brined and covered in gravy?
Several colleagues went to the Consumer Reports labs to roast five birds and conduct a blind taste test in order to determine whether heritage birds are worth the money and how much difference there is between several popular grocery store brand turkeys.
If you rub in enough butter, herbs, and other seasonings into the meat of the turkey before cooking it, and then cover it with a flavorful gravy afterwards, you can turn even the most bland turkey into something at least somewhat edible. However, our objective was to assess the meat’s flavor so that home cooks could begin with the best-tasting bird at the most affordable price. So we took a minimal approach in our preparation: no added fat, herbs, or seasoning, other than 2. Paul Hope, a classically trained chef and writer about appliances at CR, approved of the simplest recipe we could find, which called for applying five teaspoons of kosher salt both inside and on top of the skin.
Below is a list of all the turkeys we tested, along with their prices as of November 2022 and our opinions regarding the moisture, flavor, and texture of each cooked turkey.
The second-most costly turkey we tested was the 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Turkey, which shot to the top of most reviewers’ lists. Its benefits extended beyond just its taste and organic certification, as social media editor Alexis Priester declared it to be the most beautiful turkey—a crucial aspect for creating the ideal Instagram moment. “White meat is generally the most appealing meat to look at (but least appealing in terms of flavor) . and this white meat was that turkey,” she said. Some tasters thought it was a little bland, but those who liked it really enjoyed it. Production Coordinator Aileen McCluskey thought both the “white and dark meat were moist . and had a really good, mild taste. ”.
Another evaluator thought this turkey was the most moist. At $2. 99 a pound, it was the second-most expensive turkey.
Ah, the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving feast, the succulent, golden-brown turkey But when it comes to choosing the right bird, the battle rages on: Butterball vs store brand. Both options promise a delicious centerpiece for your holiday table, but which one truly reigns supreme?
Butterball: The Big Name in Turkey
Butterball, a household name synonymous with Thanksgiving, boasts a reputation for quality and convenience. Their turkeys come pre-brined, ensuring juicy, flavorful meat with minimal prep time
Pros:
- Pre-brined: Saves you the hassle of brining yourself, resulting in a moist and flavorful turkey.
- High-quality: Butterball adheres to strict animal welfare standards and uses no hormones or antibiotics.
- Variety of sizes: From petite “Li’l Butterball” to behemoths exceeding 24 pounds, there’s a size for every gathering.
- Easy-open packaging: No more wrestling with plastic and poultry; Butterball’s packaging opens with a simple pull.
Cons:
- Price: Butterball turkeys tend to be pricier than store brands, sometimes by a significant margin.
- Pre-seasoned: The pre-brined solution adds salt, which might not suit everyone’s taste.
- Limited availability: Finding specific sizes, especially smaller ones, can be challenging.
Store Brand Turkey: The Underdog Challenger
Store brand turkeys, often the underdog in this battle, offer a budget-friendly alternative without sacrificing quality. While they may lack the pre-brined convenience of Butterball, they provide a blank canvas for your culinary creativity.
Pros:
- Affordability: Store brand turkeys are typically significantly cheaper than Butterball, making them a budget-conscious choice.
- Customizable: You control the flavor profile by brining or seasoning the turkey to your liking.
- Wider size range: Finding smaller or larger turkeys might be easier with store brands.
Cons:
- Prep time: Brining or seasoning requires additional time and effort.
- Quality inconsistency: The quality can vary depending on the store and supplier.
- Packaging: Opening the packaging might require tools, potentially creating a mess.
- Animal welfare concerns: Information about the bird’s origin and treatment might be limited.
The Verdict: It Depends
Ultimately, the “best” turkey depends on your priorities and preferences. If convenience and guaranteed quality are paramount, Butterball might be the way to go. However, if budget and culinary control are your main concerns, a store brand turkey could be your champion.
Additional Considerations:
- Fresh vs. frozen: Fresh turkeys offer a richer flavor but require immediate cooking and are pricier. Frozen turkeys are more budget-friendly and can be stored for longer.
- Size: Choose a turkey size based on the number of guests and desired leftovers.
- Cooking method: Consider how you plan to cook the turkey (roasting, smoking, etc.) when selecting a size and brand.
No matter which turkey you choose, remember that the true magic lies in the love and care you put into preparing it. So, gather your loved ones, crank up the oven, and get ready to create a Thanksgiving feast that will leave everyone gobbling with delight!
Best Value Bird: Aldi Never Any! Young Turkey
Price per pound, at the time of publish: $1.89
Graphic: Alisa OConnor/Consumer Reports Graphic: Alisa OConnor/Consumer Reports
Although the Aldi Never Any! turkey wasn’t the cheapest bird we tried (see Member’s Mark, below), it’s still a great deal at less than $2 per pound, and many of our evaluators thought it was flavorful. It also received two votes for the best-tasting bird. The Aldi bird was deemed gamey by multiple evaluators (one even surmised that it was a heritage bird). For those who prefer their turkey gamey, this is a good option; for others, it is a bad one. Althea Chang-Cook, an associate director of content, said it was “definitely more flavorful . and more tender, too. ” It was her favorite. Priester agreed that it tasted gamey, but he also noted that it would be excellent with a “nice wet brine.” ”.
15 Ways to Save Money on Your Feast
Check out our Thanksgiving food shopping tips.
How to Roast a Turkey – Butterball
FAQ
Are Butterball turkeys high quality?
Are Butterball fully cooked turkeys good?
Is Butterball turkey meat good?
Is Butterball a good Turkey?
Butterball turkey is self-basted, which secures tender and juicy meat, unlike regular turkey, which you have to brine yourself. It is also, unsurprisingly, about double the price of regular, but its package is handier. More importantly, the Butterball Company treats its birds better, but some labels are misleading.
Does Butterball Turkey come pre-brined?
Butterball turkey comes pre-brined, unlike regular turkey, and that’s the main difference in preparation. Brining is the first step in making tender, juicy, and soft meat, whether you pick out the wet or dry method. That means the Butterball turkey is oven-ready as soon as unpacked, while the regular turkey is a bit more time-consuming.
Is Butterball the same as regular Turkey?
Butterball, as well, does the same. The company claims that there are no residual antibiotics in turkey’s digestive system when slaughtered, that’s why they have the label. Those drugs aren’t necessary, though, but are unfortunately rarely avoided, so that makes Butterball and regular turkey pretty much the same.
Does a frozen turkey taste better than a Butterball turkey?
A regular frozen turkey can taste just as tasty as a Butterball turkey if the proper brining, seasoning and roasting is accomplished. Fresh regular turkey offers the very best flavor and texture but costs far more than either a Butterball turkey product or a cheap frozen turkey.