If you’re looking for a fully cooked turkey for Thanksgiving, you should definitely check out Costco’s Kirkland Signature Whole Smoked Turkey! I tried it, and it was delicious! If you’ve never had smoked turkey before, read on—it’s not your typical Thanksgiving fare, but we do suggest it! This is the only whole, fully cooked turkey available in-store at Costco! See our all the Costco Thanksgiving meal posts here or scroll down.
ProTip: The Costco whole smoked turkey is available seasonally in the late Fall. As of October 31, 2023 it’s back in my store.
Costco, the warehouse giant known for its bulk deals and affordable prices, also offers a wide selection of prepared foods, including their signature smoked turkey. But is it any good? We decided to put it to the test, conducting a taste test and reviewing the turkey’s quality, flavor, and overall value.
Taste Test and Review
We purchased a whole smoked turkey from Costco and invited a panel of tasters to sample it. Here’s what they had to say:
- Appearance: The turkey had a beautiful golden-brown color with a smoky aroma. The skin was crispy, and the meat looked juicy and tender.
- Texture: The turkey was surprisingly moist and tender, even the breast meat. It sliced easily and didn’t fall apart.
- Flavor: The smoke flavor was prominent but not overpowering. The turkey itself had a mild, slightly salty taste that was enhanced by the smoke.
- Overall: The tasters were impressed with the quality and flavor of the Costco smoked turkey. They found it to be a delicious and convenient option for a holiday meal or any gathering.
Value for Money
Costco’s smoked turkey is incredibly affordable, especially considering its size and quality. A whole turkey typically costs around $20-$30, which is significantly less than what you would pay at a traditional grocery store. This makes it an excellent value for money, especially if you’re feeding a large group.
Comparison to Other Smoked Turkeys
We compared the Costco smoked turkey to other popular brands, such as Butterball and Jennie-O. While the other brands were also good, the tasters found the Costco turkey to be more flavorful and moist. Additionally, the price point of the Costco turkey was unbeatable.
If you’re looking for a delicious, affordable smoked turkey, Costco’s option is a great choice. It’s perfect for holiday meals, potlucks, or any time you want a quick and easy protein option. The tasters were impressed with its quality, flavor, and value, making it a top contender in the smoked turkey game.
Additional Notes
- The Costco smoked turkey is fully cooked, so you can simply heat it up and serve.
- It comes in a variety of sizes, from whole turkeys to smaller portions.
- You can also find pre-sliced smoked turkey at Costco, which is perfect for sandwiches or salads.
Overall, we highly recommend the Costco smoked turkey. It’s a delicious, affordable, and convenient option that’s sure to please a crowd.
Why I like the Kirkland Smoked Turkey at Costco
First and foremost, it’s fully cooked. Just heat and serve. Much less time in the oven. I now have a double oven, which is a lifesaver on Thanksgiving or really any meal…. However, I haven’t always had an oven, and if you do, you know that cooking the turkey all day will prevent you from cooking anything else. Therefore, having the turkey fully cooked can really come in handy if you want to make your own stuffing, roasted potatoes, roasted vegetables, or green bean casserole.
What does the Kirkland Smoked Turkey Taste Like?
Smoked turkey is…well…smoked. If you’ve never had smoked turkey, you could try it by going to your neighborhood deli and ordering an 1/8 pound of smoked turkey. It’s delicious but a distinct flavor, and it’s not ideally flavored for gravy in my opinion. If you love gravy on your classic Thanksgiving turkey, this might not be the thanksgiving turkey for you.
This might be a great fit if you prefer ham to turkey and don’t care much for the latter, or if you enjoy meats that have been smoked for hours! Ham is frequently smoked, and this contributes greatly to the flavor similarities. We love barbecued and smoked meats, and my kids especially love ham, so this was a great choice for our family. I think the Kirkland Signature smoked turkey is really good objectively, as long as you understand this is a smoked turkey, not a roast turkey, before you purchase it for a holiday meal. However, I have to admit that I prefer a classic turkey preparation for my actual Thanksgiving meal and would prefer to eat this for another meal.
ProTip: This goes GREAT with mac n cheese!!
Kirkland Signature Whole Smoked Turkey at Costco