Turkey vs Ham – Your holiday guide to choosing the perfect meal. When planning your Thanksgiving meal, take into account all of the cooking techniques available for each protein if you’re not sure which one to prepare.
Since there are numerous ways to prepare these dishes for your Thanksgiving dinner, there is no simple solution to this argument. With this post, I want to encourage you to try something different and enhance the flavor of your holiday meal!
Is ham or turkey more expensive? It’s a question that plagues holiday shoppers every year. Both meats are staples on Thanksgiving and Christmas tables but which one reigns supreme in the battle of the budget?
Let’s dive into the world of holiday meats and uncover the truth behind their price tags.
Turkey: The Traditional Choice
Turkey has long been the centerpiece of holiday meals, symbolizing abundance and family gatherings But is it also the most cost-effective option?
Price Breakdown:
- Fresh turkey: $0.88 – $1.19 per pound
- Frozen turkey: Slightly cheaper than fresh
- Serving size: 1 pound per person
- Cost per serving: $0.50 – $0.60 (based on fresh turkey)
Ham: The Versatile Contender
Ham offers versatility, with options ranging from bone-in to boneless, spiral-cut to whole. But how does it stack up against turkey in terms of price?
Price Breakdown:
- Boneless, spiral-cut ham: $3.50 per pound
- Bone-in ham: $1.48 – $1.98 per pound
- Serving size: 3-4 ounces per person (depending on bone-in or boneless)
- Cost per serving: $0.88 – $1.25 (based on boneless, spiral-cut ham)
The Verdict: It’s a Tie!
Based on these figures, turkey and bone-in ham come in at a near-identical cost per serving, hovering around the $0.50 mark. Boneless, spiral-cut ham, however, is significantly pricier, costing almost double the price per serving.
But wait! Before you crown turkey the champion, consider these additional factors:
Leftovers: Turkey generally yields more leftovers than ham, which can stretch your holiday budget further.
Cooking time: Roasting a turkey takes several hours, while ham often requires only reheating. Time is money, after all.
Personal preference: Ultimately, the best choice boils down to your taste buds. Do you crave the classic turkey experience or yearn for the savory flavors of ham?
The Final Word:
There’s no definitive answer to the age-old question of turkey vs. ham. Both options offer their own advantages and disadvantages, and the “winner” ultimately depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. So, whether you choose the traditional turkey or the versatile ham, enjoy the spirit of the holidays and savor every delicious bite!
Different ways to cook ham
The ham you buy from the store comes pre-smoked and already has a ton of flavor in them. Certain ones will include flavor-infused glaze packets that you can add to your ham while it’s cooking. I personally like to use my own glaze instead of the store product.
This is a common method of cooking ham, but if pre-smoked ham isn’t good enough for you, you can always double smoke it! It gives your holiday centerpiece a richer flavor, and it’s quickly taken over as my favorite ham recipe.
Purchase a pre-smoked ham, then bring it home to customize its flavor with various rubs and sauces, like this Cherry Bourbon Glazed Ham.
Some like to purchase an uncooked whole ham from their neighborhood butcher shop, brine it themselves, and then smoke it. Honestly, this is a lot of work, and given how much time you have put into this method, I would much rather just purchase a fully cooked ham.
This method is the most traditional way to cook a ham for a handful of reasons. It’s easy, reliable and not everyone has a smoker or wants an extra smoky taste of ham. Enjoying time with your guests while cooking a ham in the oven also has the added bonus of filling your home with the delicious aroma.
The oven is a great option for cooking ham because it’s conveniently located in the kitchen. Additionally, this cooking technique can take up a lot of oven space, making it difficult to cook other side dishes in the oven.
This is by far the most unconventional way to cook your ham, but it’s different and delicious!
Like most things deep fried, it really helps to either marinade or inject your protein prior to cooking. I would suggest adding flavor to a deep-fried ham because it’s already cooked and doesn’t require further salt soaking.
You can add any kind of seasoning you like to it, but I would strongly advise against adding anything too sweet because it will burn.
The ham will be extremely juicy and delicious as a result of the quick deep-frying process.
Method 3: Deep fried turkey
Everybody has seen the social media post or knows of the aspirational father who nearly set their house on fire while deep-frying a turkey. In all honesty, this is one of the simplest ways to cook a turkey, so it doesn’t have to be that dramatic. This technique retains a lot of the moisture in the bird, giving you incredibly crispy skin and delicious meat.
You can safely deep fry a turkey by properly preparing for your cook ahead of time. Place your turkey (still in the packaging) in the unheated deep fryer pot then fill it with water so it’s just covering the turkey. Either make a mental note, take a picture or mark the water level with a marker for your fill line.
Make sure you don’t go over that line before adding the oil to the fryer and heating it up for deep-frying the turkey. Oil expands when it heats up, so always use caution and take the highest safety precautions.
Peanut oil is by far the most popular oil to use for deep frying. Peanut oil provides better flavor compared to other options. It’s also a healthier option and has a smoke point of 450° F which means it’s safe for deep frying at higher temperatures.
An alternative to peanut oil would be to use canola oil. Although canola is generally less expensive, it is thought to be a less healthful option.
I made some Cajun Fried Turkey Legs instead of deep-frying the entire turkey, and I covered them in Alabama White Sauce. This was honestly one of the best things I have ever made. Spicy, crunchy turkey coated in a creamy vinegar sauce.
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