I Tried Four Famous Turkey Recipes And Found The Very Best One (2024)

FAQs

Which brand of turkey is the best tasting? ›

Our Favorite. The Grassland Pasture-raised Turkey was one of our favorite turkeys among all the birds we tested. In fact, we found it to be one of the best turkeys we've ever roasted, with ample breast, thigh, and drumstick meat. It is a sure bet for your holiday table that's bound to impress even the pickiest in-laws.

Add the lemon zest and juice, crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Mix well to combine. Remove the giblets from the turkey cavity. Season the cavity well with salt and pepper, then stuff with the onions, lemon, garlic halves and 2 bay leaves.

Best overall turkey: Fossil Farms Turkey, Whole Bird

This results in a bird that is almost absurdly juicy and flavorful. Fossil Farms turkeys do not have any seasoning or brine, meaning you can customize them to your specifications. Sizes range from 9 to 27 pounds.

There are several brands known for producing high-quality frozen turkeys, including Butterball, Jennie-O, and Honeysuckle White. These brands are often praised for their consistent quality and flavor.

Fresh and Frozen Butterball turkeys are deep basted for juiciness and flavor. All natural means minimally processed and no artificial ingredients. All turkeys are raised hormone- and steroid-free in accordance with USDA requirements.

Ultimately, it comes down to your comfort level in the kitchen and how much work you want to put in. Butterball offers turkeys that are almost foolproof, but you'll pay for it. Other turkeys may require a bit more work and skill but are imminently more customizable.

Roast 1 hour, then baste every 30 minutes with pan liquids, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 125°F, about 3 hours. Remove foil; raise oven heat to 400°F. Continue roasting, basting occasionally, until thigh reaches 180°F, 45 to 60 minutes more.

An easy turkey tip: Peel and quarter an onion or two and nestle it into the cavity of your turkey. Alliums like onions and shallots add flavor and a bit of moisture to poultry. The onion and shallot flavor also pairs well with other onion-infused sides like dressing and green bean casserole.

Don't butter your bird

Placing butter under the skin won't make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.

Which turkey is better Butterball or Jennie-O? ›

Re: Best Turkey - Jennie-O v. Butterball. If a turkey is properly cooked (not overdone) the brand makes very little difference. That said, if for some reason you strongly prefer a particular brand, you aren't breaking the bank by indulging your preference.

Ultimately, it comes down to your comfort level in the kitchen and how much work you want to put in. Butterball offers turkeys that are almost foolproof, but you'll pay for it. Other turkeys may require a bit more work and skill but are imminently more customizable.

Several evaluators described the Aldi bird as gamey (one guessed it was a heritage bird), so this is a good choice for those who like their turkey on the gamey side and a bad choice for those who don't.

Head to the deli counter

Deli-sliced meat will be the healthiest option because of the low ingredient list – take this Boar's Head Premium Lower Sodium turkey, for example, which contains only “Turkey breast, water, less than 1.5% of salt, sugar, sodium phosphate.”

Re: Best Turkey - Jennie-O v. Butterball. If a turkey is properly cooked (not overdone) the brand makes very little difference. That said, if for some reason you strongly prefer a particular brand, you aren't breaking the bank by indulging your preference.

In general, there's no significant taste difference between male and female turkeys. The primary factors influencing taste are the bird's age, diet, and cooking method.