Best Turkey for the Money
Decatur Metro | November 10, 2014 | 12:44 pm
OK, so we may have had this conversation last year, but this is perennially a useful topic this time of year. Where do you prefer to purchase your bird for Thanksgiving?
Photo courtesy of KWDesigns via Flickr
Too early huh?
I’m in denial that we’ve gotten to this point of the year again already.
I like the fresh ones at Trader Joe’s, that’s usually where we get ours.
However, just the other day saw fresh “free-range” turkeys at Whole Foods. They certainly do not qualify as best for the money, but might give one of those a try this year.
Oh, holy…I’m realizing that Thanksgiving is *gulp* just over two weeks away. I’m not readeeeeeeeeeee!!!
We usually get a fresh one from YDFM, and even though they’re not cheap, they’re always good. I use Alice Waters’ brining recipe, and everyone loves the result.
Have bought excellent fresh ones at Costco a couple of times. I find the biggest challenge is finding a small one.
The best turkey for the money is any smoked turkey, because smoking it makes even a cheap turkey taste great.
Yup. I can take a $0.49/pound Kroger special frozen turkey, thaw it out and then smoke it with some nice pecan wood and I guarantee that the pickiest foodie couldn’t tell it wasn’t originally a fresh, organic bird.
As others have noted, fresh is the way to go. I’ve gotten good fresh ones from YDFM, Costco, and Publix. I’m just excited not to have to worry about it this year – the first in many that I’ve not been cooking for a crowd.
In Stitches, you are always welcome at Bedlam Manor. But you might have to bring gravy.
Noooo, not my Thanksgiving Nemesis!
Here’s another vote for Trader Joe’s Kosher bird. We’ll be in Costa Rica for Thanksgiving this year and have no idea what’s going to happen.
Have always picked mine up at Harry’s in Marietta, but my office has moved so I’m wanting to find a new place. Glad for this topic.
Since we don’t have a double oven, I now do the bird on the grill and for the last 10 years or so have been using the Alton Brown brine and cooking method. Start really high temps for first 30 minutes, tent the breast after that, bring the temp down, close up the grill, and don’t touch it again until the temperature from the probe thermometer tells me to. Excellent every time.
Hunt your own! Wild turkey is fantastic, free range and organic. Cost: travel to FL or SC.
Reserved a smoked one at Community last night. Will pick it up Thanksgiving day on my way to my son’s for dinner. This lets me focus on making the oyster stuffing, brussels sprouts, etc. Only downside: no pan drippings for gravy. Fortunately there are ways around that.
Community Q. All the work on the turkey is handled for you! As Jim D. says, just focus on the sides.