How to Choose a Turkey (2024)

FAQs

How do I pick the right turkey? ›

Grade A turkeys are meaty, have well developed layers of fat under the skin, and are practically free from pinfeathers, bruises, cuts, tears on the breast and legs, and broken bones. Select a turkey cold to the touch. The younger the turkey, the more tender and mild flavored it will be.

The general rule of thumb is 1–1½ pounds turkey per person.

Chef Neal Fraser of Redbird in Los Angeles budgets for 2 pounds per person as does Rocco DiSpirito, executive chef at The Standard Grill in NYC. “So, for 10 people you should prepare a 20-pound turkey.

Above all else, look for one with a well-rounded breast—it'll turn out juicier. Beware of flat spots, which can indicate the bird has been thawed and refrozen. This not only increases the chances of freezer-burned meat, but it also raises the risk of food-borne illness.

The flavor of a bird is determined by several additional factors, which may actually be more important than whether your turkey is fresh or frozen. Size is key — smaller birds tend to be more tender; if you have a lot of guests coming, think about cooking two small turkeys instead of one large one.

Did You Know? Fresh and frozen Butterball turkeys are all natural, gluten free and raised without hormones. Fresh and Frozen Butterball turkeys are deep basted for juiciness and flavor. All natural means minimally processed and no artificial ingredients.

8 to 10 people = 8- to 15-lb. turkey. 12 to 16 people = 12- to 24-lb. turkey.

Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a 'best-by' or 'use by' date on the manufacturer's label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date. Do not follow the 'sell by' date on the label.

How early should I buy turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

A raw, fresh turkey should be stored for no longer than two days in the refrigerator. So if you're buying fresh and want to keep it that way, you'll have to make the purchase right before Thanksgiving. Still looking for a fresh, local bird? Don't wait to reserve one.

Gunthorp Family Farms' Pasture-Raised Turkey is the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast, offering exceptional quality and ethical sourcing. Delivered frozen in an insulated box with dry ice, it arrives within 24-48 hours of ordering fully frozen.

Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a 'best-by' or 'use by' date on the manufacturer's label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date. Do not follow the 'sell by' date on the label.

Q: What size turkey should I buy? Plan on about one pound of turkey per person, which translates to around half a pound of edible meat. Over 15 pounds or so, turkeys become more difficult to cook, take much longer, and are more prone to drying out. I find the best birds are around 10 to 12 pounds.

Head Coloration

Often, the more white displayed, the more dominant it feels. In contrast, the more red showing, the more fear or submission it's expressing. Hunting Application: Study the head coloration to know how aggressive your calling and decoying should be.