Buying a turkey

[SamSpade]

Have they started showing up in stores yet? Usually by now, the meat section is FULL of turkeys.

I for one am totally hooked on fried turkey ever since I got my fryer.

 

[Ken King]

Have they started showing up in stores yet?

Every time I have been into a grocery store there have been turkeys available no matter what time of year.

 

[kwillia]

Shopper's Food Warehouse has a good selection... and if you see be sure to ask him if he has Prince Albert in a can! Aldis has put theirs out as well. They have really nice hams too.

 

[PrchJrkr]

I've noticed the freezer cases are loaded up already. I think I may try a fresh local turkey this year. It's something I've never attempted before and I hear the taste difference is obvious.

 

[SamSpade]

Every time I have been into a grocery store there have been turkeys available no matter what time of year.

Yes, I know. I thought I made my point by saying "full of turkeys". As in several dozen in the meat section of many sizes.

Usually this time of year, a whole section of the meat area is overflowing with turkeys - small, large, HUGE - breast only - and so on.
Turkeys are to Thanksgiving what pumpkin spice has become to autumn - it's everywhere.

I usually stock up on low cost turkeys because they're cheap this time of year and normal priced the rest of the year - and selection isn't
exceptional.

 

[glhs837]

I've noticed the freezer cases are loaded up already. I think I may try a fresh local turkey this year. It's something I've never attempted before and I hear the taste difference is obvious.

I looked into this a few years back. Alton Browns take was that unless you brought that bird back right from the farm, you wont get fresher than frozen, since the frozen birds are effectively stopped in time right after slaughter.

 

[stgislander]

I'm pretty sure Good Earth in Leonardtown sells fresh local turkeys.

 

[Ken King]

Yes, I know. I thought I made my point by saying "full of turkeys". As in several dozen in the meat section of many sizes.

Usually this time of year, a whole section of the meat area is overflowing with turkeys - small, large, HUGE - breast only - and so on.
Turkeys are to Thanksgiving what pumpkin spice has become to autumn - it's everywhere.

I usually stock up on low cost turkeys because they're cheap this time of year and normal priced the rest of the year - and selection isn't
exceptional.

There are always dozens of various sizes, whole, breast only, and brands at the two grocery stores that are my options. I don't really care about price and I don't stock up as they are always available. When I want one I get one.

 

[jazz lady]

Giant is advertising frozen turkey for 39 cents a pound with a $25 purchase.

 

[Ken King]

I think I may try a fresh local turkey this year.

Fresh local turkeys for me are available right out the back door. Only reason I don't get one that way is the wife thinks they taste too gamey, I like the gamey taste.

 

[PrchJrkr]

I looked into this a few years back. Alton Browns take was that unless you brought that bird back right from the farm, you wont get fresher than frozen, since the frozen birds are effectively stopped in time right after slaughter.

I was thinking a local Amish/Mennonite turkey. I've just heard from others that they were the best and they would never go back. Maybe it's the feed they use.

 

[PrchJrkr]

I've been seeing quite a few "free range" turkeys since MD DNR got involved. Why is it they only want you to harvest the males?

 

[lucky_bee]

Yes, I know. I thought I made my point by saying "full of turkeys". As in several dozen in the meat section of many sizes.

Usually this time of year, a whole section of the meat area is overflowing with turkeys - small, large, HUGE - breast only - and so on.
Turkeys are to Thanksgiving what pumpkin spice has become to autumn - it's everywhere.

I usually stock up on low cost turkeys because they're cheap this time of year and normal priced the rest of the year - and selection isn't
exceptional.

I agree and I do the same. And I also noticed stores hadn't started their huge turkey freezer selection until, what felt like, much later this month than usual. I don't have to host this year so I hadn't given it much thought. But when I don't host, I still like to grab a small one to roast or smoke later on in the winter, just for fun.

 

[SamSpade]

I agree and I do the same. And I also noticed stores hadn't started their huge turkey freezer selection until, what felt like, much later this month than usual. I don't have to host this year so I hadn't given it much thought. But when I don't host, I still like to grab a small one to roast or smoke later on in the winter, just for fun.

I usually buy about three or four - and one is for Christmas. We lost our extra garage freezer - to old age - last winter.
So I may have to seek alternatives.

And I love me some DEEP fried turkey.

 

[kom526]

We shortcut our turkey for one family dinner by ordering one cooked from McKays. We only have to cook the sides, well worth the expense.

 

[Wrkn4livn]

I've noticed the freezer cases are loaded up already. I think I may try a fresh local turkey this year. It's something I've never attempted before and I hear the taste difference is obvious.

Freash IS the best. On a Weber.

 

[Wrkn4livn]

Sorry. I meant FRESH.

 

[PrchJrkr]

Freash IS the best. On a Weber.

Now THAT is something I may try. Not for TG, but when I can afford to experiment and make learning mistakes.

 

[RoseRed]

Now THAT is something I may try. Not for TG, but when I can afford to experiment and make learning mistakes.

My Grandfather used to do them on the Weber for Thanksgiving. Then he and all of his Italian friends would sing...

 

[Bann]

Have they started showing up in stores yet? Usually by now, the meat section is FULL of turkeys.

I for one am totally hooked on fried turkey ever since I got my fryer.

They're all over the stores.

I got a turkey breast a couple of weeks ago and the freezers were full then of whole turkeys, as well as the turkey breasts.