As Thanksgiving approaches, many home cooks have a common question when preparing a turkey breast for holiday meals – does a turkey breast come with giblets? The answer depends on a few factors. In this article, we’ll dive into what exactly turkey giblets are, when they’re typically included with a turkey breast, and how to use them if you get them with your turkey.
What Are Turkey Giblets?
Turkey giblets refer to the internal organs of a turkey that are considered edible, The most common giblets found inside a whole turkey or just a turkey breast include
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Neck – Often used to make broth or stock. Frequency: 2
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Heart – Adds texture and flavor to gravy or stuffing. Frequency: 2
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Liver – Provides a rich, irony taste for gravy. Frequency 2
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Gizzard – Has a chewy texture and bold flavor. Used in soups or gravy. Frequency: 2
These organs add a depth of flavor when making gravy, broth, or stock from scratch. While some people enjoy eating the giblets as well, they are more commonly used to enhance the flavor of other dishes.
Why Some Turkey Breasts Include Giblets
There are a few main reasons why some turkey breasts are sold with the giblets included:
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Tradition – Including giblets with a turkey breast upholds the long-standing tradition of using them to make richly flavored gravy, stock and other dishes for holiday meals. Frequency: 1
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Added Value – For budget-conscious customers, getting giblets included provides added ingredients for the same price as just turkey alone. Frequency: 1
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Flavor Enhancement – The giblets infuse dishes like gravy and broth with more turkey flavor. Frequency: 1
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Specialty Turkeys – Higher-end, specialty turkey breasts often come with giblets which helps justify their higher price and provides more cooking options. Frequency: 1
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Cook’s Preference – Many butchers will include giblets with a turkey breast upon request by customers planning to use them. Frequency: 1
Why Some Turkey Breasts Don’t Contain Giblets
On the flip side, here are some top reasons why some turkey breasts are sold without including the giblets:
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Reduced Cost – Turkey breasts without giblets are typically a bit more affordable. Frequency: 1
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Mass Production – In large processing plants, giblets are often removed and reserved for other uses so turkey breasts are packaged without them. Frequency: 1
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Limited Demand – If a supplier sells far more turkey breasts versus whole turkeys, there is lower demand for giblets so they leave them out. Frequency: 1
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Food Safety – Some suppliers opt to remove giblets at the processing plant for food safety reasons. Frequency: 1
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Customer Preference – Many customers buying a turkey breast don’t want or plan to use the giblets, so prefer to buy turkey without them included. Frequency: 1
Checking Your Turkey Breast for Giblets
The best way to find out if your turkey breast includes giblets is to carefully read the packaging label. Giblets are perishable, so if they are included, it will always be clearly stated on the label. If the label doesn’t mention giblets at all, then they most likely are not included.
You can also visually inspect the turkey breast cavity once unwrapped. Whole giblets are easy to identify. If you just find small pieces or remnants of giblets, it likely means some processing was done to the bird after the giblets were removed by the supplier.
Using Turkey Giblets
If your turkey breast does come with giblets, here are some delicious ways you can put them to use:
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Make homemade turkey broth by simmering the neck, gizzard and heart in water with vegetables. This adds rich flavor and nutrients.
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Sauté the liver and heart in butter or oil to finely chop and add to stuffing, dressing or gravy.
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Cook the neck and giblets in a slow cooker on low for 10-12 hours to make turkey stock for soups.
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Roast the gizzard, heart and neck alongside the turkey to enhance pan drippings for gravy.
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Fry or sauté the heart and liver with onions for an easy giblet side dish.
Cooking Your Turkey Breast
Whether your turkey breast includes giblets or not, it will still cook up delicious. A bone-in turkey breast is a great alternative to roasting a whole bird. The bone helps the breast meat stay juicy.
A fool-proof roasting method is to spread an herb butter mix under the skin and over the breast before cooking to keep it moist. Cook at 350°F until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Happy Thanksgiving cooking! With this guide, you’ll know exactly what to expect and do with turkey giblets if you get them with your holiday bird.
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Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
Does a turkey breast come with giblets?
“Hotel-style” turkey breasts have whole wings attached and usually portions of the back, neck, skin, ribs, giblets, and neck, as well.
Is there a neck and giblets in a turkey breast?
ARE GIBLETS IN THOSE LITTLE BAGS INSIDE A TURKEY? Yes! In a whole turkey, you’ll find the giblets in a small paper bag inside either the neck end or the, ummmm, “other” end. Be sure to check both ends for a little bag, one will hold the turkey neck. A turkey breast package may or may not include giblets.
Are there giblets in a butterball turkey breast?
Nolan explained that all Butterball turkeys do have giblets included, except for the Ready to Roast line of turkeys.
Do all turkeys have giblets?
Turkeys commonly contain the liver, heart and gizzard The neck may be included as well, wrapped separately Not all birds contain all giblets. Where are the Giblets Located? There are two potential spaces for giblets inside a turkey: Body Cavity: Reach inside the main body cavity of the turkey to extract a paper-wrapped packet.
Does a Turkey have a neck & giblets?
The neck and giblets, which consist of the gizzard, heart and liver (which might be in two pieces), are traditionally included with the purchase of a whole turkey. A lot of folks expect them to be bagged separately but we tuck the neck and giblets into the main cavity of the bird without any extra bag or packaging.
Where do you find Turkey giblets?
Look inside the opening at the top of the breast bone where the neck was removed. You may find the giblets here if they aren’t in the main cavity. The giblets may be loose or sealed in a bag. Be sure to check both cavities if you don’t immediately find them. There are many creative ways to use up turkey giblets.
Do all birds have giblets?
Giblets (pronounced with a soft G, like gin) refers to the edible inner parts of poultry like chicken turkey duck and goose. Giblets usually include Turkeys commonly contain the liver, heart and gizzard The neck may be included as well, wrapped separately Not all birds contain all giblets. Where are the Giblets Located?
Can you cook giblets with a Turkey?
“When cooking giblets for gravy or stuffing, you can simply roast them in the pan with your turkey or simmer them in water with some celery and onions to make a giblet stock. Then, chop the giblets and use in your gravy or stuffing,” Nolan said. Many people will include the turkey neck with the giblets for more meat and extra flavor.
Do Butterball turkeys have giblets?
Bill explained that all Butterball turkeys do have giblets included, except for the Ready to Roast line of turkeys. If a turkey has giblets, that packaging will often clarify that. If it doesn’t say either way, you should assume the turkey does have at least some giblets. How to pull giblets out of a turkey?