I’m used to being the only person who will say they don’t like the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece. But as the holiday season approaches this year, I’m seeing and hearing more people who are willing to speak out about our somewhat controversial opinion. And its about time!.
Americans are downsizing Thanksgiving feasts this year due to COVID-19. Because of this, chefs and food writers, including myself, are telling people to either cook smaller turkey pieces, buy a smaller bird than their usual 20-pounder, or not eat any poultry at all. Advertisement.
For many people, turkey is a beloved staple, especially during the holidays. But for me personally, turkey meat just doesn’t measure up. I find it bland, dry and stringy no matter how it’s prepared. That’s why I avoid turkey – it simply doesn’t align with my preferences when it comes to taste, texture and cooking method.
The Flavor Fails to Impress My Palate
The most obvious reason I dislike turkey is the flavor or lack thereof. To me turkey tastes quite plain and gamey compared to beef, pork or chicken. White breast meat is nearly tasteless without loads of seasoning or gravy. Even the dark meat has a subdued, nondescript flavor I don’t find very appetizing.
I’ve tried all sorts of preparations – roasted, smoked, braised, fried – but I can never get turkey to have the juicy, savory depth of flavor I crave from other meats No matter what I do to give it more taste through rubs, marinades or injections, turkey still comes up short in the flavor department for me
The Texture Is Stringy and Dry
Another big issue I have with turkey is the texture, especially of the breast meat. No matter how carefully I monitor cooking times and temperatures, turkey breast always ends up dry as a bone and stringy. It has a grainy, chewy texture I don’t enjoy, even when properly cooked to avoid overdrying.
The dark meat has a bit more moisture, but still has an odd mealiness I dislike. Ground turkey is alright, but again lacks the satisfying mouthfeel of ground beef or chicken. The one exception is deep fried turkey, which develops a nicely crispy skin, but that’s not a healthy cooking method. Overall, I find turkey meat has an unappealing fibrous, stringy texture.
It Lacks Versatility for Meals and Recipes
One mark against turkey for me is that it just doesn’t work well in many dishes or recipes. Chicken, beef and pork can be used in endless preparations from stir fries to skewers to tacos. Turkey is not as versatile.
Breast meat does okay grilled or added to salads, but can become tough and dry quickly. Ground turkey works in some recipes, but the flavor doesn’t compare to beef burgers. Turkey thighs or legs don’t braise or stew as well chicken. Overall, it’s hard to find amazing turkey-based meals, at least in my experience cooking with it.
Health and Sustainability Factors
I also have some concerns over the health, ethical and environmental impact of commercially produced turkey. Much of it is raised in crowded barns, fed antibiotics and processed with added solutions. I prefer to eat organic, pasture-raised meat when possible. Quality turkey that fits my criteria is hard to find and very expensive.
For nutritional reasons, I also try to limit intake of overly processed deli meats, which includes turkey cold cuts laden with sodium and nitrates. When I do occasionally eat turkey, I try to buy whole birds from reputable local farms, but these options are limited.
Other Proteins I Prefer Over Turkey
Rather than unsatisfying turkey, there are plenty of other proteins I greatly enjoy that better suit my tastes. Chicken is much more flavorful to me, especially juicy boneless thighs and legs. Grass-fed beef has the hearty, beefy flavor that turkey lacks. Pork chops and roasts have delicious flavor and fat marbling.
Beyond meats, plant-based proteins like tofu, beans and veggie burgers offer moisture and texture turkey can’t match. Even fish and shellfish provide more appetizing alternatives, from flaky salmon to juicy scallops. For my preferences, just about any protein beats out bland, dry turkey.
Making Turkey Work for Turkey Lovers
Just because I’m not a turkey fan doesn’t mean others can’t enjoy it, especially during Thanksgiving. Here are some tips for selecting and preparing turkey to make it as moist and flavorful as possible:
- Brine the turkey beforehand to increase juiciness
- Cook it low and slow, basting frequently with broth or oil
- Rub the skin with herbs, spices and oil to add flavor
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking
- Go for lean breast meat if you’re health conscious
- Deep fry or smoke the turkey for crispy skin and tender meat
- Disguise it in strongly flavored sauces, gravies or recipes
While turkey may not be for me, I don’t want to discourage people from enjoying it if it aligns with their tastes. With the right techniques, seasonings and sides, turkey can be delicious. However, for my palette, turkey will never replace chicken, beef, pork or other more flavorful proteins I relish. To each their own! What are your thoughts on turkey meat? Love it or leave it?
Eating turkey on Thanksgiving has always felt kind of obligatory
My take on this so-called Thanksgiving “staple”? We make it because we think we have to. But the truth is, who actually cares?.
Turkey doesn’t usually taste good by itself, which is why people rely on cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, and a lot of other dressings. And if the cook doesn’t know what they’re doing, you can be sure that the turkey will be cooked wrong—most of the time it will be too dry, but sometimes (and worst of all) it will still be partially frozen. Advertisement.
Besides, there is usually too much meat for everyone to eat before it goes bad, let alone at the Thanksgiving table the next day.
In my mind, I can still picture my family’s huge turkey carcass from last year, still half-full of usable parts, being thrown away. It felt like a bad dream where you see something horrible happening but can’t do anything about it because you’re moving too slowly. Why make such a big bird if we’re not going to finish it and use the meat for stock? (By the way, that’s the right way to treat a bird.) ).
People are trying to cut down on their dinners this year by getting small turkeys or breasts instead of whole birds, but I’m sticking to my guns: turkey should not be on the Thanksgiving table at all. Advertisement.
Why are we even so attached to turkey on Thanksgiving?
We were told as kids that Thanksgiving began when the Pilgrims and the native peoples of North America got together to eat turkey. Unsurprisingly, that wasnt the full story.
Ashley Rose Young, a historian at the National Museum of American History, told CNBC that the turkey-centricity of the holiday actually came closer to 240 years after that first Thanksgiving, from a push to get Americans on a national scale more into eating food thats native to the land. She said the addition of turkey as a main dish was meant to distinguish the American holiday table from the British holiday table (though obviously Brits dont celebrate Thanksgiving).
Rose Young says that Turkey consumption is more of a lesson in moving west and telling stories than anything else. “New England foods eaten at traditional harvest festivals made their way across the United States over many decades and centuries,” she told CNBC. “Turkey became the national dish that we eat one Thanksgiving.” Advertisement.
According to USA Today, this quote attributed to Alexander Hamilton pushed the obligatory turkey narrative along even further: “No citizen of the US shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day.”
Well, sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Hamilton, but I refrain.
Three Thanksgiving Mains For People Who Hate Turkey • Tasty
FAQ
Why is turkey meat so bland?
Why is turkey not as popular as chicken?
Why is eating turkey a problem?
Is turkey an unhealthy meat?
What happens if a Turkey is not cooked properly?
And unless the cook really knows what they’re doing, you can bet that the turkey is going to be improperly cooked — most commonly too dry, but sometimes (and most disastrously) still partially frozen. Plus, it’s almost always more meat than anyone can realistically consume before the leftovers spoil — let alone at the Thanksgiving table the day of.
Is it bad to eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
And the conventional wisdom is that turkey is bad and you should eat chicken if you’re interested in some not-very-flavorful poultry. People eat turkey on Thanksgiving because it’s traditional, but people do not enjoy eating turkey.
Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Turkey is the king of holiday meats, it is what makes putting up with family worthwhile on Thanksgiving. It is our great privilege to enjoy this delectable bounty of meats both white and dark and we should be forever grateful. I hope that you can experience a flavorful bird tomorrow, and that it exceeds all of your expectations.
Are people still buying turkeys this year?
Butterball, arguably the most famous turkey brand in the country, also confirms that people are still buying turkeys this year, though it’s not super clear whether the majority of customers are downsizing their birds or not. Roni McDaniel, an expert at Butterball, told NPR that people are actually looking to order smaller turkeys across the board.
Is Thanksgiving a good day to eat a Turkey?
Stop pretending you like turkey. It’s no good on Thanksgiving, or any other day. Thanksgiving hosts often use turkey as the centerpiece. LauriPatterson/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account?
Is Turkey a good bird for Thanksgiving?
But even at it’s best, good turkey is just okay. It’s never better than a nice juicy tender roasted chicken, and it’s NEVER better than a fatty duck cooked to medium. Holy shit, duck is so good, why can’t duck be the national bird for Thanksgiving?? Archived post. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Samesies! Whaaaa?!