Im very used to being the only one in the conversation who will admit to not liking the standard Thanksgiving centerpiece. But going into the holiday this year, Im seeing and hearing more people willing to speak up about our shared, somewhat controversial opinion. And its about time!
Americans are downsizing Thanksgiving feasts this year due to COVID-19. As a result, chefs and food writers (myself included) are recommending that people either cook smaller pieces of turkey, purchase a smaller bird than their typical 20-plus-pounder, or forego the poultry altogether.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time for the annual tradition of cooking and eating turkey. However, there are many reasons why you should skip the turkey this Thanksgiving and consider alternative main dishes instead
The Troubling Truth About Modern Turkey Farming
Over 46 million turkeys are killed each year in the U.S. just for Thanksgiving meals. But the sad reality is that these birds suffer immensely at factory farms before being slaughtered.
Turkeys naturally like to roam free over large territories. But on factory farms, they are crammed into cramped spaces with only 2.5 cubic feet per bird. To prevent them from pecking each other in these stressful conditions, farmers cut off their beaks and toes without any painkillers. The filthy crowded barns also lead to painful ammonia burns on their feet and legs.
Turkeys Endure Inhumane Slaughter
When it’s time for slaughter turkeys face a horrific end. They are painfully shackled upside down before being stunned in an electrified water bath. Unfortunately the voltage is often too low to render them unconscious before their throats are cut. Some birds even miss the blades and are scalded alive in tanks of hot water used for feather removal.
The Humane Slaughter Act requires the humane handling of cows and pigs, but it shamefully excludes poultry. So turkeys have virtually no legal protection from egregious cruelty on farms and in slaughterhouses.
Health and Safety Concerns
Eating turkey also raises health concerns. Turkey producers overuse antibiotics, fueling the dangerous rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Recalls are also disturbingly common due to contamination with salmonella, listeria, and other bacteria.
In addition, the crowded, stressed conditions of factory farms increase the risks of avian flu outbreaks. When turkeys are packed wing-to-wing without fresh air or sunlight, any disease can spread like wildfire. Several avian flu outbreaks traced back to turkey factory farms have cost the lives of millions of birds in recent years.
Harming the Environment
Although turkeys have a lower carbon footprint than beef, turkey production still takes a toll on the environment. Phosphorus in poultry waste can pollute waterways and feed algae blooms. Turkey production also guzzles tremendous amounts of water.
And let’s not forget about food waste. Americans throw away a staggering 35% of the turkey meat purchased for Thanksgiving, which amounts to over 150 million pounds per year. All of the resources that went into raising those turkeys are wasted.
Ethical Alternatives Exist
A mouthwatering Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to center around a turkey carcass. Delicious plant-based roasts made from wheat, tofu, or vital wheat gluten can approximate the look, taste, and texture of turkey without any of the ethical problems. Brands like Tofurky, Field Roast, and Gardein offer convenient turkey roast options found at many grocery stores.
If you still want poultry, choosing a pasture-raised organic chicken or duck from a local farm supports much higher welfare standards. Smaller poultry birds also convert feed more efficiently than the oversized broad-breasted turkeys produced on factory farms.
It’s Time for New Traditions
Turkey may seem like an indispensable part of Thanksgiving. But upon closer inspection, this holiday centerpiece is actually problematic for many reasons.
This Thanksgiving, why not start a new tradition? Show turkeys some kindness by exploring a variety of main dishes that are ethical and appetizing. Roast a plant-based loaf or try an exciting new recipe that your whole family can enjoy guilt-free. With so many delicious options out there, there’s no reason to continue supporting the cruel turkey industry.
Top 10 Reasons to Skip Turkey This Thanksgiving
Here is a quick summary of the main points:
- Turkeys suffer immensely on factory farms
- Inhumane slaughter practices
- Health risks from antibiotics, diseases, and contamination
- Large environmental footprint
- Massive food waste problem
- Ethical plant-based or pasture-raised alternatives
- Can explore new and exciting recipes
- Don’t have to worry about safely cooking an enormous bird
- Saves money compared to buying a pricey large turkey
- Creates new traditions focused on compassion
This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for our blessings by sharing fellowship, giving back when we can, and feasting on food that nourishes both the body and the spirit. No turkey required.
Why are we even so attached to turkey on Thanksgiving?
When we were younger, we were told that Thanksgiving started when the pilgrims and the indigenous peoples of North America came 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).
Turkey consumption is really more of a lesson in westward migration and storytelling than anything else, according to Rose Young. “Turkey became the national dish that we eat on Thanksgiving through a decades and century-long process of the regional foods of New England consumed during traditional harvest festivals, making their way through the United States,” she told CNBC.
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.
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 on its own is usually flavorless, which is where the reliance on cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, and myriad other dressings comes into play. And unless the cook really knows what theyre 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, its almost always more meat than anyone can realistically consume before the leftovers spoil — let alone at the Thanksgiving table the day of.
I have an burned into my brain of my familys massive turkey carcass last year, still half-filled with usable bits, being dumped into the garbage pail. It was like a bad dream where you watch something horrifying happen in front of you, but youre moving too slowly to stop it. Why did we even make the massive bird if we werent going to finish it and use the carcass to make stock? (Which, by the way, is exactly how you respect a bird.)
As people are looking for ways to downsize their dinners this year with tiny turkeys or breasts instead of whole birds, Im firmly sticking to my position: We should eliminate turkey from the Thanksgiving table altogether.
Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving? | COLOSSAL QUESTIONS
FAQ
Why should you not eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
There are many pathogens associated with turkey, including clostridium perfringens, campylobacter, and salmonella. These can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and can last a few hours or a few days. They can even cause fatalities.
Does the Bible say not to eat turkey?
God also lists birds and other flying creatures that are unclean for consumption (verses 13-19). He identifies carrion eaters and birds of prey as unclean, plus ostriches, storks, herons and bats. Birds such as chickens, turkeys and pheasants are not on the unclean list and therefore can be eaten.
Why should people eat chicken instead of turkey on Thanksgiving?
Some families opt for chicken due to personal preference, dietary restrictions, or smaller gatherings where a whole turkey might be excessive. Ultimately, Thanksgiving is about gathering with loved ones and enjoying a meal together, so if chicken works for you and your family, that’s perfectly fine!
Did they actually eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Throughout America’s colonial era, communities held their own unofficial Thanksgiving celebrations, and few people associated them with the Plymouth settlers. By the turn of the 19th century, however, turkey had become a popular dish to serve on such occasions.