Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, both for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity and those simply looking to cut back on gluten intake. With Thanksgiving and the holiday season coming up, one common question is whether Butterball brand turkeys are gluten-free.
The short answer is – yes, Butterball whole fresh and frozen turkeys are labeled gluten-free! Keep reading to learn more about what makes turkey gluten-free, how to choose a safe gluten-free turkey, and enjoy the holidays without worrying about gluten.
Why Turkey is Naturally Gluten Free
Turkey meat itself does not naturally contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye.
Poultry such as turkey, chicken, and duck does not contain gluten unless it is added during processing or preparation.
The only exception would be if a turkey was fed a diet that contained gluten-containing grains like wheat. But even then, the turkey meat remains gluten-free.
So a whole, unseasoned turkey is an inherently gluten-free food for people following a gluten-free diet
Are All Butterball Turkeys Labeled Gluten Free?
Yes Butterball has labeled all their fresh and frozen whole turkey products as gluten-free.
On their website, Butterball states:
“Only two of our retail products currently contain gluten: Butterball Frozen Italian Style Meatballs and Butterball Frozen Stuffed Turkey (bread stuffing). For our products that are packaged with gravy packets, the gravy packets are gluten free as well.”
I checked the ingredients list on Butterball’s fresh and frozen turkeys, and it only contains:
- Turkey
- Water
- Sea salt
- Natural flavors
None of these ingredients contain gluten. The turkeys are minimally processed with no gluten-containing additives.
So when you see the Butterball label at the grocery store, you can feel confident their fresh and frozen whole turkeys are a gluten-free choice.
Be Wary of Seasonings and Gravy Packets
One thing to watch out for is that whole turkeys often come with gravy packets, rubs, or flavoring that may contain gluten.
For example, the Butterball Cajun Style turkey comes with a Creole gravy mix that lists wheat flour as an ingredient. Any flavoring packets or seasonings should always be checked for gluten-containing ingredients.
My recommendation is to avoid using any gravy or seasoning packets. Instead, make your own gluten-free gravy, broths, rubs, and glazes from scratch. That way you control exactly what’s going into it.
How to Choose a Gluten-Free Turkey
Here are some helpful tips on how to pick a safe gluten-free turkey:
- Check the ingredients list – look for wheat, barley, rye or other gluten sources
- Look for a “gluten-free” label – this ensures thorough testing
- Call the company – ask directly if their turkey is gluten-free
- Avoid pre-seasoned turkeys – flavorings may have gluten
- Make your own gravy and broth – don’t use packets with the turkey
In addition to Butterball, other brands that label their turkeys gluten-free include Norbest, Shady Brook Farms, and Plainville Farms organic turkeys.
Enjoy a Safe Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Meal
With a few simple precautions like finding a gluten-free turkey and preparing your own trimmings, you can relax and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without worrying about gluten.
Serve Butterball turkey alongside classic gluten-free sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, and salad. Finish off the meal with gluten-free pumpkin or apple pie for dessert.
While gluten-free eating does require some extra care, holiday meals can certainly still be festive, delicious and safe. With tasty gluten-free turkeys like Butterball available, you don’t have to miss out on the best parts of Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations.
In summary:
- Turkey is naturally gluten-free, including Butterball turkeys
- Check labels for gravy packet ingredients that may contain gluten
- Look for a “gluten-free” label to identify safe options
- Making your own gluten-free gravy and sides removes uncertainty
- Enjoy your holiday feast with your favorite Butterball turkey recipe!
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Showing (12) Butterball That look to be Top 14 allergen Free
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655811312
Brand/Manufacturer: butterball turkey
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655010180
Brand/Manufacturer: butterball turkey
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655238270
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655810230
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655811480
Brand/Manufacturer: Hartford Reserve
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655910220
Brand/Manufacturer: Hartford Reserve
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655918820
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Masterbuilt
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655101611
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Masterbuilt
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655303671
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Turkey Breast Butterball
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655810841
Brand/Manufacturer: butterball turkey pastrami
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 025095000001
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Masterbuilt
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 045300303017
Showing (3) Butterball that contain at least one top 14 food allergen
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655101581
It Looks Like This Product Contains: 1 allergen.
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 022655320081
It Looks Like This Product Contains: 1 allergen.
Brand/Manufacturer: Butterball Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
SKU/UPC: 024081000001
It Looks Like This Product Contains: 1 allergen.
Butterball Turkeys Are #glutenfree
FAQ
Is Butterball turkey celiac safe?
Last year when I went to Butterball University I was able to ask about the turkeys and I learned that Butterball turkeys are gluten-free. This is not the case with some other brands– they are dusted with flour during the processing.
Is the gravy that comes with Butterball turkey gluten-free?
Butterball frozen turkeys are easy to find on sale leading up to Thanksgiving. Butterball states “our Butterball fresh and frozen raw unstuffed turkeys are always gluten-free, and our gravy pack included with our Butterball Whole and Boneless Breast items is also gluten-free.”
What ingredients are in Butterball turkeys?
Whole Young Turkey. Contains up to 8% of a solution of Water, contains 2% or less of Salt, Natural Flavors, Modified Food Starch, Sodium Phosphate to enhance tenderness and juiciness.
Why is turkey not gluten-free?
Your turkey is one of the hidden places to get exposed to gluten. You see, unless your turkey is farm fresh and never injected and is labeled gluten free, it is likely to be injected with a solution that contains chicken broth which most likely contains gluten.