As a widely available grocery store staple, ground turkey may seem like the type of product thats hard to get wrong. But a certain brand of the ground meat sold by Costco has been generating hundreds of quality complaints from customers who are fed up with the “awful” item.
The ground turkey brand at the center of all this raging disdain is Butterball. Costco currently sells four 1.7-pound packs of Butterballs ground turkey for $24.99 online, though prices may be lower at your local warehouse.
Butterball is a common supplier of whole grocery store turkeys around Thanksgiving each year, but many customers say it hasnt quite cracked the code on ground turkey.
In a Reddit diatribe that has attracted nearly 300 comments this week, one especially disgruntled Costco member said they were completely giving up on Butterballs ground “turkey mush.”
“You know what I am talking about. Its meat paste in a pouch. It sticks to your fingers when you try to handle it and causes a mess. Ill pay the extra to buy at the grocery store to get those nice ribbons that are a signature of ground meat,” the customer added.
These qualms about the look and feel of the meat were a common theme among other Redditors who also aired their grievances with the Butterball product.
“That mush is the reason I cannot stomach ground turkey. There also is a weird sweet smell that emits when you cook it. I hate that stuff,” a customer commented.
“We bought it once and I will not make that mistake again. It was so pasty that the only use for it was dog food,” another said.
The disappointing texture is only one part of the story. Other customers reported finding some unexpected and extremely off-putting accessories in their Butterball packs.
According to one Costco member: “I stopped buying that Butterball ground turkey because every time I would find a bunch of little bone pieces in it. My kids were constantly spitting them out. It was disgusting,”
Another reported finding feathers in the ground meat the first and only time they ever bought it. “Worst Costco purchase ever,” the customer added.
This recent backlash against Butterballs ground turkey makes it the latest scorned Costco product. Earlier this month, customers also complained about the quality of the warehouse clubs produce and reported major mold issues with Costcos bagels.
Sign up for our newsletter! Zoe Strozewski Zoe Strozewski is a News Writer for Eat This, Not That! A Chicago native who now lives in New Jersey, she graduated from Kean University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Ground turkey is growing in popularity as a delicious healthier alternative to ground beef. With its lower fat content, mild flavor and budget-friendly price point, it’s easy to see why home cooks everywhere have fallen in love with versatile ground turkey.
If you’re looking to incorporate it into your weekly meal prep, Costco just might be the best place to buy it. The wholesale retailer offers high quality Kirkland Signature Ground Turkey at bulk pricing that can’t be beat.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying ground turkey from Costco:
Overview of Costco’s Ground Turkey Offering
Costco sells their Kirkland Signature Ground Turkey in plastic sleeves containing 1.5 pounds each. The packs come in quantities of two or four sleeves so you can purchase either 3 pounds or 6 pounds total.
The ground turkey is located in the refrigerated meat department at Costco warehouses or online for home delivery. It has a 93% lean to 7% fat ratio, classifying it as extra lean.
Kirkland Signature Ground Turkey contains no antibiotics, added hormones, steroids or artificial ingredients. It’s simply pure ground up turkey meat.
Costco Ground Turkey Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for a 4 ounce serving of Costco’s 93% lean ground turkey:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 70mg
- Protein: 22g
With moderate calorie and fat counts plus an impressive 22 grams of protein per serving, this ground turkey provides a nutritious protein punch. The minimal processing results in a clean nutrition label as well.
How Much Does Ground Turkey Cost at Costco?
Costco offers exceptional value on their ground turkey. A pack of two 1.5 pound sleeves costs $11.99. This breaks down to only $2.00 per pound.
For comparison, most grocery stores charge between $3.99 to $4.99 per pound for 93% lean ground turkey even when on sale. The Costco price beats these everyday supermarket prices handily.
Since ground beef can cost anywhere from $4 to $7 per pound depending on leanness, ground turkey from Costco provides big savings. It makes a healthy, budget-friendly alternative to pricier meats.
Kirkland Signature Ground Turkey Reviews
What do members say about Costco’s house brand ground turkey? Overall, it earns rave reviews for its lean nutrition stats, affordability, and versatility.
The mild turkey flavor allows it to work well in any dish that would typically call for ground beef. Users report it performs excellently in recipes like turkey burgers, meatballs, tacos, chili, bolognese sauce, and more.
Most agree that as far as inexpensive ground turkey goes, the quality of Kirkland Signature brand is tough to beat. While it may lack the rich beefiness of ground chuck or sirloin, it holds its own with proper seasoning.
Cooking and Usage Tips
To make the most of Costco’s lean ground turkey, follow these helpful preparation and cooking tips:
- Generously season with spices, herbs, sauces, etc. to boost the flavor
- Avoid overcooking to prevent a dry, dense texture
- Mix in an egg or splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra moisture
- Form thinner patties compared to beef since it’s leaner
- Sauté aromatics like onions and garlic for added juiciness
- Use a nonstick pan or small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking
- Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F to eliminate bacteria
- Let rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute
Taking a little extra care ensures you end up with delicious, fail-proof results every time.
Satisfying Ground Turkey Recipes
From easy weeknight dinners to meal prep lunches, ground turkey works wonderfully in all kinds of dishes:
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Turkey burger patties – Build the perfect juicy burger topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.
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Turkey tacos – Spice up taco night by substituting ground beef for turkey.
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Turkey meatballs – Make classic Italian-style turkey meatballs in tomato sauce over pasta.
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Turkey chili – All the flavor and half the fat by using ground turkey in hearty chili.
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Turkey bolognese – Toss lean turkey bolognese with zucchini noodles for a lighter take.
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Turkey stuffed peppers – Fill bell peppers with turkey, rice, veggies, and cheese for a delicious oven baked meal.
With a little creativity in the kitchen, the possibilities are truly endless!
Is Costco’s Ground Turkey Worth Buying?
Here’s a quick recap of the benefits of purchasing ground turkey from Costco:
Pros:
- Budget-friendly pricing at just $2/lb
- 93% lean makes it a healthier choice
- Minimally processed with a clean label
- Versatile in tons of recipes from tacos to meatballs
- Earns rave reviews for quality and value
- Easy to find stocked year-round
Cons:
- Lacks the richer beefy flavor of ground chuck or sirloin
- Requires extra seasoning and proper cooking
Overall, Costco’s store brand ground turkey is absolutely worth buying, especially if you’re looking for an affordable, leaner alternative to beef. The exceptional price point, quality, and versatility make it a staple protein perfect for everything from meal prepping to easy weeknight dinners.
So next time you need an economical, nutrition-packed protein to add into your regular grocery rotation, be sure to grab a pack or two of Kirkland Signature Ground Turkey on your next trip to Costco! Your wallet and tastebuds will thank you.
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Costco protein haul! 1️⃣ Ground turkey: Versatile
FAQ
Can you buy ground turkey at Costco?
Ground Turkey, 93% Lean, 1.7 lbs, 4 ct. Enter your delivery ZIP code and browse items available in your delivery area.
Is 93% lean ground turkey healthier than 93% lean ground beef?
Ground turkey is healthier than ground beef. It contains less saturated fat, calories, and cholesterol than lean ground beef. Be sure to check the packaging though, some turkey is made with dark meat, which tends to have more fat in it than ground turkey breast.
Does Costco carry organic ground turkey?
Organic Ground Turkey, 93% Lean, 1.5 lbs, 2 ct | Costco.
Which brand of ground turkey is best?
Shady brook farms 93% lean and 7% fat ground turkey is perfect for making meatballs, burgers, or adding to pasta sauce. The turkey is perfectly juicy and not too fatty. The price is very accessible and you can easily buy it at any big store. I would recommend.