Is Jennie O Turkey Really Good? An In-Depth Look

Jennie O turkey is one of the most popular turkey brands in America, known for their high-quality birds that are juicy, flavorful and tender. But with so many turkey options out there, especially around the holidays, is Jennie O really worth the price? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Jennie O turkey to see if it lives up to its reputation for quality.

A Brief History of Jennie O Turkey

Jennie O was founded in 1940 in Willmar Minnesota by Earl B. Olson. He named the company after his daughter Jennifer Olson. In 1949, Jennie O was acquired by Hormel Foods, though it continued to operate as a separate brand.

Throughout the mid-1900s, Jennie O focused on breeding turkeys specifically for their meat quality. The result was birds that were more tender, juicy and flavorful than standard turkeys. By the 1990s, Jennie O became one of the largest turkey producers in America.

Today, Jennie O sells whole turkeys, breasts, deli meat, sausages and ground turkey. Their headquarters is still in Willmar, MN, and they work with family farms throughout the Midwest to raise their turkeys.

Why Jennie O Has a Reputation for Quality

Over the past 80+ years, Jennie O has built up a strong reputation for having high quality, delicious turkeys. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Special turkey breeds – Jennie O breeds their own proprietary turkey strains that have been specially selected for taste and texture over many generations Their turkeys are bred to be plump with lots of white meat.

• Feed – The turkeys are fed a vegetable-based diet without any animal by-products. This diet contributes to the fresh flavor.

• Raised cage-free – Jennie O turkeys are raised cage-free in temperature-controlled barns so they stay comfortable and healthy as they grow.

• No hormones or steroids – No artificial hormones or steroids are ever given to Jennie O turkeys.

• Humane harvesting – Jennie O uses a specialized controlled atmosphere stunning system for humane harvesting of their turkeys.

• Hand-trimmed – All turkey parts are hand trimmed and checked for quality consistency.

How Jennie O Stacks Up Against the Competition

Jennie O’s biggest competitor is Butterball. Both are available nationally in grocery stores. Here’s how they compare:

• Size – On average, Butterball turkeys are slightly bigger than Jennie O’s. Butterball goes up to 24 lbs while Jennie O tops out around 16 lbs.

• Price – Jennie O costs about $1 more per pound compared to Butterball typically. However, larger Butterball turkeys may be a better value overall.

• Flavor – In taste tests, Jennie O tends to be more juicy, tender and flavorful according to reviews.

• Availability – Both are widely available but Butterball dominates around 50% of market share.

While Butterball is more ubiquitous, Jennie O competes well on quality and flavor. Jennie O’s smaller sizes may be preferable for smaller gatherings. The pricing is very similar between the two brands.

Pros and Cons of Jennie O Turkey

Here are some of the key pros and cons of choosing Jennie O for your holiday turkey:

Pros:

• Delicious, juicy flavor consistently
• Special turkey breeds for texture
• No hormones or steroids
• Good availability in stores
• Range of sizes for gatherings
• Competitively priced for premium turkey

Cons:

• Smaller maximum sizes than some brands
• Slightly pricier than basic store brands
• Less availability than Butterball

Is Jennie O Worth the Price?

Based on Jennie O’s reputation, quality control, and taste test performance, the brand is worth the slightly higher price point for most shoppers. While you’ll pay a little more than a basic store brand, it’s very competitively priced with other premium turkeys like Butterball.

The rave reviews of juicy, tender meat and delicious flavor make Jennie O a great choice for a holiday centerpiece. The smaller turkey sizes work well for gatherings of 8 people or less.

For large crowds on a tight budget, a cheaper store brand or large Butterball may make sense. But for most holiday dinners, Jennie O represents a great intersection of quality and value. Their turkeys consistently cook up moist, tender and full of flavor – exactly what you want on your holiday table.

So don’t hesitate to give Jennie O a try this season if you want a turkey you can trust will impress your guests. After over 80 years in business and glowing reviews, Jennie O has certainly earned its reputation as a premium turkey brand that delivers on taste. For memorable holidays with family and friends, Jennie O is a wise investment.