For many families, turkey is a cherished centerpiece of holiday meals and a lean, versatile protein to enjoy year-round. But not all turkeys are created equal. If you want a premium quality turkey with exceptional flavor, Diestel turkey is a name you can trust.
Overview of Diestel Turkey
Diestel Family Ranch, located in California, has been raising turkeys since 1949. Over the past 70+ years, they have stayed committed to their values of animal welfare, sustainability, and producing the best-tasting turkeys. Diestel turkeys are pasture-raised on the family farm without any antibiotics, artificial ingredients, or animal by-products.
Here are some key things that make Diestel turkeys special
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Heritage breeds – Diestel uses heritage turkey breeds like Bourbon Red and Narragansett selected for superior flavor and health.
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Pasture-raised – The turkeys live outdoors with space to roam on rotating pastures.
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Vegetarian diet – They eat a vegetarian diet of corn, soy, vitamins, and minerals. No animal by-products.
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Humane harvesting – Diestel has the highest level of animal welfare certification. The turkeys are humanely harvested.
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No compromises – Diestel never compromises on the birds’ treatment, feed, or anything else.
How Diestel Turkeys Are Raised
From the moment they hatch to being hand selected for harvest, Diestel turkeys are raised with care:
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Hatching – Turkey poults hatch from eggs in a controlled hatchery.
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Brooder barns – Poults live in temperature-controlled barns with space, feed, and water for 4 weeks.
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Pasture access – Around 5 weeks old, turkeys go outside to shelters and rotating pastures daily.
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Enrichment – Diestel barns have perches, natural light, and space for natural behaviors.
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Vegetarian diet – Turkeys eat customized veggie feed with vitamins, probiotics, and no chemicals.
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Humane care – Expert handlers treat the birds with respect throughout their lives.
Why Diestel Turkey Tastes So Good
With their high standards for raising turkeys, it’s no wonder Diestel turkeys deliver exceptional old-fashioned flavor. Here’s why they taste so good:
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Heritage breeds – These traditional breeds are naturally more flavorful.
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Pasture-raised – Free-range turkeys develop more flavor than confined birds.
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Balanced diet – The vegetarian feed provides perfect nutrition for juicy meat.
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Low stress – Calm living conditions positively impact the flavor.
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Hand selection – Only the best looking turkeys meet Diestel’s standards.
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Minimal seasoning – Natural, simple seasonings allow the real turkey flavor to shine.
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Smoking methods – Diestel uses old-world smoking practices for authentic flavor.
Buying Your Diestel Turkey
As a premium pasture-raised brand, Diestel turkeys are priced higher than typical store-bought turkeys, but deliver unmatched quality and taste. Here are some tips for picking your Diestel turkey:
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Whole turkeys – Select a 10-24 lb. whole turkey if roasting or smoking. Allow 1-2 lbs. per person.
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Parts – Turkey breasts, thighs, wings, etc. are versatile for quick meals.
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Deli meat – Try smoked turkey, roasted turkey, or pastrami for sandwiches.
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Ground turkey – Use flavorful Diestel ground turkey for burgers, meatballs, chili.
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Sausages – Diestel makes quality turkey sausages and hot dogs.
Cooking Your Diestel Turkey
With a premium Diestel turkey, simple cooking lets the natural flavor shine:
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Season simply – Just use an olive oil rub with basic herbs and spices.
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Cook low and slow – Roast at 325°F for juiciness. Allow plenty of time.
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Rest before carving – Let it rest 15-30 minutes so juices absorb back in.
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Savor the flavor – The taste is at its peak after resting. Enjoy!
Why Choose Diestel?
When it comes to quality, pasture-raised Diestel turkeys are in a class of their own:
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Heritage breeds – Selected for flavor and raised humanely
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Vegetarian diet – Clean, wholesome ingredients
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Superior care – Family farming values since 1949
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No compromises – The best feed, space, and care
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Old-fashioned flavor – Juicy, tender, and rich tasting
For your next holiday meal or Sunday dinner, choose a premium Diestel turkey. With their commitment to sustainable farming practices and hands-on care, Diestel delivers the absolute best-tasting, highest quality pasture-raised turkeys.
Last Name is Just the Start
This ranch has been in our family for more than 70 years. In that time, the Diestel family has grown a lot—and not just by blood. We are grateful to all of our customers, partners, and team members who have helped us grow. We will do everything we can to treat them well.
Every year, we give more than 100,000 pounds of turkey to our local food bank and work with groups like Meals on Wheels. We also help schools with their gardens by giving them compost from our ranch. This helps the next generation of meat lovers learn how to grow and value real, whole, natural foods.
And like any family, we take care of our own. Our team members earn more than a paycheck. As well as paid time off to do the things they love, they also get matched retirement accounts and chances to grow professionally and personally. With how much time we spend shoulder-to-shoulder, it’s the least we could do.
Our Turkey Makes Mama Proud
We’re fanatical when it comes to our birds, but our obsession doesn’t end there. As much love and care as we put into making sure our products are safe and of good quality,
Everything we offer is made to make a mouth monsoon. It takes more than a big, brave, beautiful bird that has been raised in a special way. We source the finest, cleanest, tastiest ingredients and use only what’s essential to make our birds sing. (In a lot of cases, that means using nothing. We season and brine our turkey with simple, tasty ingredients, and our smoked turkey spends hours in real hardwood smoke. Our products are never made from scraps or trimmings. Our ground turkey is made from whole muscle turkey, which gives it a divine, luscious texture and the best taste possible.
You can be sure that whatever you order will be a handcrafted work of poultry art by the time it gets to your table. It will have the flavor and texture you want when you’re craving something.
Diestel Turkey Ranch | Meet the Ranchers | Whole Foods Market
FAQ
Where do Diestel turkeys come from?
Why are Diestel turkeys so expensive to buy?
Are all Diestel turkeys organic?
Is Diestel turkey being recalled?
What types of turkeys does Diestel family ranch produce?
The Broad Breasted White is the most common commercially bred turkey on the market in the United States. But Diestel Family Ranch produces a variety of breeds, including organic American heirloom turkeys.
How does Diestel Turkey Ranch support regenerative farming?
This Earth month, Diestel Turkey Ranch is donating 1% of sales New Seasons Market to the nonprofit Zero Foodprint . Their mission is to help farmers and ranchers implement regenerative farming practices.
What is the history of Diestel family ranch?
The Diestel Family Ranch has been in the family for over 70 years. It all began with Great Uncle Ernest, who taught our Grandpa Jack everything he knew. With Great Uncle Ernest’s time-tested techniques and honest philosophies, Grandpa Jack founded our humble farm in 1949.