With the holidays coming up, many people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity wonder if Butterball turkey breast is gluten free and safe to eat. The good news is that Butterball turkey breast is labeled gluten free, making it a tasty and safe option for your holiday meals.
An Overview of Celiac Disease and Gluten
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects around 1% of the population worldwide. It causes damage to the small intestine when someone with celiac eats gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Even small amounts of gluten can trigger symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and fatigue in people with celiac. The only treatment for celiac disease is adhering to a strict gluten-free diet.
People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity also need to avoid gluten, as it can cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms for them as well. With gluten lurking in many common food products, from soy sauce to beer, following a gluten-free diet can be challenging. Finding safe and delicious gluten-free options for holiday meals is especially important for those managing celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Are Whole Turkeys Typically Gluten Free?
Fresh, whole turkeys are naturally gluten free. Turkey does not inherently contain gluten. However, some whole turkeys are injected with a broth or marinade containing gluten-based ingredients like wheat, barley or rye. Any stuffing placed inside or gravy added onto a turkey could also introduce gluten, if these contain glutenous ingredients.
When selecting a whole turkey, it’s essential to check the ingredients list and labeling. Opt for fresh turkeys without injections or gravy packets. Then use only gluten-free ingredients to create your own stuffing and gravy from scratch. With these precautions, whole turkeys are considered gluten free.
Gluten Free Status of Butterball Turkey Breast
Butterball is one of the most popular turkey brands for holiday meals. The company produces both whole turkeys and just turkey breast meat. According to Butterball’s website their Fresh Self-Basting Young Turkey Breast is labeled gluten free.
The Butterball turkey breast contains up to 8% of a solution. The company lists the exact solution ingredients used for self-basting on each product’s packaging. For the gluten-free turkey breast, this solution does not include any gluten-containing grains.
By clearly labeling this turkey breast product as gluten free, Butterball provides reassurance to those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. They also recommend always checking the packaging, in case ingredients change in the future.
Helpful Tips for Cooking Butterball Turkey Breast
Here are some useful tips for preparing Butterball gluten-free turkey breast:
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Carefully read package labels each time, even if buying the same Butterball turkey breast product Manufacturers sometimes change ingredients.
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Rinse the turkey breast well before cooking to remove any lingering marinade solution on the exterior.
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Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F when fully cooked.
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Allow the turkey breast to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing, so juices can redistribute through the meat. This keeps it moist and flavorful.
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Slice the turkey across the grain for tenderness. Slice any leftovers as thinly as possible to maximize texture and flavor in sandwiches or wraps.
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Avoid using any marinades, glazes or gravy packets included with Butterball turkeys, as these likely contain gluten. Make your own gravy using gluten-free broth and seasonings.
With proper precautions like carefully reading labels and rinsing before cooking, Butterball’s gluten-free turkey breast offers a tasty centerpiece main dish for your gluten-free holiday feast.
Other Brands with Gluten-Free Labeling
In addition to Butterball, several other popular turkey brands clearly label some products as gluten-free:
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Jennie-O turkey breast and whole young turkeys are gluten-free. But gravy packets are not.
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Norbest turkey products are gluten-free.
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Diestel Family Ranch turkeys are labeled gluten-free.
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Empire Kosher turkey breasts and whole turkeys are marked gluten-free.
When buying any turkey products, always double check that the specific one you have selected is labeled gluten-free by the manufacturer. Ingredients and production facilities vary. Only purchase turkeys clearly marked “gluten-free” on the packaging.
Safest Options for Gluten-Free Holiday Meals
When planning holiday meals, your safest bet is choosing whole foods naturally gluten-free, like turkey, vegetables, fruits, potatoes and rice. Then prepare these yourself without adding any gluten containing ingredients. Whole turkeys, turkey breasts, roasts and hams labeled gluten-free are convenient options. But they still require close reading of labels each time you shop.
For greatest peace of mind, your very safest choice is turkey and sides made totally from scratch, without packaged ingredients. With advanced planning and preparation, you can enjoy safe, delicious gluten-free holiday feasts.
Bottom Line – Yes, Butterball Turkey Breast is Labeled Gluten Free!
