can you buy turkey giblets separately

Demystifying Turkey Giblets The Overlooked Treasure Sold Separately

For many home cooks preparing the perfect Thanksgiving turkey is a cherished ritual. After reveling in the golden-brown bird fresh from the oven, you carve the succulent breast meat and leg quarters. But often forgotten are the turkey giblets – the edible innards tucked away inside the cavity. Are they worth saving or are they destined for the scrap heap? Read on to unlock the secrets of these underappreciated turkey parts typically sold separately from the whole bird.

What Exactly Are Turkey Giblets?

Let’s start by defining what turkey giblets are. The term “giblets” refers to the internal organs of poultry that are edible. For turkeys, the most common giblets are the neck, heart, gizzard and liver. You’ll find these bundled together inside the cavity when you purchase a whole turkey. But did you know you can also buy turkey giblets separately?

Many grocery stores sell turkey giblets in pre-packaged containers, especially around Thanksgiving. You can find them in the fresh poultry section, right next to the whole turkeys. If your store doesn’t stock them, ask the butcher if they can be ordered. You can also purchase giblets from online retailers, local farms and specialty butcher shops.

The Benefits of Buying Giblets Separately

There are several advantages to purchasing giblets separately instead of retrieving them from a whole turkey

• Convenience – Skip the step of removing giblets yourself. Enjoy ready-to-use packaged giblets.

• Customization – Buy only the giblet varieties you want like livers or hearts. Or purchase a giblet medley.

• Smaller portions – Good for recipes needing just a few giblets, not a whole set.

• Year-round access – Find giblets in the off-season when whole turkeys are limited.

How to Select Quality Giblets

When buying packaged turkey giblets, check for signs of freshness:

• Meat should be plump and pink/red, not shriveled or discolored

• Packaging intact with no leaks or tears

• Frozen giblets should show no frost or ice crystals

• “Sell by” or “use by” date should be current

• No offputting odors from package

Getting Creative in the Kitchen

Now comes the fun part – cooking with your giblets! Here are some savory ways to put them to use:

• Chop and add to stuffing for extra moistness and flavor.

• Simmer in broth for a nutrient-packed turkey stock.

• Sauté livers with onions for an elevated gravy.

• Brown hearts and gizzards then toss in chili or tacos.

• Slow cook necks for tender, pull-apart meat.

• Grind and mix into turkey burgers or meatballs.

• Slice livers thin then caramelize into pâté.

Amp Up Nutrition in Every Bite

Not only do turkey giblets infuse dishes with mouthwatering taste, they provide a mega nutrition boost:

• Protein – Giblets are loaded with satiating protein. A 3 oz. serving of cooked turkey gizzard supplies over 20 grams.

• Iron – Turkey livers are one of the richest sources of iron you can eat. A 3 oz. portion contains around 5 to 7 mg.

• Zinc and B vitamins – Giblets provide zinc for immune support and B vitamins for energy.

• Anti-inflammatory compounds – Gizzards contain glutathione to fight inflammation.

Bring Out Your Inner Thanksgiving Alchemist

This holiday season, embrace your inner alchemist by transforming turkey giblets purchased separately into culinary gold. Savor their richness enlivening your stuffing. Relish their nutrition fortifying your gravy. Revel in minimized food waste. And unlock their flavor elevating soups, tacos and more! With so many possibilities, turkey giblets deserve a place at your table.