Is Popeyes Cajun Turkey Good? A Detailed Review

As Thanksgiving approaches many people start thinking about how to pull off the perfect turkey centerpiece. Cooking a whole turkey can be intimidating especially if you’ve never done it before. An easier option is to order a pre-cooked turkey from your local grocery store or restaurant. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has offered Cajun-style turkeys for Thanksgiving for over 30 years. But the question remains – is Popeyes cajun turkey actually any good?

I decided to do some research on Popeyes Cajun turkeys to find out if they live up to the hype. Here’s a detailed review of the pros, cons, taste, pricing, and more.

Overview of Popeyes Cajun Turkey

Popeyes started selling fully cooked Cajun turkeys for Thanksgiving back in 1986 The turkeys are rubbed with a blend of paprika, garlic, onion, and cayenne pepper then injected with a buttery Creole marinade This gives them a uniquely spicy, zesty Cajun flavor.

The turkeys arrive frozen and pre-cooked. All you need to do is thaw them for 1-2 days in the fridge then heat through in the oven before serving. They come in a variety of sizes ranging from 8-16 pounds

Pros of Ordering a Popeyes Turkey

There are several benefits to ordering a pre-cooked Cajun turkey from Popeyes:

• Convenience: This saves you the work of thawing, prepping, stuffing, and roasting a raw turkey yourself.

• Predictable cook time: Since the turkey is already cooked, you just need to heat it through which takes 1-1.5 hours. No guessing when it will be done.

• Moist and flavorful: The Cajun injection helps keep the turkey meat moist, tender, and full of spice.

• Cajun flavor: You get Popeyes’ signature bold and zesty Cajun seasoning without any effort.

• Good value: The turkeys are competitively priced compared to grocery store options.

Potential Drawbacks

However, Popeyes turkeys do come with some potential drawbacks to consider:

• Leftovers: The seasoned meat may not make as versatile leftover turkey as a plain roasted turkey.

• Frozen and pre-cooked: Some people prefer to cook their turkey fresh rather than frozen and pre-cooked.

• Spice level: The Cajun seasoning may be too spicy for some. But you can remove the skin if it’s too hot.

• Sides not included: You’ll still need to make side dishes and gravy to complete the meal.

• Must preorder: You need to call ahead to your local Popeyes to preorder as quantities are limited.

Taste Test and Reviews

How does Popeyes Cajun turkey actually taste? Here are some summaries of reviews from people who have tried it:

• “Moist and delicious with a kick of spice. Way better than an oven roasted turkey.”

• “The Creole butter keeps it incredibly moist. The Cajun flavor is bold without being overpowering.”

• “The seasoning penetrates deep into the meat, well beyond just the skin. This is now our go-to Thanksgiving turkey.”

• “We were worried it would be too spicy for the kids but the heat level is mild enough for everyone to enjoy.”

• “The white meat is tender and juicy. The dark meat could be a little more moist but overall really good flavor.”

The general consensus based on reviews seems to be that Popeyes Cajun turkey delivers on its promise of a moist, flavorful turkey with moderate spice levels. While it may not be quite as good as a fresh roasted turkey, it’s an easy and delicious alternative.

Nutrition Info

Here are the basic nutrition facts for a serving of Popeyes Cajun turkey:

• 110 calories
• 3g fat
• 0g carbs
• 19g protein

The turkey is relatively low calorie and high in protein. The sodium content is somewhat high at 450mg per serving. This is to be expected with a seasoned Cajun turkey.

How to Order

Popeyes Cajun turkeys generally go on sale in early October. To order one for Thanksgiving:

• Call your local Popeyes starting in early October to place your order.

• Be prepared to provide your name, number, turkey size, and payment.

• Preorder early as quantities are limited. Some locations sell out completely.

• Pick an pickup timeframe and have someone available to pick up during that window.

• Thaw the frozen turkey for 24-48 hours in the fridge before reheating.

• Heat at 325F for 60-90 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165F.

Ordering early ensures you get a Popeyes cajun turkey for your Thanksgiving feast!

Is It Worth It?

Based on my research, reviews, and the convenience factor, I can confidently say Popeyes Cajun turkey is worth ordering for Thanksgiving. The combination of bold flavor, juicy meat, and hassle-free preparation makes it a wise choice for a holiday centerpiece. It may not beat a fresh roasted turkey, but it’s a delicious and easy alternative.

The drawbacks are relatively minor in the grand scheme of Thanksgiving dinner. The seasoned meat also makes great sandwiches and casseroles later on. While not everyone may enjoy the spicy Cajun flavor, you can scrape off the skin to reduce the heat.

So if you want to take some of the turkey day stress off your plate, a Popeyes cajun turkey is absolutely worth considering. With just a little advanced planning, you can let Popeyes do most of the hard holiday cooking for you.