Im very used to being the only one in the conversation who will admit to not liking the standard Thanksgiving centerpiece. But going into the holiday this year, Im seeing and hearing more people willing to speak up about our shared, somewhat controversial opinion. And its about time!
Americans are downsizing Thanksgiving feasts this year due to COVID-19. As a result, chefs and food writers (myself included) are recommending that people either cook smaller pieces of turkey, purchase a smaller bird than their typical 20-plus-pounder, or forego the poultry altogether.
Turkey meat is a popular source of lean protein, especially around the holidays. However, despite its health benefits, turkey is one of my least favorite meats. In this article, I’ll explain why I hate turkey meat and why it doesn’t work for my personal tastes and lifestyle.
My Issues With The Taste And Texture Of Turkey
One of the main reasons I dislike turkey is its taste and texture. To me, turkey tastes rather bland, dry and stringy. No matter how I try to prepare it, the meat ends up having an odd, mealy texture that I don’t find appetizing. I’ve tried all sorts of seasonings and cooking methods – brining, smoking, deep frying – but I just can’t get past turkey’s naturally dry, chewy texture.
I find most other lean meats like chicken or pork to be much juicier and flavorful in comparison to tasteless, stringy turkey Turkey breast especially ends up very dry and fibrous after cooking Even slathering it in gravy doesn’t help much. The dark meat has a bit more flavor and moisture, but still has an unpleasant texture. I’ve never been a fan of ground turkey either – to me, it’s nowhere near as satisfying and beefy-tasting as lean ground beef.
Health Concerns Over Fat Content And Preparation
Another reason I dislike turkey is that historically, it hasn’t been the healthiest meat option. Turkey was bred to have an abundance of white breast meat, which is lean but very prone to drying out. To prevent this, turkey skin and dark meat are often laden with extra fat and calories. If not properly trimmed and prepared, turkey can end up being just as high in saturated fat as beef or pork.
There are also concerns over how commercially processed turkey is raised, prepared and injected with salt solutions. I prefer to eat organic, free-range poultry whenever possible for health, ethical and environmental reasons. However, high-quality turkey is often difficult to source and very expensive. Commercially raised turkey doesn’t align with my diet preferences.
It’s An Inferior Substitute For Chicken And Other Poultry
One of the main reasons people eat turkey is as a healthier replacement for chicken or red meat However, in my opinion turkey is vastly inferior to chicken or other poultry like duck Chicken has a more appealing flavor and can be prepared in endless ways that stay moist and tender. Turkey usually ends up dry and stringy no matter what I do to it.
Other birds like duck, goose, quail and Cornish game hen also have more succulent dark meat, richer flavor and crispy skin when cooked properly. I’d take a properly cooked game bird or chicken over turkey any day of the week. Turkey is just lacking in the flavor, moisture and texture I look for in poultry.
It’s Not As Versatile Or Appealing As Other Proteins
Another strike against turkey is that it just isn’t as versatile or appealing as other proteins like beef, pork or chicken. Turkey tenderloins can be grilled or added to stir frys, but overall turkey lacks the tenderness and depth of flavor that makes steak, pork chops or chicken thighs so tasty. Ground turkey works well enough in chili or pasta sauce, but it’s nowhere near as satiating and craveable as beef burger patties.
Turkey meals like roast turkey, turkey tetrazzini or turkey meatballs can be delicious…but they’d likely be just as good if not better with chicken instead. I don’t dislike Thanksgiving dinner because of the turkey – I just think the side dishes are the real stars of the show. Turkey is usually an overcooked afterthought that ends up dried out.
The Cons Outweigh The Pros For Me Personally
I fully admit – turkey can be a nutritious, low-fat protein source when prepared properly. The lean white meat is high in protein but lower in calories and saturated fat compared to red meat. However, for my individual tastes and preferences, the drawbacks of turkey simply outweigh the benefits.
I don’t like the flavor or texture, I have concerns over fat content and commercial processing methods, I find other poultry more appealing, and it’s just not as versatile or crave-worthy as beef, pork or chicken. While turkey may work well for some people’s diets and taste buds, it’s simply not a good personal fit for me. I’ll be sticking to other lean proteins that I find more enjoyable.
Common Complaints About Turkey Meat
Based on researching opinions on turkey meat, it seems I’m not alone in my distaste. Here are some of the most common complaints people have about turkey:
- Dry, stringy texture even when properly cooked
- Bland, gamey flavor
- Prone to drying out easily
- Needs heavy basting or brining to stay moist
- Much higher fat content in skin and dark meat
- More expensive than chicken
- Less convenient to cook than chicken
- Not as tasty or versatile as chicken or other poultry
- Unpleasant aftertaste
- Causes digestive issues for some people
- Can harbor more bacteria compared to other meats
- Often pumped with salty solutions when commercially processed
Tips For Avoiding Or Improving Turkey
I may not be a fan of turkey myself, but I realize some people enjoy it, especially during the holidays. Here are some tips on making turkey more palatable:
- Stick to lean breast meat instead of fatty thighs and wings
- Brine the turkey before cooking to increase moisture
- Cook it slowly over low heat and baste frequently
- Avoid overcooking – use a meat thermometer and stop before 165°F
- Deep fry or smoke the turkey for more flavor and juiciness
- Rub the skin with oil or butter and lots of seasoning or herb rubs
- Use ground turkey instead of whole cuts if the texture bothers you
- Mix ground turkey with lean beef or pork for more flavor
- Marinate turkey in acidic ingredients to help tenderize it
- Try cooking methods like stewing, braising or grinding to alter texture
- Swap turkey for other lean proteins like chicken, seafood or tofu
While turkey may be lean and low in calories, I simply don’t care for its taste, texture or how it needs to be prepared and cooked properly. I find other poultry, seafood and lean red meat options more flavorful and easier to cook. However, everyone’s preferences differ – if you enjoy turkey, there are ways to select, season and cook it to enhance moisture and flavor. At the end of the day, choose proteins that fit your own tastes, health needs and lifestyle. For me, I’ll be leaving turkey off my plate. What are your thoughts on this lean Thanksgiving staple – delicious or dry and overrated?
Why are we even so attached to turkey on Thanksgiving?
When we were younger, we were told that Thanksgiving started when the pilgrims and the indigenous peoples of North America came together to eat turkey. Unsurprisingly, that wasnt the full story.
Ashley Rose Young, a historian at the National Museum of American History, told CNBC that the turkey-centricity of the holiday actually came closer to 240 years after that first Thanksgiving, from a push to get Americans on a national scale more into eating food thats native to the land. She said the addition of turkey as a main dish was meant to distinguish the American holiday table from the British holiday table (though obviously Brits dont celebrate Thanksgiving).
Turkey consumption is really more of a lesson in westward migration and storytelling than anything else, according to Rose Young. “Turkey became the national dish that we eat on Thanksgiving through a decades and century-long process of the regional foods of New England consumed during traditional harvest festivals, making their way through the United States,” she told CNBC. Advertisement
According to USA Today, this quote attributed to Alexander Hamilton pushed the obligatory turkey narrative along even further: “No citizen of the US shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day.”
Well, sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Hamilton, but I refrain.
Eating turkey on Thanksgiving has always felt kind of obligatory
My take on this so-called Thanksgiving “staple”? We make it because we think we have to. But the truth is, who actually cares?
Turkey on its own is usually flavorless, which is where the reliance on cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, and myriad other dressings comes into play. And unless the cook really knows what theyre doing, you can bet that the turkey is going to be improperly cooked — most commonly too dry, but sometimes (and most disastrously) still partially frozen.
Plus, its almost always more meat than anyone can realistically consume before the leftovers spoil — let alone at the Thanksgiving table the day of.
I have an burned into my brain of my familys massive turkey carcass last year, still half-filled with usable bits, being dumped into the garbage pail. It was like a bad dream where you watch something horrifying happen in front of you, but youre moving too slowly to stop it. Why did we even make the massive bird if we werent going to finish it and use the carcass to make stock? (Which, by the way, is exactly how you respect a bird.) Advertisement
As people are looking for ways to downsize their dinners this year with tiny turkeys or breasts instead of whole birds, Im firmly sticking to my position: We should eliminate turkey from the Thanksgiving table altogether.
Three Thanksgiving Mains For People Who Hate Turkey • Tasty
FAQ
Why is eating turkey a problem?
Why is turkey not as popular as chicken?
Is turkey meat good or bad?
Why does meat in turkey taste different?
Can you eat chicken if you hate Turkey?
If you hate turkey but love chicken, then the easiest way to modify your Thanksgiving menu is to simply use the latter. A spatchcocked chicken, which is a butterflied whole chicken with the spine removed, cooks up quickly in the oven and gets crispy skin all over. It also looks quite impressive on a serving platter, just like a turkey.
Is it bad to eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
And the conventional wisdom is that turkey is bad and you should eat chicken if you’re interested in some not-very-flavorful poultry. People eat turkey on Thanksgiving because it’s traditional, but people do not enjoy eating turkey.
Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Turkey is the king of holiday meats, it is what makes putting up with family worthwhile on Thanksgiving. It is our great privilege to enjoy this delectable bounty of meats both white and dark and we should be forever grateful. I hope that you can experience a flavorful bird tomorrow, and that it exceeds all of your expectations.
Can you eat a turkey burger if you’re vegan?
It’s totally vegan, which is rare for a Thanksgiving dish. Serve it up as a side dish to your turkey or as a stand-alone main dish for vegetarians, and get ready for the compliments to the chef to roll in. If your number one priority on Thanksgiving is making a fast and easy meal, then this is the recipe for you.