Butterball vs Honeysuckle: Which Frozen Turkey Brand is Better?

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the star of your festive feast – the turkey! Two of the most popular frozen turkey brands are Butterball and Honeysuckle White. But when it comes to taste, quality, price and availability, which one should you choose?

As a seasoned home cook and holiday hostess, I’ve cooked my fair share of turkeys from both brands over the years Below I’ll compare the key factors to consider when deciding between Butterball and Honeysuckle for your holiday bird

A Quick Overview of Each Brand

Butterball and Honeysuckle White are two of the largest producers of turkey products in the US

Butterball is the nation’s leading brand, processing over 1 billion pounds of turkey per year. They offer a wide variety of turkey products including whole turkeys, breasts, deli meats, sausages, and ground turkey.

Honeysuckle White is also a major player, producing 350 million pounds annually. Like Butterball, they provide an array of turkey products but are best known for whole frozen birds.

Both brands raise turkeys on American family farms using grain-based feed. Their birds are antibiotic-free with no added hormones or steroids.

Comparing Taste and Quality

The most important factor when choosing a turkey is how it tastes. In my experience, Butterball and Honeysuckle White are quite comparable in overall flavor and quality.

Butterball turkeys are celebrated for their juiciness, tenderness, and plump breast meat. Their turkeys are pre-brined resulting in moist, seasoned meat.

Honeysuckle White birds also deliver on tenderness. Their meat tends to be milder in flavor but still savory and delicious. Their turkeys are minimally processed to retain a more natural turkey taste.

While flavor is slightly different, both brands offer tender, juicy meat perfect for holiday meals. It comes down to personal preference on more subtle or pronounced turkey flavor.

Size Range and Product Variety

Butterball offers one of the widest selections of turkey products including:

• Whole turkeys from 10 to over 30 lbs
• Turkey breasts from 2 to over 8 lbs
• Ground turkey, sausages, deli meat
• Organic and kosher options

Honeysuckle White provides:

• Whole turkeys from 10 to 26 lbs
• Turkey breasts from 2 to 6 lbs
• Ground turkey and sausage
• Organic varieties

Both offer ample whole turkey sizes for gatherings big and small. Butterball edges out Honeysuckle in product range but not by much.

Availability and Where to Buy

Availability is crucial for holiday turkeys. You’ll have no problem finding either brand.

Butterball turkeys can be purchased just about everywhere from grocery stores to warehouse clubs year-round. Limited edition holiday products arrive in the fall.

Honeysuckle White is similarly widely available at major supermarkets. Peak availability is during the holidays but you can find their turkeys and meats all year.

Both brands are distributed nationwide so accessibility is comparable. Go with whichever your preferred stores carry.

Nutrition Info and Ingredients

Frozen turkeys are a nutritious protein choice minimal in fat and calories if not deep-fried.

Butterball turkeys contain no added hormones, steroids or animal by-products. Their traditional turkeys are injected with a salt and broth solution for flavor and moisture.

Honeysuckle White birds are only seasoned with sea salt. They pride themselves on natural, minimally processed meat.

For purists, Honeysuckle lets the natural turkey flavor shine. But Butterball’s injections impart undeniable seasoning.

Cost Comparison

Pricing can fluctuate based on retailer deals, weight, and holiday demand. Generally expect to pay:

Butterball:

• Whole turkeys: $1.00-$1.50 per lb
• Breasts: $6-$12 per lb

Honeysuckle White:

• Whole turkeys: $0.90-$1.25 per lb
• Breasts: $7-$10 per lb

Honeysuckle White frequently beats Butterball on price, especially for whole birds. But you may find Butterball coupon deals around the holidays.

The Verdict: Which is Better?

At the end of the day, Butterball and Honeysuckle White both produce tender, delicious turkeys perfect for holiday meals. Which brand reigns supreme comes down to personal priorities:

Go Butterball if you want:

• More flavor injections
• Wider product selection
• Availability everywhere

Go Honeysuckle White for:

• Natural mild turkey taste
• Lower cost
• Minimally processed meat

Any way you slice it, you can’t go wrong when choosing between these top turkey brands. Whichever you opt for, your holiday feast is sure to be a success!