is honey baked ham turkey good

An In-Depth Look at HoneyBaked Ham’s Signature Honey Roasted Turkey

When it comes to holiday meals, HoneyBaked Ham’s oven-roasted turkey often shares the spotlight with their world-famous spiral sliced hams. Their unique roasting process and sweet glaze have made HoneyBaked’s turkey a popular centerpiece option for many families’ Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and other celebrations for decades.

But is HoneyBaked’s honey roasted turkey worth the splurge compared to a basic grocer turkey? Let’s take an in-depth look at what makes their turkey special to find out if it’s really as good as its reputation.

HoneyBaked’s Turkey Roasting Process

HoneyBaked starts with high-quality, premium whole turkeys sourced from trusted suppliers. Their turkeys are free of preservatives, hormones and steroids for a natural flavor.

Each turkey is hand-rubbed with a proprietary blend of herbs, spices, and seasonings. The exact blend is a company secret, but it likely includes thyme, sage, rosemary, salt, pepper, and other warm spices.

The coated turkeys then roast slowly on a rotating rotisserie for several hours. The rotating and even heat distribution ensures the turkey cooks perfectly moist and tender.

Towards the end of the roasting time, the turkeys are individually glazed by hand in a sweet honey mixture. HoneyBaked won’t reveal the exact honey glaze recipe either, but it contains honey, corn syrup, and proprietary seasonings.

Once roasted, the turkeys are cooled, sliced, packaged, and immediately shipped to HoneyBaked stores for sale.

Benefits of HoneyBaked’s Roasting Process

There are several advantages to HoneyBaked’s unique roasting method:

• Rotating the turkey evenly bastes it for moisture and tenderness. Open-pan roasting can lead to dryness.
• The proprietary herb rub provides deep, savory flavor that permeates the meat.
• Individual hand-glazing ensures an even, artisanal coating of the sweet, sticky glaze.
• Slow roasting for hours breaks down the proteins for a soft, silky texture.
• Cooking whole retains the shape for beautiful presentation and carving.

HoneyBaked’s Turkey vs. Store Brands

Compared to basic store brand turkeys, HoneyBaked’s has noticeably more:

• Flavor – from the custom poultry seasoning rub
• Moisture – due to the rotisserie self-basting
• Tenderness – thanks to the slow roasting
• Sweetness – from the hand-brushed honey glaze
• Juiciness – by cooking whole instead of just breast meat

Store turkeys often rely just on plain salt and pepper rather than special seasonings. They may cook more quickly at higher heat compared to the slow roasting. And you have to manually baste and glaze the turkey yourself.

Gluten-Free and No-Antibiotics Versions

In recent years HoneyBaked has expanded their turkey offerings to cater to more dietary needs and preferences:

• Gluten-Free Turkey: Rubbed with a gluten-free poultry seasoning blend before roasting.
• No-Antibiotics-Ever Turkey: Made from turkeys raised with no antibiotics ever for a natural option.

Both versions follow the same signature roasting and glazing process but with turkey meat to suit different diets.

Is HoneyBaked Turkey Worth the Price?

At around $70-$100 for a 10-14 lb turkey, HoneyBaked’s signature roast turkeys cost nearly double typical grocery store turkeys. Whether it’s “worth it” depends on your budget and priorities:

Pros:

• Convenience of fully cooked, sliced turkey
• Locked-in moisture and flavor
• Unique seasonings and glaze
• Reputable quality and brand recognition

Cons:

• Higher cost than basic store turkey
• Lower customization compared to DIY roasting

Many home chefs replicate the HoneyBaked method themselves at a fraction of the cost. But the convenience, reliability, and deliciousness keep customers coming back year after year – even at premium pricing.

How to Include HoneyBaked Turkey in Your Diet

HoneyBaked’s turkey can fit well into a variety of healthy diets when enjoyed in moderation:

• Keto Diet – Focus on the meat rather than the sweet glaze. Be mindful of portions.
• Paleo Diet – Turkey is a lean protein Paleo followers can enjoy. Avoid the glaze.
• Low Sodium Diets – Flavor comes from seasonings rather than sodium.
• Gluten-Free – Opt for the certified gluten-free version.
• Diabetic and Low Sugar Diets – Stick to just a thin slice of the glazed meat.

Pair turkey with vegetable sides and limit portions to keep your meal balanced.

Alternatives to HoneyBaked Turkey

Here are some alternatives to HoneyBaked turkey if you’re looking for cheaper options:

• Basic grocery store turkey, seasoned and roasted yourself
• Other pre-cooked turkey brands like Norbest, Jennie-O, Shady Brook Farms, Plainville Farms, etc.
• Smoked turkey, turkey roasts, ground turkey, sausage
• Other poultry like chicken, duck, or game hens
• Roast beef, pork, or ham as non-turkey alternatives
• Tofurky or other meat-free roast options for vegetarians

While not exactly the same, you can still create delicious Roast turkey and holiday meals with a little DIY effort using more budget-friendly ingredients. But for fuss-free feasting, HoneyBaked’s signature birds are tough to beat.

The Verdict on HoneyBaked Turkey

After looking closely at the ingredients, roasting process, taste, cost, and other factors, HoneyBaked ham’s honey roasted turkey clearly lives up to its reputation as a premium holiday centerpiece. While expensive, the convenience, quality, moisture, and flavor make it a worthwhile splurge for special gatherings in the eyes of many devoted fans.