The Best Brand of Turkey for Your Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving is right around the corner which means it’s time to start thinking about the star of your holiday meal – the turkey! With so many options available at the grocery store it can be overwhelming trying to determine what brand of turkey is truly the best. After extensive research and reviews, we’ve determined the top turkey brands and products to help make your Thanksgiving foolproof.

Best Overall: Grassland Beef Pasture-Raised Turkey

Our top overall pick for best turkey is from Grassland Beef, who sells high-quality pasture-raised turkeys. Their turkeys are raised on small family farms in Wisconsin where they are able to roam freely and eat an all-natural diet. This results in a flavorful juicy turkey that is the closest you can get to a wild turkey.

These humanely-raised turkeys from Grassland Beef are never given antibiotics or hormones They are air-chilled after harvesting to maintain moisture and flavor Their practices are so clean that they are the only U,S, company approved to export turkey to the European Union!

The only downside is that Grassland Beef turkeys are only available by pre-order for pickup or delivery around Thanksgiving. But for the premium quality and taste, it’s worth ordering early while supplies last.

Best Overall, Runner-up: Porter Road Whole Turkey

Our runner-up for best overall turkey brand is Porter Road. This online butcher shop sources premium turkeys from small family farms in Pennsylvania. The turkeys are free-range, all-natural, and antibiotic-free.

Porter Road turkeys are air-chilled to lock in flavor and juiciness. You can order a whole turkey or just a breast. There are convenient turkey packages available that come with a spatchcocked turkey, sides, and pie for a complete Thanksgiving meal. These packages sell out quickly though, so order early.

Best Value: Jaindl Grand Champion Turkey

If you’re looking for a great turkey at an affordable price point, Jaindl Grand Champion turkeys are the way to go. These pre-brined turkeys are sold exclusively through Farm Foods Market stores.

For under $1.99/lb, this is one of the best value turkeys out there. They are raised cage-free in Pennsylvania barns. With their special brining process, these budget-friendly birds stay incredibly moist and flavorful. If you have a Farm Foods Market near you, this is your best bet for a tasty turkey that won’t break the bank.

Best Organic: Mary’s Organic Turkey

For an organic turkey option, Mary’s Organic is a top choice. Their turkeys are certified organic and free range. Mary’s turkeys are fed an all-vegetarian diet free of antibiotics or GMOs.

These organic birds are air chilled and delivered fresh, never frozen. Their practices adhere to the highest standards of animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Mary’s Organic turkeys are available at retailers like Whole Foods and specialty butcher shops. Order your holiday turkey early, as their fresh turkeys are in high demand.

Best Free-Range: Diestel Turkey Ranch

Diestel Turkey Ranch in California offers premium free-range turkeys. Their turkeys are housed in roomy barns with access to the outdoors and sunlight. This stress-free environment and vegetarian diet makes for tender, delicious meat.

Diestel turkeys are American Humane Certified and Whole30 approved. You can find them at retailers like Whole Foods or order directly from their website. They have whole turkeys and turkey breasts available in a range of sizes. For a free-range turkey with fantastic flavor, Diestel is a top choice.

Best Fresh: Plainville Farms Fresh Turkey

If you prefer a fresh turkey option, Plainville Farms is a great choice. Their turkeys are raised by family farmers in New England barns. The turkeys are free of antibiotics, hormones, and preservatives.

Plainville Farms uses an all-natural brining process to keep their fresh turkeys incredibly juicy, moist, and flavorful. Their fresh turkeys are delivered chilled directly to your local grocery store, so you can pick one up a day or two before Thanksgiving. This ensures you get the freshest possible turkey for your holiday feast.

How to Choose the Best Turkey for You

When deciding which brand of turkey is best for your needs, here are some factors to consider:

• Fresh vs. Frozen – Fresh turkeys need to be cooked within 2 days, while frozen can be purchased early.

• Size – Allow 1-1.5 lbs per person if buying a whole turkey. Get a 8 oz portion per person for boneless turkey breast.

• Pre-brined vs. natural – Pre-brined turkeys are easier to cook moist, natural retain the most authentic flavor.

• Conventional vs. specialty – Specialty turkeys like heirloom, organic, free-range have premium flavor but cost more.

• reviews – Check reviews online to learn experiences others have had with different turkey brands.

Preparing and Cooking Your Turkey

Once you’ve selected the perfect turkey, proper storage, thawing, and cooking are key for success. Here are some tips:

• Store frozen turkeys on the bottom shelf of your freezer to prevent cross-contamination. Cook within 1 year for best quality.

• Thaw turkey in the refrigerator 1 day for every 4 lbs of weight. Place on a tray to catch drips.

• Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 180°F in the thigh before removing from the oven.

• Let rest at least 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to be reabsorbed for moist meat.

• Save the neck, giblets, and backbone for making homemade gravy and stock.

The brand of turkey you select can make all the difference in creating a spectacular Thanksgiving feast. We hope these recommendations for the best turkeys help you serve up a memorable meal this holiday season. Let us know how your turkey turns out!