What Giblets Are In A Turkey And How To Use Them

As Thanksgiving and the winter holidays approach home cooks across America are gearing up to roast turkeys for their feasts. When prepping your bird, you may encounter a bag of odd-looking parts tucked inside the cavity. These are the turkey’s giblets. But what exactly are giblets and what parts make up this mix of ingredients?

Giblets are the edible offal or organ meats of poultry like turkeys, chickens, and ducks. They impart a rich, intense flavor when used in recipes Here’s a guide to what giblets are, what’s included in a turkey’s giblet bag, and delicious ways to use them

What Are Giblets?

The term “giblets” refers to the internal organs and other parts of poultry that are edible. These nutrient-dense odd bits lend lots of flavor when used in various dishes.

Giblets are considered offal or variety meats, which refers to the organ meats and less common cuts of meat from animals. Offal meats like liver, heart, and kidneys are prized ingredients in many cuisines around the world.

The word “giblets” comes from the French word “gibier” meaning game or prey. It refers to the edible entrails and extremities of game animals or poultry historically consumed by hunters.

What’s Included in a Turkey’s Giblet Bag?

The specific giblets included in a whole turkey can vary by brand or supplier. But most often, a turkey’s giblet packet contains:

• Turkey Liver: The largest organ in a turkey; adds richness.

• Turkey Heart: Lean, muscular meat; provides texture.

• Turkey Gizzard: Acts as a turkey’s teeth; adds robust flavor.

• Turkey Neck: More dark meat; boosts broth flavor.

• Turkey Kidneys: Can have a slightly bitter taste.

Traditionally, the turkey liver, heart, and gizzard are the essential giblets. A fourth giblet, the neck, is often included as well. Some brands may also incorporate the kidneys.

Where are the Giblets Located in a Whole Turkey?

Fresh and thawed turkeys sold in grocery stores will contain a bag of giblets inside the body cavity. The giblets are typically packaged together in a paper or plastic bag.

When preparing your turkey, make sure to remove this bag and take out the giblets before cooking. It’s easy to overlook the giblet bag when preoccupied with seasoning and trussing the bird.

If you forget to remove the giblets before roasting, don’t worry! The giblet bag is safe to cook inside the turkey. Just take it out afterward and discard it before carving and serving the turkey.

Why Are Giblets Included with a Whole Turkey?

Poultry processors include giblets for several reasons. For one, it allows them to utilize more of the bird so less goes to waste. The liver, heart, gizzard and neck would otherwise be discarded.

Additionally, home cooks have come to expect giblets in a whole turkey so they can use them to enrich gravies, broths, stuffing, and other dishes. The extra flavor and nutrients from the organs are prized for holiday cooking.

Do You Have to Use the Giblets?

You don’t have to use the giblets if you don’t want to. Some people dislike the idea of organ meats or aren’t sure how to prepare them. If that’s the case, you can simply discard the bag of giblets.

However, giblets are full of vitamins, minerals, and intense turkey flavor. With a bit of an open mind and the right recipes, they can be delicious!

If you’re up for trying them, here are some tips for preparing turkey giblets:

• Rinse the giblets well under cold water and pat dry.
• Simmer the giblets in broth or water with aromatics to make a flavorful stock.
• Chop and sauté the cooked giblets to add to gravy, stuffing, soups, or casseroles.
• Coat the giblets in flour and fry them for a delicious snack.
• Use the liver to make a rich, creamy pâté.

What Dishes Can You Make With Turkey Giblets?

There are many ways you can put those turkey giblets to delicious use:

• Giblet Gravy – Simmered and chopped giblets make gravy rich, savory, and full-bodied.

• Turkey Stock – Simmer giblets with veggies and herbs for a nourishing homemade stock.

• Dirty Rice – Dice the cooked giblets and fold into spicy dirty rice for added richness.

• Giblet Snack – Bread and fry the giblets for a crunchy, gamey snack.

• Giblet Pâté – Purée the cooked liver into a smooth, decadent spread.

• Giblet Stuffing – Chop and add cooked giblets to your favorite stuffing recipe.

• Giblet Dumplings – Mix diced giblets into the dough for hearty dumplings.

Do Other Poultry Contain Giblets?

Giblets are common in other birds like chickens, ducks, and geese. However, since these poultry are smaller, their giblet packets contain fewer parts.

A whole chicken’s giblets may only include the liver, heart, and gizzard. Duck or goose giblets also include the liver, heart, gizzard, and neck.

No matter the type of fowl, the giblets can be used in similar ways to enrich sauces, gravies, broths, and stuffings.

Can You Buy Giblets Separately?

If you want to use giblets in recipes but don’t want to buy a whole bird, you’re in luck. Poultry giblets can be purchased separately.

Check your grocery store meat department or ask your butcher for bags of chicken, turkey, or duck giblets. They are often sold along with chicken feet and livers.

Getting just the giblets allows you to make rich gravy, stock, or pâté to enjoy anytime without roasting a large poultry.

Make the Most of Your Turkey’s Giblets

This holiday season, embrace those odd-looking giblets tucked in your turkey cavity. With their stellar nutrition and bold, enriching flavor, giblets are too good to just toss.

Now that you know exactly what turkey giblets are, explore fun ways to use them in your Thanksgiving recipes. They’ll add a wonderful depth and richness to your holiday spreads.