I celebrated my first Thanksgiving in Dallas, Texas in 1987. It marked our first full year in the United States and my mother, father, and I felt blessed to share a meal with my family members who sponsored us. I was 5 years old but it remains a memory of family, full bellies, and feeling blessed in our new home, America.
Growing up, Thanksgiving was the biggest holiday, after Eid, in my household. It embodied everything my parents believed in, good food, togetherness, and gratitude.
One thing has changed since our first celebration, my mother now eats only Halal meats. Which means I’ve had to master making a juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked Halal Turkey. If you aren’t able to order a Halal turkey near you, many Islamic scholars accept Kosher meat as Halal.
It is incredibly important to brine a Halal turkey because some Halal turkeys are not salted or injected with saline, such as store-bought turkeys and kosher turkeys are. My favorite brine recipe is from Alton Brown (Food Network).
For many people turkey is an iconic centerpiece of holiday meals and family gatherings. But for Muslims and others who follow halal dietary guidelines finding a proper halal turkey can be tricky. If you’ve ever asked “What is halal turkey?” – this guide will tell you everything you need to know.
I’ll cover how halal turkeys are raised and slaughtered, where to find halal turkeys, and tips for cooking the perfect halal holiday bird. Whether you are Muslim or simply want ethically and humanely produced meat, understanding halal turkey is valuable.
What Is Halal?
First let’s quickly review what halal means. Halal is an Arabic word meaning “permissible” or “lawful”. When it comes to food halal refers to items that comply with Islamic dietary laws.
The Quran outlines certain guidelines for how animals should be treated and slaughtered. For meat to be certified halal, the animal must be
- Healthy and treated humanely at the time of slaughter
- Faced towards Mecca
- Slaughtered by a Muslim reciting a prayer
- Drained of blood immediately after cutting the throat
These steps and rituals around slaughter are critical for meat to be considered halal.
How Are Halal Turkeys Raised?
Halal turkeys are raised very similarly to conventional turkeys, with a few important differences:
- They are fed a vegetarian diet, free of animal byproducts
- Growth hormones and antibiotics are not used
- The facilities adhere to Islamic principles of animal welfare
Halal turkeys are provided ample space to move about and have access to fresh air and sunlight. Their feed contains no forbidden substances under Islamic law.
When it’s time for processing, the turkeys are slaughtered according to halal guidelines by Muslim slaughtermen. They are also processed separately from non-halal poultry.
Where to Purchase Halal Turkey
Finding halal turkey used to be difficult, but it is now more widely available:
- Halal butcher shops, especially in areas with sizable Muslim populations
- Specialty grocery stores like Mediterranean markets
- Large retailers are increasingly stocking them for the holidays
- Online mail order websites dedicated to halal foods
- Direct from halal turkey farms
You can also find halal turkey meat like ground turkey and turkey cutlets year-round. Make sure to look for certification from a halal food authority.
Frequency of Entities:
halal: 22
turkey/turkeys: 32
Islamic: 5
slaughtered/slaughter: 5
Is Halal Turkey Better Than Regular?
There are some clear advantages to choosing halal turkey over standard supermarket varieties:
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Animal welfare – Halal turkeys are treated more humanely throughout their lives. The slaughter process minimized stress and suffering.
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No hormones or antibiotics – Halal turkeys are not given growth hormones or antibiotics, meaning fewer chemicals.
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Higher quality – With their natural vegetarian diet and better living conditions, halal turkeys are higher quality.
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Taste – The combined factors above produce noticeably better, richer flavor compared to average turkeys.
So for those who prioritize ethical, sustainable meat, halal turkey is the clear winner. The standards by which they are raised make a significant difference you can taste.
Tips for Cooking Halal Turkey
Preparing halal turkey is essentially the same as traditional turkey. A few tips:
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Brine the turkey before cooking for extra moisture and flavor penetration.
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Cook stuffing in oven separately rather than inside the bird to ensure it is fully cooked through.
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Roast the turkey breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Baste periodically with broth or butter.
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Let turkey rest 15-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
Any normal roasting directions or recipes for whole turkey can be followed. Just be sure to source halal meat.
Can You Substitute Halal Turkey?
For those who don’t have access to halal turkey, kosher turkey can make an acceptable substitute. Islamic scholars agree that kosher meat aligns with halal principles.
Kosher turkey still complies with ethical harvesting practices even though not slaughtered by a Muslim. Both halal and kosher emphasize animal welfare and cleanliness.
Is Halal Turkey Healthier?
There are some potential health benefits to halal turkey:
- No hormones means lower toxicity and cancer risk
- No routine antibiotics reduces threat of drug resistance
- More natural diet improves nutritional profile
- Potentially lower contamination risk due to processing controls
However, more research is still needed comparing halal poultry to conventional on proven health impacts. But many perceive halal turkey as a healthier choice.
The Takeaway on Halal Turkey
Halal turkey must meet specific requirements for how the birds are raised, fed, and slaughtered according to Islamic law. The result is premium quality, ethical meat.
While halal turkey was once hard to find, it is now readily available from specialty suppliers and retailers to meet growing demand. Choosing halal aligns with religious values while supporting humane animal practices.
Juicy Halal Turkey Recipe
1 Turkey (12-15 lbs) – Whole turkey neck and giblets removed.
Equal parts Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme (2 tablespoons each) (optional: make Alton Brown’s compound butter)
Lemon Pepper (1 tablespoon)
Aromatics for inside the bird (1 onion, 2 celery stalks, 1 orange, 1 carrot)
Special Juicey Juice (3 cups Gingerale and 2 cups halal chicken broth or vegetable broth)
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- 3 days prior thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. The number of days depends on the size of your turkey.
- 24 hours in advance it’s crucial you brine the turkey, as halal turkey is not pre-salted to retain juiciness when cooking. Use Alton Brown’s Method.
- On the day you’re serving the turkey, start your process 3-4 before your serve time.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F
- Stir together the parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Rub the herb mixture into the cavity of the turkey. This is not necessary, but if you want to go the extra mile, mix your herbs with 1 lb of butter to create compound butter. Use Alton Brown’s recipe.
- Slice the celery, orange, onion, and carrot. Toss the items together then stuff as much as you can into the cavity of the bird.
- Truss the turkey. There are great tutorials on Youtube.
- Place the turkey into the roasting pan. I like to use a turkey lifter rack, which I place in first. It makes getting the turkey out seamless.
- Pour the chicken broth and ginger ale over the turkey, making sure to get some ginger ale in the cavity.
- Use heavy duty aluminum foil to create a dome over the top of your turkey. Make sure the foil does not touch the skin or legs.
- Bake the turkey in the preheated oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear.
- Uncover the turkey, and continue baking until the skin turns golden brown, 30 minutes to 1 hour longer.
- An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). You can double check your turkey cooking time here.
- Remove the turkey from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
(Left: Deep fried turkey, Right: Halal turkey recipe)
The essentials on our table include mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry (with a kick of ginger), stuffing, bread rolls, and roasted vegetables. In recent years I inherited a cousin-in-law that makes a killer pumpkin cheesecake.
This recipe pairs well with my slow-cooked Spiced Apple Cider recipe!
If you want to recreate my tablescape, the Bismillah placemats can be found here.
11/2021 Update: As an adult, I recognize that the narratives I accepted about Thanksgiving as a child were one-sided. For more on how we celebrate the holiday now: Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations: A Native Perspective On Thanksgiving.
Photography Credits: Farina Kazi, Natasha Kazi
Salam! I’m Natasha, a children’s author, illustrator, and digital content creator. I created IslamiMommy to share the arts & crafts that bring joy to my family.
Purchase Moon’s Ramadan, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
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What Is Halal Chicken/Turkey? Improvised Version
FAQ
What is the meaning of halal in turkey?
How is Halal meat different?
Is turkey 100% halal?
What is Halal meat made of?
Can you eat halal Turkey?
There is no prohibition against turkey as long as it has been slaughtered with halal practices. Therefore, as long as you can find turkey meat from a halal butcher or a certified-halal brand, you can eat it or serve it to Muslim guests. What is Halal Turkey?
Is turkey meat halal in Islam?
According to Islamic Scholars, eating turkey meat is permissible and halal. However, for the turkey meat to be considered halal, it must be slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law (dhabiha). Which Birds Are Forbidden To Eat In Islam? To answer this question, we referred to the following text:
Where to buy halal turkey meat?
Larger cities or areas with a greater Muslim population tend to have halal butchers and Middle Eastern groceries. In the US, for instance, Chicago and New York City have several stores in the downtown area. Some supermarkets have also started offering certified halal turkey meat during the holidays.
Is turkey bacon halal?
Provided the turkey has been killed according to Islamic law standards, it is accepted as a halal meat. There are brands of halal turkey meat available at the grocery store, but your best option is to call a halal butcher near you. You can then have a certified halal turkey meat sent right to your door! 1.