Most turkeys today are a shadow of the breed that once was. Our Organic American Heirloom Turkeys are the breed that once was. These Auburn, Black, and American Bronze turkeys are rare breeds that’ve been around for hundreds of years. Different from most turkeys, they produce exquisite meat with exceptional, rich flavor that’s tender, juicy, and exceptionally hard to come by. (Lucky you—you found it!)
Enjoy this product 3-5 days after delivery or freeze upon arrival, and use within the year.
This product ships deep chilled to arrive fresh in a biodegradable liner. Arrival temperature of bird will vary depending on your location, & turkey may feel hard upon arrival – this indicates it is still deeply chilled.
That suggested roasting times may vary. If the turkey is unstuffed, decrease the roasting times listed above by approximately 30 minutes.
To remove the truss just lift the ring and pull it up and over the end of the drumstick. To secure the truss, hold the drumsticks together, lift the ring and pull it over the drumsticks. The nylon truss is oven and microwave safe and can withstand oven temperatures of up to 450º F.
Preheat oven to 325º F. Remove soft oven ready turkey from the bag. After removing the neck and giblets from the body cavities rinse the bird with cold water. Pat turkey dry with a paper towel. If you choose to stuff your bird this would be the time to do so.
Heirloom turkeys have become increasingly popular in recent years especially around the holidays. But what exactly are heirloom turkeys and how are they different from regular supermarket turkeys? In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about heirloom turkeys.
A Brief History of Heirloom Turkeys
Heirloom turkeys are traditional breeds of turkey that have been raised on small farms for generations These rare breeds include names like Bourbon Red, Standard Bronze, and Narragansett
Heirloom turkeys were the main type of turkey raised up until the mid-20th century. After World War II, commercial turkey production shifted to factory farming and commercial breeds like the Broad-Breasted White These commercial turkeys were selectively bred to have large, plump breasts and grow very fast
As heritage turkey breeds fell out of favor with large producers, their numbers dwindled. Many heirloom breeds nearly became extinct. Thankfully, in recent years small family farms have helped bring back heritage turkey breeds and offer heirloom turkeys to consumers.
What Makes Heirloom Turkeys Unique?
Heirloom turkeys have several characteristics that set them apart from standard supermarket turkeys:
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Breeding – Heirloom turkeys are bred from historic turkey breeds that have not been crossbred. Each heirloom breed has unique qualities.
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Growth rate – Heirloom turkeys grow slower, reaching market weight at 24-28 weeks versus 14-18 weeks for commercial turkeys. Their slower growth results in a more flavorful meat.
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Feed – Heirloom turkeys are fed a natural diet and allowed to forage outdoors. This also boosts the flavor.
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Housing – Heirloom turkeys are raised free-range or pasture-raised with access to the outdoors. They have much more space to roam than commercial turkeys.
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Hormones & Antibiotics – Heirloom turkeys are never given hormones or routine antibiotics.
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Flavor – The slower growth, natural diet and housing of heirloom turkeys leads to a richer, more robust turkey flavor. The meat is also more moist from the higher activity levels.
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Appearance – Heirloom turkeys have smaller breasts and darker, more richly colored meat compared to commercial turkeys bred for white meat.
Popular Heirloom Turkey Breeds
There are many heirloom turkey breeds to choose from. Here are some of the most common varieties:
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Bourbon Red – A gorgeous reddish brown turkey from Kentucky. It has a rich, savory flavor.
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Narragansett – An American breed with unique black, white and tan coloring. It’s a good dual purpose bird.
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Standard Bronze – Has lustrous, iridescent black feathers. Known for superb eating quality and was the most popular before industrial turkey farming.
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Black Spanish – A striking solid black turkey with excellent foraging abilities. It has very dark meat.
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Jersey Buff – A rare buff-colored turkey originally from New Jersey. It matures early and is cold-hardy.
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Blue Slate – Has unique slate blue colored feathers. It’s a hardy bird good for free-range farming.
Benefits of Choosing an Heirloom Turkey
Here are some of the biggest benefits of selecting an heirloom turkey:
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Flavor – Far superior, rich turkey flavor than commercial turkeys. The taste reminds you of how turkey used to be.
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Texture – More moist, tender and juicy meat.
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Natural – Heirloom turkeys are raised without hormones, antibiotics or additives.
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Humane – They live a natural lifestyle with space to roam on pasture.
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Sustainable – Helps support small family farms and heirloom breed preservation.
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Fun – Choosing an heirloom breed like Bourbon Red or Blue Slate can add some festive flair to your holiday table.
How to Cook an Heirloom Turkey
Cooking an heirloom turkey is similar to cooking a commercial turkey but there are a few helpful tips to get the most out of your bird:
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Brining – Brining your turkey will ensure it stays nice and moist. Use a saltwater brine overnight in the fridge.
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Aromatics – Rub the turkey cavity with herbs like sage, thyme and rosemary to infuse it with flavor.
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Low and slow – Roast the turkey at a lower temp, around 325 ̊F to allow time for the flavors to develop without overcooking the breast.
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Basting – Baste your turkey throughout roasting with pan drippings. This keeps the skin from drying out.
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Let rest – Allow your cooked turkey to rest at least 30 minutes before carving so juices can redistribute.
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Make stock – Save the neck, giblets and bones to simmer into a flavorful turkey stock for soups, gravy or risotto.
Where to Buy Heirloom Turkeys
It can be tricky finding heirloom turkeys since they are raised in such small numbers. Here are some tips on where to source them:
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Check with local meat farms, butchers and farmers markets near you. Many will offer heirloom turkeys for the holidays.
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Online mail order companies like Joyce Farms, Maple Leaf Farms and Mary’s Turkeys sell heirloom breeds.
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Specialty grocers like Whole Foods Market often carry a limited quantity of heirloom turkeys.
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Ask your farmer at a CSA or food co-op if they can source heirloom turkeys.
Due to the small supply, it’s important to order your heirloom turkey several weeks or months in advance. Plan ahead to get your hands on one of these special birds!
Is the Price Worth It?
Heirloom turkeys do come at a premium price. While a standard turkey may cost $1-2 per pound, heirloom turkeys range from $4-8 per pound depending on the breed, size and source.
That may seem steep, but devotees of heirloom turkeys believe the rich, nostalgic flavor and artisan raising methods make them well worth the splurge for a special meal. They are meant to be savored.
For smaller gatherings, you can buy just an heirloom turkey breast at a more affordable per-pound price. You can also order smaller birds like 12 lb bourbon reds. Or go in on a large heirloom turkey with family or friends.
Keep the Holiday Tradition Alive
Heirloom turkeys offer a way to celebrate holiday traditions and connect with how holidays used to be. As factory farming has taken over the turkey industry, these special breeds keep historic flavors alive and offer a lesson about valuing food traditions. They just may become your new holiday favorite.
Family Recipe: Simple Rub
Rub the exterior of turkey with a blend of your favorite herbs and spices or with a paste made of the following ingredients:
4 Tbsp oil, (melted butter, margarine, olive oil, etc.) 4 tsp. salt, or to taste 2 tsp. paprika
Place the turkey in an open roasting pan, breast side up. Cover the bottom of the pan with approximately 2 cups water or broth. Place your beautiful turkey in the oven.
Use a 325º F oven. We would encourage you to check the internal temperature throughout the roasting time to be careful not to over-roast. The internal temperature typically increases more rapidly during the last half of roasting.
There is no need to turn the bird while roasting as it will brown to a rich, golden color. A foil tent can be placed loosely over the turkey during the last hour of roasting to prevent over browning. For truly marvelous gravy, heat (do not boil) 1 cup white wine. Pour this over your turkey halfway through the roasting time. When the turkey reaches the desired internal temperature, remove from the oven. Cover and let stand for at least 15 minute before carving.
Several years ago, I was introduced to Diestels turkeys and I havent stopped purchasing them since. Ill be honest, I used to get whatever I could from the local market for Thanksgiving. Once I tried a fresh Diestel turkey, that changed completely. The quality of bird is second to none. They are tender, juicy, and very flavorful. My favorite, by far, is the American Heirloom…you simply must try it.
Most flavorful and tender turkey I have ever eaten! Prepared it using the Cook’s Illustrated method. Leg and carcass bone made amazing pozole soup. Gizzard gravy was amazing. Breast meat was excellent both hot and cold.
My sister who lives in Oregon and myself who lives in Sacramento ordered these wonderful birds for Thanksgiving 2021. First time we tried them and we will NEVER buy turkeys from anywhere else! Best birds we have ever had! THANK YOU DIESTEL!!!
Hands down the best Turkey Ive ever had…Browned perfectly, breast meat was juicy, excellent flavor, just a perfect bird…will only buy a Diestel Turkey.
The best turkey I have ever had. Smoked for 2.5 hours (with spatchcocking) and was above and beyond any other turkey. I will get one next year without a doubt. Moist, flavorful, with a thick fatty skin.
I had the American Heirloom for the first time this past Thanksgiving. Great turkey! So much flavor, and so much meat on the bird. Tender and juicy, with large legs with lots of delicious meat on them. Will buy again!
What’s So Special About Heritage Turkeys?
What is the difference between a heritage turkey and a heirloom Turkey?
Heirloom is the term used for plants with a long history, while heritage is the word usually reserved for livestock. Heritage turkeys are a step back in time, offering a taste of how poultry was before industrialization. Unlike regular turkeys, heritage turkeys are bred for flavor, texture, and nutrition.
What is a heirloom Turkey?
Heirloom turkeys are a traditional breed of turkey which is not associated with large-scale commercial agriculture. Or, simply put, they are a step back to how things used to taste. Therefore, strict standards apply to labeling turkeys as “heirloom.” The American Poultry Association only recognizes eight varieties of true heirloom turkeys.
What makes a Turkey a heritage turkey?
According to Livestock Conservancy, a turkey must meet strict criteria to be labeled as heritage. These criteria include having a long, productive lifespan, a slow growth rate, and the ability to mate naturally. Heritage turkeys are breeds of domesticated turkeys genetically similar to the wild turkeys in North and South America.
Are heirloom turkeys better than commercial turkeys?
Heirloom breeds are more disease-resistant than commercial turkey breeds. In addition, heirloom turkeys can thrive in various climates throughout the country and survive harsher environmental conditions than commercial turkeys.