Kirkland Signature Whole Smoked Turkey from Costco – A Review

The holidays are coming up, which means it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll be feeding the masses. For many families, a turkey is the centerpiece of holiday meals. If you’re a Costco shopper looking for a turkey option, one great choice is the Kirkland Signature Whole Smoked Turkey. This fully cooked turkey offers delicious smoked flavor in a convenient, easy-to-prepare package.

Overview of the Kirkland Signature Whole Smoked Turkey

The Kirkland Signature Whole Smoked Turkey is an exclusive item you can only find at Costco warehouses and on Costco.com. It’s a ready-to-eat whole turkey that comes fully cooked and smoked. The turkeys range from 10 to 16 pounds in size.

This smoked turkey has been cured with a signature blend of salt brown sugar and spices. It’s then slow-smoked over a blend of hardwood chips. This imbues it with a delicious hickory smoked flavor. As a final touch, the cooked turkey is coated with a brown sugar glaze.

One major perk of this whole smoked turkey is that it’s fully cooked, There’s no lengthy roasting required, Just heat it up and you’re ready to slice and serve, It’s a real time-saver during the busy holidays

Nutrition Information and Ingredients

A serving of the Kirkland Signature smoked turkey provides 210 calories, 9 grams of fat, 0 grams of carbs, and 34 grams of protein. It’s high in protein and relatively low in fat for a turkey product.

The ingredients include turkey, water, cornstarch, salt, brown sugar, sodium phosphate, smoke flavoring, spices, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite, and caramel color. It contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Buying the Smoked Turkey at Costco

The Kirkland Signature Whole Smoked Turkey is sold frozen at Costco warehouses. It’s available seasonally from October through December, while supplies last. You can find it in the poultry or holiday foods section.

The price is $2.99 per pound. A 14 pound turkey costs around $42. The price is consistent from year to year. Keep an eye out for this turkey to hit Costco shelves in the fall.

You can also order the smoked turkey online at Costco.com. Just search for item number 100365509. Online pricing may vary slightly.

Cooking Instructions

This smoked turkey couldn’t be easier to prepare. Here are the simple heating instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Remove all packaging and place turkey breast side up in a baking pan.
• Cover with foil and bake for 12 minutes per pound.
• Once the internal temperature reaches 145°F, remove foil and broil for 5 minutes to brown.
• Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

The turkey is fully cooked so you just need to heat it through until hot and browned. The entire process takes under 2 hours for a 14 pound turkey. Much faster than roasting a raw bird!

How to Serve the Smoked Turkey

The Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey works great as the centerpiece for a holiday buffet. It has delicious flavor on its own, so you can serve it simply with just sides.

It pairs well with traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cornbread, and vegetables. Skip the gravy since the turkey already has a nice glaze.

You can also slice it for sandwiches, dice it for salads and casseroles, or shred it for soups and chilis. Get creative with how you use up the leftovers!

Pros of Buying This Turkey

There are many benefits to choosing the Costco smoked turkey:

• Fully cooked – Just reheat and serve
• Delicious hickory smoked flavor
• Moist and tender meat
• Huge time saver – Ready in under 2 hours
• No thawing required – Cook frozen
• Lower price than many grocery store smoked turkeys
• Convenient prep for holiday meals

Cons and Things to Consider

Here are a few downsides of the Kirkland Signature turkey:

• Only available seasonally at Costco
• You must have room to store a large frozen turkey
• Novelty smoked flavor not for all palates
• Smaller turkeys not available (minimum 10 lbs)
• Not recommended for deep frying

Customer Reviews

This smoked turkey earns rave reviews from Costco shoppers. They praise its convenience, delicious flavor, and time-saving prep. Many say it’s become a holiday tradition in their households.

The main complaints involve the size being too large for some families. Also, some feel the $3 per pound price is high for a turkey. But most agree the prep time saved is worth the cost.

The Verdict

The Kirkland Signature Whole Smoked Turkey is a tasty and super convenient holiday option for Costco shoppers. Its smokehouse flavor and simple preparation make it a winner. If you want a delicious fully cooked turkey without the roasting hassle, it’s certainly worth trying. Pick one up this holiday season and make it a new tradition in your home.