I love Thanksgiving time. While many fear the lines and the crowds at the grocery stores, I love the atmosphere. There are so many foods to get excited about. I decided to pop my head into a Trader Joe's this past Friday. I am presenting you 5 foods that you should be excited about getting at Trader Joe's this Thanksgiving.
It's Turkey Time indeed!!!!
Turkey
Gotta start with the star of the show - the turkey. So what is the price of a turkey at Trader Joe's?
Here is the breakdown for you. These prices are updated for the 2018 season.
[table]
Turkey, Price
Brined Fresh Turkeys, $1.99/lb
Kosher Fresh Turkeys, $2.99/lb
Organic Fresh Turkeys, $3.49/lb
[/table]
Trader Joe's Kosher Turkeys
If a Kosher turkey is a must have for your holiday meal, Trader Joe's is a great source. They have them each year. Most grocers I find don't carry them. A Kosher turkey has been pre-salted. They also have to follow all the kosher laws in order to be labeled as a kosher turkey. This has to do with how the turkey is slaughtered.
Organic Free Range turkeys from Trader Joe's.At $3.99 a pound, Trader Joe's Organic turkeys are more money than at Whole Foods ($3.49 or $2.99 if prime member) or Costco ($2.99). But those turkeys aren't labeled as being free range. So decide if that factor is worth the extra money for you.
Trader Joe's Fresh Brined Turkeys
The cheapest turkey you are going to get at Trader Joe's is their brined fresh turkey. I personally prefer to do my own brining, but if you don't have the time, this one might be worth considering.
Brussels Sprouts Stalks
The reason I went to Trader Joe's was to pick up a big stalk of Brussels Sprouts. They typically have them for Thanksgiving at a good price as well ($3.99) - they were $5.99 at Whole Foods. I needed them to make a root vegetable dish that roasts under the turkey for a Friendsgiving we had.
Chardonnay Grape Juice
Best sparking grape juice I've ever tried.
This is the ultimate non-alcoholic drink to have for the holidays. Great to serve the kids and great for the adults that don't drink alcohol. The sparkling grape juice is made from the same grapes that make Chardonnay, except in this case the juice is not turned into wine. Grab a bottle now for Christmas and New Year's. Sparkling juice gets no better than this.
Muraski Sweet Potatoes
A white fleshed Japanese style sweet potato.
For someone that isn't so sure about sweet potatoes, this is the sweet potato you must get. It is white on the inside and is not as sweet as your more traditional orange potato. Murasaki sweet potatoes do have a nutty flavor that I adore. I love to steam them, then mash them. Add some butter and milk. The key ingredient is sauteed shallots. They go so well with these sweet potatoes. At my Friendsgiving, that was the most raved about dish.
Turkey Stock
Forget the chicken stock. It's Thanksgiving. Gotta have the turkey. I personally prefer the flavor of it over chicken.
I see so many recipes at Thanksgiving that call for chicken stock or broth. But it's Thanksgiving. Forget that, give me turkey stock. A lot of stores only have it for the holiday season (like ALDI).
This is the good stuff. Get a couple of these to have on hand over the winter when someone in your home is sick.
If you want the really good stuff, spring for the bone broth. This stuff is going to have the best flavor and you get the health benefits from the bones that is all the rage right now (and for good reasons).
What is your favorite thing to pick up at Trader Joe's for Thanksgiving? Leave a comment below, letting us all know your favs.
Damaris
I have to got this week! Never had the white sweet potatoes ?. I loved the post! All of your excitement comes through, and itβa contagious!
Eric Samuelson
Thanks Damaris. Yeah you gotta try those sweet potatoes, especially with sauteed shallots in them. That is what really makes the dish.
bill stevens
why doesnt anyone have a brined ORGANIC turkey??
Eric Samuelson
That is a good question. I had not thought about that. I don't have an answer for you on that yet. I will look into it.
Wendy Moore
Great recap Eric! I love those Brussels sprouts too! And I will have to look for those Muraski Sweet Potatoes!