• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Eat Like No One Else logo

  • 🏠 Home
  • ℹ️ About
    • How to Eat Like No One Else
  • πŸŽ„ Christmas
    • Christmas Breakfast
    • Christmas Cookies
    • Christmas Food Guides
    • Shopping for Christmas Dinner
  • 🎁 Shop for Gifts
  • 🍽️ Recipes
  • ✍️ Sign Up for Virtual Events
  • 🚫 Reduce Food Waste
  • πŸ”¨ Work With Us
  • πŸ“ Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ℹ️ About Us
  • 🍽️ Recipes
  • πŸŽ™οΈ Podcast
  • 🚫 Reduce Food Waste
  • πŸ›’ Best Grocery Stores
  • 🍎 Apples Reviews
  • πŸ”¨ Work With Us
  • πŸ“ Privacy Policy
    • Instagram
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ℹ️ About Us
    • 🍽️ Recipes
    • πŸŽ™οΈ Podcast
    • 🚫 Reduce Food Waste
    • πŸ›’ Best Grocery Stores
    • 🍎 Apples Reviews
    • πŸ”¨ Work With Us
    • πŸ“ Privacy Policy
    • Instagram
  • Γ—

    Home Β» Thanksgiving Β» Buying a Turkey Β» What Type of Turkey Would Alton Brown Buy?

    What Type of Turkey Would Alton Brown Buy?

    Published: Nov 19, 2014 Β· Modified: Oct 18, 2019 by Eric Samuelson

    What Turkey Would Alton Brown Buy

    Myself and many foodies around the country have learned the most about turkey from Alton Brown. He is the King of Turkey as far as I am concerned. His classic Thanksgiving episode, Romancing the Bird, is as classic as any Charlie Brown holiday special. It is where I learn what brining was, how to use a probe thermometer, and that stuffing is evil (dressing not so much). If we are following his advice on how to cook the turkey (I always butterfly), might we also follow his advice on what turkey to choose.

    In both Good Eats thanksgiving episode, Alton choose a frozen turkey. His biggest reason was they avoid the possibility of being mishandled. It's easier for a frozen turkey to be maintained at the proper temperature without it thawing before you receive it.

    What Size Turkey?
    Alton does not recommend getting a dinosaur sized turkey. They take too long to cook, thus drying out the meat. He said go for two smaller birds as opposed to a larger one.

    Here are the sizes of turkeys he calls for in his various recipes:
    [table]
    Recipe, Size
    Deep Fried Turkey, 13-14 lbs
    Dry Brined Turkey, 13-14 lbs
    Original Good Eats Turkey, 14-16 lbs
    Smoked Turkey, 15-20 lbs
    Stuffed Turkey, 10-12 lbs
    [/table]

    The 14 pounder seems to his most used size. He allows for a larger bird for smoking a turkey. The stuffed turkey is on the smaller size, so that the stuffing can cook to proper temperature, and so the meat stays moist (for those that must have stuffing in the turkey).

    In the final Thanksgiving episode of Good Eats, Alton does recommend a pastured raised bird. These turkeys are allowed to roam, explore pastures, eat bugs, etc. Bottom line they are allowed to be turkeys. And that makes a difference in their flavor. I have experienced that myself in raising ducks. We allow them to free range around the property and the eggs they produce are superior in flavor than any other egg we ever had.

    Finding a Frozen Pasture Raised Bird
    This is a challenge. Most pasture raised turkeys are fresh not frozen. I did not find any here in Michigan that was both frozen and pastured raised. Trying doing a Google search for pastured raised frozen turkeys in your area and you may come up with some choices. I did a brief search and found some. Your most likely going to have to buy directly from the farm, but that's not a bad thing to skip the middle man and support your local farmer.

    « Costco Turkey Prices 2014
    Why Use a Ricer for Mashed Potatoes »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Nice to Meet You,

    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

    ☘️ Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe

    Categories

    Top Posts & Pages

    What Vegetables Go Well in Beef Stew?
    What's a Denver Steak?
    What's a Newport Steak?
    Episode 078 - Best Fruit to Buy in February

    Recent Posts

    • What Vegetables Go Well in Beef Stew?
    • What's a Denver Steak?
    • What's a Newport Steak?
    • Episode 078 - Best Fruit to Buy in February
    • Episode 077 - How to Fix Overly Salted Popcorn

    Reduce Food Waste in Your House

    Copyright © 2023 Eat Like No One Else on the Foodie Pro Theme