buying a turkey

[hapandpam]

Just found out that we are having about 20 people for Thanksgiving dinner, so I need to get a really big bird. Is it worth the extra $$ to buy a name brand one, like Butterball? What about fresh vs. frozen? All opinions welcome!

[prncess674]

Cooking a big bird can lead to an overly dry bird since it is hard to get all sections done adequately. Have you thought about cooking two birds? One can be a "presentation" bird and the other one you can cook the night before, slice, and put on a serving plate which makes it easier for serving large crowds. It is going to be such a large crowd you will likely have a buffet set up and you don't want people hacking away on a big bird cutting off literally more than they can chew.

[prncess674]

Another option is you can cook one normal size bird and then just a turkey breast if your family tends to only want the white meat.

[dizneechic]

Originally Posted by prncess674

Cooking a big bird can lead to an overly dry bird since it is hard to get all sections done adequately. Have you thought about cooking two birds? One can be a "presentation" bird and the other one you can cook the night before, slice, and put on a serving plate which makes it easier for serving large crowds. It is going to be such a large crowd you will likely have a buffet set up and you don't want people hacking away on a big bird cutting off literally more than they can chew.

This is exactly what my friend does that has 26-28 people over for the holiday. She also cooks a spiral ham for a bit of variety.

[prncess674]

Originally Posted by dizneechic

This is exactly what my friend does that has 26-28 people over for the holiday. She also cooks a spiral ham for a bit of variety.

Sam's Club sells a spiral ham that is absolutely to die for and about 1/2 the cost of one from the honey baked ham store. I guess we are into neat and orderly at my house because after the ham is cooked I take all the ham off the bone and make nice serving size pieces to speed up the buffet line. The ham bone and the less than pretty pieces are then set aside to make a big pot of red beans and rice after all the turkey leftovers are gone. As a former New Orleans girl I love the post holiday batch of red beans and rice made with the ham bone.

[Pigeon]

It depends on personal taste. I don't like Butterball turkeys at all. I think they are greasy and disgusting. Other people love them.

Personally, I don't find any difference at all in fresh v. frozen.

[ceecee]

I was going to get a fresh turkey and brine it. But I am seriously reconsidering, the place I called sells the turkeys for $2.89 a lb ($50 plus for the bird alone!).

[MiniGirl]

Originally Posted by prncess674

Sam's Club sells a spiral ham that is absolutely to die for and about 1/2 the cost of one from the honey baked ham store. I guess we are into neat and orderly at my house because after the ham is cooked I take all the ham off the bone and make nice serving size pieces to speed up the buffet line. The ham bone and the less than pretty pieces are then set aside to make a big pot of red beans and rice after all the turkey leftovers are gone. As a former New Orleans girl I love the post holiday batch of red beans and rice made with the ham bone.

This Louisiana girl also uses the leftover turkey and bones to make turkey gumbo at Christmas. Yummo!!!!!

[prncess674]

Originally Posted by Pigeon

It depends on personal taste. I don't like Butterball turkeys at all. I think they are greasy and disgusting. Other people love them.

Personally, I don't find any difference at all in fresh v. frozen.

I agree that Butterball isn't worth the money. They are artificially injected with a concociton to fake "juicy" turkey.

If you decide to just cook one and not have it for show,

just take a regular bird, wash the cavity,
Shove carrot pieces, onion pieces and celery stalks in the cavity.
Place some softened butter and herbs under the skin.
Poke a few holes in the skin to release the fat.
Salt and pepper the outside
Place inside a turkey bag (will make it self basting so no need to constantly open the oven and babysit the turkey)

It won't be the prettiest turkey, but the meat is moist and yummy. You can use the leftover pan drippings to make an easy gravy.

Here is a link to the turkey bags if you have never used one.
http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/en/home.asp