Turkey... fresh or frozen?

[debknight]

Other than the time it takes to thaw frozen, which do you prefer? Is fresh better than frozen?

 

[piratesmate]

If it's store-bought "fresh" I can't tell much of a difference...except as you say with the defrosting time. I do prefer "fresh" though....sometimes the frozen ones seem a little drier.

However, we live on a farm & the owner raises ducks, geese & turkeys. If that's the type of fresh you're talking about, there's HUGE difference! I still actually prefer a store-bought bird, but my DH likes the farm bird better. I think it tastes slightly more like a game bird. Sorry - that's the best I can describe it.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Fresh!

I always order my bird from a local specialty meat market and know it has never been frozen. It seems to cook more evenly, is juicier, etc. Grocery store "fresh" I always wonder if it is simply that they have thawed it and can't help wondering about the handling.

Deb

 

[pumba]

raise our turkeys....but it sure got messy at the end of the season....one big TOM, we called him George, tipped the scales at 34 lbs......he was so delicious......there is a nice flavor to grain fed.......vs commercial fed turkeys....but I usually get my turkey frozen and then I can dictate how long to get it thawed out and prepare it

 

[PamCo88]

Fresh from a farm and fresh from the grocery store is not the same thing at all. Fresh from a farm can be fantastic, fresh from the grocery is not really fresh. I read an article the other day in cheapskate monthy email that said most are partially frozen so they last longer. Frozen are the better choice because they are flash frozen and sealed. The fresh ones have the moisture in them frozen.

If you can't get farm fresh - go with frozen. Just plan to defrost a long time.

 

[hercamore]

I have good luck with both fresh and frozen and really can't telll much difference except in price.

Last nights paper had an article on buyin frozen birds. They recommends Butterball brand as being the only brand for frozen that didn't add extra trans fats to the bird for juiciness.

herc.