How Do You Pick a Turkey?
Christmas is fast approaching, so it’s time to start thinking about you’ll be feeding your family and/or friends on Christmas Day. The planning and prepping don’t have to be difficult, as we’ve pulled together all the deciding factors when it comes to turkey planning so that you can make an easy decision when choosing the perfect bird this year.
Step 1: Which Breed Is Best?
The first step in choosing your turkey is to decide whether you want a bronze or white breed. White woodland turkeys are considered your traditional Christmas bird, but in recent years, our bronze turkeys have grown in popularity.
All of our turkeys live a truly free-range life right up until harvest. Our turkeys love to roam free and explore their surroundings – whether they are playing in dust baths, roosting on straw bales, exploring grassy paddocks or asleep at night in their barns, it’s important turkeys are exercised, kept warm and fed well.
They’re fed a natural, cereal-based diet consisting of wheat, soya bean, barley, rape seed extract, minerals, herbal powder and natural herbs which ensure their superior quality over store-bought birds. When deciding on your breed of turkey, consider the following:
Free Range Bronze Turkeys
Bronze turkeys are more closely related to wild turkeys in both appearance and taste. They have a distinctive look with black or bronze feathers. As an older breed, bronze turkeys have a more intense flavour than white turkeys making them a growing favourite for many families. Their rich, gamey taste makes for the perfect showstopper on the table.
Free Range White Woodland Turkeys
Classic white woodland turkeys have become a household favourite around the country. Their meat is fresh, succulent, tasty and perfect for those who enjoy breast meat. White turkeys are presented as more ‘oven ready’.
Step 2: Whole, Crown or Breast?
Different types of turkey products are preferred by everyone. For larger families, you may opt for a whole turkey, whereas for smaller gatherings you may want to enjoy a small breast roll.
You are spoilt by choice when you get your turkey from a traditional turkey farmer. Choices include a whole turkey, breast roll, turkey crown, turkey breast roll, turkey portions and of course all the trimmings!
A whole turkey comes with wings, legs and all which means you get the delicious dark meat included on your bird. However, due to the different types of meat, it can be difficult to get an even cook. That’s why most people opt for a turkey crown which is the whole bird minus the legs and backbone.
If you prefer only breast meat or are feeding a smaller group of people, boneless breast rolls are the ideal mixture of convenience and superior flavour. They’re easy to cook and don’t lack in flavour!
Step 3: Size It Up
When it comes to choosing the best size turkey for your family, it’s important you estimate enough so that you don’t run out – it’s always better to have too much than too little! However, as a rule of thumb, we suggest that for a whole turkey:
- 4 – 6 people 4.0 kg
- 6 – 8 people 5.0 kg
- 8 -10 people 6.0 kg
- 10-12 people 7.0 kg
- 12-14 people 8.0 kg
- 14-16 people 9.0 kg
- 16-18 people 10.0 kg
- 18-20 people 11.0 kg
- 20-22 people 12.0 kg
On each of our product pages, we give a guide to choosing the perfect size for each turkey. If you need any extra help in choosing your Christmas turkey this year, get in touch with us now.
Step 4: Choose Your Trimmings
Now that you’ve chosen the perfect turkey, it’s time to deck the table tons of trimmings from stuffing and cranberry sauce to parmesan Brussel sprouts and everything in between. Make your Christmas one to remember with a table full of fabulous food. If you really want to make a statement, take a look at our Christmas meat hampers with enough meat and trimmings to create a wonderful festive spread.