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Hard to find a non-injected turkey!

Misippi Egger
Misippi Egger Posts: 5,095
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I have really struggled to find a 20# turkey locally that was not injected with broth, phosphates, etc. from 4-8% by weight. I tried all the local Kroger stores, Sam's and made a call to a recommended small grocery in another nearby town.

I went to a high end local grocery today (where I have gotten fresh boston butts in the past) and they had some 'Natural' turkeys that weren't injected, but 14# max. I then tried another Kroger. They had free range, but nothing above about 13#.

I went to a boutique meat market and they had free range turkeys coming in fresh next week and had up to 20# - price? (sit down, all)
$4.69 per pound ! :ohmy: The paramedics decided it wasn't my ticker, just 'price shock' and didn't transport me to the ER - just out of the store and into my car! :silly:

I went to "The Fresh Market", where I should have gone in the first place (silly me) :blush: . The butcher took my order for a 20-24#, fresh turkey, asking me what day would I like to pick it up. Price - $1.69 per pound. Will I ever learn?? - The Fresh Market FIRST !!! :woohoo:

Mad Max turkey to be cooked on Thanksgiving Day (not for eating, since going to brother's house). Opening day of duck season Friday and hunting again Saturday. To in-laws after hunting Saturday -> warm up my turkey/gravy and enjoy.

Reports say most of the ducks are still in South Dakota, so we will be hunting locals that weekend - don't anticipate a blow-out opening weekend - but hey - it's duck camp and away from work and home! :woohoo: :woohoo:
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Comments

  • Big'un
    Big'un Posts: 5,909
    Hey, at least you found it! Give me a call when you get a chance.
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  • Mr. & Mrs Potatohead
    Mr. & Mrs Potatohead Posts: 2,037
    Duck Camp is a GOOD thing! We had VERY few ducks in the state this year…From all reports I have heard!
    We also didn’t have any rice on our lake, so that pretty much took care of that scenario! We did have a few Blue Bills come through two weekends ago, but really not that many. Maybe next year!
    You hit the nail on the head with regard to a turkey with out the crap injected! You have to go with a fresh (and most likely free range / organic) in order to go that route.
    One thing to keep in mind when looking for a Lg. bird is that if you are looking for a 24 pounder and can’t find what you want…Two 12 ponders will fill the need, although the ratio of lbs. of turkey / person will be off a bit, but really very little.
    And, two smaller birds will cook more quickly too!
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  • Misippi Egger
    Misippi Egger Posts: 5,095
    Wasn't sure I could get two 12#'ers on my large, pans and all, and with opening season going on (priorities!), 2 cooks wouldn't work. As I was having trouble finding a good 20+ pounder, I sure was giving the 2 smaller bird idea some thought......
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  • rooster
    rooster Posts: 252
    I hope I can find a duck this wek end. We have so much water they can go where they like. But Im going!!!
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  • RiverFarm
    RiverFarm Posts: 216
    Yesterday I was going to pick up my usual free turkey at ShopRite, but I noticed that they also had kosher turkeys. We tried a kosher chicken once when it was a free deal and we didn't want the turkey or other alternatives on offer, and were amazed at how good it was. When I brine poultry it's never THAT delicious, although it's nice. So I paid the extra for the kosher turkey; with the discount deal it was $1.30/lb. and I got a 17-lb bird. I think we'll do this one in the oven, though, rather in the egg; I want to see whether the extra cost for kosher makes a difference in the final product and we don't want to change two variables at once, since we've never had a kosher turkey nor have we ever cooked one in the egg.

    Misippi Egger, that was a great deal you found! We don't have any markets like that around here.
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  • Natedog
    Natedog Posts: 51
    The ducks are still here. They are making me hungry.
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  • Bordello
    Bordello Posts: 5,926
    I usually buy Butterball turkeys when I do one. So long as you get a Fresh Butterball they are not injected. If you get one that has been frozen it will be injected.

    I can only say that about the Butterball brand as I have called them to check for several years now as this always comes up on the forum.

    Regards,
    Bordello
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  • RiverFarm
    RiverFarm Posts: 216
    If they haven't been injected, what gives them the flavor the company raves about?
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  • Boilermaker Ben
    Boilermaker Ben Posts: 1,956
    RiverRat wrote:
    If they haven't been injected, what gives them the flavor the company raves about?

    Must be that yellow and blue label.
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  • reelgem
    reelgem Posts: 4,256
    Glad you found a turkey, that's not a problem around here. I've seen ads for free range for 2.19/lb which isn't bad.
    Head up to WI if the duck hunting is bad there. The mallards are overtaking my ponds and deck. Our season ends the 24th. :)
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  • Bordello
    Bordello Posts: 5,926
    Just the fact that they are fresh and as Mad Max say's if cooked properly most any brand will be good.

    Most anything is hype and marketing, just like Pennzoil, there marketing keeps there name out there.

    I do not wish to pay for more fluid being injected, prefer to flavor it myself if I can find meat that is not enhanced.

    Just my opinon,
    Bordello
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  • Spring Hen
    Spring Hen Posts: 1,578
    Sure hope you get some ducks because that duck gumbo was outstanding!!!!! Maybe some could make it up to the Oklahoma Eggfest :-)

    Hope to see you soon.
    Judy
    Covington, Louisiana USA
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  • Hoss
    Hoss Posts: 14,600
    Did you get my e-mail about the countertops?It is Formica 180fx.
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  • Misippi Egger
    Misippi Egger Posts: 5,095
    Where are you located - I'll be right there! Boommm.....
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  • Misippi Egger
    Misippi Egger Posts: 5,095
    Anne, I've always wanted to do a "Flyway trip", organize several hunts during the fall following the flyway - start early in Canada, then move to Wisconsin or the Dakotas, then the Midwest, finally ending up here at our camp in the Mississippi Delta.
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  • Misippi Egger
    Misippi Egger Posts: 5,095
    Judy, I thought I had cleaned out the freezer for that gumbo at Plano, with the except of some legs and tenderloins I was saving. But last weekend, when digging through the extra upright freezer, i opened a drawer and it was full of small bags of duck breasts! Sounds like more gumbo in my future. They also make fantastic ABT's. Cut the breasts across the grain, making thin, little finger sized pieces. I then soak them for 20-30 minutes in some of the Cajun injector marinade, place them (raw) on top of the creme cheese in an ABT, wrap in bacon and watch the crowd love them. I don't tell most people it's duck until they have tasted them! ;)
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  • RiverFarm
    RiverFarm Posts: 216
    Okay, what are ABTs?
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  • reelgem
    reelgem Posts: 4,256
    That would be fun. If you ever do make it to WI, feel free to give me a call. Good luck next weekend.
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  • Misippi Egger
    Misippi Egger Posts: 5,095
    ABT stands for "Atomic Buffalo Turd".... you asked ! :ohmy:

    Basically a cored out jalapeno pepper, halved lengthwise to make a boat. Filled with a cheese (usually cream cheese), then topped with a meat (beanie weeenie, pulled pork, duck, whatever), then wrapped in bacon and cooked indirect until the bacon is crisp. Some people put the other half of the pepper back on before wrapping the bacon and others make 2 ABT's from each pepper.
    I usually put toothpicks at each end to hold the bacon and a third on in the middle. Then, when done, I can cut into thirds with each serving piece having it's own toothpick.

    Here is a link to Bordello's most recent ABT's (plus pics of the girls at his pub whom are the happy beneficiaries of his cooking). :laugh:

    http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=760119&catid=1
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  • Misippi Egger
    Misippi Egger Posts: 5,095
    I will. Been a long time since I was up there. When in high school stayed with a someone in Marinette waiting on auto repair parts to come from G. Bay.

    Also took a trip one February (corporate jet- WooHoo) to visit a plant in Madison that made anesthesia machines. It was my first experience with seeing a lake frozen over with roads and ice houses on it - impressive for a southerner who only sees thin, dangerous ice every couple of years or so.

    A duck hunting trip tp Wi sound like fun.

    Jana and I have new bicycles ordered and are planning to make lots of trips over the next few years to ride various "Rails to Trails" trails. I understand WI has a fair number of these.
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