Turkey Types and Classifications

Fresh

Any turkey labeled "fresh" in a food store has never been cooled to a temperature lower than 26°F, which is the point that turkey meat begins to freeze. A fresh turkey should be cooked no later than 2 days after it is purchased or by the "use by date" on the label, otherwise it must be frozen until it is ready to use.

Some turkey processors label their fresh turkeys as "refrigerated" rather than fresh in order to prevent confusion with the consumer. Fresh turkeys that are chilled to 26°F may seem a bit stiff on the surface, as though they have been frozen when they actually have not.

The cost of a fresh turkey may be a bit higher than a frozen turkey because of special handling requirements. The processor must ensure that the turkey remains at a temperature of 26°F from the factory to the market and the market must ensure that their refrigerated case does not climb above 38°F to 40°F.

Frozen

Although turkey meat begins to freeze at 26°F, in order to be considered "frozen" a turkey must be cooled to a temperature of 0°F or below. Commercial processing companies use a flash freezing process that quickly cools turkeys to 0°F or below. This ensures that when the turkey is defrosted, the meat will be at the same level of freshness as the day it was originally frozen. There is no difference in the quality of turkey that is fresh or commercially frozen, but fresh turkey that is placed in a home freezer may deteriorate more quickly than turkey that has been flash frozen in commercial equipment. This is because home freezers are not able to cool the meat as quickly as commercial freezers.

Listed below are several other important
points to consider when using a frozen turkey.

• A frozen turkey may be safely prepared up to a year after it was originally frozen.
  
  
• A frozen turkey that has been thawed should not be refrozen until after it is cooked.
  
  
• A turkey that has been defrosted before it is sold must be labeled "previously frozen."

Listed below are additional types of frozen
turkeys that are available in most food stores.

• Prestuffed
  
  Prestuffed frozen turkeys can be purchased with a variety of stuffing flavors and in a large selection of sizes. Prestuffing and freezing a turkey at home can be dangerous. Home freezers cannot freeze as quickly as commercial freezing processes. The stuffing increases the growth rate of harmful bacteria, which may multiply rapidly before the turkey has a chance to freeze properly.
  
  
• Self-Basting
  
  A self-basting turkey is injected with various ingredients, such as oil, juices, and seasonings, before it is frozen. When the turkey is roasted, the added ingredients keep the meat moist and tender as well as provide extra flavor.
  
  
• Boneless Turkey Roast
  
  Whole turkeys are available that have been deboned and packaged. The preparation, cooking, and carving are much more convenient. Another type of turkey roast consists of pieces of white or dark meat or both, that are removed from the bones, placed in a foil pan, and frozen to be cooked when needed.

Hard-Chilled

Turkeys that are hard-chilled are cooled to temperatures between 0°F and 26°F. They are not considered fresh or frozen and so they are not labeled as such. Since they are not considered frozen, the turkeys must be handled as though they are fresh to ensure proper food safety.

Turkey Parts

Turkey is often cut into parts, packaged, and sold fresh or frozen. Turkey breasts, drumsticks, thighs, and wings are often sold this way. The breast section of a turkey is quite large and it is often cut into smaller cutlets that are thinly sliced.

Ground Turkey

Turkey parts can be ground and used in the same way as beef cuts that are ground into hamburger. Ground turkey can be used to make patties, meatloaf, casseroles, and many similar types of dishes and it has much less fat than ground beef.

Specialty Turkeys

• Smoked
  
  Smoked turkeys are ready to eat because the smoking process cures and cooks the meat with indirect heat. They are available in a wide range of flavors depending on the type of fuel used for the smoking process.
  
  
• Free-Range
  
  A turkey known as "free-range" indicates that the bird was allowed to roam outdoors, which may have a positive affect on the flavor of the meat, especially if the roaming area was not too crowded. The amount of space that a turkey is given to roam, regardless if it is indoors or out, actually affects the quality to a greater degree than if the bird is simply allowed to be outdoors.
  
  
• Organic
  
  An organic turkey refers to a bird that is allowed to eat only organic feed and is allowed to roam outdoors (free-range). In order to be classified as organic, the turkey can never receive any antibiotics. Growth hormones are also prohibited, which is the case for all commercially raised poultry.
  
  
• Natural
  
  This refers to turkeys that have limited processing with no artificial ingredients or coloring added. The term "natural" does indicate that a turkey is free-range. The meat is also be a bit drier than other types of turkeys that have had additional processing.
  
  
• Kosher
  
  A kosher turkey must be raised and processed with strict guidelines under rabbinical supervision. The turkeys are free-range birds that are fed only grain, are never given any antibiotics, and are individually inspected. When they are processed, the turkeys are soaked in a salty brine solution to provide maximum tenderness and to give the meat a unique flavor.
  
  
• Heritage Turkeys
  
  Before turkeys were raised in large commercial sites and mass marketed, most people ate a variety of breeds raised on small farms. Today these various breeds are known collectively as "Heritage Turkeys", which are making a comeback. Heritage turkeys are free-range birds and include breeds such as Jersey Buff, Bourbon Red, Black Spanish, and Narragansett. The various breeds generally have a longer body, smaller breast muscles, and are bit leaner than commercially raised birds. Heritage turkeys require an additional 2 to 3 months to grow to the proper size for processing. This makes the turkeys more expensive than commercially raised birds, but most people feel the extra expense is justified because of the excellent flavor and the texture and tenderness of the meat. Most heritage turkeys are raised on small farms where they can be directly purchased or they can be conveniently purchased from a number of online sites and shipped directly to the consumer.