When you hear the words “Thanksgiving dinner,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? I’m betting it was “turkey.”
Even if you get more excited about stuffing, potatoes with gravy and pumpkin pie, turkey is clearly the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving meals.
So let’s talk about how you can serve your loved ones the healthiest and most delicious turkey possible.
SELECTING A HEALTHY TURKEY
Every year around November, grocery stores start filling up with loads of plump turkeys. Many people think that turkey is turkey, so they simply search for the best deal when selecting one to buy.
But here’s the thing…most turkeys sold in stores (especially those with “bargain” prices) were grown in farm factories, are loaded with antibiotics and were raised on a diet of genetically modified (GMO) feed.
Worse yet, there’s a harmful drug that’s permitted to be fed to commercially-raised turkeys in the U.S. It’s called Ractopamine (also known as Topmax). It’s a growth-enhancing drug that increases muscle mass. It’s used to make the turkeys bigger, because most people think that bigger is better…especially when serving a lot of people.
This is frightening since Ractopamine has been shown to cause horrible health problems (even death) in animals, and carries a bold label that states “NOT FOR HUMAN USE.” Yikes!
To avoid all this toxic nonsense of antibiotics, GMO’s and Ractopamine, simply choose a certified organic turkey that was allowed to roam free on a pasture. Yes, it’s going to cost more, but your health and the health of your loved ones are worth it!
Be sure to get your order in for an organic turkey at least a couple weeks before Thanksgiving, because supplies go fast. Here are a few ways to get them:
- Find a local farmer or farmer’s market that sells organic turkeys.
- Visit a health-focused grocery store like Whole Foods or a local food co-op.
- Order from an online supplier of organic turkeys. I buy mine from the American Farmer’s Network. They deliver the turkey in a nicely insulated container with dry ice, so it arrives perfectly fresh and frozen right at your door. Click here if you’d like to check them out.
TIPS FOR PREPARING A DELICIOUS TURKEY
1. Use the right pan.
Have you ever used one of those flimsy disposable aluminum pans to prepare a turkey? Or have you ever used a pan that wasn’t deep enough or wasn’t made for the dimensions of a turkey? It’s a recipe for disaster and causes unnecessary stress.
To ensure your turkey preparation is as easy and successful as possible, the first step is getting an awesome roasting pan.
I love this stainless steel roaster pan with removable rack by Cuisinart. It’s super durable and doesn’t have any toxic materials like non-stick coating.
The rack allows heat to circulate and lets the meat drain as it cooks. It will last year after year, and you can use it to cook other things throughout the year like chicken, roasts and large batches of roasted veggies. YUM!
2. Keep it hydrated.
To make sure your turkey turns out moist and juicy, you’ll want to continuously baste it using the juice it produces in the pan as it cooks.
There is no need to add butter or any type of oil – the turkey will produce plenty of its own drippings.
I recommend using a stainless steel baster instead of a plastic one, because stainless steel is more durable, easier to clean and you won’t have to worry about any toxic plastic components like BPA. This stainless steel baster with brush cleaner by Norpro is awesome.
3. Check the temp.
The only thing worse than an over-cooked turkey is a turkey that’s still raw in the middle.
The best way to make sure your turkey is cooked all the way through is by using a meat thermometer. I highly recommend using this one by Weber. It has a large digital display that’s easy to read and shows the temp instantly. (NOTE: The recommended minimum internal temperature for a fully cooked turkey is 165° F.)
Cheers to enjoying a deliciously healthy Thanksgiving turkey!
With love and gratitude,
Kandi
P.S. Don’t miss my blog about healthy alternatives for popular Thanksgiving dishes!
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