What Is Turkey?
Turkey is a poultry species with a larger body than chicken. Its meat, especially the breast, is quite lean and fibrous. Although it is a holiday-table classic in Western cuisines, in Türkiye it is also commonly sold as ground meat, smoked meat, and deli meat.
Stores sell it whole, as breast fillets, legs, or ground meat; the nutrition values in this encyclopedia entry are for skinless breast meat.
Turkey Nutrition
One hundred grams of turkey breast contains about 104 kcal and 23.7 g of protein, with less than 1 g of fat. Its low fat content makes it one of the leanest choices among white meats.
What Are the Benefits of Turkey?
With its high protein and low fat content, turkey is a commonly chosen source of protein in balanced diets and diets intended to support muscle building. It also contains nutrients such as vitamin B3 and selenium.
This is general information: turkey is a food and is not a substitute for medical treatment.
How to Choose Turkey
Fresh turkey should be pale pink, springy in texture, and slightly moist; dark spots or a strong odor indicate that it is less fresh.
- The color should be pale pink; grayish-green tones indicate that it is not fresh.
- The surface should not feel sticky.
- If buying a whole turkey, check the package date and make sure the cold chain has been maintained.
How to Store Turkey
Turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for 1–2 days or in leakproof packaging in the freezer for up to 9 months. Thawing a whole turkey in the refrigerator may take more than 1 day; plan according to its size.
How to Use Turkey in the Kitchen
Turkey can be roasted, grilled, sautéed, or ground for meatballs; because it is low in fat, take care to keep it from drying out during cooking.
How to Roast Turkey
Coat a whole turkey or turkey breast with butter or olive oil and cook it for a long time at low to medium heat under foil; remove the foil for the last 20 minutes so the surface can brown.
What Temperature Is Turkey Done?
An internal temperature of at least 74°C / 165°F at the thickest point indicates that it is safely cooked; for a whole turkey, check the thigh and breast separately.
What Recipes Use Turkey?
Roast turkey, turkey meatballs, turkey stir-fry, and dishes made with ground turkey are among the most commonly prepared recipes; thinly sliced turkey breast is also eaten as deli meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is turkey healthier than chicken?
Both are good sources of protein. Turkey breast can be as lean as, or slightly leaner than, chicken breast. The choice depends on flavor and how you plan to use it.
Why does turkey turn out dry?
Because it is low in fat, long cooking over high heat quickly dries it out. Cooking it at a low temperature under foil and letting it rest can help reduce dryness.
How many hours does a whole turkey take to cook?
Cooking time depends on weight. As a general estimate, allow about 30–40 minutes per kilogram in a 160–180°C / 320–355°F oven, and confirm doneness by measuring the internal temperature.
How do you thaw a frozen turkey?
The safest method is to thaw it slowly in the refrigerator over several days; for large whole turkeys, this can take 3–4 days.
What can you make with ground turkey?
It can replace ground red meat in many recipes, including meatballs, burgers, stuffed vegetables, and stir-fries; because it is low in fat, adding a little olive oil is one option.