The Free Range Turkey
and Organic Turkeys

The free range turkey and organic turkeys will be a much better choice over the factory farmed turkeys that you will find in your common grocery stores.

This tasty white meat has been made famous by Thanksgiving and its great left over turkey recipes.

Turkey nutrition does include being one of the leanest white meats available - especially without the skin.  However, I find that the darker pieces of meat are much tastier and so does my mother.

Free range turkeys and organic turkeys are usually antibiotic and hormone free.  And the Kosher turkey may be another great choice because they are humanely slaughtered according to Jewish Religious Laws.

Turkey Nutrition
  • Great Source of Lean Protein and Tryptophan
  • Turkey is Lower in Saturated Fat
  • Rich in the Mineral Selenium
  • Great Source of Vitamins B3 and B6
  • Contains a Good amount of Phosphorus, Zinc, Potassium, Iron, and Magnesium

Free Range and Organic Turkeys

A turkey must have access to the outside in order to be called a free range turkey.  And organic turkeys must be fed organic feed along with being given access to the outdoors.

Typically these types of birds are not given hormones or antibiotics like most of the factory farmed turkeys are given.  This makes this type of bird less likely to mess up your hormones.

Beware, free range turkey can also mean leaving the door open to the outdoors for about 5 minutes each day and organic feed can include soy.

So you want to look for farms that give their turkeys enough access to sunshine and enough room to move around while indoors - along with a healthy diet.

What about Pastured Turkeys?

Pastured turkeys that are allowed to eat grass from the outside and not fed soy will differ from any kind of turkey that is grain fed.

And the turkeys that have access to natural pastures will probably offer your body more turkey nutrition.

The Kosher Turkey

The Kosher turkey is treated differently when it comes time to slaughtering the turkey.  Kosher foods follow the requirements of the Jewish Dietary Laws.

It has to be done by someone who is trained to do this type of job as swiftly and humanely as possible.  And these birds are not stunned before they are slaughtered.

Also these birds do not get soaked in hot water to remove their feathers, only cold water is used.  They are then salted or brined and rinsed to draw out any blood.

Some say this makes the Kosher turkey much more tasty and juicy.

The Kosher turkey is raised "naturally" and allowed to roam freely in large coops. And you will also find Kosher turkeys that are organic.

Left Over Turkey Recipes

If you're like me, you usually only have turkey once a year which is a shame because there is so much to make with left over turkey recipes.

Ideas for Left Over Turkey Recipes:

  • Turkey Stew
  • Turkey Casserole
  • Paleo Turkey Pot Pie
  • Turkey with Rice & Vegetables
  • Turkey Stir Fry
  • Turkey Sandwiches
  • Turkey Curry
  • Turkey Tacos

Turkey Protein gives you more detail on this lean white meat and gives you a couple of turkey stock recipes.


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