The star of many holiday meals is undoubtedly the turkey. Rich in essential vitamins, minerals and protein, it’s a wholesome part of your dinner. This Thanksgiving season we’re highlighting southwest Ohio farms and stores offering fresh turkeys for your big meal.
The most significant taste differences between fresh and frozen turkeys are texture and moisture. Freezing causes ice crystals to form around the muscles which makes the meat chewier and drier. Fresh turkeys may have slightly different flavors due to a natural diet and are more tender and juicy.
“A fresh turkey tends to hold moisture better, cook up faster and is more flavorful. A fresh, local turkey has been raised and cared for by a member of your community. When you support your local farmers, you are supporting your community,” says Dogwood Farm’s Samantha Steiner.
Experts recommend planning for 1.5 lbs. per person, which also leaves some for leftovers. Fresh turkeys should be stored in the refrigerator and cooked within a few days.
“For fresh turkeys, we recommend picking up the week of Thanksgiving. We will also have fresh turkeys available before Thanksgiving for people having family celebrations prior to the holiday,” explains Drew Bowman of Bowman and Landes Turkeys.
There are many ways to prepare a holiday bird. A few of the classic methods include deep frying, smoking, oven roasting, grilling and brining. Samantha loves oven roasting the turkey breast down to allow more moisture to stay in the breast meat, while Drew prefers to smoke the whole turkey on the grill.
Dogwood Farm
Samantha raises broad-breasted white turkeys in addition to grass-fed beef, pastured poultry and pork, farm-fresh eggs and raw honey. Turkeys are pasture-raised from hatch to full-grown and are processed the weekend before Thanksgiving, guaranteeing they are fresh and never frozen. Dogwood Farm turkeys can be preordered on a first-come, first-served basis, online or in person. Pickup is on 11/18. Deposit: $40 per turkey. Price: $4.75 per pound. Average weight: 16-23+ lbs.
1730 Shaker Road, Franklin | DogwoodFarmLLC.org
Bowman & Landes Turkeys
Bowman & Landes’ turkeys are raised without antibiotics and are fed a vegetarian, no-animal byproduct diet with free-range pasture access on their 145-acre farm. They specialize in fresh, uncooked whole turkeys, but also offer bone-in turkey breast, breast roast, whole smoked turkeys, oven-roasted whole turkeys and spiral sliced smoked bone-in turkey breast. Pickup starts 11/16. Price: $4.59 per lb. (whole turkey). Average weight: 10-30 lbs. (in two-pound size increments).
6490 Ross Rd, New Carlisle | BowmanLandes.com
Dorothy Lane Market
If a trip out to the farm isn’t in the cards for your holiday season you can get a fresh non-GMO free-range Bowman & Landes’ turkey close by at Dorothy Lane Market. DLM has partnered with Bowman & Landes to raise their turkeys for many years, including a lengthy process to ensure their flocks are raised non-GMO Project Verified. Pickup: Reserve online for pick up in-store November 16-January 1. Price: $5.49 per pound. Average weight: 13-23+ lbs.
6177 Far Hills Ave, Washington Twp. (multiple locations) | DorothyLane.com/RSVP
Zinks Meat & Fine Wines
Fresh turkeys at Zinks Meat & Fine Wines are local, free range and never caged with no hormones, preservatives or injections. They also offer turkey breast, leg quarters, legs and wings and boneless netted turkey roasts. Netted roasts make it simple to cook in the oven or roaster. Cut the net and the turkey is all sliced and ready to serve! Pickup starts 11/20. Price: $4.59 per pound (fresh free-range turkeys) Average weight: 11-25 lbs.
409 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Washington Twp. | ZinksMeats.com