Our free-range wild turkeys are farmed in wild conditions in the woodlands and pastures of New York State. They forage freely, experience very little human contact and enjoy a supplemental diet of alfalfa, hay and barley, without any antibiotics or hormones. These birds have a naturally rich-flavored firm meat that is lean and moist, with a gamey undertone, perfect for dark meat lovers. The taste of wild turkey offers the authentic Thanksgiving experience as our ancestors must have enjoyed it.Just like our other game meats, wild turkey requires a little more attention when roasting. Lean meats tend to dry out if over-cooked, which is why traditional recipes for these birds often involve barding and basting. And don’t expect a plump breast—these unimproved, wild breed turkeys offer very little in the way of white breast meat, unlike their domesticated cousins. But they make up for it with their lean, intensely-flavored dark meat.
Since wild turkeys rarely grow over 10 pounds they are ideal for smaller gatherings. Wild turkey is a perfect match for side dishes with assertive, seasonal flavors and your favorite medium to full-bodied red wine. Fresh wild turkey is available seasonally for pre-order prior to the holidays. Frozen wild turkey may be available during other times of the year.
Ordering your Thanksgiving turkeyWe highly recommend you plan ahead and pre-order your holiday bird as early as possible, as we often sell out. How to order the right size turkeyWild turkeys are generally smaller than commercially-raised turkeys, with a lower meat to bone ratio. We recommend that you estimate a bit more weight per serving than you would with a commercially-raised bird. We suggest you allow for 1.25 - 1.5 lbs. per person (versus the usual 1 - 1.25 lbs.) For leftovers, increase the serving size per person by half a pound.Still need help deciding which holiday bird to buy? Check out A Few Words About Our Birds for a quick rundown of each of our Turkeys, plus Goose and Capon, all on one convenient page.Cooking your D'Artagnan turkeyKeep in mind that depending on several factors, including: size of bird, oven calibration, type of cookware used, recipe variations, and method of cooking, time and temperature will vary. We recommend use of a meat thermometer, instant-read or digital, when gauging doneness. Click here for Turkey Roasting Basics.
