Fresh turkey (local farm raised) vs (insert brand here)

Maybe it's the brine. It will impart a certain flavor and moisture. The problem may not be with the free range bird, but the brining may improve the other birds enough that they compare favorably to that special bird you purchased.

at are dinner table we took a pole on store bought smoked, store bought oven of wild turkey smoked. everyone loved the wild bird so grab a gun next year

If you read the new 101 I talk about turkey types.

Free range is overhyped. All they "technically" have to do is open the door for one hour (the birds don't even have to go out)

fresh isn't necessarily better. They way the birds are flash frozen to 0 I've never had a problem.

Alton Brown on a show this year said pretty much the same and he says he uses frozen.

For me, that fact you said you couldn't taste the difference tells me to save your $$$$ next year.

Yep MaxQue!,

I always have an opinion, especially when asked or not. My Mama told me a long time ago that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go around, otherwise it would be a boring place...so with this in mind, I'll keep eating my local, on sale, fig air dried bird and save the extra money to buy a NICE brisket...ya know that's what good eating is all about,since you asked me!

Sometimes I think that some of us,including me, are caught up in the flash of sales gimmicks that are not what they really seem to be,oh well! It all comes down to what you and your family care for and feel comfortable with,ya know!Happy Holidays to you guys in Vermont!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Pags:
Maybe it's the brine.

Don't think so. I used Smokin's Holiday Turkey brine with the addition of 2 cinnamon sticks. I've used this brine before with great success.

The one thing I did do differently this year was cook the bird in a Reynolds bag. The meat was tender and juicy but my sense is that the meat steamed vs roasted...not enough caramelization. Think of a steamed Prime Rib

Next year I'm buying the Butterball and smoking it...just don't tell Mrs Max

The brine produces a great product. Thought maybe it made them all come out with good results so therefore you wouldn't have noticed a difference. But I guess Smokin's reasoning kinda nails it.

Didn't create a problem for me cause I'm too cheap.