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Turkey Experts - do you prefer HEN or TOM turkeys

Posted: Nov 22, 2010

This is a really dumb question, but since we had always gone to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving (she cooked the turkey and we brought all the rest of the stuff), I personally have not made a turkey in something like 15 years. But it was getting harder and harder to get everyone in one place, with all the kids being adults with their own families, in-laws to visit, etc. Then we do the whole thing again at Christmas.

So this year, instead of having the whole family at one place for Thanksgiving, we are going to try having smaller dinners with immediate family only, and then a huge Christmas with everyone in one place.

So, my dilemma. I forgot to pick up a turkey. Now I have to run out first thing in the morning to get a frozen one and hope it defrosts by Thursday (luckily it will be small).

Since money is also tight, I was looking through the Sunday paper to see which store had the best deal. I noticed they advertise HEN or TOM turkeys. Being the turkey novice that I am, I have no clue which is better.

My turkey expert (my sister) passed away last year, or I would definitely be asking her, because she made a fantastic turkey, and I have a feeling the rest of the family is as clueless as I am. LOL

So, to you turkey experts out there, which do you prefer – HEN or TOM? Does one or the other cook better, taste better, have more meat? Does anyone know for sure what the difference is that they even offer the two different kinds?

Any help is appreciated. I do not want my first Thanksgiving (in a long time) at home to end up with a dry, tasteless turkey.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone.

;

Turkey - UTMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I think the main decision on which turkey to get is how many people you are feeding. Toms are larger so if you are feeding a large group (or want lots of leftovers), I would get a tom. I LOVE using the Reynolds cooking bags to roast turkeys, no basting.

Thanks for the tip - Turkey Novice

[ In Reply To ..]

Thanks for the tip. I will have to remember to pick that up also.

My mother always uses a tom, and cooks it - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
the night before--oven at 250 degrees overnight (Like 7 to 7) in a covered roaster, seasoned and with butter pats all over. Hers is always nice and moist.

That's the way my mom used to do her turkey - Backwards Typist

[ In Reply To ..]
and it was always yummy. My oven is so mean that I can't get a good moist turkey no matter what, so I use my Nesco and throw it under the broiler to crisp the skin. That works for me. LOL

Turkey - SWilso5554

[ In Reply To ..]
I know it's too late for this Thanksgiving, but for the first time I got two smaller hen turkeys and they were absolutely AWESOME!!! I don't stuff my turkeys, ever, I make cornbread dressing that's baked in another pan, and didn't do anything special to the hens. I just smeared olive oil on the outside, sprinkled with salt, pepper and onion powder. On the inside I put two quarters of a grapefruit and cut a small Macintosh apple in quarters (that's all I had room for). I didn't even baste the thing while it was in the oven, just left it in until the little thingy popped out and then let it stand for about 20 minutes while the dressing finished. It was even done before I expected it to be, and that was the most moist, tender turkey I've ever had in my life -- and I'm old and have had a lot of turkeys!

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