Buy a Better Bird

3 guidelines for purchasing the perfect turkey.

By Cynthia Dermody
From Reader's Digest
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Cooking a turkey can be daunting; shopping for one shouldn't be. Try these tips:

  • Buy frozen. There's no real quality difference between fresh and frozen, says Norma Farrell, a consumer-education specialist at the National Turkey Federation, since the latter are flash-frozen after processing to preserve them. "Fresh" turkeys can be many days old by the time you buy them -- and can cost up to 50% more.

  • Go generic. Store brands are cheaper than well-known ones, and both birds may even have come from the same place. One of the main differences: Some brands use a unique seasoning on theirs.

  • Check the shape. Look for a turkey with a well-rounded breast -- it's juicier. Beware of flat spots, which can indicate thawing and refreezing. This raises the risk of food-borne illness.
    From Reader's Digest - November 2004
     
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