Are All Turkeys A No-no?

[Donna F]

Well, Thanksgiving is coming and I've been informed that the turkey being made HAS to be a butterball, which, as far as I know, has gluten in it.

What about other turkeys? The only turkey listed in the CSA Gluten-Free Product List are a few kosher turkey breasts. But what about WHOLE turkeys? Should I just assume that most turkeys are okay, or are they all injected with something?

Thanks!

-donna

[lovegrov]

I'm not sure who told you Butterball turkeys have gluten. They don't. They are gluten-free. They come with a gravy packet that has gluten, but it's double sealed and there's no chance it has touched the turkey.

Every single turkey I've ever checked has been gluten-free. Virtually all have some sort of broth or flavoring but none seem to have gluten. And how do you tell? USDA rules require manufacturers to clearly list wheat or barley (rye and oats would not be added) if it's in a solution that's added to raw meat. So if it's in there, it will be listed in the ingredients.

As of last year, these turkeys were definitely gluten-free.

Butterball

Jennie-O

Zacky FArms

Perdue

Shady Brook

Empire Kosher

Honeysuckle

Giant Eagle brand - Says "No Glutens" right on their package.=20

Marval

Rosebud Farms

The CSA list is OK as far as it goes but it's far from complete. There are plenty of products that are gluten-free but aren't on this list. You have to get on the phone and call manufacturers yourself.

richard

[Racheleona]

Also Diestel hormone free/farm raised whole turkeys are gluten free...

[Guest gillian502]

Doesn't Butterball make self-basting turkeys, though? I know we aren't supposed to have those, right? I was also under the impression Butterball were not gluten-free.

[lovegrov]

There's always been a warning (maybe from CSA?) about self-basting turkeys (a warning to check them, not that you can't ever have them) but all I can tell you is my own experience -- I've never found one with gluten.

Note that the list I provided is from last year. I don't personally call about turkeys any more -- I just read the ingredients (note that on the Butterball you will see "wheat" but if you look closely that part of the gravy packet, not the turkey).

richard