As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, Cargill's U.S.-focused Future of Turkey study indicates a return to traditional Thanksgiving celebrations, with more than 8 in 10 consumers who responded saying they plan to purchase a whole turkey this year. This marks a turnaround from previous years when consumers often purchased individual turkey parts such as turkey breasts as they exercised caution during the pandemic with smaller gatherings and celebrations. 

“Americans hold onto the belief that a whole turkey should be the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving meal with family and friends,” said Hans Kabat, president of Cargill’s North American protein business. “I am so grateful for our employees, and the hundreds of independent farmers we partner with, who are all working hard to put our turkeys on one out of every three Thanksgiving dinner tables this year.”

With a return to whole-turkey purchases, the Cargill study additionally indicated that nearly half of Americans who aren’t planning to buy a whole turkey are worried about having "too many leftovers." To help home chefs maximize the value of their whole-turkey purchase this year, Cargill Corporate Chef Janet Bourbon shared four ways consumers can make the most of their whole turkeys this Thanksgiving.

1. Maximize turkey meat: Carve the turkey and store the meat in sealed containers to keep it fresher for longer. Explore possibilities for leftover turkey meat, from sandwiches to soups and turkey chili. Don’t forget to consume leftovers within 3–4 days to ensure food safety and quality, or freeze them to be eaten later.
2. Discover potential of giblets: The giblets, including the heart, liver, gizzard and sometimes the neck, are flavorful and often neglected and thrown away.
3. Savor gravy: Create a giblet gravy by simmering the turkey neck, wing tips, half an onion, carrot, and celery in water. Strain and reserve the liquid for gravy. Saute the chopped gizzard, liver, and heart in butter until browned and add them to the gravy.
4. Giblets for pets: Cooked giblets can also serve as a treat for furry friends, especially dogs.

For more information and recipe ideas, including how to thaw, prep and cook a whole turkey and make the most of leftovers, visit Cargill's “Guide to Good,” available on Cargill’s Honeysuckle White and Shady Brook Farms turkey brand websites.

Those interseted in speaking with a Cargill or brand representative on trends for this holiday season or ways to maximize the whole turkey can contact media@cargill.com.

Source: Cargill