Turkey Thigh Shortage?

[GoDawgs]

Is it just in my area or are turkey thighs scarce all over? None of the groceries around me have any and haven't had any for a good while.

Yesterday I saw a lady restocking chicken in the meat cases so I asked her if they ever have turkey things. She said yes but it's pretty seasonal when they're cutting up turkeys around Thanksgiving and Christmas. And that they go fast.

So I asked about other times of the year and said how no groceries around here have any. Then I asked her if she had any idea what's going on with turkey thighs the rest of the year. She didn't know but said, "You know, ever since I started working in this industry I've wondered about a lot of things."

How about it? Are turkey thighs short in your area?

[pepperhead212]

It's always been that way here - thighs rarely available, but a lot of wings and drumsticks. At first, I wondered how there could be so many drumsticks, but no thighs? Then I realized that most probably got used for ground turkey or pet food, since it is much easier to remove the meat - the same reason I wanted them!

[Tormato]

I've never seen turkey thighs, here, nor necks.

It's whole turkeys, whole turkey breasts, drumsticks, and whole wing sections. The thighs are likely used in ground turkey or cat food.

[worth1]

I guess Texas is getting all of them.
They seem to always have this stuff at the store.

[karstopography]

What are y’all doing with turkey thighs? Can’t say I’ve ever sought out turkey thighs except from the whole bird that’s been cooked.

[Paulf]

Iowa and Nebraska have millions of turkeys being raised and in stores here all I see are whole birds, breasts and every once in a while drumsticks; never have seen thighs. In my twenty some years in the grocery business I do not remember turkey thighs.

[karstopography]

https://www.heb.com/product-detail/hone ... lbs/372411

[worth1]

When I was in HEB Friday I never saw so many cows tongues in my life.
There must have been 50 of them stacked up.
I guess Mexicans eat these darn things on Easter or something.
They had the turkey thighs too but I'm always on the lookout for turkey tails.
I love the things.
I didn't get to have them growing up because the turkey tails and wings belonged to my Mom.
Chef's choice in my house growing up.
It wasn't up for debate and you learned it before you could say Mama.

[GoDawgs]

So why am I looking for thighs? I love poultry dark meat. I'll eat some of the breast but prefer the thighs and wings. I can roast the thighs without having to buy a whole bird. And yes, I'm aware that wings are considered white meat but to me it's not. Whole different texture and flavor than breast.

Speaking of turkey wings, most of the stores around here have just the flats packaged. So where are the drumettes, the part with the most meat? I'm not spending money on flats with their small amount of meat, especially if they still have the tips attached. That's just a way to up the profit margin. And I don't need them for stock. I make and can up enough of that after Thanksgiving dinner.

The other day a grocery I was in had the flats and drums packed together, something I've not seen before. I should have gotten a pack.

[Tormato]

So why am I looking for thighs? I love poultry dark meat. I'll eat some of the breast but prefer the thighs and wings. I can roast the thighs without having to buy a whole bird. And yes, I'm aware that wings are considered white meat but to me it's not. Whole different texture and flavor than breast.

Speaking of turkey wings, most of the stores around here have just the flats packaged. So where are the drumettes, the part with the most meat? I'm not spending money on flats with their small amount of meat, especially if they still have the tips attached. That's just a way to up the profit margin. And I don't need them for stock. I make and can up enough of that after Thanksgiving dinner.

The other day a grocery I was in had the flats and drums packed together, something I've not seen before. I should have gotten a pack.

And, I don't consider thighs dark meat.

To me, breast and wings are "WHITE" meat, tasting about the same, although the wing meat is moist, and the breast meat can be dry.

Leg drumsticks are "DARK" meat, which I really don't care for.

To me, thighs are in-between, "LIGHT", and my favorite part of the turkey.

There's also the oyster, but few would know what I'm talking about, and you're never going to see those packaged separately.

[worth1]

@Tormato
I always get the oysters for myself.
Best part of any Bird.
They come off the back of the bird next to the tail section on both sides.

[worth1]

Growing up butchering our own chickens my dad did the fancy knife work.
The way he butcherd them was different from the store chicken.
There was a chunk of meat with a whole wishbone.
The chicken backs were separated and cooked in a big kettle.
These were called straw bonnets and dumplings.
Because the backs looked like straw bonnets women wore to cover their heads and hair back when it was inappropriate for women to go out in public without their head covered.
My grandmother always wore a bonnet outside.
They also kept the sun off your head.

[Vanman]

I have never seen thighs, or turkey leg quarters in a grocery store. I have seen turkey necks. And yes, the oyster is the best part of the bird.

[GoDawgs]

Another thumbs up for the oyster!

[pepperhead212]

My Mom and I used to treat ourselves to the oysters, when we were cleaning up from the holiday dinners. Benefits of being the cooks. Most didn't even know about them.

[karstopography]

I like the flat, the outer wing best. I also like the thigh, the big strips of muscles on the outer thighs. The oyster isn’t so special for me so I leave that for folks that especially appreciate the oyster.

Found out yesterday my mom likes turkey better than chicken . After all these years why didn’t I know this?

[zeuspaul]

Sliced deli style turkey is a staple for us. Use it a few times a week. It's a nice addition to grilled cheese for lunch. Or placed on healthy sprouted Ezekiel bread with alfredo sauce from a jar as gravy for quick and easy dinner. I agree with @karstopography's mom, it's better than chicken. To my surprise even Walmart carries Ezekiel and cheaper than our other sources.

[Stitchingmom]

I think they smoke many/most thighs, wings, necks of turkeys. I buy a lot for bean soup. I haven't had a problem getting the smoked ones, anyway.

[GoDawgs]

The only smoked turkey parts they have around here for seasoning are wing flats with tips and maybe some neck chunks.

Man, the price for smoked ham hocks and neckbones is getting ridiculous these days. I think the next time they have a sale on fresh pork neck bones I'm going to get a bunch and smoke the danged things myself!

[GoDawgs]

Two days ago I came across a nice package of smoked pork neck bones for $1.99/lb. I got it and have broken them down into smaller wrapped packs for the freezer.