A fresh or frozen turkey might not be a food you would normally suspect as a source of gluten. But think again because, unfortunately, basting solutions injected in turkey during processing may contain gluten. And those handy little gravy packets included in the packaging of some brands of turkey almost always contain gluten and should be tossed.
The good news is that several of the most popular, easy to find and economical brands of whole fresh or frozen turkey are gluten-free. As always, read labels carefully and if you aren't sure about a product, contact the manufacturer before buying your Thanksgiving turkey.
1. Empire Kosher Brand Gluten-Free Turkey Products
Empire Kosher® Poultry, Inc., located in Pennsylvania is, according to the company, "the largest kosher poultry producer in the world." The company controls all aspects of poultry production from breeder farms to processing facilities."
Read more about Empire Kosher Gluten-Free ProductsContact Empire Kosher Consumer Service at 1-717-436-7055
2. Honeysuckle White Gluten-Free Turkey
Honeysuckle White® is a Cargill brand. Honeysuckle White® Gluten-Free Fresh and Frozen Turkey Products include:
You can click on the "Nutrition and Ingredient" link below each photo of each product on the Honeysuckle White website and read the entire label.
All Natural Whole Turkey
Extra Tender and Juice Young Turkey
Fresh Bone-In Turkey Breast
Frozen Whole Turkey
Frozen Bone-In Turkey Breast
Honeysuckle White® Fully Cooked Gluten-Free Turkey Products include:
Oven Roasted Whole Turkey
Hickory Smoked Whole Turkey
Deep Fried Cajun Style Whole Turkey
Hickory Smoked Bone-In Turkey Breast
Contact Honeysuckle White Turkey Line at 1-800-810-6325.
3. Jennie-O Brand Gluten-Free Turkey Products
Jennie-O (Hormel) brand Gluten-Free Turkey Products include:Jennie-O® Prime Young Turkey: fresh or frozen (the gravy packet does contain gluten)
Jennie-O Turkey Store® Oven Ready Turkey Breast (the gravy packet does contain gluten)
Jennie-O® Frozen Turkey Breast (the gravy packet does contain gluten)
Full Listing of Hormel Gluten Free Products
Contact Jennie-O Turkey (Hormel) Customer Service at 1-800-621-3505.
4. Perdue® Brand Gluten-Free Turkey Product List
According to Perdue, "Many PERDUE® products are free of gluten. Perdue chickens, chicken parts and turkeys are all gluten-free. These are sold fresh, as well as frozen, and some are flavored with seasonings."
Perdue Gluten-Free Turkey and Chicken Product List
Contact Perdue Customer Service at 1-800-473-7383
5. Butterball Gluten-Free Turkey Products
Butterball, a ConAgra brand, does not label whole fresh or whole frozen turkey products as gluten free. Product information is available at Butterball website:
According to Butterball, "Butterball product labels let consumers know whether any of the top eight allergens may be present in the product. For example, a label may read “contains wheat and dairy.” Specifically, gluten is not present naturally in turkey. Only two of our retail products currently contain gluten: Butterball® Frozen Italian Style Meatballs and Butterball® Frozen Stuffed Turkey. Our gravy has been reformulated to eliminate gluten, but certain gravy packets may still contain gluten; it will be listed on the ingredient statement. Give us a call or use the contact us form on this page if you’d like to check on a specific product."
Butterball® Frozen Whole Turkey
Butterball® Fresh Whole Turkey
Contact Butterball Customer Service at 1-800-288-8372
6. Shelton's Brand Gluten-Free Turkey Products
Shelton's Poultry, located in California, "raises chickens, turkeys and ducks in free range conditions, without the use of antibiotics or artificial growth stimulants." They also raise organic gluten-free turkey."We use no preservatives, flavor enhancers, modified starches, irradiated spices, animal protein or any artificial ingredients. Our ingredients lists read like home recipes instead of chemistry textbooks."
Find a store near you that carries Shelton's poultry products
More gluten-free products from Shelton's
Contact Shelton's Poultry Customer Service at 1 (800) 541-1833.
