Turkey Thigh Spotting

Some time back, someone was lamenting the unavailability of turkey thighs. They pointed out that you can buy turkey breasts, turkey legs and turkey wings, but you can't find a turkey thigh to save your life. I found that surprising and since that time, I have kept my eyes pealed for turkey thighs on sale anywhere to no avail.....until today. I picked up some beautiful fresh halibut today at Whole Foods in Evanston and as I was leaving the fish department, I couldn't help check out the meat & poultry that they had on display next door at the meat counter. Sure enough, among the breasts and legs, were whole turkey thighs. I was so excited about finally finding them that I forgot to note the price. Go set 'em.

I've seen turkey thighs at times (even non-Thanksgiving times)everywhere, but at no one place can I find them all of the time. Whole Foods, Treasure Island, and even Dominick's are the best bets. Every so often I get a craving for turkey pot pie, or hot turkey sandwiches, or a mini-Thanksgiving and braised turkey thighs always fit the bill for these whims.

Thanks for the turkey tip!

At Woodmans, they occasionally sell what I call "breastless turkeys." which includes two legs and two thighs - usually somewhere in the ball park of 0.89/lb.

It is not something that I ever really buy so I do not know if they have it in stock.

I am on the hunt for turkey thighs. I saw this recipe on WTTW last week and I want to make this. I hit Dominicks and Fresh Farms today...no thighs. Anyone spot turkey thighs out there recently? I am trying it out tonight with bone in turkey brest from Fresh Farms, but I really wanted thighs.

http://www.pbs.org/everydayfood/recipes ... highs.html

Whole Foods on Peterson & Cicero generally has them in the back. They mostly grind them up, but if you ask they will hold some on the side for you. It's best to call ahead.

Strack and Van Til almost always has them frozen, I think Tony's Finer Foods has them fresh all the time, but I'd call ahead and check

http://www.strackandvantil.com/StoreLocator.aspx

http://www.tonysfinerfood.com/locations.jsp

I've often found them at Sunset Foods, Libertyville.

Once when I did not find them there I asked one of the butchers about availability. He went into the back and cut two from a fresh turkey!

http://sunsetfoods.com/

Next time when you're at Fresh Farms, ask if they have them at the butcher counter...often they hold the turkey products in back; I know this is the case with whole fresh turkeys, it might well be with thighs as well..

Just got turkey legs there, which they were happy to saw into steaks for turkey osso buco for me.

Mhays wrote:Next time when you're at Fresh Farms, ask if they have them at the butcher counter...often they hold the turkey products in back; I know this is the case with whole fresh turkeys, it might well be with thighs as well..

Just got turkey legs there, which they were happy to saw into steaks for turkey osso buco for me.

Aha, I was at Fresh Farms last week and could not find the turkeys-- the refrigerated section with the sign for turkeys was full of chickens. I asked a stock person who came out from behind the butcher counter and got a big "duh" and no turkey. I will have to try again, thanks for the tip.

Jen

Jen, I saw a sign behind the butcher counter that said the turkeys were in the back - I don't know if that was new this week or not.

Mhays wrote:Jen, I saw a sign behind the butcher counter that said the turkeys were in the back - I don't know if that was new this week or not.

I bought a fresh Rosebud Farms turkey at Fresh Farms on Thursday, John the butcher brought it out from the back. Buttermilk brine, little over three hours on the WSM and, if I do say so myself, pretty tasty. FF typically has whole turkey and turkey thighs on hand, if you don't see them ask.

Buttermilk Brined Turkey on WSM.

Spotted:
Boneless skinless turkey thighs at Tony's North Riverside, $2.99/lb

From the Jewel flyer that came in the mail today;

Perdue turkey necks, drumsticks or thighs - 1.49/lb
Prices effective Thurs October 21 - Wed October 27

Cermak Produce at North and Rockwell usually has them.