Turkey Liver

The Journey from Turkey Liver to your Dinner Plate

When you take a bite of turkey liver, it’s hard to trace the lengthy journey it’s taken to reach your plate. Much like all other animal-based ingredients you may come across in a meal, the process of getting Turkey liver to your dinner plate involves a myriad of complex steps. From the moment the turkey is hatched, to the moment it arrives on your plate, the journey is long and multifaceted. Let’s dive in and explore how this delicacy actually makes it to your meal.

Hatching and Growing The Turkey

The history of each piece of turkey liver begins as soon as a fertilized egg hatches and a farmyard turkey is born. Once the average poult (also known as a turkey chick) emerges from the egg, it will spend its first few weeks of life in an area known as a “brooder,” which is a heated area that provides a warm, safe environment for young turkeys. While in the brooder, the turkey will thrive on a specialized diet of grains and other foods that provide essential nutrients for growth.

The young turkeys, having been born sterile and without the ability to fend for themselves, are dependent on humans for protection against the elements and predators. As such, the turkeys are typically kept in large sheds, in which they can roam freely with plenty of food and water available to them.

Once a turkey reaches around 6 weeks of age, it will be relocated from the brooder to a large pasture, where it will continue to feed on natural foods and gain weight in preparation for consumption. In the wild, turkeys are able to live up to 10 years, but due to their extensive consumption in the human food industry, most farmed birds are harvested within the first 6 to 8 months of life.

Processing The Turkey

When a turkey has reached the designated weight to be harvested, it will be transported to a nearby processing facility, which is where the journey from farm to plate truly begins. The first step in the processing of the turkey takes place inside the facility, as each individual animal is humanely killed following the set guidelines and protocols of the humane slaughter act.

Following this, the birds are drawn and singed, a process during which the feathers are removed and the carcass is singed over an open flame to remove any remaining feather fibers. After this, each individual bird is eviscerated, a procedure in which the internal organs and parts, such as the heart, breast, and liver, are removed from the bird.

At this stage, the turkey liver is separated from the other organs, and is carefully inspected by a USDA-certified inspector for possible contamination or defects. Once the turkey liver passes inspection, it is placed into a container and put in a refrigerator to cool down to near-freezing temperatures.

Packaging and Shipping The Turkey Liver

Following the quick cooling process, the turkey livers are prepared for packing, sealed, and shipped to vendors and supermarkets across the country. The packaging materials used for the poultry are typically made of sturdy plastic, but may also be packed in cardboard boxes, depending on the size of the shipment. Additionally, each package of turkey livers is marked with a label that contains important information, such as the date and place of production.

Once the turkey livers reach their destination, they are placed in refrigerators or storage units to preserve their freshness. Most vendors and supermarkets keep turkey livers stored at near-freezing temperatures to ensure their quality and safety for as long as possible.

Cooking The Turkey Liver

While some may opt to eat their turkey livers raw, it is always recommended that they be cooked before consuming. Turkey livers are incredibly delicate and easily become tough if they are cooked past medium-rare temperatures. To ensure the perfect texture and flavor, it is best to cook them over low to medium heat for no more than 20 minutes.

In order to get the most flavor from the livers, it is best to season them before cooking. A combination of white and black pepper is the perfect finishing touch for the delicate organs and will bring out their unique taste. If desired, you can also choose to cook the livers in butter or bacon fat for an extra flavor kick.

Serving The Turkey Liver At Your Table

Once the turkey livers have been cooked to perfection, the final step in the journey of turkey liver from farm to plate is the plating and presentation of the dish. The cooked livers can simply be added to a salad, or served on a side of steamed or roasted vegetables. If desired, one can also choose to add additional flavors to the dish by adding herbs such as thyme or rosemary.

In the end, each piece of turkey liver has traveled a remarkable distance to get to your dinner plate. The journey is long and complex, but experienced farmers and processors work diligently to ensure that each piece of turkey liver that graces your table is of the utmost quality. Whether you choose to savor it as part of a larger dish, or fork it up as a standalone entrée, turkey liver is a unique delicacy that is sure to tantalize the taste buds.