4 Healthy Ways to Prepare a Turkey

By Brandi Swieter

The turkey is the main attraction of many Thanksgiving feasts. When this holiday comes around each year, some people tend to stick with the same tried and true recipe while others like to try something new. Those who want a healthier entree can try a few healthy preparation attempts to get a low-calorie option that still tastes great.

Plain Roasted and Skinned

Roasting a turkey is one of the healthiest cooking options. What makes it even better is when the skin gets taken off before it gets served. This cuts down on calories and fat. Avoid using butter to baste, and instead simply let the turkey’s own meat juices keep it fresh and moist.

Grilled

While it may seem a bit unorthodox, grilling a turkey can be a great way to keep it lean and healthy for consumption. With the weather often still warm enough in the fall, cooks don’t have to worry about standing outside in the cold. It is also a possibility to move the grill to the garage so cooking can get done out of any wind or rain. Grilled meat tastes great and gives it a smokey flavor that many people enjoy, and it also makes it ideal for leftover turkey sandwiches later in the week.

Roasted With Lemon Juice and Seasoning

Although roasting a turkey with no juices or seasoning at all is the healthiest option, it is not always the best tasting. Those who enjoy seasoned meat can still roast their turkey as usual, but add some items to make it a bit tastier for everyone. Lemon juice, salt, and pepper are all that’s needed on a turkey to keep it healthy while flavoring it up for those who want more taste.

Smoked

Smoked turkey is another healthy option. Someone with a meat smoker can use this method, but those in charge of cooking need to be aware that it often takes a lot longer to get cooked all the way through. It can take a good six or seven hours to cook a turkey using this method.

Nutrition is often far from people’s minds on Thanksgiving, but there are some who want to stick to their healthy eating and not overeat a ton of unhealthy dishes on the day. With the turkey being the main entree, it should be a healthy option that everyone in attendance can enjoy. Try out one of these healthy cooking methods to enjoy the bird in a healthy way this holiday.

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