In South Africa, you can find various turkey cuts, from whole birds to specific portions. Availability can vary by retailer and season, with more options typically available around holidays.
Common turkey cuts and products found in South Africa include:
Whole turkey
Turkey wings
Turkey necks
Breast fillets
Turkey drumsticks
Roasts and rolls
Minced turkey
Processed/Deli meat
Turkey cuts are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from slow-cooked stews to quick stir-fries. The different cuts are best suited to specific cooking methods to ensure the meat remains moist and flavourful.
Whole bird with all parts usually excluding the head and giblets. A whole duck consists of light and dark meat.
1-2. Neck and back
Along with giblets, neck cuts are perfect for making gravy and stocks. These parts can also be fried as a snack or added to sauces for flavour.
3. Wings
An all-white portion of the duck with three sections: the drumette, flat mid-section and tip
4. Breast
Breast is the most versatile part of the duck consisting of all white meat. Tenderloin is a thick strip of meat cut from between the bird’s breasts. Sauté quickly and serve with a creamy sauce, stir-fry or flash fry on the barbecue.
5. Drumsticks
The drumsticks are the calf parts of the leg. They come on the bone and consist of all dark meat.
6. Thigh
The portion of the leg cut above the joint of the knee. Typically available bone-in with skin, or boneless and skinless.
Chicken is the meat from the most common type of domesticated fowl and is one of the largest meat producing industries in the world. Poultry farming is the single biggest sector of the South African agricultural economy and plays a huge role as the primary source of protein for the majority of South Africans. All parts of the chicken are used and utilized, including offal, and can be braaied, stewed, curried or grilled.
1 Wings
The whole chicken wing is an all-white meat portion composed of three sections: the drumette, mid-section and tip.
2 Breast and tenderloin
Chicken breast must be the most versatile meat. It is a white meat with very little fat. Tenderloins are a good option too. They are slightly more tender than the whole breast and are great crumbed and baked, or quickly chargrilled and tossed in a hot salad. Buy as single chicken breasts fillets without the skin, with tenderloin attached, or with skin on. A supreme cut is the chicken breast with wingette attached and skin on.
3 Leg
The whole chicken leg is the drumstick-thigh combination. The whole leg differs from the leg quarter and does not contain a portion of the back.
Thighs The thigh is the portion of the leg above the knee joint. Thigh meat is also dark and has a great deal of flavour. It is as versatile as its leg counterpart, with a lovely firm and juicy texture.
Drumsticks Drumsticks include the lower portion of the leg quarter (the portion between the knee joint and the hock). The dark meat of the leg or drumstick is regarded as one of the tastiest parts of the chicken. It is juicy and can be used in whole number of ways.
Whole
Whole chickens