Finding Hormone-Free Turkey: What Brands to Look For

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), federal regulations have banned the use of added hormones in all poultry production since the 1950s. This means that technically, every turkey brand you see in the store is hormone-free, but labels like "all-natural" or "organic" indicate higher standards of animal care beyond the legal minimum.

Quick Summary

All turkey sold in the U.S. is legally raised without added hormones. Certain brands distinguish themselves through third-party certifications like USDA Organic or Certified Humane, which guarantee more stringent animal welfare and production standards beyond just being hormone-free.

Key Points

All Turkey is Hormone-Free: Federal regulations have banned the use of added hormones in poultry since the 1950s, making all turkey products legally hormone-free.
Look for Certifications: For higher animal welfare and production standards, look for third-party labels like USDA Organic or Certified Humane®.
Organic vs. Natural: An organic label indicates the turkey was fed organic feed and had access to the outdoors, while "natural" means it was minimally processed with no artificial ingredients.
Notable Brands: Honeysuckle White (Honest Turkey), Shady Brook Farms (NAE), Diestel Family Ranch, D'Artagnan, Mary's Free-Range Organic, and Organic Prairie are all known for strong certifications and quality practices.
Antibiotics are a Separate Concern: The term "hormone-free" is distinct from "no antibiotics ever." If avoiding antibiotics is a priority, ensure the packaging explicitly states this.
Know Your Marketing Claims: Terms like "all-natural" are less regulated than certifications like "USDA Organic" or "Certified Humane®," which guarantee stricter standards for raising the birds.

What Does "Hormone-Free" Turkey Really Mean?

It's a common misconception that some turkeys are raised with growth hormones, leading many consumers to seek out specific "hormone-free" brands. The truth is, the use of hormones or steroids in poultry production has been illegal in the United States for decades, since the 1950s. This means that any poultry product, including every turkey you purchase, is free of added hormones by law. The label "No Added Hormones" is therefore a marketing claim, often accompanied by the clarifying statement "Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones".

Understanding Label Claims

While all turkey is technically free of added hormones, different labels provide more information about the turkey's production methods and animal welfare standards. Here's a breakdown:

No Added Hormones: As mentioned, this is standard across all poultry and is often accompanied by the disclaimer required by law. While not particularly informative, it reassures consumers who may be unaware of federal regulations.
All-Natural: The USDA defines "all-natural" as a product that is minimally processed and contains no artificial ingredients. It does not regulate the living conditions of the birds. This claim is often seen alongside the "No Added Hormones" statement.
USDA Organic: This is a much more comprehensive certification. For a turkey to be labeled USDA Organic, it must be fed certified organic feed, be free from antibiotics, and have access to the outdoors. The regulations also cover the humane treatment of the animals, going beyond the standard hormone ban.
Certified Humane®: This third-party certification focuses specifically on animal welfare standards. Turkeys with this label are raised according to precise standards that include space, shelter, and resting areas. It is often a key differentiator for consumers who prioritize ethical farming practices.
No Antibiotics Ever (NAE): This label indicates the turkey was raised without the use of any antibiotics. This is a separate claim from the hormone-free status but is often found on the same packaging as other natural or organic claims.

Brands That Emphasize Ethical and Natural Practices

While all turkeys are legally free of added hormones, the following brands are known for their commitment to more stringent standards, including organic certification, humane treatment, and no antibiotic use.

List of Brands with Strong Certifications

Honeysuckle White: The brand offers an "Honest Turkey" line, which is raised without antibiotics or added hormones. The brand explicitly states that federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in poultry.
Shady Brook Farms: Similar to Honeysuckle White, Shady Brook Farms offers a "No Antibiotics Ever" turkey, with the added confirmation that they are raised without added hormones or steroids.
Diestel Family Ranch: A family-run farm known for high-quality, humanely raised turkeys. They offer several products, including their Organic American Heirloom turkey, which is free of hormones and antibiotics.
D'Artagnan: This brand is known for its gourmet, specialty meats. Their turkeys are often certified organic and raised with no antibiotics or added hormones, with access to the outdoors. Their Green Circle turkeys are also certified by Humane Farm Animal Care.
Mary's Free-Range Organic Turkey: The Pitman family has been raising turkeys for decades. Their birds are free-range, organic, and guaranteed to be free of added hormones and antibiotics.
Organic Prairie: This brand is committed to organic and humane standards. Their turkeys are raised with high animal care standards and without antibiotics or added hormones.
Butterball (Farm to Family): While the classic Butterball brand notes all its turkeys are hormone-free as per federal regulations, its "Farm to Family" line goes a step further, offering turkeys raised with no antibiotics ever and no added hormones or steroids.

Comparison of Major Turkey Brands


Feature	Honeysuckle White (Honest Turkey)	Shady Brook Farms (NAE)	D'Artagnan (Organic)	Mary's Free-Range (Organic)	Butterball (Farm to Family)
Hormone-Free	Yes (Federal Regulations)	Yes (Federal Regulations)	Yes (Explicitly Stated)	Yes (Explicitly Stated)	Yes (Federal Regulations)
Antibiotic-Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Organic	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Certifications	None listed on Honest line	None listed on NAE line	Certified Humane®, Organic	USDA Organic	None listed on Farm to Family
Access to Outdoors	Not specified	Not specified	Yes	Yes	Not specified

Choosing the Right Turkey for You

When purchasing a turkey, remember that all options are legally produced without added hormones. The choice between a conventional turkey and one with additional certifications depends on your priorities regarding animal welfare and farming practices. If you are concerned about antibiotic use or prefer birds raised with more space, seeking out organic, Certified Humane®, or "No Antibiotics Ever" labeled brands is the way to go.

What About ButcherBox?

Meat delivery services like ButcherBox often provide high-quality turkeys from partner farms that adhere to strict standards. In the past, ButcherBox has offered members a free turkey around Thanksgiving, and their turkeys typically come from farms that raise birds without antibiotics or added hormones. It's a great option for those who want a premium product delivered directly to their door.

Conclusion

Contrary to popular belief, all turkeys sold in the U.S. are hormone-free due to federal regulations. The confusion often arises from marketing labels that highlight this fact, along with other production practices. Brands like Diestel Family Ranch, D'Artagnan, Mary's Free-Range Organic, and the specialized lines from Honeysuckle White and Butterball stand out for their additional certifications, such as organic and Certified Humane, which reflect a commitment to higher animal welfare and stricter production standards. By understanding these labels, consumers can make informed choices based on their personal values, whether prioritizing organic status, humane treatment, or simply a great-tasting, responsibly raised bird.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, federal regulations in the United States have prohibited the use of added hormones or steroids in all poultry production, including turkeys, since the 1950s.

The label is often used for marketing purposes to reassure consumers who may be unaware of the federal ban. The USDA requires that such a claim be accompanied by a statement confirming that federal regulations already prohibit their use.

An 'organic' turkey is raised with certified organic feed, no antibiotics, and access to the outdoors, following strict USDA standards. An 'all-natural' turkey is minimally processed and has no artificial ingredients, but its production standards are less stringent.

Yes, all Butterball turkeys are hormone-free, in accordance with federal regulations. The brand also offers a 'Farm to Family' line that is raised without antibiotics.

Yes, a turkey labeled 'no antibiotics ever' is also, by law, hormone-free. These are separate claims, but both indicate more attention to raising standards than a standard conventional turkey.

Brands like D'Artagnan and Certified Humane®-labeled producers such as White Oak Pastures, Ayrshire Farm, and Koch's Turkey offer products that meet strict animal welfare standards.

Diestel Family Ranch, Mary's Free-Range Organic, Organic Prairie, and D'Artagnan are well-known brands that offer organic turkeys with high standards for feeding and animal welfare.