Tag: Turkey alternatives

According to investigations by animal welfare organizations, large-scale turkey farming operations, such as those associated with Butterball, have faced significant scrutiny over animal handling practices and crowded living conditions. These ethical and quality control issues are a primary driver for people questioning why not use Butterball turkey for their holiday meals.

Recent polls suggest that about a third of Americans do not like turkey, sparking a growing trend toward different main courses for holiday gatherings. For those seeking new culinary traditions or a change of pace, understanding what is the most popular alternative to turkey can help inspire a memorable and delicious feast.

According to the USDA, an estimated 46 million turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving meals alone each year. A primary reason to not eat turkey stems from the serious ethical concerns surrounding the often inhumane conditions in which these birds are raised and slaughtered on factory farms.

According to a 2022 survey by the National Turkey Federation, roughly 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving, but for the other 12%, a different main course is on the menu. If you're wondering, "what is a good protein for Thanksgiving not turkey?", plenty of delicious, crowd-pleasing options exist to steal the show.