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Will small frozen turkeys be in short supply this year?

(81 Posts)
merlotgran Mon 26-Oct-20 11:53:13

We've just had our weekly Tesco delivery. I ordered a small 3kg frozen turkey as there will only be two of us this year and I'm buying things for the freezer gradually rather than worry about delivery slots closer to Christmas.

They were out of stock so Tesco sent a 3kg turkey crown!! Enough for 8-10 shock shock

I'm not complaining because they didn't charge me the extra £5 and all leftovers will be turned into dishes for the freezer but I'm wondering if the predicted small turkey shortage, due to abnormal demand, is already kicking in.

Nannan2 Tue 27-Oct-20 11:43:20

Goergesgran- perhaps would have been easier (and more generous) to donate it to a food charity for homeless shelter or a foodbank or similar?

Kim19 Tue 27-Oct-20 11:57:17

Many imponderables. If the bubble rule stays the same and if I am invited I fully expect some sort of unusual pasta dish. Suits me fine. Turkey? Not a chance.

merlotgran Tue 27-Oct-20 12:16:22

or the tesco 'complete christmas lunch for two'??

Oh that has given me a good chuckle. Thanks, Nannan2

It's a source of amusement in our family that I insist on cooking everything from scratch, however, Lockdown meant I had a bag of Aunt Bessie roast potatoes (just in case), two Aldi ready meals and a pizza lurking in the freezer.

They're still there grin

pamcuthbert Tue 27-Oct-20 12:28:24

I'm lucky - I don't have to worry about this as I'm vegan & would never eat any animal or fish.
I find the whole idea of eating dead animals revolting I'm afraid.
I honestly believe anyone who has seen what happens in an abattoir would become vegan too.
So my Christmas will be cruelty free!

ClaraB Tue 27-Oct-20 12:31:38

Medium, Asda, frozen turkey arrived yesterday with our online shop, along with the small Christmas cake. If we do manage to get to our daughter's this year then we will have it another day.

crimpedhalo Tue 27-Oct-20 13:45:03

Bluebellwould

Wow, Christmas food!!
I’m on my own and last year had baked beans on toast for Xmas dinner, really enjoyed it too.
This year I’m on a strict low fat and low carb diet so might have a turkey mince Thai curry with courgetti spaghetti. Followed by zero fat yoghurt. Could sprinkle nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice in it for festive cheer I suppose. Hope you enjoy your gluttonous feasts ?

I'm on low fat low carb low sugar (low taste?) diet due to T2 diabetes & NAFLD. Your menu sounds great.

Bluebellwould Tue 27-Oct-20 14:21:40

crimpedhalo, fantastic name by the way, I’m on 20gms carbs and less than 800 calls a day but it’s not low taste. Do you want to message me so we can swap recipes etc.

sharon103 Tue 27-Oct-20 14:27:57

Morrisons are taking Christmas food orders online already. I've already ordered a turkey crown and of course trifle and other goodies to pick up on Christmas eve. You pay £20 deposit and the rest on collection. There's only going to be four of us but I've ordered a large as I like to freeze some.
I think Tesco opens there Christmas online bookings on 13th November.

PollyDolly Tue 27-Oct-20 15:40:54

We ordered a meat hamper from the local butcher for collection on December 23rd. The selection includes a Turkey Crown. I personally wouldn't give Tesco frozen food "freezer-room"! Their frozen fish which is caught in the North Atlantic is packed in CHINA! Nothing to do with Covid, I just prefer my food to have a very small carbon footprint!

EllanVannin Tue 27-Oct-20 15:45:48

I'll make do with a fresh chicken and all that goes with it, plus a leg of lamb both of which I can order from the local butcher as I imagine he'll be cleaned out of fresh produce by those who live well outside the area such as when there were queues at supermarkets when shelves were emptying.

I did read about a shortage of turkeys due to the staff shortage so there'll be another mad rush like there was over toilet rolls.

I did want to have a good spend at M&S but it seems less and less likely the way the virus gathers momentum and the place will be packed because it's not a very big food hall.
There's only the cats and I ! What does it matter ?

Bijou Tue 27-Oct-20 16:09:13

Usually spending Christmas alone I have in the past had a pheasant. My cat used to sit by the fridge whilst it was there and by the oven whist it was cooking. Don’t know what I shall have this year. Last year it was a turkey breast stuffed, rolled up in streaky bacon.

SpringyChicken Tue 27-Oct-20 16:31:07

Georgesgran, that’s not a bad idea. I would buy half a large turkey rather than scramble for a small one.

JaneRn Tue 27-Oct-20 17:01:16

I was surprised to see that M&S and probably other supermarkets are selling frozen partridge. All game birds should be hung for a few days before cooking otherwise they will not be very pleasant to eat.I wonder if M&S have done this.

I stopped eating meat many years ago so I am not bothered about shortage of turkeys. Anyone who eats meat of any kind should be aware of the way animals are reared, and the way they are killed and then see if they still enjoy it. Much of the meat in supermarkets is Halal slaughtered but they refuse to identify it.

Barmeyoldbat Tue 27-Oct-20 17:24:14

I am going to buy a fresh corn fed chicken, just for the two of us. Most things for Christmas have already been bought, just the meat and a bit of fish to get.

Meta Tue 27-Oct-20 19:41:08

Hi Bluebell would - I’m with you on the losing weight front. I’ve been doing Bright Light Eating since June and will have the turkey plus lots of vegs roasted in balsamic plus other veg but leave the roast potatoes stuffing pudding cream cake mince pies for my husband and youngest adult son if we’re still able to have him. It will be the first time I’ve tried it but I love what I’m doing so much I don’t want to go back on it. Anyway I hope everyone manages to have something they enjoy, whatever that is!

Sarahmob Tue 27-Oct-20 21:02:36

I’ve ordered my Christmas meat hamper from our local butcher today for collection on Dec 23rd. Will purchase veg from our local farm shop.

MagicWand Tue 27-Oct-20 22:27:23

Thank you Georgesgran, you reminded me that my wonderful Mil brought half a large turkey to cook at mine the first Christmas I had baby No1, who was then just 6 days old. It had a much better flavour than a small one. So it’s got me thinking for this year!

Farmers need supporting and it seems a huge waste of food otherwise if people only want little ones this year. So we’ll be trying to find a butcher who can cut a larger turkey in half - don’t think DH would be up to that!!

merlotgran Tue 27-Oct-20 22:35:08

Large turkeys might be in short supply.

Saetana Tue 27-Oct-20 23:01:45

Ever since the price of a small turkey crown, for 2 people, went into double figures we have switched to having a small chicken at Christmas instead. Its far cheaper, just as nice, and its not out of stock by the end of October- win win all round grin

GrannyRose15 Wed 28-Oct-20 00:29:22

You've all got me thinking. Have never planned Christmas this early before, usually waiting until the last minute. But I think I'd better start shopping.

Hetty58 Wed 28-Oct-20 02:31:28

pamcuthbert, vegan here too. I don't celebrate by eating baby animals, surprisingly!

MarshHarrier Wed 28-Oct-20 05:25:06

We are after a decent-sized frozen turkey from Sainsbury's. They didn't have any in a couple of weeks ago and still weren't showing as available to order online on Monday. Will just have to keep checking online as only go shopping once a week now and it is not always at Sainsbury's.

Sgilley Wed 28-Oct-20 09:15:23

Where have the cauliflowers gone?

GrannyGravy13 Wed 28-Oct-20 10:07:06

Sgilley

Where have the cauliflowers gone?

In Aldi and our local farm shop they are plentiful.

Poppsbaggie Wed 28-Oct-20 21:37:22

Why eat slaughtered, inhumanly reared animals? Many postings about weight gain during coronavirus. Any connections? Eat more plant based food. Lose weight, save animals from a vile life and ending. Feel virtuous. It’s a win win situation.