CNN in New York —. Preparing a Thanksgiving turkey comes with several distinct difficulties, such as ensuring it stays moist and tastes great. The first major hurdle is defrosting a multi-pound frozen turkey. Butterball offers a solution with a new frozen turkey that the company claims removes the need for the lengthy thawing process. This week, the largest turkey producer in the country introduced a new “Cook from Frozen” turkey that requires just two steps: unwrap it and place it in the oven. While the company claims this is aimed at convenience, Neil Saunders, a retail analyst and managing director at GlobalData Retail, notes that it may especially attract those who are new to hosting Thanksgiving. “This product appears to address many of those challenges, making it especially attractive to younger consumers who might be hosting Thanksgiving for the first time,” Saunders told CNN. It is also centered around convenience, which is crucial for all consumer groups on a hectic day. Each year, one of the most frequently asked questions at Butterball’s Turkey Talk-Line is about thawing a turkey, as stated in a company press release. To address this, the company designed a frozen turkey that eliminates the hassle and mess by not including a neck or giblets. This “innovative offering” also simplifies the turkey preparation process, as it doesn’t require basting, brining, or seasoning. Butterball created a “specially formulated” brine designed to keep the meat moist throughout the approximately 5-hour roasting period. However, by using this easier cooking method, one of the more traditional aspects is lost: chefs are unable to stuff the turkey because it could “pose a food safety risk,” according to the website. Butterball suggests preparing the stuffing on its own. The new turkey is available at grocery stores such as Harris Teeter, Publix, and certain Walmart and Kroger locations, as well as other affiliated chains like Fry’s and Ralphs.
