June Spotlights Summer Grilling with Turkey and National Turkey Lovers’ Day

June is Turkey Lovers’ Month® and Sunday June 19 is National Turkey Lovers’ Day

Memorial Day weekend previews grilling season and rekindles America’s love of turkey with the smoky flavors of turkey burgers, turkey tenderloin and turkey drumsticks. An increasing number of consumers are enjoying turkey for outdoor grilling, introduced with the first annual National Turkey Lovers’ Day celebrated on Sunday, June 19^th, during June is Turkey Lovers’ Month®, as featured in its 27^th year by the National Turkey Federation.

Grilling is easy, convenient and perfect for a weekday meal solution. Turkey – long known as a healthy lean protein – is also a delicious and sometimes overlooked star of the grill. With Fathers’ Day on Sunday the 19^th, the family can gift dad a “grill meal” kit with the tools, seasoning ingredients and choice of turkey meat tenderloin, turkey drumstick or ground turkey and turkey franks to showcase his skill at the grill.

Whether dad prefers his time as outdoor chef spent in quiet relaxation or sharing his time-honored grilling techniques with the family, the Turkey Grilling Tip sheet at ServeTurkey.org renews a familiarity for best grilling the many choice cuts of turkey.  Look under the Resources tab to download quick tips on grilling, cooking and lean meat comparisons among turkey portions. A choice offering of grilling recipes is featured with photos, and commentary from chefs and registered dietitians.

Consumers’ enjoyment of turkey has increased to an average of 16 pounds per person, according to USDA. Daily supply of turkey meat continues plentiful after recovery one year ago from losses of three percent of the turkey population from avian influenza. USDA projects this year’s total production about 6 percent higher than 2015 (USDA Economic Research Service Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook of May 16, 2016).