With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many people are starting to plan their meals and gathering what ingredients they’ll need for the big day. The menu differs between households, but a major staple on most Thanksgiving tables is turkey. There is a debate surrounding the popular choice of entree though—which is better: the light meat or dark meat of a turkey?
As any good debate goes, a poll works nicely to succinctly gather people’s responses. After posting the poll in my floor group chat, there were immediate answers. The poll overwhelmingly supported dark meat over light meat, which came as a surprise to me. However, there were some on the floor who made their distaste for dark meat fairly clear.
“I don’t like dark meat; it looks dirty,” senior Lux Hileman said.
Since Thanksgiving is often a holiday celebrated with family and friends, I decided who better to ask than my own? I started close with my parents. It was a split answer, some preferring light and others preferring dark. My father and stepmother both chose light meat as their preferred.
“I prefer the white [meat] even though it can be dry sometimes,” David Rohrman said.
“Light [meat] is less fatty in general, but dark is typically juicer,” Kristy Rohrman said.
When it came to my mother and stepfather, their answers were divided. My mother chose dark meat while my stepfather said light.
“Light [meat]. Dark [meat] has more fat, and I think it is greasier,” Matthew Horner said.
The next set of people I asked were my two siblings, my oldest brother and my older sister. Their answers were in unison, both preferring dark meat over light meat. My sister-in-law also responded, agreeing with my siblings.
“Dark [meat]! White [meat] is trash! Too dry,” Valerie Owens said.
“If I can get it during Thanksgiving, I prefer dark meat,” Joey Miller said.
Lastly, I asked a cousin of mine what they preferred, even though they quit eating meat a while ago.
“I don’t [eat meat], but when I did, I preferred dark [meat]. White [meat] was too dry,” Lunar Maryeski said.
Personally, I eat mostly light turkey meat, but I occasionally enjoy a few pieces of dark meat alongside the light. I agree with the common critique that light turkey meat is dry, but that’s often when it’s prepared wrong. If done correctly, light turkey meat can retain its hydration.
Ultimately, as is true with any debate, both sides have their reasons for choosing what they do. Both light turkey meat and dark turkey meat have their benefits and drawbacks. Whatever you decide to have on Thanksgiving, it surely will add to the overall experience of gratitude and love.
