Turkey Talk From A Woodbury Pro

The secret is in the sawdust.

That’s the word from J.R. Lunzer, manager of Woodbury’s , about the smoked turkeys that will be served up to area residents this year.

The shop uses three different types of sawdust in its smoker. He wouldn’t say which kinds.

Jordan Meats and Deli will sell 20 smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving this year, Lunzer said.

“It’s really moist, and gives you a good, smoky flavor,” he said. “All you have to do is heat it up, rather than cooking it all day.”

The turkeys are brined for a few days and smoked for 12-14 hours. They’re not filled with stuffing, though.

“That’s kind of a family thing that people want to do themselves,” Lunzer said.

People often bring in turkeys purchased elsewhere just to take advantage of the shop’s smoker, Lunzer said.

The turkeys sold at Jordan Meats come from local farmers.

“It’s not pumped with growth hormones or any juices,” he said. “That takes away from the flavor of the turkey.”

Lunzer acknowledged that the all-natural turkeys are a little more costly at $1.75 a pound.

“They’re trying to do it right,” he said. “An extra $10 on the turkey to enjoy—that’s not going to bother people.”

Can you tell the difference?

“Yes, most definitely,” Lunzer said.

Jordan Meats—which is going on its 11th year in Woodbury—will typically sell 80-90 turkeys each year. They were due to arrive at the store on Monday, but most people preorder them, and the shop is running out of some weights.

At Thanksgiving, Lunzer said he usually leaves the cooking up to his mother-in-law, who prepares his favorite dish, stuffing.

“She’s got a whole Food Network deal,” he said.