Stock and broth are more or less the same thing, a mixture of any combination of meats (including poultry or seafood), bones, vegetables or herbs simmered in a large quantity of water, then strained.
You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results. The strength of the flavor depends on how the mixture was prepared: the quantities and proportions of the ingredients, amount of water used, whether the meats or bones or vegetables were roasted before simmering, and how long the mixture was simmered.
Chefs rely on stock as an ingredient in itself: the basis for other soups, stews, gravies and sauces, using it instead of water for steaming, even putting it into salad dressings and co*cktails. Stock can be weak or strong in flavor, depending on what the chef requires and how much effort is put into making it. The cans or cartons of broth that we see in the markets have a medium-strong flavor that makes them suitable for serving as a finished soup.
When you see a recipe that calls for "stock or broth," what it is really saying is "homemade or canned." Which one you choose depends on your inclinations. Though I keep a supply of homemade stock in my freezer, I often use broth from cans or cartons (usually labeled broth but, confusingly, may also be labeled stock) for my everyday cooking. Canned broth can be simmered to reduce it and strengthen the flavor, if you think it's a bit too weak for your purposes. The best trick to boosting flavor from canned chicken broth is to simmer the bones of a (purchased) roasted chicken in it for an hour.
At Thanksgiving, though, I make my own stock. I always roast two turkeys, preparing a small one the day before Thanksgiving. After removing the meat from that turkey (setting it aside for leftover sandwiches), I simmer the bones with herbs and vegetables to make a strongly-flavored stock for my favorite gravy, Mark Bittman's Make-Ahead Gravy. If that seems extreme — and perhaps it is — turkey broth/stock from the supermarket will work perfectly well.
FAQs
Butterball® Turkey Talk-Line®
Call 1-800-BUTTERBALL or text 844-877-3456 to chat with our turkey experts.
What is the Butterball turkey talk-line's most frequent question? ›
No one seems to know how to thaw a turkey in America. Every year, around 100,000 people call the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line to ask their most burning question: how the heck do I thaw this thing?
How many people call Butterball Hotline? ›
Home of the Butterball® Turkey Talk-Line®
Since then, the Turkey Talk-Line has grown, both in number of calls answered and experts responding. Open every November and December, our more than 50 experts answer more than 100,000 questions from households across the United States and Canada.
Are frozen Butterball turkeys any good? ›
No dry meat to be found! It also came with two packets of gravy that were gluten-free (husband has Celiac) and delicious! Now that I've tried it I can never go back! We followed the EASY but specific instructions exactly and the turkey was delicious and juicy all over, even the white meat was great.
What is the Butterball controversy? ›
Criticism. Animal rights activists such as Mercy for Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, and PETA have accused Butterball of animal cruelty.
How many calls does the Butterball turkey talk line get on Thanksgiving? ›
We answer calls, texts, emails, live chats, and questions on social media. Our experts are available to assist in both English and Spanish. We assist more than 100,000 people, fielding nearly 15,000 calls on Thanksgiving Day alone.
How do I ask a Butterball turkey question? ›
How to contact Butterball's 'Turkey Talk-Line' You can call the Turkey Talk-Line at 800-288-8372 (800-BUTTERBALL), send a text to 844-877-3456 or send an email, though Butterball warns that email responses could be delayed during peak holiday times.
Why are Butterball turkeys being recalled? ›
Butterball issued a recall on more than 14,100 pounds of ground turkey products Wednesday after consumers told food safety regulators that they found pieces of blue plastic embedded in their raw ground turkey.
Who owns Butterball? ›
What does the nickname Butterball mean? ›
Britannica Dictionary definition of BUTTERBALL. [count] US, informal + often impolite. : a person who is somewhat fat. I was a little butterball when I was a child.
We believe people should feel good about what they eat. That's why all Butterball® products are made with quality turkey for everyone and for any occasion.
How long can you keep a fresh Butterball turkey before cooking? ›
Storage Instructions
Storing Fresh Turkey: Fresh turkey should be refrigerated at 35° to 40°F. The lower temperature is preferred. If you are not confident about the temperature of your refrigerator, cook or freeze the turkey within 4 days of purchase.
Is a 15 lb turkey enough for 10 people? ›
The general rule of thumb is 1–1½ pounds turkey per person. If that seems like a lot, remember that a whole turkey comes with a lot of parts that don't end up getting eaten.
What size turkey for 8 adults Butterball? ›
Here's a quick summary: Plan the weight of the turkey you purchase around the number of people at the table. Butterball recommends two pounds per adult and one pound per child.
How long to cook a 15 pound turkey Butterball? ›
Regular Oven 325°
| Weight | Cook Time (Unstuffed) | Cook Time (Stuffed) |
|---|
| 7-10 lbs. | 2½-3 hrs. | 2¾-3½ hrs. |
| 10-18 lbs. | 3-3½ hrs. | 3¾-4½ hrs. |
| 18-22 lbs. | 3½-4 hrs. | 4½-5 hrs. |
| 22-24 lbs. | 4-4½ hrs. | 5-5½ hrs. |
2 more rowsThe number is 888-674-6854.
Is Butterball still in business? ›
For more than 60 years, the company helps people celebrate holidays and every day in between, bringing delicious turkey products to tables around the world.
Where is the Butterball headquarters located? ›
Butterball headquarters is located in Garner, NC, just outside of Raleigh. Our office is a convenient 30-minute drive from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
Is there a How to Cook a turkey Hotline? ›
"The breast, you want that to get to 170. The thigh meat you want to get to 180. And if you do stuff it, you need to make sure the stuffing in the center of the stuffing gets to 165." You can reach the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line by calling 1-800-BUTTERBALL or texting 844-877-3456.
