Slagel Farms: Your Source for the Best Thanksgiving Turkey
Sunset Foods is proud to partner with Slagel Farms for the second year, bringing you the best, freshest Thanksgiving turkey available. Sunset Foods’ Meat Buyer Dan Humphrey and Digital Marketing Manager James Rubly took a trip to Slagel Farms in Fairbury, Illinois, to ensure we deliver the highest-quality turkey to your family’s holiday table. LouisJohn Slagel, the fifth-generation owner and farmer behind the farm, gave us a firsthand tour, showing off the free-range and humane conditions in which our Thanksgiving turkeys are raised.
We found a farm-to-table turkey that’s fresh, naturally raised, and guaranteed to be the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast.
Who is Slagel Farms?
Located in Fairbury, Illinois, Slagel Farms is a fifth-generation family farm known for producing high-quality, all-natural meats. Unlike large-scale commercial farms focused on mass production, Slagel Farms takes a hands-on approach, focusing on sustainability and ethical sourcing. Every aspect of the farm’s operations—from breeding to the feed rations given to livestock—is carefully controlled to ensure the healthiest and best-tasting meat.
Slagel Farms is a staple in the Chicago restaurant scene, supplying their premium meats to iconic restaurants such as The Girl and the Goat, Spiaggia, Publican Quality Meats, Avec, and Chicago Cut. At Sunset Foods, we’re excited to be the first grocery store in the Chicago Suburbs to offer their Thanksgiving turkeys.
What Makes Slagel Farms’ Turkey Better?
If you’re looking for the best Thanksgiving turkey for your holiday meal, a Slagel turkey stands out from the rest.
- Free-Range and Humane Conditions
One of the most impressive aspects of Slagel Farms is their dedication to raising livestock in free-range, humane conditions. While visiting the farm, we saw how the turkeys can roam and graze freely, rather than being confined to cramped cages, as is often the case in commercial farms. This not only ensures the animals’ well-being but also enhances the quality of the meat. LouisJohn Slagel has transformed a former commercial egg facility into a spacious barn where turkeys and goats graze freely—demonstrating his commitment to humane farming practices.
- All-Natural, Hormone-Free Meat
At Slagel Farms, turkeys are raised without hormones or antibiotics. Their all-natural approach means you can feel confident that the Thanksgiving turkey you bring home is healthy, ethically raised, and free from unnecessary additives. This focus on quality over quantity shines through in the taste and texture of the final product.
- Air Chilling: A Key Difference
A key feature that sets Slagel Farms’ turkeys apart is their use of air chilling. According to LouisJohn Slagel, Slagel Farms is the only facility in Illinois that uses this method for processing turkeys. But what exactly is air chilling, and why is it better?
What is Air Chilling?
Unlike the traditional method of immersing turkeys in water during the cooling process, air chilling cools each turkey by circulating cold air around it. This process has several benefits:
- Better Flavor and Texture: Since the turkey does not absorb water, the meat retains its natural flavor and has a firmer, less soggy texture.
- Less Water Weight: Traditional water-chilled turkeys can absorb up to 8% water, adding unnecessary weight (and cost) to your purchase.
- Safer and Cleaner: Air-chilled turkeys are less likely to be contaminated by bacteria, and the process uses significantly less water, making it an environmentally friendly option.
- Improved Cooking: Air-chilled turkeys absorb marinades more effectively and cook faster, with the bonus of achieving a crispy, golden skin.
At Slagel Farms, air-chilling results in a superior Thanksgiving turkey with a rich, clean taste—perfect for your holiday table.
How Do I Order a Slagel Turkey?
Ready to serve your family a farm-to-table Thanksgiving turkey from Slagel Farms?
Call or visit the Meat Department at your nearest Sunset Foods to reserve your fresh turkey. We offer turkeys ranging from 12 to 22 pounds, perfect for small gatherings or large family feasts. When you choose a Slagel turkey, you’re not just buying a turkey—you’re investing in a premium, ethically raised product that will make your Thanksgiving dinner truly special.
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