What Are Giblets, Actually?

If you are planning to cook your first bird this Friendsgiving, I am here to arm you with some vital information. After you defrost the turkey and are prepared to stick your hand in its butt to fill it with stuffing, be warned that there is likely a little bag inside there. And in that bag: giblets. Don’t be alarmed! They may be your friend. What are giblets? Let’s get into it.

What are giblets?

Giblets is a blanket term for the edible organs of birds and it includes the liver, heart, and gizzard, among other things. The gizzard is a special organ found in birds that helps grind up the food they eat because they don’t have teeth. When it comes to turkey giblets, the neck is also included as part of the “package deal.”

Now, you may be asking yourself, “Why is my turkey filled with a bag of garbage?” Giblets can be turned into some delicious foods—just get over the knowledge of what they are…and what they look like.

What do giblets look like?

Ok, so they aren’t very appealing. The various organs look like unidentifiable hunks of meat that could be from anywhere. And if you’re talking about turkey giblets, the neck is…obscene. Just look up a picture of it online and see what I mean. But here’s an important reminder: It’s just meat! If you’re ready to eat the carcass of a dead bird, why turn your nose up at these other parts?

If you are thoroughly repulsed at this point, perhaps you should invest in a vegan turkey this year. For those who are brave enough to accept the giblets into your home, read on.

What do you do with turkey neck and giblets?

So, you have your sack of organ meats that you pulled out of your dead bird. What do you do next? Traditionally, the giblets were an ingredient in stuffing—though often folks excluded the liver because its flavor is a bit pungent. You can chop the giblets up, saute them, and then mix with the stuffing.

The giblets can also be used to make a gravy. You essentially use the giblets as a base for stock, then strain it and thicken with flour and turkey drippings. Or you can use the giblets to make turkey stock along with the turkey carcass when the meal is done.

It’s also not uncommon to pickle gizzards. In fact, you can even buy pickled gizzards in a grocery store if you look hard enough. I have actually tried this and it tastes pretty much like turkey in pickle juice. It’s not bad, trust me!

How do you pronounce giblets?

The word giblets has a soft “g” that sounds like a “j.” Think of it this way: It’s not giblets as in “garbage food that belongs in the garbage.” It’s giblets as in “just try it already, you coward.”