As turkeys received their presidential-style pardons this week, not a single pig got the same courtesy — which brings us to the perennial Thanksgiving question: turkey or ham? Kelly O’Grady takes a look.
On a busy market floor, answers varied. One shopper said ‘Turkey.’ Another shrugged, ‘I do both.’ Someone else asked, ‘Why choose?’ and a few noted that turkey feels more universal — great for sandwiches the next day.
A Jennie‑O survey finds nearly 40 percent of Americans like having ham on the holiday table. Greg Bardwell, head butcher at The Meat Hook in Brooklyn, where pork dominates the counter, says that convenience is a big reason people pick ham.
‘It’s easier,’ he told us. ‘Many hams come precooked: you just slice, warm and serve. Carving a turkey can be stressful.’ He even laughed about the famous pop culture moment when a collapsed turkey ruins a family dinner.
Still, turkey is deeply rooted in American Thanksgiving tradition. ‘When you picture Thanksgiving, you picture a turkey,’ Bardwell said. Economically, turkey often costs less per pound, but you need more of it to feed the same number of guests, so the final cost can balance out.
When pushed for a preference, Bardwell picked team ham. And for most diners, the protein might not be the main attraction: sides and desserts — sweet potato pie, apple pie, coconut cake, homemade biscuits — often steal the show.
Kelly O’Grady, CBS News, casting a vote for team ham.