Blue/Purple mark on raw turkey, is it normal?

Hi all, brought a turkey yesterday and there's a bruise on the breast. Is this normal? More importantly is it safe to eat?

Posted by: wong21
December 23, 2020

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Lori T.December 23, 2020

That is sometimes seen in particularly young turkeys, which haven't developed as thick a layer of fat beneath the skin. It could also be a collection of blood, like a bruise- depending on what occurred when your bird was dispatched. One other thing it "could" be, depends on if your bird was sold with the giblets, and if so, where they were positioned and what they were wrapped in. It may be that they are wrapped in paper which has gotten soaked and darkened, or plastic which is also darkening things. If it is simply a bruise, or the darker skin of a young bird- no problem. It doesn't affect edibility at all. If it's a wrapper, again- no problem. So long as it smells okay, and you've kept it cold and safe, your bird may look odd, but be safe.

wong21December 23, 2020

You were right! It's the liver they've bagged up in blue bag, thank you for your detailed answer I really appreciate it.

Lori T.December 24, 2020

You would think "somebody" at the processor would have noticed the look of a blue bag though skin being a little frightening, wouldn't you? I'm glad it didn't turn out to be anything worse. Your answer made me remember a friend who turned her bird purple one year. She had the bright idea of marinating it in red wine, because she did not have white. Smurf turkey!

Wendy S.December 23, 2020

Found this on meatsafety.org

Raw turkey skin color is off white to cream-colored. The color under the skin can range from a pink to lavender blue depending on the amount of fat just under the skin; this is normal.

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