Despite being a fast-food chain, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has formed a part of many American families’ Thanksgiving celebration for over 20 years. A surprising addition to the festive meal, they have gained a reputation for their Cajun-spiced turkey, drawing heavily on their Louisiana heritage.

The Cajun-Style Turkey from Popeyes, introduced back in 2001, continues to be a hit among customers two decades later. Each bird weighs between 11 and 13 pounds and sells out almost every Thanksgiving. The turkeys are delivered frozen, facilitating storage until Thanksgiving day.

This year, I chose to put this much-revered Popeyes turkey to test, to discern if the buzz about taste, texture, and cost is justified. The assessment encompassed two main aspects: its price compared to similar products in the market and its accessibility. Notably, compared to other pre-cooked turkeys you can buy online, Popeyes' turkey is reasonably priced, although not the cheapest.

Collecting the turkey in-store starts at $55, delivery sets you back $99. At this price point, I would predominantly recommend this option to those living near a Popeyes. Sam’s Club, another budget-friendly option, offers a pre-cooked, smoked whole turkey less than this ($49). Other options like The Honey Baked Ham Company's roasted whole turkey can cost up to $80. If your budget considers shipping, Diestel Family Ranch offers a premium turkey for $146.

Providing each Thanksgiving attendee has approximately one pound of turkey, this would mean about $4.50 per serving with Popeyes' offer. Although not the cheapest, it's a worthwhile option considering its convenience and easy preparation.

Popeyes has made the meal process elegant and simple. All that is required is to thaw the turkey three days beforehand, unwrap it, and warm it up as per the guiding instructions on Thanksgiving day itself. Assuming you possess a sufficiently sized roasting pan, you're all set.

This simplicity means no further preparation time, like basting, or more ingredients to worry about. You can also go from fridge to oven in roughly five minutes, freeing you up to focus on other critical aspects of the day.

After sampling the Popeyes turkey for the first time, despite my family's Louisiana roots and my familiarity with Cajun flavors, I was pleasantly surprised. Two qualities shone: the richness of spice soaking into the meat, and the turkey's tender texture. On carving, it was evident that the meat was moist and practically detaching from the bones.

The savory depths take over upon tasting. The turkey is neither tough nor chewy, but tender and flavorful. One piece of advice is to add water or broth when warming the bird, following Popeyes’ guidelines. This step guarantees the appropriate tenderness level and helps keep the meat moist throughout cooking.

The turkey more than meets its Cajun promise, all throughout its entirety. Paprika, garlic, and onions, along with adequate white, red and black pepper, engulf each bite. The dark meat is the most flavorful part, but the breast is equally spiced to perfection.

Suppose you end up with leftovers, or order double to have some extra. In that case, a pot of turkey and sausage gumbo would be an inspired leftover dish option.