10 Amazing Minnesota Turkey Facts (You Probably Didn't Know)

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As we get ready to celebrate a somewhat more normal Thanksgiving in 2021, here are 10 facts about Minnesota's Thanksgiving star of the show: the turkey.

I'm always a little surprised when I'm reminded that Minnesota is currently ranked first in the country when it comes to turkey production. Perhaps that's because there aren't a lot of turkey farms in our backyard here in Rochester.

In fact, Olmsted County isn't one of the top turkey-raising counties in Minnesota; the Top 10 Turkey Counties are Kandiyohi, Stearns, Morrison, Lyon, Ottertail, Rice, Meeker, Becker, Redwood and Brown Counties.

How Many of These Uniquely-Minnesota Things Have You Heard (or Said) at Thanksgiving?

But it's no surprise to the gang over at the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association. They note that there are 450 family farmers in Minnesota who raise approximately nearly 46 million turkeys annually.

Hoo boy, that's a lot of gobbling! Keep scrolling to see 10 more amazing Minnesota turkey facts (you probably didn't know.) And, if cooking a turkey and traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner isn't something you're inclined to do, keep on scrolling to see a list of Rochester restaurants that WILL be open this Thanksgiving Day.

10 Amazing Minnesota Turkey Facts (You Probably Didn't Know)

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Rochester Restaurants Open On Thanksgiving

Let's face it, not everyone has the desire or skills to cook a big Thanksgiving dinner. If you are one of those people and are planning to forgo the mess and hassle of a homemade Thanksgiving feast, these Rochester restaurants have your back.

Scroll through the list of Rochester restaurants open on thanksgiving and/or offering thanksgiving to-go meals: