Effect of different cooking methods on quality characteristics of turkey meat cutlets

Purpose This present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different cooking methods on quality characteristics of turkey meat cutlets, i.e. turkey meat cutlets prepared by deep frying (DF), turkey meat cutlets prepared by shallow frying (SF), turkey meat cutlets prepared by microwave cooking at 740 MHz for 20 min (MW) and turkey meat cutlets prepared by microwave cooking at 740 MHz for 10 min followed by shallow frying (MS). Design/methodology/approach Several preliminary trials were conducted to optimise the formulation, and finally, turkey meat cutlets were prepared, as per the method followed by Singh et al. (2015). These standardised turkey meat cutlets were cooked with four different cooking methods. The best formulation and optimum cooking method were selected on the basis of physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation. Findings pH and moisture content of MW were significantly (P < 0.03) higher than DF, SF and MS; however, cooking yield and water activity values of MW and MS were significantly (P < 0.05) higher. DF had significantly (P < 0.02) higher fat content than SF > MS > MW. The values of textural parameters were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in DF, whereas lightness values of MW and redness values of DF were significantly (P < 0.02) higher. Scores of various sensory attributes, including overall acceptability, were significantly (P < 0.03) higher in MS. Therefore, MS – turkey meat cutlets prepared by microwave cooking at 740 MHz for 10 min followed by shallow frying were found optimum. Originality/value Cooking methods vary according to the choice and flavour of the consumer. Meat products, especially cutlets, can be cooked with many cooking methods, but it is always good to choose the one method which contains less fat per cent as per the requirement of present-day health-conscious consumer and also retains and add on to the taste of the product. Hence, microwave cooking followed by shallow frying was found as such a cooking method that has the characteristics of both, i.e. less fat content and also is tasty to the tongue.