Planning a turkey this year? Let us help you find the perfect bird for your table.
Buying the right turkey can mean the difference between a good Thanksgiving and a legendary Thanksgiving. And while you can’t go wrong with any of our birds, shopping for a specific size or certification can be tricky. Rest assured, we’re here to help simplify the process. Below, learn more about our birds, plus get expert buying and storing tips.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning your holiday meal. The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving dinner is a beautifully roasted turkey. But not just any turkey will do – you want a high quality, fresh turkey for the best flavor. If you’re wondering where to find fresh turkey near you, this guide covers everything you need to know to source the perfect bird.
Why Choose Fresh Over Frozen?
There are some key differences between fresh and frozen turkeys that impact taste and texture. Fresh turkeys have never been frozen while frozen turkeys are flash frozen soon after processing.
Here are some benefits of choosing fresh:
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Superior flavor – Fresh turkeys retain more juices and natural flavors since the meat hasn’t been frozen The texture is also less likely to become dry or stringy,
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Natural appearance – A fresh turkey looks more appealing with no freezer burn or ice crystals. The skin has a golden brown, appetizing color.
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Food safety – There’s less risk of contamination when a turkey has an uninterrupted cold chain from farm to table.
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Convenience – No need to thaw a fresh turkey over several days. It’s ready to prep and roast straight from the fridge.
The only downside is that fresh turkeys have a shorter shelf life and need to be cooked within a few days of purchasing. However, the taste and quality difference make it worthwhile for most Thanksgiving cooks.
Where to Buy Fresh Turkey from Local Farms
Purchasing directly from a local turkey farm or producer is the best way to get a freshly slaughtered bird. Here are some options to find fresh turkeys close to home:
Look for Local Listings
Many small poultry farms sell fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving but they often sell out early. Search online listings for “fresh turkey near me” or “local turkey farms” to find farms with availability.
Farmer’s markets and Facebook groups for local food are also good places to check for turkey pre-orders and availability from community producers.
Ask Your Local Butcher
Local butcher shops are a top source for farm-fresh turkeys sourced from regional providers. Stop by your neighborhood butcher to ask what they have available for pre-order or purchase around Thanksgiving.
Many butchers partner with specific local farms to provide an annual Thanksgiving turkey selection. Get your order in early, as quantities are limited.
Check Local Pick-Up Options
Some poultry farms and online retailers offer local pick-up options for fresh turkey orders. After placing your order online, you can select a pick-up date and location convenient for you.
Pick-up sites are often located at partner farms, farmer’s markets, or community centers for easy access. Check the company’s website for details on placing pick-up orders.
Look for Farm Shares and CSAs
If you belong to a CSA (community supported agriculture) or buy shares from a local farm, fresh turkeys may be included as a holiday special item.
Some farms even allow CSA members to custom order a turkey share in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Reach out to your CSA farm to learn about turkey ordering.
Visit a Nearby Farm Stand
Drive out to farm stands and markets at nearby turkey farms to buy directly from the source. This option allows you to hand select your own bird and support local growers.
Look for farms advertising fresh turkeys for sale on social media or on signs near major roads. Be sure to call ahead to confirm availability before making the trip.
Where to Order Fresh Turkey Online
If you can’t source a bird directly from a farm in your area, online retailers offer convenient delivery of fresh turkeys:
Online Butcher Shops
Specialty online butchers like Porter Road, Crowd Cow, and Snake River Farms sell pasture-raised and heritage breed fresh turkeys for shipment to your door. Order early, as they often sell out for Thanksgiving.
Meal Kit Services
Some meal kit companies like ButcherBox, Blue Apron, and HelloFresh allow you to add a fresh turkey to your subscription box around the holidays.
Grocery and Meal Delivery
National chains like Walmart, Whole Foods, and FreshDirect can deliver a fresh turkey to your doorstep. Availability may be more limited than local farms though.
Amazon Fresh
Prime members in certain cities can get fresh turkey same day or next day delivery through Amazon Fresh. Just be sure to order early to secure your preferred delivery window.
Specialty Online Farms
Websites like FultonMarketDirect.com, JLS Turkey Farm, and Mary’s Turkeys ship fresh turkeys from family-owned farms overnight to many locations.
How Far in Advance Should You Order?
Due to limited quantities and seasonal demand, it’s best to order your fresh turkey at least 2-3 weeks before Thanksgiving if buying directly from a farm.
Online retailers and butcher shops often recommend ordering no later than 10-14 days out.
If you’ve missed the pre-order window, keep monitoring availability up to a week before Thanksgiving. Cancellations and late releases sometimes create last minute openings.
What Size Fresh Turkey Should You Get?
Ordering the right turkey size helps you estimate cook times and ensures you’ll have enough meat without tons of leftovers. These guidelines help determine the best weight:
- 8-12 lbs for a small gathering of 4-6 people
- 12-15 lbs for 6-10 hungry guests
- 15-18 lbs for 10-15 people
- 18-22 lbs for large parties of 15+
Estimate 1 – 1 1⁄2 pounds of turkey per person if you want ample leftovers. It’s also better to slightly overestimate than under order.
How Much Does a Fresh Turkey Cost?
Expect to pay $3-$5 per pound for a premium fresh turkey from a local farm or specialty supplier. Organic, heritage breed, kosher, and pasture-raised turkeys fall on the higher end.
Mass market frozen turkeys are cheaper at around $1-$2 per pound. But lower cost usually comes with a trade-off in flavor and texture.
Pro Tips for Cooking Fresh Turkey
Follow these tips for roasting fresh turkey success:
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Dry brine the turkey in the fridge for 12-24 hours before roasting to boost moisture and flavor. Simply rub salt, spices, and herbs under the skin.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh using a meat thermometer.
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Allow the turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving to prevent juices from running out.
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Use the drippings to make an easy gravy while the turkey rests.
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Carve the turkey and arrange it on a platter to serve alongside your favorite Thanksgiving sides.
Enjoy the Best Tasting Holiday Meal
With some planning ahead, you can source a just-slaughtered fresh turkey and enjoy premium quality and flavor at your Thanksgiving feast. Look to local farms, butcher shops, online retailers, and specialty suppliers to find and order the perfect bird. Your holiday guests will be grateful for a memorably tender, juicy turkey dinner!
What Makes Our Turkeys Different?
Whether classic or kosher, heirloom or organic, all of the fresh and frozen turkeys we sell meet our Quality Standards. Turkeys are third-party audited to meet over 100 animal welfare standards and all options are Animal Welfare Certified (except kosher turkeys). And, like all meat and poultry in the department, the animals must be raised with no antibiotics ever and no animal by-products in feed.
What Types of Turkey Do We Offer?
So, fresh or frozen? Organic or heirloom? Here’s what you need to know about our turkey selection when shopping our Meat department. Kosher, heirloom and heritage birds may not be available in all locations, so be sure to contact your store ahead of time.
These essential birds are always crowd-pleasers. Packed with flavor and wallet-friendly, you can’t go wrong.
- Classic Turkeys: These tasty, tender turkeys are a great choice for value, quality and flavor.
- Organic Turkeys: These birds receive organic, non-GMO feed and have specific requirements for the amount of access to the outdoors.
If you’re looking to try something different this year, don’t miss our assortment of unique, special birds.
- Regenerative Turkeys: Juicy, tender birds that rotationally graze, foraging through pastures to support healthier soil.
- Heritage Turkeys: These unique, old-world birds are leaner with a smaller meat-to-bone ratio and can be very flavorful.
- Heirloom Turkeys: A little bigger than heritage turkeys, this special variety has robust flavor and a lot of dark meat.
- Brined Turkeys: We’ve marinated these birds in a seasoned brine for moist, flavorful meat. If you’re planning to fry your turkey, start with one of our brined birds.
- Kosher Turkeys: Rubbed with kosher salt inside and out, kosher birds are checked by specially trained rabbinical inspectors to make sure they’re processed in accordance with kosher standards. The kosher salt pre-seasons the bird and gives it extra flavor.
- Turkey Breasts: Feeding a smaller group? Our classic (no antibiotics ever) and organic turkey breasts are easy to brine and take less time to prepare than a whole turkey. We offer bone-in, organic bone-in and boneless options.
All fresh and frozen turkeys from our Meat department must meet our standards for being raised with no antibiotics ever, no animal by-products in feed and 100+ animal welfare standards. Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising turkeys.
How to Store Your Turkey
Whether you’ve picked up your turkey from our stores or you’re having it delivered, it’s important to store your bird properly before cooking. Follow these tips for success.
Our fresh turkeys are kept in a deep chill to maintain a crust of ice on the surface. This ensures that you can safely store your bird at home until you’re ready to cook. Keep your turkey deep-chilled (35°F) in the coldest spot in your fridge, turned down as low as possible, or store in a secondary fridge. The ice will easily melt over time, but be sure to check your bird the day before Thanksgiving. If it looks a bit crisp, place under cool running water to ensure it’s perfect by your feast.
Store frozen birds in your freezer (ideally in a secondary freezer if you have one) until you’re ready to thaw. Depending on how much time you have, you can thaw your turkey in your refrigerator or by submerging it in cold water.
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Where can I buy a whole turkey?
All of our whole turkey (fresh and frozen), boneless roasts, and bone-in breasts are available in all major retailers across the country. Please be sure to check with the store manager if you do not find the item or specific size you’re looking for. Some products, like whole turkeys and deli meats, are not trackable with this product finder.
Where can I preorder Thanksgiving turkey?
Each location is different so be sure to contact your nearest store to find out if they do preorders and when they start. You can also preorder your Fresh Thanksgiving Turkey from Ferndale Market, our on-farm grocery store in Cannon Falls! Preorder for pickup at Ferndale Market starts mid-October.
Can you buy a whole Turkey at Safeway?
A whole turkey is the perfect centerpiece for the table, even if it’s not during Thanksgiving or Christmas! You can get whole turkeys at your local Safeway any time of the year. Buying fresh whole turkeys unlock a wealth of delicious meal combinations, from casseroles to juicy servings just waiting to be paired with gravy and sides.
Can I freeze a fresh turkey after Thanksgiving?
If your fresh turkey has not been cooked by the Monday following Thanksgiving, you should freeze it to maintain quality. Where can I buy fresh turkey? You can find our fresh turkeys in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Michigan. Use our online locator to find a retailer near you.