Where to Buy a Fully Cooked Whole Turkey – A Convenient and Delicious Holiday Centerpiece

A juicy tender fully cooked turkey makes for an impressive centerpiece with minimal effort on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. But where can you find quality pre-cooked whole turkeys to pick up with ease? This guide covers the best options for procuring a convenient fully cooked turkey for your next festive feast.

Check Warehouse Club Stores

Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale are go-to sources for picking up large fully cooked turkeys. Here’s what makes them convenient

• They stock fresh fully cooked turkeys in a variety of sizes leading up to holidays.

• Kirkland and other house brand turkeys offer great quality for the price.

• Limited seasoning allows you to flavor it as desired.

• Warehouse pricing means you get more turkey for your money.

• Skip thawing and cooking – just heat and serve!

Check club stores a few weeks ahead of your meal and grab a cooked turkey early. They often sell out closer to the holidays.

Order from a Grocery Store Deli

Grocery store deli sections are another handy spot to buy a fully cooked turkey. Call ahead to specialty order one for pickup or grab a pre-made one. Things to look out for:

• Higher end grocers like Whole Foods offer natural and organic cooked turkeys.

• Make sure the turkey wasn’t cooked too far in advance.

• Have them season it simply so you can add your own flavors.

• Specify the exact size bird you need to feed your group.

• Delis may run out if not ordered early for holidays.

Grocery store delis provide convenience without the large quantity of warehouse stores.

Buy Fully Cooked from Local Butchers

Local butcher shops are a prime place to source a made-from-scratch fully cooked turkey. Many butcher fresh turkeys in-house. Benefits of buying pre-cooked from a butcher include:

• Their cooked turkeys are often the freshest option.

• You can request specific seasonings or preparation.

• Supporting local businesses gives back to your community.

• Butchers can guide you to the perfect size turkey for your gathering.

• High-quality meat for a memorable holiday feast.

Plan ahead and put in your order early with a reputable local butcher for a delicious fully cooked turkey.

Order Online for Maximum Convenience

To take the work out of finding a pre-cooked turkey, order one online for easy delivery right to your door. Some good online options include:

• Cracker Barrel ships complete Heat n’ Serve holiday meals with turkey.

• Goldbelly delivers fully cooked turkeys overnight from renowned local restaurants.

• Harry & David and other food gift retailers offer cooked turkey packages.

• Meal delivery kits like Home Chef provide quick turkey meal options.

• Amazon ships Whole Foods and other pre-cooked turkeys through Prime.

Make sure to account for delivery days and costs. With early planning, ordering pre-cooked turkeys online is easy.

Mail Order Fully Cooked from Specialty Brands

There are several popular specialty food brands offering mail order fully cooked whole turkeys:

• Omaha Steaks ships delicious ready-to-heat smoked turkeys.

• HoneyBaked Ham’s convenient whole turkey breasts are another choice.

• Frozen smoked Butterball turkeys only require warming with no thawing.

• D’Artagnan provides organic and free-range cooked turkeys overnight.

Check each brand’s ordering deadlines and delivery options to get your bird in time for the holidays.

Quick Defrost a Frozen Cooked Turkey

If unable to source a fresh cooked turkey, a premium quality frozen one can work too. Just be sure to allot time to properly thaw and reheat it:

• Thaw turkey for 2-3 days in the refrigerator, never at room temp.

• Submerge in cold water to hasten the defrosting process. Change the water every 30 mins.

• Use the microwave or oven to reheat thoroughly to safe internal temperature.

With the right handling, a frozen cooked turkey makes a fine alternate for when fresh isn’t available.

When you want the fabulous flavor of turkey but don’t have time to roast a whole bird, seek out a conveniently fully cooked one instead. Follow this guide and options like warehouse stores, butcher shops, online ordering, and pre-cooked turkey brands will have you covered this holiday season with a quick and delicious centerpiece turkey.