Where to Order the Best Fried Turkey for the Holidays

Fried turkey has become a popular alternative to the traditional roasted turkey for holiday meals If you want to skip the hassle and potential safety hazards of deep frying your own turkey, ordering a pre-fried turkey is the perfect solution. Here are the best places to order a fried turkey online for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion

The Cajun Turkey Company

The Cajun Turkey Company, based in Louisiana, is one of the most well-known providers of fried Cajun turkeys. They offer three options for fried turkey:

• Spicy Cajun Fried Turkey – Coated in a proprietary blend of Cajun seasonings and deep fried. Their spiciest option.

• Lightly Seasoned Cajun Fried Turkey – Fried with a lighter dose of Cajun seasoning, Milder in spice level

• Cajun Fried Turkey Breast – Individual fried turkey breast seasoned with Cajun spices. Feeds fewer people than a whole turkey.

The Cajun Turkey Company fries their turkeys in peanut oil, resulting in juicy, moist meat permeated with zesty Cajun flavor inside and out. Their turkeys arrive pre-fried and frozen to maintain freshness. You simply need to thaw and reheat before serving.

Pros

• Delicious, authentic Cajun seasoning and flavor
• Turkeys are cleanly pre-fried in peanut oil
• Convenient to cook – just thaw and reheat
• Can order a whole fried turkey or smaller breast
• Reasonably priced
• Online ordering and national shipping

Cons

• Need to plan ahead to thaw the frozen turkey
• Spicy flavor may be too hot for some preferences
• Limited to Cajun seasoning only

Popeyes

The popular fried chicken chain Popeyes launched whole fried Cajun-style turkeys for holiday meals in 2022. Their fried turkey features:

• Cajun seasoning blend inside and out
• Pre-fried in peanut oil
• Arrives frozen to maintain freshness
• Just thaw, reheat, and serve

The Popeyes fried turkey allows you to enjoy the chain’s signature Cajun flavors in turkey form. It offers convenience similar to The Cajun Turkey Company but with the familiar Popeyes Cajun spice blend.

Pros

• Marinated and fried in recognizable Popeyes Cajun seasoning
• Pre-fried so it’s easy to prepare
• Can order online and ship nationally
• Reasonable price point for a whole turkey

Cons

• Need to plan thawing time
• Only available as a whole turkey, no smaller sizes
• Limited to single Cajun spice blend flavor

Local Meat Markets and Butchers

Checking with local specialty meat shops and butchers in your area is another option for ordering a pre-fried turkey. Many small meat markets offer fried turkeys during the holidays. The benefit of sourcing locally is you can often find more flavor variety beyond Cajun seasoning.

Local meat shops sometimes offer fried turkeys in flavors like:

• Lemon pepper
• Herb roasted
• Mesquite smoked
• Cajun injected
• Thai chile glazed
• Deep fried plain

And some shops brine or marinate their fried turkeys for extra moistness and flavor. Going local allows you to possibly find a pre-fried turkey tailored to your taste preferences.

Pros

• More flavor variety beyond just Cajun seasonings
• Support small/local businesses
• Potentially fresher than a turkey that ships nationally

Cons

• Inconsistent availability, often seasonally only
• Need to order well in advance since quantities are limited
• No online ordering, need to visit or call butcher shop
• Prices may be higher than national delivery brands

Grocery Store Deli Counter

Many higher end grocery store deli counters offer complete fried turkey dinners around the holidays. These consist of a fried turkey plus traditional sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, and more.

The convenience factor of a complete fried turkey meal from the grocery store deli makes this option worth considering. However, availability can vary greatly by region and store. Be sure to call ahead to check fried turkey availability and pricing.

Pros

• Complete meal often available – turkey plus 2 or more sides
• Convenient one-stop shopping, no extra trips needed
• Turkey is hot and ready to serve, no thawing

Cons

• Limited availability, varies by location
• Often no specialty flavors, just plain fried
• Higher prices than ordering just a turkey
• Need to order early, quantities limited

Things to Consider When Ordering a Fried Turkey

If you decide to order a pre-fried turkey online or from a local source, keep these tips in mind:

• Order early – Most vendors sell out weeks in advance of the holidays
• Check thawing instructions – Some turkeys require days of thawing
• Inspect upon arrival – Make sure the turkey arrives frozen with no signs of thawing
• Have a backup plan – In case the mail is delayed or the turkey arrives in poor shape
• Prepare side dishes – Fried turkey tastes great with traditional sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and more

A high quality pre-fried turkey can make holiday hosting easy and fun. With outstanding national delivery brands like The Cajun Turkey Company and Popeyes, and potential local butcher shop options, you can find the perfect fried turkey for your next special meal.