Where to Buy Pre-Made Turkey for an Effortless Thanksgiving Feast

As the host of Thanksgiving dinner you want the meal to be memorable for all the right reasons. But spending hours tending to a turkey in the oven can make the day more stressful than festive. Fortunately there are plenty of convenient options for buying a fully cooked, pre-made turkey so you can focus on creating special memories with loved ones instead of worrying about achieving the perfect roast.

Grocery Store Deli Sections

Many major grocery store chains such as Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Wegmans, and Whole Foods offer complete Thanksgiving meals or a la carte pre-cooked turkeys in their deli section. Swing by the prepared foods area in your local grocery store and you’re likely to find a selection of heat-and-serve turkeys, hams, or roasts along with holiday sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

Opt for an entire packaged meal to feed 6-8 people or just grab the fully cooked protein on its own, Turkey sizes at the grocery store deli tend to range from 4 pounds for a boneless breast up to around 16 pounds for a whole bird, Ordering a few days in advance ensures you get the size you need,

Specialty Food Stores

Retailers that specialize in high-quality meats, prepared foods, or mail order gourmet gifts are another excellent source for pre-cooked turkeys. Here are some top options:

• Harry & David – This premium food and gift brand sells pre-brined, oven-roasted 10-12 lb. whole turkeys fully cooked and ready for reheating. You can even order an entire Thanksgiving feast kit complete with sides and dessert.

• HoneyBaked Ham – Despite the name, HoneyBaked offers delicious pre-cooked whole turkeys, turkey breasts, and other holiday meats. Their slow-roasted turkeys are injected with a sweet glaze.

• Omaha Steaks – Alongside their signature steaks, Omaha Steaks provides mail order turkeys seasoned with brown sugar, honey, and herbs. You can select a whole turkey or just breast meat.

• Williams-Sonoma – High-end kitchenware retailer Williams-Sonoma partners with premium turkey producer Willie Bird Ranch to sell brined, free-range pre-cooked whole turkeys online.

Direct from Turkey Farms

Another avenue is to order directly from a turkey farm that processes their own birds. Going direct to the source can provide high-quality pre-cooked turkeys with minimal processing and artificial ingredients.

• Diestel Family Ranch – This organic, sustainably-minded California ranch sells heirloom breed turkeys that are roasted whole with just turkey, water, sea salt, and herbs.

• Mary’s Free Range Turkeys – Pre-brined, free-range turkeys are available for preorder and shipping direct from this heritage family farm. Birds are minimally processed with no antibiotics or chemicals.

• Jaindl Farms – The Jaindl family has raised turkeys in Pennsylvania since 1946. Their online store ships fully cooked whole turkeys nationwide. Birds are brined in a classic sage and citrus blend.

Local Specialty Butcher Shops

Don’t overlook your local high-end butcher shop or meat purveyor as a source for prepared turkey. Many artisan butcher shops now offer house-roasted or smoked turkeys for pre-order. It’s worth calling your local butchers in advance to check availability and get your name on the list early.

Shopping from a local source like an independent butcher allows you to get exceptional quality and customized sizing. You can also feel good knowing you’re supporting a small business in your community.

Gourmet & Specialty Restaurants

Upscale restaurants, particularly those focused on New American or modern comfort cuisine, have also gotten into the pre-cooked turkey game. Check out restaurants near you and you may be able to pre-order a complete Thanksgiving package or just the turkey entrée prepared by professional chefs.

The benefit of ordering from a restaurant is you know the turkey will be juicy, flavorful, and beautifully presented. However, availability is often limited and ordering early is a must.

Order Early for the Best Results

Regardless of which avenue you pursue for buying a pre-made turkey dinner centerpiece, advance planning is key. Be prepared to order your turkey 7-14 days ahead of time, and earlier if buying directly from a farm.

Popular grocery stores like Whole Foods and specialty restaurants often sell out their allotment of prepared turkeys entirely. Get ahead of the game by researching options and placing your order in late October or early November. Then you can relax knowing your turkey will be handled, confident you’ll be able to fully enjoy Thanksgiving.