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.
As Thanksgiving and the winter holidays approach, many people start searching for the perfect fresh turkey to serve as the centerpiece of their festive meals. With so many options for where to buy turkeys these days – from grocery stores to specialty food shops to directly from farms – it can get overwhelming trying to locate the freshest, highest-quality birds.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the major places you can buy a fresh turkey, along with the pros and cons of each so you can determine the best source for your needs.
Online Mail Order Companies
Ordering a fresh turkey online from a specialty mail order company is one of the most convenient ways to shop. Companies like D’Artagnan allow you to browse a wide selection of turkey breeds, sizes, and qualities all in one place and deliver directly to your door
Pros:
- Huge selection of premium turkey options including organic, heritage breed, free-range, kosher, and more.
- Ability to order exactly the size bird you need.
- Turkeys are safely packed and shipped frozen or fresh.
- Order extras like sausages, ducks, hams etc. at the same time.
Cons
- Prices are higher than typical grocery store turkeys.
- Need to plan ahead to allow for delivery time.
- No opportunity to inspect the bird in person before purchasing.
If you value variety, quality ingredients, and predictably delicious results, the extra cost of a mail order turkey is likely worth it.
Local Butcher Shops and Specialty Markets
Visiting a local butcher or specialty food market is a great option for finding high quality fresh turkeys sourced from nearby farms.
Pros:
- Ability to choose your own turkey and inspect it thoroughly.
- Can ask questions directly to the butcher.
- Supports local agriculture.
- Often wider selection of heritage and organic birds.
Cons:
- More expensive per pound than supermarket turkeys.
- Limited to what is currently available in the shop.
- Requires an extra shopping trip.
I recommend calling the shop ahead to ask what types of turkeys they will have available and reserve one if possible. Shopping local is ideal for people who want that farm-fresh quality and aren’t as concerned about budget.
Large Chain Grocery Stores
National supermarket chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, etc. offer the convenience of one-stop holiday shopping. This route provides the most affordable options.
Pros:
- Easy one-stop shopping for turkey plus all fixings.
- Lowest overall prices per pound.
- Can find good deals on frozen turkeys.
- Wide availability – can usually shop day before Thanksgiving.
Cons:
- More limited selection of turkey breeds and sizes. Mostly standard frozen commercial turkeys.
- Less transparent sourcing.
- Need to dig through freezer to find best by date and condition.
For shoppers looking for the simplest, most budget-friendly turkey, sticking with the neighborhood grocery store is a solid bet. Just be prepared that you may not find a specific size or type.
Direct from a Local Farm
Purchasing a pasture-raised turkey directly from a farm is the best way to get the absolute freshest, high-quality bird.
Pros:
- Supports small local farms.
- Maximizes freshness.
- Complete transparency and connection to your food source.
Cons:
- Need to research farms and place order well in advance.
- No “one-stop” shopping.
- Usually pricier than commercial turkeys.
- No guarantees if crop is impacted by weather, etc.
Going straight to the source requires more logistical planning but pays off in unbeatable flavor and the feel-good factor of buying directly from family farmers.
Best Practices for Keeping Your Turkey Fresh
To maximize freshness no matter where you buy your turkey, follow these tips:
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Purchase 1-2 Days Before Cooking: Don’t buy too far in advance or you’ll lose quality.
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Check Sell-by Date: Try to find a turkey with the furthest out date from when you plan to cook it.
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Store Correctly: Keep fresh raw turkeys in the coldest part of your fridge. Place frozen turkeys in a freezer until ready to thaw.
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Avoid Thaw/Re-Freeze: Don’t let raw turkeys thaw and refreeze as this greatly impacts texture and juiciness.
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Thaw Safely: Thaw frozen turkeys in the fridge 1 day per 5 lbs. You can quick thaw in cold water 30 mins per lb.
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Cook Within 2 Days: Roast your turkey within 1-2 days max for best flavor and food safety.
The Best Turkey is the Fresh Turkey You Can Get
While pasture-raised heritage breeds offer premium quality, even a standard frozen turkey can shine with proper handling. The right turkey for you depends on your budget, taste preferences, and how much effort you want to expend seeking it out. With smart shopping and storage, you can serve a mouthwatering fresh turkey feast from any source. Here’s to a happy and delicious holiday season!
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.
Expert’s Guide to Shopping for Turkey
FAQ
Can I buy a fresh turkey now?
Does Costco sell fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving?
Can I buy a fresh turkey now for Christmas?
Is a fresh turkey better than store bought?
Should you buy a whole turkey?
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. One of the most powerful benefits of whole turkey is that it can scale up to feed just about any sized crowd you can think of.
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.
Are Butterball whole turkeys pre-brined?
Butterball whole turkeys are individually pre-brined for juiciness, tenderness and flavor. You and your guests will savor every bite! When you don’t have time to thaw, choose fresh, all natural* Butterball whole turkey. Whole fresh turkeys are pre-brined for a juicy and tender finish and less mess and prep work.
Should you eat a whole turkey?
Throw in salad, convenient deli sides, and even fresh vegetables and you’re well on your way to a meal everyone will remember for a long time. A whole turkey makes a stunning addition to any dinner, and leftovers are just fine the next day. No matter if you’re planning for a small gathering or a large rush, there’s a whole turkey for you.