When’s the Best Time to Buy a Frozen Turkey for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about picking up the star of the show – the turkey! For many families, Thanksgiving just isn’t complete without a beautifully roasted turkey as the centerpiece of the festive meal But when is the right time to purchase your frozen bird to ensure you get a high-quality turkey at a good price?

Why Choose Frozen?

Opting for a frozen turkey offers several advantages over fresh

• Earlier Purchase: Frozen turkeys can be bought well in advance of Thanksgiving since they have a long shelf life when properly stored. This gives you plenty of time to shop around for sales and deals.

• More Options: Freezing allows turkeys to be processed and distributed from many different farms and locations. So you’ll have more variety in breed, size, pricing, and features like antibiotic-free or organic.

• Better Availability As Thanksgiving nears, fresh turkeys fly off the shelves. But there is usually ample frozen stock still available leading up to and even on Thanksgiving.

• Easier Storage: A large frozen turkey takes up minimal space in your freezer until you’re ready to thaw it. Fresh turkeys need careful refrigeration.

• Longer Lasting: Frozen turkeys maintain quality for up to two years in the freezer whereas fresh turkeys must be used within a few days.

When to Buy Your Bird

So when should you plan to purchase your frozen turkey? Here are some guidelines:

• Early November: This is a great time to start comparing prices and keeping an eye out for turkey sales leading up to Thanksgiving. Stores will be building inventory.

• Mid November: Prices may start creeping lower as we get closer to Thanksgiving and demand is satisfied. Retailers want to clear stock.

• 1-2 Weeks Before Thanksgiving: There should be plenty of turkeys available at competitive prices. Make sure to check sizing.

• Day Before Thanksgiving: You’ll still find frozen turkeys, though selection will be more limited. Prices also tend to increase closer to the holiday.

• Thanksgiving Day: Limited availability, but many stores will still have some frozen birds. Expect to pay higher last-minute prices.

I recommend purchasing your frozen turkey any time between early November and 1 week before Thanksgiving. This gives you a nice balance of availability, variety, and potential savings. Just be sure to check the size you need is in stock.

What Size Bird to Buy

The typical recommendation is to plan for 1 pound of turkey per person. But here are some other turkey sizing guidelines based on the number of guests:

• 4 people = 8-12 lb turkey
• 6 people = 12-14 lb turkey
• 8 people = 16-18 lb turkey
• 10 people = 20-22 lb turkey
• 12 people = 24-26 lb turkey
• 14 people = 26-28 lb turkey

There are also smaller turkey breast halves, which are great for smaller gatherings. Allow about 1 breast per 2 people.

Aim for the smaller end of the size range if you want ample leftovers, or larger for heartier eaters and few leftovers. And remember to account for extra sides and dessert filling people up too!

Checking for Savings

Here are some tips for finding the best deal on your holiday bird:

• Check store flyers and ads leading up to Thanksgiving for turkey promotions. These often run in early November.

• Ask about price-matching policies so you can take advantage of competitors’ deals.

• Check warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club for savings on large birds.

• Watch for turkey coupons that can be used in addition to store sales.

• Consider supermarket loyalty programs with special holiday savings.

• Check warehouse websites for bulk frozen turkey discounts. You can stock up for multiple meals.

• Don’t forget smaller chains, ethnic markets, and butcher shops. Their prices are sometimes lower.

Proper Storage

It’s important to properly store your turkey from the time you buy it until you’re ready to thaw and cook it. Here are some guidelines:

• Store the frozen turkey in a low temperature freezer at 0°F or below. Most home freezers are suitable.

• Leave the turkey in its original airtight and moisture-proof packaging. Don’t use freezer bags.

• Place the turkey on a tray to catch any leaks if the packaging fails. Avoid freezer burn.

• Stack packages flat on top of each other vs upright which can rupture seals.

• Don’t purchase frozen turkeys with torn, damaged, or ice-crusted packaging. This indicates improper freezing.

• Follow “use by” dates and don’t keep frozen for over 2 years for best texture, flavor and moisture.

• When ready to thaw, leave turkey wrapped and place it on a tray in the refrigerator 2-3 days ahead.

Follow these tips for buying and storing your frozen turkey and you’ll be rewarded with a delicious, juicy and safe holiday meal the whole family will enjoy!