How Much Does a Pound of Turkey Cost? A Detailed Look at Turkey Prices

Turkey is a popular poultry option, especially around the holidays. But how much does turkey cost per pound? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the average cost of turkey by the pound and factors that influence pricing.

The Average Cost of Turkey Per Pound

According to recent data, the average price for turkey is around $2.95 per pound in the United States However, prices can vary significantly depending on the type of turkey product purchased.

Here is a breakdown of average per-pound turkey costs:

• Whole frozen turkeys – $1.49 per pound
• Turkey breast cutlets – $5.60 per pound
• Ground turkey – $3.94 per pound
• Turkey deli meat – $9.02 per pound

So while the overall average is close to $3 per pound, pricing can range from just over $1 per pound for an entire frozen bird to over $5 per pound for premium cuts like breast cutlets.

What Impacts the Cost of Turkey?

Several key factors impact the retail price tag for turkey

1. Time of Year

As with most foods, the season impacts turkey prices significantly. Prices are lowest in the spring and summer months when demand drops off after the winter holidays.

Expect to pay the most for turkey in November and December for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Whole frozen turkeys often go on sale leading up to these holidays, while smaller cuts and ground turkey remain higher.

2. Type of Turkey

As the pricing breakdown shows, different turkey cuts and products vary greatly in cost. Whole birds are the most economical choice, while specialized cuts like boneless, skinless breast or turkey tenderloins fetch higher prices per pound.

Ground turkey and turkey sausage also come at a premium compared to purchasing a whole bird.

3. Frozen vs. Fresh

Frozen whole turkeys are significantly cheaper than fresh birds. Expect to pay around $1.50 per pound for frozen compared to $2.50 or more per pound for fresh.

The benefit of fresh is you can buy closer to when you need it since there’s no thawing required. But you’ll pay 30-50% more for the convenience.

4. Organic and Specialty Birds

In the poultry aisle, you’ll find many options beyond just standard turkey. Organic, free-range, pasture-raised, and heritage breed turkeys typically cost $1-3 more per pound. These specialty options usually smaller in size as well.

5. Where You Shop

Prices can vary between grocery stores, warehouse clubs, butcher shops, and direct from local farms. Warehouse stores often have the best deals for frozen turkeys around the holidays. butcher shops and local farms will have fresher, higher-end birds at premium prices.

Average Turkey Prices by State

Turkey prices fluctuate moderately based on your location as well. Here are the average per-pound turkey costs by state:

• Alabama – $2.90
• Alaska – $3.49
• Arizona – $2.99
• Arkansas – $2.75
• California – $3.19
• Colorado – $2.92
• Connecticut – $3.21
• Delaware – $3.12
• Florida – $3.01
• Georgia – $2.87
• Hawaii – $3.69
• Idaho – $3.10
• Illinois – $2.98
• Indiana – $2.92
• Iowa – $2.84
• Kansas – $2.80
• Kentucky – $2.85
• Louisiana – $2.77
• Maine – $3.15
• Maryland – $3.04
• Massachusetts – $3.25
• Michigan – $2.95
• Minnesota – $2.81
• Mississippi – $2.81
• Missouri – $2.79
• Montana – $3.12
• Nebraska – $2.80
• Nevada – $3.09
• New Hampshire – $3.19
• New Jersey – $3.15
• New Mexico – $2.83
• New York – $3.12
• North Carolina – $2.92
• North Dakota – $2.85
• Ohio – $2.89
• Oklahoma – $2.79
• Oregon – $3.21
• Pennsylvania – $2.98
• Rhode Island – $3.15
• South Carolina – $2.84
• South Dakota – $2.80
• Tennessee – $2.81
• Texas – $2.83
• Utah – $2.98
• Vermont – $3.10
• Virginia – $2.99
• Washington – $3.17
• West Virginia – $2.97
• Wisconsin – $2.87
• Wyoming – $3.05

Regional pricing differences are relatively small, usually varying by less than $0.50 per pound across states. The northeast and west coast see the highest turkey costs on average while prices are lower in the midwest and south.

Changes in Turkey Prices Over Time

Over the past couple decades, the retail cost of turkey has risen steadily. Here are the average per-pound prices over the last 10 years:

• 2022 – $2.95
• 2021 – $2.92
• 2020 – $2.89
• 2019 – $2.84
• 2018 – $2.77
• 2017 – $2.73
• 2016 – $2.70
• 2015 – $2.61
• 2014 – $2.54
• 2013 – $2.46

Turkey prices have increased around 20% in the last decade. And the expectation is that prices will continue rising over time.

Some of the factors contributing to the long-term increase in turkey prices include:

• Rising production costs for poultry farmers – feed, transportation, labor, etc.
• Inflation driving up all food costs
• More expensive turkey breeds gaining market share
• Higher consumer demand for poultry compared to red meat
• Seasonal spikes around the holidays putting pressure on prices

So while turkey remains an affordable protein choice for shoppers, expect to pay progressively more per pound each year moving forward.

Saving Money on Turkey

Here are some tips for getting the best deal when purchasing turkey:

• Buy whole frozen birds – The most budget-friendly turkey option. Allows you to carve and prepare only what you need.

• Shop warehouse stores – Stock up pre-holiday when frozen turkeys are heavily discounted.

• Check ads and stock up – Buy extra turkey when it’s on sale, then freeze for later.

• Go generic – Opt for store brand rather than name brand turkey to save up to 20%.

• Buy in bulk – Larger pack sizes offer lower per-pound pricing in many cases.

• Consider lesser-used cuts – Wings, thighs, and drumsticks are often cheaper.

• Make it yourself – Grind and cook your own turkey for burgers, sausage, etc.

With some smart shopping strategies and flexibility on cuts purchased, you can definitely beat the average turkey cost per pound.

Is Turkey Still An Affordable Protein?

Compared to other protein options like beef, pork, and chicken, turkey remains one of the most budget-friendly choices. And turkey provides high-quality protein with less fat than red meat.

As long as you steer clear of premium deli cuts and buy whole birds when possible, turkey delivers an affordable, healthy protein option for shoppers looking to save money. Comparisons to other proteins show turkey’s value:

• Ground beef: $4.90 per pound
• Boneless, skinless chicken breast: $3.60 per pound
• Bone-in pork chops: $3.40 per pound
• Sirloin steak: $9.50 per pound

While turkey isn’t always the rock-bottom cheapest protein, it provides an excellent balance of nutrition, versatility, and moderate pricing for budget-minded shoppers.

The Bottom Line

When shopping for your holiday meal or favorite turkey recipes, expect to pay around $3 per pound on average – sometimes less for frozen birds, sometimes more for certain cuts. With careful buying strategies like choosing generic brands, buying whole birds, and stocking up when there are sales, you can definitely beat the benchmark pricing.

Compared to beef, pork, and chicken, turkey remains one of the best values at the grocery store for shoppers looking for delicious, healthy, budget-friendly protein. So enjoy turkey as a wallet-friendly protein option that can keep your food budget on track.