Where Can I Buy a Cooked Whole Turkey? Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Bird

The holidays are coming up which means it’s time to start thinking about your festive meals. For many families the centerpiece of Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving lunch is a juicy, tender whole turkey. But not everyone has the time, skills or oven space to roast their own bird from scratch. That’s where buying a pre-cooked whole turkey comes in handy!

In this article, we’ll explore the different places you can purchase a fully-cooked whole turkey and things to consider as you shop around for the perfect pre-made turkey for your holiday table.

Grocery Stores and Supermarkets

One of the most convenient places to buy a cooked whole turkey is your local grocery store or supermarket. Many major chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, etc. offer complete Thanksgiving and Christmas meals you can order ahead of time.

The turkeys are typically roasted in the store’s kitchen and you simply pick them up a day or two before the big meal. You can often choose between a free-range, organic, kosher, smoked or classic roasted turkey. They range from 10-16 lbs in size.

The benefits of ordering from your grocery store include:

• Convenience – It’s easy to add to your regular shopping list.

• Freshness – The turkeys are freshly prepared in-house.

• Value – Prices are very reasonable, often $2-3 per pound.

• Sides – You can get your side dishes, dessert and more all in one place.

The downside is you have a limited selection compared to ordering from a dedicated turkey provider.

Specialty Turkey Brands

For a premium quality pre-cooked turkey, look to brands that specialize in holiday birds like HoneyBaked Ham and Greenberg Smoked Turkeys.

The HoneyBaked Ham whole turkey is brined in a secret blend of herbs, spices and juices before being smoked over a blend of hickory, oak and pecan woods. The turkeys range from 10-16 pounds and cost around $7 per pound.

Meanwhile, Greenberg Smoked Turkey offers certified kosher birds smoked over fruitwood and maple that come in 8-30 pound options. Prices start at $4.99 per pound.

Pros of ordering from one of these specialty turkey companies include:

• Premium flavors thanks to special brines, rubs and smoking methods.

• Larger bird sizes available, ideal for big gatherings.

• Can order online and ship nationwide.

Potential cons are the premium pricing and limited side dish options compared to your grocery store.

Mail Order & Meal Delivery Kits

To take the guesswork out of even more of your holiday meal, consider a mail order turkey or full meal kit from online retailers like Harry & David’s, Williams-Sonoma and Magic Kitchen.

Harry & David’s offers fully cooked, free-range boneless turkey breasts and whole heritage turkeys from 10-16 pounds. Birds are brined in salt and sugar to ensure moist, flavorful meat.

Meal kits from Williams-Sonoma include a spiced, roasted whole turkey alongside sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce and more. Recipes and step-by-step instructions are included.

Magic Kitchen goes beyond just the bird to offer complete Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts for 4-10 people. Their holiday meals include appetizers, soup or salad, sliced turkey breast, side dishes, bread and dessert. Simply heat, serve and enjoy.

The benefits of mail order turkeys and meal kits include:

• Ultimate convenience – Everything is shipped to your doorstep ready to heat and eat.

• Broad size ranges – Can accommodate small family meals up to large gatherings.

• Cooking support – Recipes, tips and instructions take the guesswork out of holiday cooking.

The downsides can be the premium prices and lack of customization compared to doing everything yourself. It’s also more expensive than just picking up a turkey from your local market.

Online Direct from Farms

Another way to source a pre-cooked turkey is to order directly from a local farm. Companies like Coleman Natural and Mary’s Free Range Turkeys offer heritage breed, organic and non-GMO turkeys from small family farms.

Coleman turkeys are minimally processed with no antibiotics or added hormones. You can order them roasted or smokehouse ready online in sizes from 10-24 pounds for around $4-6 per pound.

At Mary’s Free Range Turkeys, expect free-range Narragansett, Bourbon Red and Standard Bronze birds fed vegetarian diets. Fully cooked options range from 10-20 pounds and cost about $160-300 each.

Buying direct from farms provides:

• Support for small, sustainable family farms.

• Heritage breed options raised humanely and naturally.

• Farm fresh quality and flavor.

The cons are limited inventory and only being able to order during the holiday season. Shipping costs can also be pricey for mail order turkeys.

What to Look for When Ordering Your Turkey

Once you’ve narrowed down where you’ll get your pre-cooked turkey, keep these factors in mind when placing your order:

• Size – Allow at least 1 pound of turkey per person, 1 1/2 pounds if wanting ample leftovers.

• Type – Decide if you want a classic roasted, smoked, free-range, organic, etc. turkey.

• Price – Calculate cost per pound to find the best value bird.

• Pickup/delivery dates – Make sure to order in advance for your preferred dates.

• Sides – Consider getting side dishes, gravy, pie and other accompaniments to save time and hassle.

Order the Whole Bird or Just Breast Meat?

Whole turkeys make a beautiful presentation and allow guests to enjoy both white and dark meat. However, turkey breasts alone are simpler to carve and serve.

Turkey breast averages $8-12 per pound compared to $3-7 for a whole bird. If feeding a smaller crowd, breast meat ensures no waste. But for big gatherings and holiday feasts, a classic whole roast turkey is tough to beat.

Get Your Gobbler Ordered Early

Preparing holiday meals is hectic enough without having to roast and carve an entire turkey yourself. Let someone else handle the hard work for you. Pick up a ready-to-eat whole turkey or mail order one to your door. From your local supermarket to specialty food brands, you’ve got options when you want to buy a pre-cooked bird.

Get your order placed early, then you can focus on making fond family memories instead of slaving away in the kitchen this holiday season. With this guide to where to purchase pre-made whole turkeys, you’ll find the perfect flavorful, juicy centerpiece for your upcoming festive feasts.