With the holidays right around the corner, you may be wondering if you can buy a half turkey instead of a whole one. The short answer is yes, you absolutely can buy half a turkey! Whether you are hosting a small gathering or don’t need a massive whole bird, purchasing half a turkey is a great option.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about buying, cooking, freezing, and carving half a turkey. From where to find half turkeys to how long to cook them, consider this your go-to resource on half turkeys.

An Overview of Buying Half a Turkey

Buying half a turkey is an excellent choice for smaller families, couples, or single folks who don’t want or need an entire bird. It provides all the delicious turkey taste you crave without the headaches and waste of leftovers from a whole turkey.

Half turkeys are usually readily available at most grocery stores and butcher shops, especially around the holidays. Many major grocery store chains will have pre-packaged half turkeys available. You can also ask your butcher if they can get you a half turkey or custom order one.

When it comes to pricing, half turkeys are often more affordable than whole birds, especially when feeding a smaller group. Their smaller size means spending less per pound on average than you would on a full turkey

Where to Buy Half a Turkey

Wondering where you can get your hands on a half turkey? Here are some of the best places to buy half a turkey:

• Major grocery stores – Check the poultry section for pre-packaged half turkeys. Most large chains like Kroger, Safeway, etc. will carry them seasonally.

• Butcher shops or meat markets – Ask your local butcher if they sell half turkeys or can specially order one for you. This ensures you get the exact size you want.

• Direct from farms – Some local farms and turkey producers will sell half turkeys direct to consumers, especially around the holidays. Check around farmer’s markets.

• Online mail order – Several online retailers like Grow & Behold sell high-quality half pasture-raised turkeys that ship frozen right to your door,

• Wholesale clubs – Warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, etc. often stock half turkeys in their freezers around the holidays.

So as you can see, you have plenty of options when looking to buy half a turkey! Doing some searching at local grocery stores or asking your butcher is the easiest route for most.

Cost Comparison of Half vs Whole Turkey

One of the biggest draws of buying half a turkey is the cost savings compared to purchasing a whole bird. Let’s break down the typical price difference:

• A whole turkey ranges from $1 to $5 per pound on average depending on size, quality, etc.

• Half turkeys are often available for slightly cheaper at $0.89 to $4.50 per pound on average.

• The smaller size means your total spend on a half turkey ends up less than a whole bird.

• You can expect to spend $15 to $40 total for a half turkey compared to $40 to $60 for a whole bird.

So while half turkeys may not always be drastically cheaper per pound, the smaller total size means your wallet will thank you! For feeding a smaller group, half a turkey is almost always the more budget-friendly route.

Cooking Time for Half Turkeys

Cooking up a half turkey is similar to cooking a whole bird, just on a smaller scale. Here are some general guidelines on cook times:

• Plan on 10-15 minutes per pound for a total cook time of 2-4 hours depending on weight.

• Half turkeys under 8 pounds may cook in as little as 90 minutes. Larger halves over 10 pounds can take upwards of 4 hours.

• Monitor the temperature and use a meat thermometer. Half turkeys are done at 165°F at the thigh.

• Let the half turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving for juicy, tender meat.

Adjust cook times as needed if smoking, grilling, or preparing your half turkey differently. But in general, you can expect a half turkey to cook for significantly less time than a full bird double its size.

Freezing and Thawing Half Turkeys

Want to save that half turkey for later or take advantage of a holiday sale? Freezing is simple:

• Allow the half turkey to cool completely before freezing.

• Wrap the turkey tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags, removing excess air.

• Label the package with the date and weight before freezing.

• For best quality, use frozen half turkeys within 3-6 months.

Thawing a frozen half turkey is similar to a whole bird. Some safe thawing methods include:

• Thawing in the refrigerator – Allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds. Place on a tray to catch drips.

• Cold water method – Submerge sealed half turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.

• Microwave – Use the “defrost” setting if available. Otherwise, defrost at 30% power in 5 minute increments.

Avoid thawing at room temperature as this allows bacteria to grow. With some advance planning, freezing and thawing a half turkey is easy!

Should You Buy a Half Turkey?

At the end of the day, whether or not buying half a turkey is right for you depends on a few factors:

• Number of guests – Are you feeding a smaller crowd? Half a turkey may be plenty.

• Leftovers – Don’t want loads of leftovers? A half turkey provides less excess.

• Cooking time – Only have a couple hours to cook? A half turkey roasts more quickly.

• Budget – Looking to save money? Half turkeys are often cheaper than whole.

For most small gatherings under 8 people, a half turkey is likely ample with minimal leftovers. However, if you’re feeding a big crowd or love turkey leftovers, a whole bird may suit you better.

Carving and Serving Half a Turkey

Once your half turkey is perfectly cooked, it’s time to carve it up! Here are a few tips:

• Let the half turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.

• Remove the leg and thigh pieces first. Slice the breast meat against the grain into even slices.

• Use a sharp carving knife to cleanly cut the meat.

• Arrange slices on a serving platter with the leg, thigh, and wing pieces.

• Pour over any pan juices or gravy for added moisture and flavor.

• Refrigerate carved turkey within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.

And that’s it! With these simple carving instructions, your perfectly cooked half turkey is ready to enjoy.

Half Turkey Cooking and Recipe Inspiration

Now that you know all about successfully buying and cooking half turkeys, what are some delicious ways to serve that tender, juicy meat? Get inspired with these tasty recipes:

Maple Roast Half Turkey

Coat a half turkey in maple syrup, brown sugar, thyme, and pepper before roasting for a sweet and savory flavor. Simple and foolproof.

BBQ Half Turkey

For a summery twist, coat a half turkey in your favorite smoky, sweet barbecue sauce and grill it for a delicious meal.

Thanksgiving Leftover Half Turkey Pot Pie

Transform leftover turkey into a cozy, hearty pot pie with veggies, cream, and a flaky pie crust topping.

Half Turkey Enchiladas

Shred roasted turkey mixed with salsa, beans, cheese, and more makes for amazing enchiladas.

Half Turkey Tetrazzini

This classic is an easy way to use up leftover half turkey in a creamy, cheesy casserole. Comfort food at its finest.

Get creative with recipes like stews, soups, sandwiches, pastas, and more to put your delicious half turkey to good use. Those are just a few ideas to get you started!

FAQs About Purchasing Half Turkeys

Have any other questions about buying and cooking half a turkey? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How big is a half turkey?

• Half turkeys typically range from 5 to 12 pounds. A 10-12 pound half can feed 6-10 people.

Can I buy a turkey breast instead?

• You can buy just a whole turkey breast. But half a whole turkey also includes leg and thigh meat for more variety.

What’s better – fresh or frozen half turkey?

• Fresh and never-frozen half turkeys have more flavor. But frozen halves are much more accessible and handy to keep on hand.

Should I brine a half turkey?

• Brining is recommended to keep the meat extra juicy, but not required. Brine for 12-24 hours before cooking.

How can I use up leftover half turkey?

• Leftover turkey is perfect for sandwiches, soups, casseroles, turkey tetrazzini, turkey pot