How Much Does a Smoked Turkey Cost? A Budget-Friendly Guide

A beautifully bronzed smoked turkey can be the showstopping centerpiece of a holiday feast or anytime meal But smoking a turkey yourself requires time and equipment, so buying one pre-smoked can be a convenient option. However, smoked turkeys cost more than their traditional oven-roasted counterparts In this guide, I’ll break down the average cost of buying a smoked turkey and provide tips for getting the best deal.

Why Are Smoked Turkeys More Expensive?

There are a few reasons why a smoked turkey costs $5-10 per pound or more while an unsmoked turkey can be found for as low as $1 per pound

• Specialized equipment and fuel: Deliciously smoked flavor comes from cooking low and slow in a smoker for hours over wood chips or charcoal. This requires more equipment and fuel than a standard oven.

• Labor: It’s much more time and labor intensive to monitor a smoker for 6-12 hours compared to roasting a turkey in the oven for a few hours.

• Yield Some moisture is lost during long smoking times, reducing usable meat yield per bird compared to oven roasting

• Uniqueness: True smoked flavor is hard to replicate at home without a smoker. This makes pre-smoked turkeys a specialty product with higher demand.

• Natural flavors: Most smoked turkeys rely just on real hardwood smoke rather than artificial flavor injections. This all-natural approach costs a bit more.

Average Price of a Smoked Turkey

On average, a whole pre-smoked turkey costs $3-5 per pound. Prices typically range from:

• 10-12 lb turkey: $30 to $60
• 12-14 lb turkey: $45 to $75
• 16-18 lb turkey: $60 to $100
• 20-22 lb turkey: $75 to $125

Frozen smoked turkeys are sometimes available at a small discount compared to fresh. Prices also vary based on the brand, quality, source and exact size.

Getting the Best Deal on a Smoked Turkey

Here are some tips for getting a great deal when buying a pre-smoked turkey:

• Shop early: Prices tend to rise closer to the holidays as demand goes up. Shop a month or more in advance for the best deal.

• Check weekly ads: Stores will often discount smoked turkeys leading up to the holidays, so check circulars and stock up when you see a good sale.

• Buy in bulk: Check restaurant and warehouse supply stores for large smoked turkeys at a lower per-pound cost. Slice and freeze the extra meat.

• Consider boneless: Boneless smoked turkey breasts are easier to find on sale than whole smoked birds. Estimate 1⁄3 pound per person.

• DIY: Buy an untreated turkey and smoker box to smoke it yourself for a fraction of the cost.

Average Smoked Turkey Cost from a Meat Smoking Service

Rather than buying a pre-smoked turkey from the store, you can hire a professional smoking service to customize smoke a bird for you. Prices vary widely, but on average expect to pay:

• $3-4 per pound for just smoking labor and any wood/fuel costs. You supply an untreated raw turkey.

• $6-8 per pound for them to supply the turkey and then smoke it.

Many meat smokers charge minimums in the $100 to $200 range for small turkeys. Always get a quote ahead of time.

Is Smoked Turkey Worth the Price?

At the end of the day, only you can decide if paying a premium for smoked turkey is worth it for your budget and palate. There’s no denying the unique smoky flavor and beautiful presentation a smoked turkey provides. Yet for the cost conscious, an oven-roasted turkey can deliver delicious results at a fraction of the price. Either way, focus on creating memories and traditions around the meal, not just the main course price tag.