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When planning a holiday meal, the star attraction is often a juicy, golden roasted turkey. But when looking to purchase a turkey to feed the gathered family and friends, an important question arises – how much does a 20 lb turkey cost? The price can vary depending on seasonal demand, promotions, and other factors. Understanding the typical price range and shopping strategies can help find the best deal.
Average Cost of a 20 lb Turkey
The average cost for a frozen 20 lb whole turkey from a grocery store runs $40-$50 during the holidays. At other times of the year, the price is typically $1.99-$2.99 per pound.
Here are some more specifics on average 20 lb turkey pricing
- Non-holiday periods: $35-$45
- Thanksgiving season: $45-$55
- Christmas season: $50-$60
Specialty turkeys from small farms, butcher shops, or premium brands can cost $60-$100 for a 20 lb bird.
Where to Buy the Best Deal
Finding the lowest prices requires checking multiple sources:
Grocery Chains – Look for special pricing, discounts, and coupons during holiday promotions. Some deals to watch for
- Kroger: $0.59/lb or less with minimum purchase
- Albertsons: $0.49/lb on coupon special
- Publix: Occasional $35-39.99 whole turkey deals
Warehouse Clubs – Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s often offer ultra-low turkey pricing for members. Expect to pay $0.89-$1.49/lb.
Local Farms/Butchers – Can offer specialty breed turkeys at premium prices, but some have holiday sales too.
Online Retailers – Omaha Steaks, Schwan’s, and others sell mail order turkeys at competitive prices.
Checking prices across multiple retailers improves the chance of finding a bargain 20 lb turkey.
Buying a Frozen vs Fresh Turkey
Another cost factor is whether to buy a frozen or fresh turkey.
Frozen turkeys are typically cheaper, often around $0.99-$1.49/lb year-round. They can be purchased well in advance of the holiday meal. Allow several days for safe thawing.
Fresh turkeys range from $1.49-$1.99/lb on average. They offer convenience for last-minute shoppers but must be cooked within a couple days of purchase.
Weigh the price difference against the convenience of each when deciding between fresh or frozen.
Get the 20 lb Size Right
When estimating turkey sizes, plan for about 1 pound per person, plus some extra. A 20 lb turkey can feed around 16-20 people comfortably.
Adjust up or down if serving larger or smaller gatherings. Too large a turkey means wasting leftovers, while too small leaves guests hungry. Do some quick math to get the ideal 20 lb or other weight.
Buy according to your final guest count, side dishes, and appetite to get the right size 20 lb turkey.
Ways to Save on a Turkey
From using coupons to buying in bulk, there are multiple ways to keep turkey costs low:
- Check ads and clip coupons from grocery stores, apps, websites
- Buy discounted gift cards from resellers to save on the overall cost
- Shop warehouse clubs for the best regular prices
- Buy two smaller turkeys instead of one large if on sale
- Check post-holiday clearance sales for major markdowns
A little strategic shopping goes a long way towards scoring bargains on turkeys.
Choose Turkey Parts to Save
Another money-saving option is buying just turkey parts versus a whole bird. Prices on parts like breast, thighs, and drumsticks are often lower per pound than a whole turkey.
Turkey parts to consider:
- Boneless breast: $3.49-$5.99/lb
- Bone-in breasts: $1.99-$2.99/lb
- Turkey thighs: $0.89-$1.99/lb
- Drumsticks: $0.79-$0.99/lb
Mixing different discounted parts can add variety while keeping costs down.
Shop Early for the Best Deal
The most impressive turkey promotions typically launch a week or more before Thanksgiving. Waiting too long risks missing out on the top bargains.
Shopping early also provides time to thaw frozen turkeys safely in the refrigerator. Make a plan to scout deals and purchase the main turkey up to two weeks before holiday dinners.
Locking in excellent pricing eases worries about how much that special 20 lb turkey will cost for the upcoming feast with family.
Get the Best Bird for Your Budget
In the end, an ideal turkey for the holiday table balances delicious flavor, reasonable pricing, and the right size for the gathering. With flexible shopping strategies, bargain hunting, and proper planning, finding a great 20 lb turkey that fits within budget constraints is totally achievable.
Start early, shop around, look for promotions, and buy creatively. Follow these tips to relax and enjoy a fabulous centerpiece turkey without overspending. Let the turkey do the gobbling while you save money!
Frequency of Entities:
turkey: 34
lb: 33
buy: 8
frozen: 7
pricing: 5
coupons: 4
cost: 4
deals: 4
savings: 3
fresh: 3
grocery: 2
parts: 2
HOW DO I COOK MY PERDUE FARMS TURKEY?
PERFECTLY COOK A TURKEY
Hungry for more? Check out these main and side dish recipes from Perdue Farms culinary team.
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Tis the ultimate question come the holiday season. Here, we share our suggestions for turkey size per number of guests, based on both servings with no leftovers and with leftovers taken into account.
How many people will a 20 lb turkey feed?
FAQ
How many people does a 20 pound turkey cost?
What is the average price of a turkey?
How many will a 20 pound turkey serve?
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Number of Guests
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Turkey Weight–
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12
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15lbs
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15
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20lbs
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20
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25lbs
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25
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32lbs
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How much is a 15 lb turkey?
How long does a 20 pound turkey take to cook?
A 20 pound turkey will take between 4 to 4 1/2 hours to come to temperature if your oven is 325°F. Here are some other cook times if your bird weighs differently: You’ll want to start testing it at about 1/2 to 1 hour before it’s supposed to be done to be sure that it doesn’t get overcooked.
How much Turkey do you cook per pound?
On average, plan for one to one and half pounds per Thanksgiving guest. For 10 people, you’ll want a turkey between 10 and 15 pounds. If you want leftovers, go bigger. How long do you cook a turkey per pound? The standard rule of turkey roasting time says 13 minutes per pound for unstuffed birds and 15 minutes per pound for the stuffed ones.
What temperature should a 20 pound turkey be cooked at?
You want the turkey to reach an internal temperature of 175°. Remember that at 325° it will take 30 minutes longer for the turkey to cook than if you cooked it at 350°. This is for a turkey without stuffing. Once your 20-pound turkey is stuffed, in the pan, and ready for the preheated oven, time to set your timer.
Can you cook a 20 pound turkey without stuffing?
This is for a turkey without stuffing. Once your 20-pound turkey is stuffed, in the pan, and ready for the preheated oven, time to set your timer. A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than one that is unstuffed.