Where to Buy a Deep Fried Turkey Near Me: A Guide to Finding the Best Local Options

Deep fried turkey has become a popular centerpiece for holiday meals and special gatherings. When properly prepared, deep frying results in turkey that is moist, tender and flavorful with crispy skin. If you don’t want the hassle of deep frying a turkey yourself, buying a pre-fried turkey from a local source is a convenient option. This article will explore the best places near you to purchase a ready-to-eat deep fried turkey.

Local Meat Markets and Butcher Shops

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Your first stop when searching for deep fried turkey should be local meat markets and butcher shops. Many specialty meat shops offer deep fried turkeys during the holidays. They use professional fryers to perfectly cook the turkeys in-house using high quality oils or fats like peanut oil or lard.

The benefit of patronizing a local butcher for deep fried turkey is getting expertly prepared meat with flavors and seasonings you can’t find elsewhere. Local shops often brine or inject the turkeys to make them extra juicy and flavorful before frying. You’ll also be supporting small businesses in your community. Check the shop’s website or social media to see if they offer fried turkeys for pre-order.

Grocery Store Deli Sections

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Another convenient option is checking the deli department of grocers like Kroger, Safeway, Publix or Albertsons. Many large grocery store chains now sell ready-to-eat deep fried turkeys in the days leading up to holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. The deli section will cook them in-store using commercial deep fryers.

Grocery store deep fried turkeys are affordable and easy to pick up without having to order ahead. The flavors might be more basic than a local butcher but the convenience factor of grabbing one at the grocery store while you shop for side dishes can’t be beat. Make sure to call your store’s deli to check availability.

Warehouse Clubs

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Bulk warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s often carry pre-cooked deep fried turkeys during peak holiday seasons. They offer large birds like 12-14 lb deep fried turkey breasts at prices competitive with grocery store delis. Warehouse clubs cook their turkeys in advanced kitchens to maintain food safety while still delivering large quantities.

The deep fried turkeys sold at warehouse clubs will have straightforward seasoning without the specialty rubs or injections of a local butcher. But the warehouses excel at providing an affordable ready-to-eat turkey you can quickly pick up along with party platters, sides dishes and desserts. Check their holiday catering menus online or call ahead to order your deep fried bird.

Online Mail Order Companies

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Several internet companies like Cajun Grocer, Cracker Barrel and Harry & David sell mail order deep fried turkeys. The frozen birds are shipped to your doorstep so you can heat and serve them on your schedule. This method allows you to secure your fried turkey well in advance.

Make sure to closely follow the reheating instructions that come with an online mail order turkey. Some mail order turkeys arrive pre-cooked so they just need thawing and gentle warming while others require finishing off the cooking process in your oven before serving.

Direct from a Local Turkey Fryer

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You may be able to buy a deep fried turkey direct from mobile turkey frying businesses in your area. These entrepreneurs travel around with professional turkey fryer setups selling pre-fried birds. They often sell turkeys from empty parking lots the week of Thanksgiving and other holidays.

Buying direct from a mobile fryer is fun and supports small businesses. Just make sure to ask questions about their frying methods and inspect the turkey thoroughly when purchasing one this way. A reputable fryer will cook turkeys safely at the proper oil temperature.

Fried Turkey Pop-Up Dinners

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Some restaurants and pop-up chefs host special fried turkey dinner events leading up to Thanksgiving. These typically involve purchasing a ticket for a multi-course meal featuring deep fried turkey as the star attraction. The turkey will be cooked professionally on-site.

Fried turkey pop-up dinners are a novel way to enjoy perfectly fried turkey without having to cook it yourself. It also takes care of all the side dishes with minimal work on your part. Just search “fried turkey dinner [your city]” to find these limited-time events.

Ready-to-Finish Kits

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One last option is buying an at-home fried turkey kit with a fresh or frozen turkey and directions for frying. This allows you to enjoy the flavor of fried turkey with less oil and equipment. Companies like Whole Foods, Popeyes and FriedTurkey.com offer these convenience kits.

The benefit of ready-to-finish kits is that they reduce the hassle of frying with smaller amounts of oil – usually 1 to 3 quarts compared to 5 gallons or more in traditional frying. Just make sure your pot or fryer is large enough to safely accommodate the turkey.

Don’t Forget the Sides!

When picking up your fried turkey, don’t forget savory sides like cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, collard greens, mac and cheese or giblet gravy to complement the bird. Stores that sell fried turkeys will also stock tasty holiday side dishes or you can prepare your own favorite recipes. Focus on enjoying time with friends and family after outsourcing the turkey frying!

Finding the Best Fried Turkey Near Me

From small local businesses to national chains, there are many great options to purchase deep fried turkey without the fuss. With some advanced planning, you can let someone else handle the frying so you can relax and indulge this holiday season. Use this guide to track down the perfect fried turkey from markets, delis, butchers and specialty suppliers near your location.