Enjoy this product 3-5 days after delivery or freeze upon arrival, and use within the year.
This product ships deep chilled to arrive fresh in a biodegradable liner. Arrival temperature of bird will vary depending on your location, & turkey may feel hard upon arrival – this indicates it is still deeply chilled.
That suggested roasting times may vary. If the turkey is unstuffed, decrease the roasting times listed above by approximately 30 minutes.
To remove the truss just lift the ring and pull it up and over the end of the drumstick. To secure the truss, hold the drumsticks together, lift the ring and pull it over the drumsticks. The nylon truss is oven and microwave safe and can withstand oven temperatures of up to 450º F.
Preheat oven to 325º F. Remove soft oven ready turkey from the bag. After removing the neck and giblets from the body cavities rinse the bird with cold water. Pat turkey dry with a paper towel. If you choose to stuff your bird this would be the time to do so.
Organic turkey has become increasingly popular in recent years as more consumers seek out natural, sustainable meat options. But with so many places to buy turkey how do you know where to find high-quality organic turkey? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the top places to buy organic turkey looking at pricing, sourcing, animal welfare standards, and more.
Why Choose Organic Turkey?
Before diving into where to buy organic turkey, let’s first go over the main benefits of choosing organic:
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No GMOs Organic turkeys are fed a non-GMO diet and cannot be genetically modified themselves This appeals to consumers trying to reduce GMO consumption.
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No synthetic chemicals. Organic standards prohibit the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. This means the turkeys and their environment are free of these substances.
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Higher animal welfare standards, Organic turkeys must have access to the outdoors and space to move around Their living conditions promote natural behavior and health
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Environmental sustainability. Organic practices nurture soil health, reduce pollution, and conserve water and energy. Choosing organic turkey supports sustainable agriculture.
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Flavor. Many people find organic turkey to be more flavorful and juicy compared to conventionally raised turkey. The diet and living conditions impact taste.
So by opting for organic, you can enjoy turkey raised in a more natural, ethical way that produces a tasty end result. Now let’s explore the top places to purchase.
Organic Grocery Stores
Organic grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market offer high-quality organic turkeys sourced from farms with strict animal welfare standards.
Whole Foods Market
With 500+ locations across North America and the UK, Whole Foods is one of the most accessible places to buy organic and natural foods. They sell organic whole turkeys in various sizes, typically ranging from 8-22 pounds and priced from $2.99-$5.99 per pound. You can order ahead and pick up your turkey at your local store.
Whole Foods has a long history of promoting organic agriculture and practicing responsible sourcing. Their turkeys meet standards like:
- Global Animal Partnership Step ratings for animal welfare
- USDA organic certification
- Non-GMO diet
- No antibiotics ever
- Access to the outdoors
By purchasing Whole Foods Brand organic turkey, you can trust you’re getting turkey produced in an ethical, sustainable way. It’s competitively priced for organic too.
Sprouts Farmers Market
With 380+ stores mainly across the south and west, Sprouts is another leading natural grocer offering organic turkey. Their selection includes whole turkeys, breasts, tenderloins, cutlets, ground turkey, and smoked turkey deli meat.
Sprouts organic turkey is reasonably priced from $2.99-$5.99 per pound depending on the cut. The quality meets certified USDA organic standards and their corporate animal welfare policy. While not as widespread as Whole Foods, Sprouts is an excellent option for organic turkey if you live near one of their stores.
Specialty Turkey Brands
Alternatively, you can buy organic and heritage breed turkeys from small family farms through specialty turkey brands like D’Artagnan and Organic Prairie. This offers unique turkey varieties and careful sourcing.
D’Artagnan
Founded in 1985, D’Artagnan partners with small farms across the Midwest to produce high-end organic and heritage breed turkeys with premium flavor. Their organic turkeys are:
- USDA certified organic
- Fed an all-vegetarian, non-GMO grain diet
- Free range with full outdoor access
- Available fresh never frozen, with giblets included
- $2.99-$6.99 per pound
Order online and D’Artagnan will ship the turkey overnight with ice packs to arrive fresh at your door. As a foodie favorite, their turkeys make impressive centerpiece roasts for holidays and special occasions.
Organic Prairie
This farmer-owned organic brand sells pasture-raised organic turkeys online and through health food stores. Their turkeys are:
- Certified USDA organic
- Vegetarian fed, no GMOs
- Free range on organic grass pastures
- $3.49-$6.99 per pound
Organic Prairie offers whole turkeys, breasts, deli meat, sausages, and more. As a co-op of over 100 family farms, they have tight supply chain oversight to verify ethical practices. Overall an excellent source of pastured organic turkey.
Direct from Local Farms
Searching for organic turkeys sold directly from nearby family farms is another option. Benefits include:
- Ultra local and seasonal
- Know exactly where your turkey came from
- Support small local farms
- Price competitively with organic markets
Check listings on Local Harvest and Eat Wild to find organic turkey farms that sell direct to consumers. Or visit farmers markets and family farms in your area to inquire. Going direct to the source guarantees your turkey meets organic practices and helps sustain local agriculture.
Mail Order & Online Retailers
If you don’t live near any good organic turkey suppliers, mail order is an alternative for home delivery.
Walmart
Surprisingly, Walmart has started offering certified organic turkey through their online grocery website. They sell Whole Foods 365 organic frozen turkey breast and ground turkey. While not as wide a selection as specialty retailers, Walmart’s everyday low prices make organic turkey more accessible.
Thrive Market
Thrive Market is an online supermarket with thousands of organic products shipped direct to your door. They sell high-quality organic turkey from various trusted brands:
- Diestel turkey: pasture raised, heirloom breeds
- Purely Elizabeth turkey sausage: organic, gluten free, paleo
- Wild Idea turkey: free range, antibiotic free
- Teton waters ranch turkey: free range, non-GMO
Thrive Market offers competitive prices on organic turkey breasts, sausages, deli meat, pet food, and more. Their mission is making healthy living easy and affordable.
Butcher Box
Butcher Box focuses on high-quality organic meat delivery. Their turkey offerings feature:
- Free range PAACO certified bronze breast
- No antibiotics or added hormones
- $50 for 10-12lb box
Butcher Box turkey comes frozen with dry ice shipping from small family farms in California and Wisconsin. Their curated boxes offer streamlined organic turkey ordering.
Key Factors When Buying Organic Turkey
Now that you know where to find organic turkey, keep these key buying factors in mind:
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Verified standards: Look for USDA Organic certification to guarantee the turkey meets strict federal guidelines for organic production.
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Raising practices: Organic standards have wiggle room, so check the specific practices like housing, space, humane handling, non-GMO feed, etc. to understand how the turkeys were raised. Phrases like “free range” without organic certification lack regulation.
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Breed: Heritage turkey breeds have more flavor because they grow slower and are more active. Broad-breasted turkeys dominate the market because they grow very big very quickly but lack in taste. Mix in other organic meats for variety.
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Price: Organic turkey costs $2-7 per pound, more than conventional. Buying direct from farms or bulk quantities can lower the price. Weigh the benefits of going organic against the higher cost.
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Fresh or frozen: Fresh organic turkey like D’Artagnan’s will have the best flavor and texture. But frozen pre-ordered turkeys provide convenience. Go fresh when possible.
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Animal welfare: Look into brands’ animal welfare policies. Organic standards cover the basics, but companies like Global Animal Partnership offer stricter auditing of welfare through 5-Step animal rating standards as Whole Foods uses.
The Bottom Line
From national chains to local farms, there are more quality options than ever for buying organic turkeys produced in an ethical, sustainable way. Know your standards, shop early to get the best selection, and choose the right size turkey for a fool-proof feast. Going organic provides peace of mind that your holiday centerpiece was raised humanely without artificial chemicals.
Family Recipe: Simple Rub
Rub the exterior of turkey with a blend of your favorite herbs and spices or with a paste made of the following ingredients:
4 Tbsp oil, (melted butter, margarine, olive oil, etc.) 4 tsp. salt, or to taste 2 tsp. paprika
Place the turkey in an open roasting pan, breast side up. Cover the bottom of the pan with approximately 2 cups water or broth. Place your beautiful turkey in the oven.
Use a 325º F oven. We would encourage you to check the internal temperature throughout the roasting time to be careful not to over-roast. The internal temperature typically increases more rapidly during the last half of roasting.
There is no need to turn the bird while roasting as it will brown to a rich, golden color. A foil tent can be placed loosely over the turkey during the last hour of roasting to prevent over browning. For truly marvelous gravy, heat (do not boil) 1 cup white wine. Pour this over your turkey halfway through the roasting time. When the turkey reaches the desired internal temperature, remove from the oven. Cover and let stand for at least 15 minute before carving.
How To Shop For Beef, Chicken, Pork, & Turkey At The Grocery Store
FAQ
Is it worth it to get an organic turkey?
Can you get organic turkey?
How much should an organic turkey cost?
Are our turkeys organic?
They’re fed only 100% certified organic feed. The birds are raised according to the strictest organic production and humane treatment standards. A holiday favorite praised for being tender, juicy and delicious, our organic whole turkeys have an unparalleled farm-fresh flavor.
Where are certified organic turkeys raised?
Our certified organic turkeys are raised in the Midwest, on a 5 generation family farm. They’re fed only 100% certified organic feed. The birds are raised according to the strictest organic production and humane treatment standards.
How much do organic turkeys cost?
But around the holidays there are deals to be had on organic turkeys. For example, Whole Foods announced that from Nov. 11 through Nov. 22, organic turkeys will be $2.99 per pound for Amazon Prime members and $3.49 if you aren’t a Prime member.
Why should you buy certified organic turkeys?
The use of certified-organic grain along with the time and care it takes to raise turkeys outdoors on pasture means our turkeys are more expensive to produce, but you can take comfort knowing no antibiotics, no GMO grains and no synthetic chemicals are used to produce your food.