Planning a smaller Thanksgiving dinner or intimate holiday feast? You’ll want to skip the massive 18-20 pound turkey and opt for a smaller bird But where can you find a high quality small turkey between 6-12 pounds? Here are the best sources for petite turkeys perfect for feeding just a few people
Specialty Turkey Brands
Several national turkey brands offer smaller birds specifically marketed as “small turkeys.”
Butterball Fresh Lil’ Butterball
Butterball is likely the most well known turkey brand. Their Fresh Lil’ Butterball whole turkey ranges from 8-12 pounds, making it ideal for gatherings of just 4-6 people. These petite turkeys are
- All natural with no artificial ingredients
- Never frozen
- Gluten free
- Low sodium
- No added hormones or steroids
- American Heart Association certified
You can find Fresh Lil’ Butterball turkeys at major grocery chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and more. Use the Butterball store locator to find one near you.
Diestel Family Ranch Petite Turkey
Family-owned Diestel Ranch in California offers pasture-raised turkeys including a petite whole turkey from 6-10 pounds. Their turkeys are:
- Antibiotic free
- Fed a vegetarian diet
- Free range
- Air chilled
Check the Diestel Ranch store locator to find their petite turkey at a retailer near you.
Plainville Farms Small Turkey
Plainville Farms based in Massachusetts sells all natural turkeys including a small turkey between 10-13 pounds. Their turkeys are:
- Raised cage free
- Fed an all vegetarian diet
- No antibiotics ever
- Air chilled
- Certified humane
Find Plainville Farms petite turkey with their store locator tool.
Local Farms and Butcher Shops
In addition to the national brands, you may be able to source a small turkey fresh from a local farm or butcher shop in your area.
-
Farmer’s markets are a great place to check for petite turkeys from local farms. Ask farmers if they can take custom orders.
-
Local butcher shops often work directly with area farms. Check with your neighborhood butcher around Thanksgiving to see if they have or can get small turkeys.
-
Search online directories like LocalHarvest to find a farm near you selling small turkeys.
Opting for a local turkey supports small businesses in your community. You may also get more custom options like heritage breed turkeys.
Standard Turkeys Can Be Too Big
Even a “small” minimally processed turkey from a typical grocery store may be bigger than you need. A standard small turkey is usually 10-15 pounds – still too big for a small gathering.
Make sure to carefully check the size before purchasing. Don’t assume a turkey labeled “small” is petite enough for your needs. Check the specific weight.
Plan Ahead for a Small Turkey
Since small turkeys are less common, plan ahead to get your hands on one. Check availability at local farms and specialty brands several weeks in advance.
Popular petite turkey options like Lil’ Butterball can sell out before the holidays. If you wait until the week of Thanksgiving, you may have a hard time finding the perfect small turkey.
Enjoy a Small Turkey for Intimate Holiday Meals
A small turkey between 6-12 pounds is ideal for a cozy dinner for 2-6 people. With options from national turkey brands, local farms, and butchers, you can find the perfect petite turkey. Plan ahead and then relax knowing your small turkey will cook quickly and deliver tons of flavor without too many leftovers.
People love #ButcherBox
kilo_frenchbully
people always ask me about my diet | @butcher_box for the win | grass fed, grass finished and no hormones = lean
abby.does.keto
@butcher_box delivery day is by far my favorite day of the month! So comforting knowing that we dont have to do as much grocery shopping ♀️ 
soysaucefoodie
Got my first @butcher_box order today in the mail! Definitely excited to have such quality meats to cook with!! I love the convenience
How To Find A Small Turkey And Tips For Small Thanksgiving Dinner
FAQ
Can you buy a small turkey?
Do they sell 5 lb turkeys?
Can you buy a 32 lb turkey?
What is a mini turkey?
Where can I buy a small Turkey?
Shopping early is key if you want the best selection of smaller turkeys. Try major supermarkets like Kroger, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods for the best selection. Farmer Focus offers organic, free-range heirloom turkeys that average just 13 pounds in size.
Where can I buy a small turkey breast?
As we mentioned, Kroger grocery stores should stock a range of smaller turkeys, even some as small as five pounds. Trader Joe’s may have turkeys as small as 12 pounds; they also sell cooked, brined turkey breasts. Whole Foods also sells a bone-in turkey breast that weighs about six pounds.
Is a small Turkey better than a large turkey?
Small turkeys are easier to cook than large ones, plain and simple. For one, their size makes them easier to pull in and out of the oven for basting. But more importantly, it’s much easier to get moist, juicy meat and perfectly golden-brown skin when you’re cooking a small turkey. When it comes to roasting, turkey is somewhat of a flawed bird.
What are the different types of turkeys?
Heirloom Turkeys: A little bigger than heritage turkeys, this special variety has robust flavor and a lot of dark meat. Brined Turkeys: We’ve marinated these birds in a seasoned brine for moist, flavorful meat. If you’re planning to fry your turkey, start with one of our brined birds.