Turkey necks are an underutilized and delicious part of the bird that can add tremendous flavor and nutrition to soups, stews, stocks, and more But with whole turkeys gaining popularity over turkey parts, you may be wondering where you can source turkey necks these days.
As someone who cooks with turkey necks weekly, I’ve got the inside scoop on the best places to find high quality necks for your cooking needs. Keep reading for tips on where to buy fresh, frozen, and high volume cases of turkey necks.
Check Your Local Grocery Store Meat Department
Many regular full service grocery stores sell turkey necks, though they are sometimes hard to spot. Ask the butcher if they have any in the back that aren’t on display. Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Publix, H-E-B, and Harris Teeter are some chains likely to carry them. Supply fluctuates seasonally, with more availability around the holidays when whole turkeys are being broken down. If you shop at specialty grocers like Whole Foods or Sprouts, check the freezer section for packaged turkey necks.
Look for Them at Warehouse Clubs
Warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s often stock large bags of turkey necks, especially during the holiday season. Check the poultry freezer sections. You can sometimes find 10 pound cases of necks for a great bulk price at warehouse retailers. Vacuum seal and freeze any excess to have necks on hand for future recipes.
Try Your Local Butcher Shop or Meat Market
Independent butcher shops and meat markets are an excellent source for turkey necks, They have connections with poultry suppliers and break down whole birds on site Ask at the counter if they have any turkey necks for sale, Many butcher shops even save necks for customers who request them regularly, Offer to buy them in bulk if you plan to cook with them often,
Check the Freezer at Asian, Hispanic, and Caribbean Markets
Cultural grocery stores like Asian Hispanic, and Caribbean markets frequently stock turkey necks. Shoppers at these stores purchase poultry pieces like necks feet, and gizzards more often. Look for freezer bags of necks or check the butcher case. You can sometimes find great deals on cases of necks at these niche grocers.
See If Your Local Farm Offers Them
Some local poultry and meat farms sell turkey necks. Check farmers markets, CSAs, and farm stands to find a farm near you that processes whole turkeys. Many break the birds down into parts and will set aside necks if you request them. You can also check if they sell necks and other parts in their on-site farm store. This ensures you get the freshest necks possible.
Purchase in Bulk Online
To buy turkey necks in bulk from the comfort of home, turn to online retailers. Sites like Walmart.com, Instacart, and Smart Foodservice offer cases of frozen turkey necks available for delivery. Just type in “turkey necks” and filter by number of pounds. You can purchase 20-40 pound cases for the best value. Thaw just what you need and keep the rest frozen for up to 9 months.
Check with Local Meat Processing Plants
In some areas, small poultry processing plants will sell turkey necks to the public. These are facilities that slaughter and package whole turkeys before distributing them to grocers and restaurants. Call plants nearby to ask if they will sell you a case of necks. You may need to purchase 20 pounds or more, but the price is usually very reasonable when buying straight from the processor.
See If You Can Order from Food Distributors
Restaurant food distributors are another potential source for turkey necks, though minimum orders tend to be very large. Check with local restaurant and foodservice suppliers to see if they can sell you a case. You may have to provide tax ID and other business documents to open an account, so this option is best for very high volume users like commercial kitchens.
Connect with Hunters or Homesteaders
If you know any hunters or homesteaders who process their own turkeys, ask them to save you some necks. People who hunt wild turkeys or raise heritage breed turkeys often remove the necks during butchering. Offer to buy them, or see if they’ll trade for a home cooked meal featuring the neck meat. This allows you access to truly free range, organic turkey necks.
$60 Turkey Necks quantity
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Part of what makes any cut of meat delicious is the fat and cartilage, which add moisture and flavor when cooked. Because turkey neck bones have so much cartilage, the result after cooking is incredibly tender, moist, and flavorful meat, comparable to the texture of braised short ribs. That’s why, across many different cultural cuisines, you’ll see turkey necks as a delicious staple.
Sold by the pound. In order notes at checkout please put any preference on how you would like it butchered, number of pieces, pieces in a pack, etc.
Super Tender Smothered Turkey Necks | Comfort Food | Chef AldenB
FAQ
What is another name for a turkey neck?
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double chin
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jowls
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excess neck fat
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fat below the chin
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submental fat
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submental fullness
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Are turkey necks good for you?