Where to Buy Half a Turkey: Your Guide to Sourcing the Perfect Smaller Bird

For many of us, roasting a whole turkey is a tradition reserved for the holidays. But when you want that juicy, flavorful turkey taste at other times of the year, buying just half a bird can be the perfect solution. Finding half turkeys does require knowing the best places to source them. In this article, I’ll share tips on where to buy half a turkey along with advice for choosing the right one.

Why Buy Half a Turkey?

Here are some of the benefits of purchasing just half a turkey rather than a whole one:

• Smaller portions – Half a turkey provides plenty of meat for 4-6 people without massive leftovers

• Shorter cooking time – Roasting half a turkey takes only 1-2 hours compared to 3-4 hours for a whole bird.

• Greater variety – You can buy a half breast or half leg/thigh depending on your preferences.

• Lower cost – Halves cost less than a whole turkey while still delivering delicious flavor.

• Lean protein – Turkey is a healthier poultry option especially when buying high-quality organic half turkeys.

For smaller households,half a turkey is often the perfect amount for holiday meals or any special dinner. Now let’s explore the best places to find them.

Where to Buy Half Turkeys

Here are some of my favorite sources to purchase high-quality half turkeys:

1. Specialty Butchers

Local butcher shops are a top choice for finding half turkeys. Reputable butchers can source excellent quality birds from small local farms Ask your butcher if they carry half turkeys or can specially order one

2. Farmer’s Markets

Visit farmer’s markets to connect directly with turkey farms selling their pasture-raised birds. Ask farmers if they offer halves or can split a whole turkey for you.

3. Online Mail Order Companies

Order half turkeys online from companies like Grow & Behold, Porter Road, and D’Artagnan. They source humanely raised turkeys from family farms.

4. Direct from Turkey Farms

Research local pastured turkey farms that may sell halves directly to consumers. Check their websites or call to inquire.

5. Large Grocery Stores

Some grocery store meat departments, like Whole Foods, stock fresh half turkeys, especially around the holidays. Check the freezer section too.

6. Warehouse Clubs

Warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s often carry frozen half turkeys in late fall through winter. They offer budget prices.

7. Meal Kit Companies

Meal kit companies like HelloFresh and SunBasket sometimes offer half turkeys in holiday meal kits. Their birds come pre-seasoned.

What to Look for When Buying Half a Turkey

To choose the best half turkey, here are some important factors to consider:

• Organic and free-range – Look for certified organic, free-range, pasture-raised, or non-GMO birds when possible for higher quality.

• Antibiotic-free – Choose turkeys raised without antibiotics or hormones for healthier meat.

• Humane certification – Opt for half turkeys with third-party humane certification from organizations like Certified Humane.

• Fresh or frozen – Pick fresh turkeys for roasting immediately or frozen ones to store longer. Both taste great.

• Size – Estimate how many people you need to feed. Halves range from 4-14 lbs for 8-20 servings usually.

• Breast or leg – Select breast halves for lean white meat or leg halves for juicier dark meat.

How to Prepare a Half Turkey

Preparing half a turkey is similar to roasting a whole bird:

• Thaw frozen halves for 24-48 hours in the refrigerator before cooking.

• Pat the turkey dry and coat it with olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper.

• Place on a wire rack in a roasting pan, breast up. Add veggies like onions to pan.

• Roast at 350°F, basting occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 90 minutes.

• Let rest 15 minutes before carving. Serve with favorite sides and enjoy!

Spatchcocking halves (removing the backbone so bird lies flat) speeds cooking by about 30 minutes too.

Sample Half Turkey Recipes

Here are some delicious recipe ideas for your half turkey:

• Maple Bourbon Glazed Half Turkey – Brush halves with a sweet maple and bourbon glaze during roasting.

• Garlic Herb Half Turkey – Season halves with a fragrant garlic, rosemary, thyme, and sage rub.

• Curry Spice Half Turkey – Rub curry powder, cumin, coriander, ginger, and garlic into the skin for flavor.

• Balsamic Glazed Half Turkey – Baste turkey with a balsamic vinegar glaze for a tangy taste.

• Orange Cranberry Half Turkey – Stuff cavity with orange and cranberry sauce for built-in flavor.

With so many options, you can enjoy succulent turkey year-round by buying halves. Use this guide to locate high-quality pastured turkey halves from humane sources. Then get creative cooking up new turkey recipes for your family.