Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about the star of the show – the turkey! While some people enjoy the tradition of roasting a whole bird, others find it easier and more convenient to serve sliced turkey. If you’re looking to take the hassle out of roasting your own turkey this Thanksgiving, buying pre-sliced turkey is a great option.
Here are some of the best places to purchase high-quality sliced turkey for your Thanksgiving feast:
Grocery Store Deli Counters
Many grocery store deli counters, like Publix, Wegmans, and Kroger, offer delicious roasted sliced turkey breast during the holidays. The turkey is often roasted in-store, so you can be sure it’s fresh. Deli turkey typically comes packaged by the pound so you can buy exactly as much as you need. Ask the deli staff when they expect to get sliced turkey in stock and place your order early so they can save a turkey breast for you.
Specialty Meat Shops or Butcher Counters
Local butcher shops or meat markets are another excellent source for sliced turkey. They often brine and roast their own turkeys with special seasoning. Going to a specialty shop allows you to get extra high-quality deli meat, and you’ll be supporting a local business. Ask for recommendations on the most flavorful or juicy turkey breast available
Grocery Pickup & Delivery
Grocery pickup and delivery services from stores like Whole Foods, Walmart, and Safeway let you order sliced turkey online and pick it up or have it delivered right to your door. This takes the hassle out of shopping in crowded pre-Thanksgiving grocery stores. Make sure to order a few days in advance to get the turkey you want.
Meal Delivery Kits
Meal kit services like HelloFresh and Home Chef offer pre-cooked sliced turkey options along with sides and recipes for the full Thanksgiving spread. While pricier than getting a turkey breast from the deli, it can save a lot of time and effort for a semi-homemade holiday meal.
Mail Order Turkeys
Several companies like Harry & David, Cracker Barrel, and Omaha Steaks ship fully cooked turkey breasts and complete Thanksgiving meals nationwide. Order your meal weeks ahead so it arrives in time to thaw and reheat. This is a convenient way to get a tasty turkey if you don’t live near a grocery store with a good deli.
Local Restaurants or Caterers
Check if any restaurants or catering companies in your area sell roasted turkey dinner packages for Thanksgiving. Picking up pre-sliced turkey along with sides like mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing can take a lot of work off your plate. Less cooking means more time to relax with family!
Pre-Sliced Deli Turkey
If you’re looking for smaller amounts of sliced turkey, the pre-packaged deli turkey section is a quick and easy choice. Brands like Boar’s Head and Diestel Turkey offer delicious oven-roasted breast meat. Pick up a few pounds of cold cuts along with cheese, lettuce, and sandwich bread. Combining pre-sliced deli turkey with side dishes you make yourself balances convenience with a homemade touch.
With so many options, it’s easy to find flavorful sliced turkey without the fuss of roasting and carving a whole bird on Thanksgiving day From your local grocery store deli to ordering fully prepared holiday meals online, you can find the perfect pre-sliced turkey breast for Thanksgiving gatherings both small and large. With high-quality sliced turkey from one of these sources, you’re guaranteed to have a hassle-free holiday feast!
Best for a Full Meal
- Feeds up to 16 people
- Sides and other foods available for purchase
- Affordability
What We Dont Like
- Thawing can be tricky
Feeding a crowd can take a lot of work, but this turkey from Purdue is delivered right to your door and then only requires thawing and cooking. The 16-20-pound option can feed up to 16 people and costs less than many other mail-order turkeys on the market.
We sent this one to the home of a tester of ours, who says they “have never had a turkey so juicy!” This is after a slight hiccup with thawing—we kept it in submerged in water for about six hours and it appeared to be thawed but was not. But we did brine and prep it regardless and it turned out perfect the next day.
Plus, Purdue offers things like classic sides and other foods you can get delivered at the same time, including Green Bean Almondine, Twice Baked Stuffed Potatoes, as well as Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes, Mini Cheesecakes, and more. It comes without any spices or seasonings, allowing you to roast or cook it in whatever youd like. With this turkey it is necessary to note the delivery times—Purdue usually ships in 1-3 business days.
Size: 10-16 and 16-20 pounds | Serves: 10 to 16 people | Shipping: All orders ship on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Those placed before 9 a.m. EST are processed the same business day, and orders placed after are processed the following business day. Christmas orders need to be placed before Tuesday, December 12.
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The Spruce Eats / Brittany McCoy
Best for Free Shipping
- No membership required
- Scheduled delivery available
- Raised without antibiotics
What We Dont Like
Theres no hassle involved with shipping when you order the Turkey Box at Butcherbox—”shipping and delivery are always free,” the company says. And while other meats are part of the signature subscription service, the Turkey Box does not require a membership.
Youll get their medium-sized whole turkey for the set price, and not anything more. Be ready to season the bird how you like, it comes raised without antibiotics, all-natural with no basting or artificial ingredients. Just thaw, cook, and enjoy.
Size: 14-18 pounds | Serves: 8-12 people | Shipping: Free shipping on any order, with scheduled shipping available
Check out DArtagnan for a gourmet selection of old-breed turkeys sustainably raised on free-range farms. Or, if youre in need of a full meal, browse the selection of sides and desserts to go with a tested-and-approved turkey via Purdue.
Gordon Ramsay’s Thanksgiving Recipe Guide
FAQ
Does Costco have cooked turkeys for Thanksgiving?
Can you buy just a turkey breast for Thanksgiving?
Can you buy turkey when its not Thanksgiving?
Can you order a whole Thanksgiving turkey?
From fresh seafood to juicy steaks, basically anything is deliverable these days, including a whole Thanksgiving turkey. So you might as well just cut some of that work out of the long day of cooking. You can order your bird raw, already roasted, and even stuffed. All you have to do is make the sides. But maybe you could order those too!
Where can I buy a full cooked turkey?
California-based Willie Bird ranch offers fully cooked turkeys, shipped chilled through Williams Sonoma. Choose from 3 sizes (7-10 pounds up to 13-16 pounds, depending on how many people you’re serving). From mail-order options to local stores like Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Publix and Popeyes, we found the best turkeys for 2023.
How much does a 13 pound turkey cost?
Find the restaurant nearest you using their store locator, and call ahead to place your order. Prices start at $59.99 for a 13-16 pound turkey. Order the whole menu from Boston Market, or go a la carte and pick up a fully cooked turkey and take care of the sides yourself.
What is a good turkey roast for Thanksgiving?
For a fuss-free Thanksgiving dinner, the company’s oven-ready turkey roast is a great choice. It’s seasoned with a Tuscan-style rub that will fill your home with a lovely aroma and pairs perfectly with traditional side dishes. The 7-pound piece of poultry provides between 24 and 36 servings, which pretty much guarantees a good amount of leftovers.