Planning a turkey this year? Let us help you find the perfect bird for your table.
Buying the right turkey can mean the difference between a good Thanksgiving and a legendary Thanksgiving. And while you can’t go wrong with any of our birds, shopping for a specific size or certification can be tricky. Rest assured, we’re here to help simplify the process. Below, learn more about our birds, plus get expert buying and storing tips.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about the main event – the turkey! Finding a fresh, high-quality turkey is essential for a delicious Thanksgiving meal. But with so many options for turkeys these days, it can be overwhelming trying to decide where to get one. From grocery stores to butcher shops to local farms, there are lots of places to buy turkeys, but not all turkeys are created equal.
I’ve rounded up the top places near New York City to find the best fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving this year. Whether you want a standard supermarket turkey or a pasture-raised heritage breed, you’ll find the perfect turkey for your gathering on this list.
Supermarkets
Grocery stores like Whole Foods, Fairway, and ShopRite carry a wide selection of high-quality fresh turkeys. Though not as specialized as a butcher shop, larger grocery chains work with reputable suppliers and offer good options for classic fresh turkeys.
Whole Foods
Whole Foods carries classic fresh turkeys, as well as heritage, organic, kosher, and brined turkeys Their turkeys meet animal welfare standards and are raised without antibiotics or animal by-products in feed You’ll need to order turkeys in advance online or at the store meat counter.
Fairway
Fairway has an extensive selection of fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving, including heritage breeds. All Fairway turkeys are raised cage-free without antibiotics or growth hormones. You can order ahead online or shop in-store.
ShopRite
ShopRite sells fresh Broad Breasted White turkeys that are locally raised without antibiotics or hormones. They offer a price match guarantee to make sure you get the best deal. You can order ahead online up to 72 hours before your selected pickup time.
Butcher Shops
For high-end specialty turkeys, head to your local butcher shop. Butchers work directly with farms and have access to heirloom breeds and premium turkey options you won’t find elsewhere.
Ottomanelli & Sons
This old-school Italian butcher shop in Greenwich Village has earned a stellar reputation for its quality meats. They carry Diestel family ranch turkeys raised using regenerative techniques. Order your turkey ahead by phone or in person.
Schaller & Weber
Specializing in German meats and sausages, this historic Upper East Side shop sells pasture-raised turkeys from Autumn’s Harvest farm upstate. You can order ahead online or by phone.
Paisano’s Butcher Shop
With several locations around NYC, Paisano’s offers fresh and flash-frozen Broad Breasted White turkeys from Pennsylvania farms. You can reserve your turkey online or by phone.
Local Farms
For the freshest turkeys, buy directly from a local farm in the tristate area. Farm-raised turkeys are premium birds with incredible flavor.
Quattro’s Game Farm
This small family farm in New Jersey raises free-range heritage turkeys using organic practices. They sell Narragansett, Bourbon Red, and other rare breeds. Order online by November 14 for pickup before Thanksgiving.
Violet Hill Farm
Based in Upstate New York, Violet Hill Farm brings their pasture-raised turkeys down to sell at the Union Square Greenmarket in NYC. Place your order early online or at their stand.
Liberty Farms
Liberty Farms in the Hudson Valley raises heritage and Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys on pasture. They deliver to metro NYC areas or you can pick up directly from the farm.
Ordering Tips
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Order 1.5-2 pounds per person, erring on the side of extra.
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Make sure your fridge or freezer can accommodate the size of turkey you buy.
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Order heritage and specialty turkeys 1-2 weeks in advance.
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Allow 3-4 days lead time for fresh turkeys from grocery stores.
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Pick up fresh turkeys 1-2 days before cooking.
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Store fresh turkeys in the coldest part of your fridge. Place frozen turkeys in a freezer until ready to thaw.
How to Store Your Turkey
Whether you’ve picked up your turkey from our stores or you’re having it delivered, it’s important to store your bird properly before cooking. Follow these tips for success.
Our fresh turkeys are kept in a deep chill to maintain a crust of ice on the surface. This ensures that you can safely store your bird at home until you’re ready to cook. Keep your turkey deep-chilled (35°F) in the coldest spot in your fridge, turned down as low as possible, or store in a secondary fridge. The ice will easily melt over time, but be sure to check your bird the day before Thanksgiving. If it looks a bit crisp, place under cool running water to ensure it’s perfect by your feast.
Store frozen birds in your freezer (ideally in a secondary freezer if you have one) until you’re ready to thaw. Depending on how much time you have, you can thaw your turkey in your refrigerator or by submerging it in cold water.
How Much Turkey Do You Need?
When buying your turkey, go for more than what you really need (because who doesn’t love turkey leftovers?). Even so, consider the size of your fridge and oven before coming home with a huge bird. Here’s how to plan your order based on the number of people you’re feeding.
|
Turkey Size |
Serves |
|---|---|
|
8–10 pounds (bone-in breast) |
4 people |
|
12–14 pounds |
6 people |
|
20–24 pounds |
12 people |
Rule of thumb: 2 pounds of turkey per person, but start with 8 to 10 pounds for four people.
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FAQ
When can I buy a fresh turkey?
Does Costco have turkeys?
Are turkeys frozen at the grocery store?