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.
Order online and schedule a time for pickup in store. Menu and location availability may vary. While supplies last.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you may be wondering where you can buy an unfrozen turkey for the big feast. Choosing an unfrozen or fresh turkey can make a big difference in the taste, texture, and appearance of your holiday bird Unlike frozen turkeys, fresh ones retain more natural juices and flavors. Their meat also often tends to be more moist and tender after roasting
However, finding fresh turkeys requires planning ahead and checking multiple sources. Most grocery stores only carry frozen turkeys, so you’ll have to dig a little deeper to locate an unfrozen turkey from a farm, specialty market, or online retailer. Don’t wait until the last minute! Get your fresh turkey order in 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving.
Here is your complete guide on where to buy unfrozen turkeys and how to choose the perfect fresh bird for roasting:
Why Go Fresh?
Before diving into where to buy let’s look at why you may want to choose a fresh turkey in the first place
-
More flavor – Fresh turkeys retain more natural turkey juices and flavors compared to frozen birds. The meat tastes more rich and savory.
-
Better texture – Freezing can damage the muscle fibers in turkeys, making them dry and stringy. Fresh turkeys have intact structures for tender meat.
-
Easier handling – No thawing needed means less chance of the turkey becoming misshapen or hard to work with. Fits better in roasting pans.
-
Fresher appearance – No freezer burn means the turkey skin looks smooth and appealing when cooked with nice even browning.
-
Faster roasting – Without needing to thaw, fresh turkeys cook more quickly than frozen ones. Reduce roasting time.
While fresh turkeys require a bit more planning, their superior quality and taste makes them worth seeking out from specialty suppliers.
Where to Find Fresh Turkeys
Check these sources 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving to find and order a fresh turkey:
-
Local farms – Many turkey farms sell fresh birds leading up to Thanksgiving. Look up farms in your state.
-
Farmers markets – Ask vendors at markets if they’ll have fresh turkeys available for the holiday.
-
Butchers – Give your local butcher advance notice to source fresh turkeys from their suppliers.
-
Specialty grocers – Smaller natural food stores or chains like Whole Foods often carry farm-fres
How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey
If you do choose one of our frozen birds, make sure to leave plenty of time for thawing. Use this handy chart to plan ahead.
|
Turkey Size |
Days in Fridge |
Hours in Cold Water |
|---|---|---|
|
14 pounds |
3 |
7 |
|
20 pounds |
4 |
10 |
We recommend thawing your turkey one of two ways:
Most Reliable Way: Put a tray or pan underneath the bird (in its packaging) to catch drips and place it in the refrigerator on the lowest shelf for 1 full day for every 5 pounds of turkey.
Fastest Way: Short on time or fridge space? This is your best option. Make sure the turkey is sealed in a leakproof wrapper and place it in a vessel large enough to completely contain it. Add cold water to cover. Change the water every 30 minutes and allow 30 minutes of thawing time per pound.
Need to stock up on turkey essentials like spices, fresh herbs and more? You can shop holiday groceries for pickup or delivery opens in a new tab with Prime.**
For plenty of inspiration, check out our Turkey Recipe Collection for menu ideas and our Essential Turkey Cooking Tips for expert pointers.
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.
Fresh vs. Frozen: Choosing Your Turkey
FAQ
Can you buy an unfrozen turkey?
Select fresh: The “fresh” label means the turkey has never been chilled below 26 F. Fresh turkeys should not be purchased until one or two days before you cook it, unless the manufacturer’s tag has a “Best by” or “Use by” date that indicates the turkey will be okay on the date you plan to cook it.
Are turkeys only sold frozen?
These days, turkeys come fresh, frozen and somewhere in between. That “in between” category is courtesy of a recent USDA ruling on labeling. Fresh turkeys have to be stored at 26 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Frozen turkeys have to be stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
When can I buy a fresh turkey?
- When to buy: Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before you plan to cook it.
- How to store: Keep it in the refrigerator until the “best-by” or “use-by” date.
- Freezing: If you want to store it longer, you can freeze it within one to two days of purchase.
Are Butterball turkeys fresh or frozen?
Fresh and frozen Butterball turkeys are all natural, gluten free and raised without hormones. Fresh and Frozen Butterball turkeys are deep basted for juiciness and flavor. All natural means minimally processed and no artificial ingredients.
Where can I buy a non frozen turkey?
With some advance planning, you can seek out and buy a non frozen turkey from specialty food stores, farms, online mail order companies and more. Just be sure to store your fresh bird properly and cook it within a day or two for food safety.
Where can I buy fresh turkey?
Some regular supermarkets like Kroger, Publix and Safeway carry limited quantities of fresh turkeys. Check availability and preorder. Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s sometimes have fresh turkeys in the weeks around Thanksgiving if you buy a membership. Inventory is limited.
Where can I buy fresh turkey ice?
Several nationwide companies like Harry & David, Williams-Sonoma and Goldbelly will ship fresh turkeys packed with ice directly to your door. Order 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving. Check local butcher shops, premium grocers like Whole Foods, or chains like Fresh Market which often stock fresh turkeys. Call ahead to preorder.
Can you freeze a fresh turkey?
Fresh turkeys are pre-brined. If you can’t cook the turkey within 2 days, you can freeze it. This stops bacteria growth. When freezing, remove giblets and wrap the turkey tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Freeze for up to one year. Follow these tips and your fresh turkey will stay nice and fresh until you are ready to cook and serve it.
When should I buy a fresh turkey?
Call ahead to check. No matter where you purchase a fresh turkey, it’s recommended to order it 1-2 weeks in advance of when you plan to cook it. The closer it gets to Thanksgiving, the more limited availability becomes. Proper storage is crucial once you buy a fresh, unfrozen turkey to keep it safe to eat.
Why should you buy a farm fresh turkey?
We have Farm Fresh, Never Frozen, ALL NATURAL TURKEYS coming directly from our select farms. Our turkeys are raised without harmful farming practices, and without the use of steroids and antibiotics which makes them the BEST and healthiest choice for your family dinner. They are leaner, juicier and taste better than store bought turkeys.