Where to Buy Raw Chicken Wings in Bulk

Chicken wings are a popular appetizer and snack food Buying raw chicken wings in bulk can help save money for restaurants, caterers, or even just large families who eat a lot of wings But where can you find large quantities of raw chicken wings for sale? Here are some of the best places to buy raw chicken wings in bulk.

Grocery Store Meat Departments

Many large grocery store chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, etc. have meat departments that sell case packs of chicken wings. Case packs have several bags of wings, and each bag is usually 20 to 40 pounds. Ask the manager of the meat department if they can order you a bunch of wings. When you buy a whole case instead of individual packages, the price per pound is usually less. Check to see if the store needs to be told ahead of time about large case pack orders.

Restaurant Food Distributors

Companies that sell food to restaurants, like Sysco and US Foods, keep a lot of chicken wings and other proteins on hand. To place an order, you’ll need to make an account with them. Distributors are helpful because they have everything a restaurant needs in one place. There may be a bigger minimum order size than at a grocery store. But wings are cheap when you buy a lot of them at once.

Butcher Shops or Meat Markets

Local butcher shops or meat markets are another good option for buying wings in bulk Many butcher whole chickens on premises and can save the wings to sell in large quantities You may even find some that cater to restaurants and food service accounts. Build a relationship with the butcher to reserve cases of wings ahead of time.

Warehouse Clubs

Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s sell large case pack sizes of chicken wings at discount prices. However, you usually need a paid membership to shop there. If you already have a membership, check their selection of wings in the freezer section. Just take note of the case pack sizes, as some may be too large for non-commercial buyers.

Online Meat Purveyors

There are several online stores that specialize in selling meat and seafood in bulk quantities. This includes companies like Wild Fork Foods, Porter Road, and Crowd Cow. Read their minimum order sizes and shipping details closely. Some may have order minimums of 40+ pounds of wings. Others ship in freezer packs with dry ice. This is convenient but may have higher costs.

Direct from Poultry Plants

Buying frozen wings directly from poultry processing plants is one way to really buy in bulk. This requires 20+ case pack orders and truckload shipping quantities. Check with Wayne Farms, Tyson, and Perdue for information on how to order in bulk. You’ll get the best price per pound direct from plants. But expect to buy full pallets with 500+ pounds minimum.

What to Look for When Buying Bulk Wings

When sourcing raw wings in volume, keep these tips in mind:

• Buy wings that are individually frozen. When thawed, individually frozen wings keep their shape better than block frozen wings. Ask suppliers how wings are frozen.

• Check grade and quality – U.S. Grade A wings are plumpest and meatiest. Avoid lower Grade B. Kosher and halal wings may cost more but ensure proper handling.

• Know sizing – Jumbo, large, medium and small are typical wing sizes. Different recipes may call for certain sizes. Mixing sizes leads to uneven cooking.

• Understand costs – Prices fluctuate based on poultry supply and seasonal demand. Buying direct from plants is cheapest. Online and distributors add convenience fees.

• Factor in shipping – Will wings ship frozen in insulated boxes? Is dry ice needed? Calculate total costs before ordering.

• Check shelf life – Raw wings keep 9-12 months frozen. Ensure you use within expiry and don’t order too far in advance.

• Have storage space – Make sure freezers can accommodate large supplies of wings without crowding. Rotate stock properly.

Storing and Handling Bulk Wings

Proper storage and handling maintains safety and quality when buying wings in volume. Follow these guidelines:

• Keep frozen at 0°F or below until ready to thaw and use. Constant freezing prevents spoilage.

• Minimize temperature fluctuations. Don’t open freezer repeatedly. Cold air escapes and reduces shelf life.

• Avoid freezer burn. Use airtight packaging or zipper freezer bags to protect wings. Rewrap torn cases.

• Store cases of wings tightly together to retain coldness. Don’t let them sit in warm areas before freezing.

• When thawing, keep at 40°F or below. Thaw in fridge overnight rather than at room temperature.

• Cook thawed wings within 2 days for food safety. Don’t refreeze thawed raw wings – cook first.

• Once cooked, refrigerate wings and reheat fully to 165°F before serving. Don’t leave in “danger zone” between 40-140°F.

• Follow first in, first out rotation. Use oldest cases first before newly bought wings.

Buying bulk chicken wings provides big savings for frequent wing eaters. Just be sure to select a supplier that meets your volume needs cost-effectively. Handle the raw wings safely and freeze them properly to get the most value from your bulk purchase. With the right sourcing and storage, you can enjoy a steady supply of wings for all your cooking, restaurants or entertaining needs.