Where to Find and Purchase High-Quality Turkey Liver

Turkey liver is growing in popularity for its mild taste and stellar nutritional profile. This nutritious organ meat is loaded with protein, iron vitamin A B vitamins, selenium, zinc, copper, and other vital nutrients. Turkey liver’s adaptable flavor works well in a variety of recipes from pâtés to meatloaf to casseroles.

But with turkey liver not always easy to find at the grocery store, many home cooks wonder – where can I buy turkey liver? Though it may require some searching, you can track down premium turkey liver at specialty stores and online shops.

Check Local Butcher Shops and Meat Markets

For the freshest turkey livers, your best bet is stopping by a local butcher shop, meat market, or specialty grocery These stores work directly with suppliers and farms to source excellent quality meat, including harder-to-find items like organ meats. The skilled butchers can also cut or portion the liver to your specification.

When visiting the butcher counter, don’t be afraid to ask if they have any turkey livers available. You may find pre-packaged turkey livers in the refrigerated or frozen section Or the butcher can check their supply and take a special order if they don’t have turkey liver in stock Building a relationship with the butcher is helpful for accessing rare ingredients like liver.

The advantage of buying from a local butcher is you know you’re getting high-quality meat straight from the source. With frequent deliveries, the livers are more likely to be fresh rather than frozen. Fresh turkey liver will have the most tender texture and delicate, sweet flavor.

Search Ethnic Grocery Stores

Another turkey liver goldmine is ethnic grocery stores specializing in Hispanic, Asian, Mediterranean and other ethnic cuisine. These foods regularly use organ meats like liver, so ethnic markets are more apt to carry them.

In particular, check Mexican, Chinese, Korean and Middle Eastern markets. Look in the refrigerated and frozen meat cases for pre-packed turkey livers. The on-site butcher counter is another great spot to ask about liver availability.

Giblets packages are also common in ethnic groceries. Giblets contain the edible organs of poultry, normally including liver, heart, gizzard and neck. If the grocer stocks turkey giblets, they likely sell the liver individually too.

Order Online

Can’t find turkey livers locally? Many online meat purveyors offer turkey liver for sale and ship it fresh or frozen. Two reputable options are Goffle Road Poultry Farm and Fossil Farms.

Goffle Road Poultry is a family-run farm in New Jersey focused on premium poultry and game meats. Their antibiotic-free turkey livers can be purchased by the pound. Fossil Farms also receives rave reviews for their turkey liver and other artisanal meat products.

Ordering online requires planning ahead to allow for processing time and shipping. But it opens up access to turkey liver if you have no luck in your area. Look for online vendors with transparent sourcing and excellent customer service.

Contact Local Turkey Farms

Some small turkey farms and processors sell turkey livers direct to consumers as a niche product. Though finding these hyper-local farms takes some legwork, you’ll be rewarded with the highest-quality liver.

Search for turkey farms near your location and call to inquire if they sell livers. Another option is visiting farmer’s markets where turkey farms often have booths. Ask vendors if they have livers or other turkey parts beyond whole birds.

Buying directly from a farm maximizes freshness, and supports local food systems. Just be sure to cook the livers within a day or two to prevent spoilage. If properly frozen, they can last longer.

Check Mainstream Grocery Stores

Lastly, don’t rule out mainstream grocery stores when turkey liver hunting. Though not carried routinely, some supermarkets sell turkey livers depending on location and shopper demand. Here are some departments and sections to check:

• Poultry/Meat – Look in refrigerated and frozen areas. May be packaged individually or within giblets.

• Kosher – Kosher butcher departments often stock harder-to-find meats.

• Organic/Natural – Expanded health food sections may have turkey livers.

• Special Order – Ask the butcher counter to source turkey liver.

• Seasonal – More turkey parts surface during the holidays.

Occasionally asking the store buyer to carry turkey liver can help increase availability. Be sure to purchase it regularly if they add it to show the demand.

Choosing the Best Turkey Livers

Once you secure that precious bag of turkey livers, use these tips to pick the finest quality:

• Select livers that are moist and deep red, not brown or dried out.

• Raw livers should look glossy, not sticky, slimy or mushy.

• Avoid any livers giving off unpleasant or chemical odors.

• For frozen, check packaging for minimal frost indicating proper freezing.

• Confirm frozen livers are frozen solid without soft spots.

• Opt for the latest sell-by dates possible.

• Local and organic livers provide superior freshness and standards.

Proper Storage and Handling

To retain flavor and texture, store turkey livers with care:

• Refrigerate fresh livers for just 1-2 days before using.

• Frozen livers maintain quality for about 3 months.

• Thaw frozen livers overnight in the fridge or immersed in cold water.

• Cook thawed livers within a day or two.

• Avoid refreezing raw turkey livers after they thaw.

• For peak quality, cook or freeze livers within a couple days of purchasing.

Incorporating Turkey Liver into Your Cooking

Once you get your hands on some turkey liver, put it to delicious use! This mild liver shines in:

• Pâtés

• Dirty rice

• Liver and onions

• Meatloaf

• Liverwurst

• Chopped liver

• Casseroles

• Gravies and sauces

• Liver mousse

• Liver burgers

• Pet food topping

Turkey liver provides a powerhouse of nutrients and a delicious flavor that pairs well with many meals. Follow this guide to locate and buy top-notch turkey livers for your kitchen creations.