As your resident Thanksgiving enthusiast and self-proclaimed turkey lover, I take the bird hunt very seriously each holiday season. My goal? To track down the absolute biggest, juiciest, most ginormous turkeys money can buy to feed my crew of ravenous family and friends. I’m talkin’ real whoppers here – we don’t mess around!
If you also long to serve a super-sized turkey that’ll leave your guests astonished you’ve come to the right place. I’ve done my research on how to find the largest turkeys available and have all the need-to-know info for your own quest for poultry greatness. Let’s dive in!
Pushing the Upper Limits: Just How Big Can Turkeys Get?
First things first – how massive can these gobblers really get? Well, believe it or not, the possibilities are pretty mind-blowing:
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The largest turkey ever recorded weighed in at a whopping 86 pounds! That’s roughly the size of an average 3-year-old child
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Most sources agree turkeys can reach up to 50 pounds and beyond. We’re talking some serious heft.
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Specialty turkey farms breed extra-large varieties that routinely surpass 35+ pounds.
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Even your average supermarket turkeys tend to fall in the 18-22 pound range these days.
Hunting for Behemoth Turkeys: Retailers to Check
If it’s mega turkey you seek, these retailers should be on your radar
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Specialty butcher shops – Local butchers, especially ones sourcing from small farms, will have the inside line on procuring giant turkeys.
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Specialty poultry farms – Some farms focus specifically on breeding extra-large turkey varieties, like the Broad Breasted Bronze. Check nearby family farms.
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Premium grocers – Whole Foods, Fresh Market, etc. often carry larger-than-average turkeys in the 20-25 lb range.
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Ethnic markets – Mexican, Latin, Asian and Middle Eastern markets sometimes stock especially large birds. An unconventional option worth checking.
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Online mail order – Broaden the net by searching for XXL turkeys you can order online and have shipped.
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Direct from a farm – Connect with local farms in your area to see if they’ll have jumbo turkeys available for custom order.
Inside Tips for Scoring the Biggest Available Turkey
Through my own jumbo turkey journeys, I’ve picked up helpful insider strategies:
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Pre-order – Reserve your mega bird several weeks in advance at a butcher or farm since supplies are limited.
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Timing is key – Shop early in the season for the widest selection of supersized options.
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Think outside the box – Check game processors, ethnic markets and unconventional sources.
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Go local – Smaller regional farms are more likely to carry extra-large heritage breeds.
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Consider fresh vs. frozen – Fresh turkeys tend to be bigger. Make sure your freezer is large enough if going frozen.
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Inspect carefully – Carefully examine turkeys for plumpness and quality. Pass on scrawny or flawed birds.
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BYO oven – Consider bringing a very large oven-ready turkey to a family member’s house if your oven is too small.
Gear Up for the Giant Bird: Equipment Considerations
Prepping to cook an ultra massive turkey requires some special logistics. Here are a few equipment considerations:
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A very large, sturdy roasting pan is a must to properly hold a giant turkey. Disposable aluminum options can work in a pinch.
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An extra-large burner or propane cooker may be needed to thoroughly cook through a huge bird.
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Make sure you have carving and slicing implements designed for large cuts of meat. No wimpy knives here!
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An over-sized cutting board or prep table facilitates maneuvering and carving the big bird.
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Don’t forget an extra-large food thermometer to ensure the innermost parts of the turkey cook to a safe temp.
Handling Hefty Leftovers
One bonus of cooking a massive turkey? An abundance of delicious leftovers! Here are handy tips for handling the remnants:
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Allow ample refrigerator space – a turkey over 25 lbs. needs a very large area to chill.
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Carve the turkey ahead of time so white & dark meat leftovers store better.
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Portion into meal-sized containers you can freeze. creative recipes to use up every last bit.
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Think beyond sandwiches – get creative with soups, salads, pot pies, chili, casseroles and more.
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Make bone broth by simmering the carcass for added flavor and nutrients.
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Share with friends and neighbors – no one will complain about free turkey meat!
Time to Feast on Bird Behemoths!
As you can see, there’s a whole world of gigantic turkeys just waiting to be discovered, if you know where to look. I hope these tips help you track down the biggest, baddest bird this holiday season and really blow your guests away with the mother of all turkeys. Just be sure to prep adequately for the beast!
Flavor
Many companies offer pre-cooked turkeys that are seasoned in various ways. Some are hickory-smoked, some are apple-smoked, and some are even fried. Consider what else you’re serving to find the perfect turkey flavor to round out the meal.
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Best Budget
- Simple to prepare
- Includes instructions
- Great taste
What We Dont Like
- Removing roast from bag and netting is tricky
- Have to order a whole box
The turkey for this family-run business comes from American Humane Association-certified family farms in North Carolina. The meat is free of hormones, antibiotics, and steroids. Rastelli’s all-white meat turkey breast roast is ready to go and ready to cook, making it easy to make something fresh and tasty for dinner. Between 5 and 5. This roast weighs 5 pounds, which is enough to feed a small group, and it couldn’t be easier to make.
The turkey will need to thaw in the fridge for two to three days after being shipped frozen. This means that you should have it there by Monday night or Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving. Ours took well over 48 hours to thaw. Then, keep it in the bag, put it in a roasting pan, and put it in the oven. Cook for about two hours, or until the roast reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside. Both the taste and how easy it was to make impressed us. However, we suggest that you add your own gravy, which goes well with any turkey breast.
You can use a baking dish instead of a roasting pan if you don’t have one. That’s what we did to test it. Plus, cooking it in the bag means no basting. The only thing we thought was hard about the whole process was taking it out of the bag and fencing when it was cool. Wed recommend two people for this task, especially if you want to salvage the drippings for gravy. There is also a recipe for gravy made from the drippings in the instructions, which was another nice touch that our editor liked.
This roast is great for a small Thanksgiving dinner, for people who are making the meal for the first time, or for people who just want to sleep in on Thanksgiving morning.
“I would spend the money on this turkey from Rastellis if I were to have a small Thanksgiving dinner for three to four people because I once bought a bad pre-cooked turkey.” “It was very easy to cook, and the taste is just what you want on Thanksgiving,” says Siobhan Wallace, Commerce Editor.
Of course, you can’t buy this turkey option by itself. It only comes in the brand’s Holiday Box. You can pick between 5 and 12 items for your holiday meal. Some options are prime ribs, beef Wellington, salmon filets, crab cakes, mac and cheese, apple pie, and more.
Size: 5-5. 5 pounds | Serves: 5-6 people | Shipping: Orders are shipped within 5 business days of being placed.
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What Size Turkey To Buy – Ace Hardware
FAQ
What is the biggest turkey you should buy?
How big of a turkey can I buy?
What is the largest turkey you can fry?
What is the largest size turkey?
How many pounds of Turkey should I buy?
Experts recommend buying two pounds of turkey per adult and one pound per child, so take how many people you are serving and multiply by two. If you have a lot of people to serve, consider buying two smaller birds so they roast faster. Fresh turkeys tend to taste better but have a shorter shelf life.
How much does a whole turkey cost?
Purchase Organic Prairie’s Whole Turkey at Organic Prairie starting at $125.99 for a small bird. Jaindl’s Grand Champion Whole Turkeys are antibiotic-free and were fed a vegetarian diet consisting of many grains, soybeans, and corn that were grown on the same farm. These young turkeys are available in sizes ranging from 8 to 12 pounds.
Should you buy the right Turkey?
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.
How much Turkey do I need for 4 people?
Here’s how to plan your order based on the number of people you’re feeding. Rule of thumb: 2 pounds of turkey per person, but start with 8 to 10 pounds for four people. 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.
How much does a smoked turkey cost?
These turkeys are shipped frozen to maintain freshness and are available in sizes ranging from 8 to 14 pounds. Purchase Burgers’ Smokehouse Hickory Smoked Whole Turkey from Amazon, starting at $99.99. Deep-fried turkey is a Southern staple, and Uncle Ray’s Cajun Mild Deep Fried Turkey is the best choice for this specialty.
How much does a turkey roast cost?
It’s not just about the price; the turkey is juicy, and we loved the irresistible crispy skin we achieved while roasting. Its organic pedigree, animal welfare standards, and the fact that it’s free of additives and antibiotics make it an excellent choice for conscientious consumers. Price at time of publish: Starts at $66