Where to Buy a Half Turkey for Your Next Special Dinner

For many households, roasting a full-sized turkey is a once-a-year tradition reserved just for the holidays. But when you want that delicious turkey flavor at other times, buying just half a bird can be the perfect solution. You get all the tasty meat needed for a special dinner without massive leftovers. But where exactly can you source great half turkeys? Here’s your guide to the best places to buy.

Benefits of Purchasing Half a Turkey

Opting for half a turkey has several advantages over buying a whole one:

• Smaller portions – A half turkey provides enough meat for 4-6 people without excessive leftovers.

• Shorter cook time – Roasting half a turkey takes only 1-2 hours versus 3-4 hours for a whole bird.

• More variety – You can choose between a half breast or half leg/thigh depending on your preferences.

• Lower cost – Halves cost noticeably less than a full turkey while still delivering amazing flavor

• Lean protein – Turkey is one of the healthier poultry choices, especially organic and free-range halves.

For many smaller families, half a pasture-raised or organic turkey ends up being the perfect centerpiece for holiday meals or any special dinner throughout the year. Next, let’s explore some of the best places to source high-quality half turkeys.

Where to Buy Half a Turkey

Here are the top locations to purchase delicious half turkeys raised humanely and sustainably:

1. Specialty Butcher Shops

Local butcher shops are an excellent choice for finding half turkeys. Reputable butchers source birds from trusted local farms and can specially order a half turkey if not regularly stocked. Ask your butcher about availability.

2. Farmer’s Markets

Connect directly with small-scale turkey farms by shopping at local farmer’s markets. Inquire if farmers can split and sell you just half a pastured turkey from their farm.

3. Online Mail Order Companies

Order half turkeys online through sustainable meat companies like Grow & Behold, Porter Road, and D’Artagnan. They work with family farms across the U.S. to deliver humanely raised half turkeys to your door.

4. Directly from Turkey Farms

Research local pasture-raised turkey farms that may sell halves directly to consumers. Browse their websites or give them a call to ask about purchasing part of a turkey.

5. Large Grocery Store Chains

Some grocery store meat departments like Whole Foods stock fresh half turkeys, especially around the holidays. Check the freezer section as well for frozen options.

6. Warehouse Club Stores

Warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s often carry large frozen half turkeys in late fall through early winter. They offer budget-friendly prices.

7. Meal Kit Companies

Meal kit companies like HelloFresh and SunBasket will sometimes include half turkeys in their holiday meal kits. The turkeys come pre-seasoned and ready to roast.

What to Look for When Buying a Half Turkey

To choose the highest quality half turkey available, keep these factors in mind:

• Organic and Free-Range – Opt for certified organic, free-range, pasture-raised, or non-GMO half turkeys when possible for premium quality.

• Antibiotic-Free – Select halves raised without antibiotics or added hormones for healthier meat.

• Humane Certification – Look for half turkeys certified humane by third parties like Certified Humane.

• Fresh vs. Frozen – Pick fresh for roasting immediately or frozen to store for later. Both taste equally great.

• Weight – Estimate how many people you want to serve. Halves range from 4-14 lbs generally, serving 8-20 people.

• Breast or Leg – Choose breast halves for white meat or leg halves for juicier dark meat depending on preference.

How to Cook and Serve Half a Turkey

Preparing a half turkey is similar to roasting a whole:

• Thaw frozen halves for 24-48 hours in the refrigerator before cooking.

• Pat the turkey dry and coat with olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper.

• Place breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Add veggies like onions to the pan.

• Roast at 350°F, basting occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 60-90 minutes.

• Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing to serve with your favorite holiday sides!

Spatchcocking the half turkey (removing the backbone so it lies flat) shortens the cooking time by about 30 minutes too.

Some delicious recipe flavors for your half turkey include:

• Maple Bourbon Glazed Half Turkey
• Garlic Herb Crusted Half Turkey
• Curry Rubbed Half Turkey
• Balsamic Glazed Half Turkey
• Orange Cranberry Stuffed Half Turkey

The Takeaway

Thanks to specialty butchers, mail order companies, local farms, and more, finding delicious half turkeys is easier than ever. Choosing an ethically raised half turkey enables you to enjoy quality poultry any time of year, not just major holidays. With proper thawing and roasting, your half turkey will turn out moist, tender, and full of flavor. Use this guide to source the perfect pasture-raised half turkey for your next special dinner!