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.
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s time to start thinking about the star of the meal – the turkey! For maximum flavor and freshness, you’ll want to source your bird from a local farm or butcher rather than thawing a frozen one from the grocery store But where exactly can you find farm-fresh turkeys being sold in your area?
I’ve put together this guide on the best places near you to buy fresh, high-quality turkeys from local producers and purveyors
Check Local Butcher Shops and Meat Markets
My first stop when searching for the perfect turkey is always the local butcher shop or meat market. These specialty stores work directly with regional farms and providers to offer locally-raised poultry and meats.
Many butchers start stocking fresh turkeys raised on nearby farms in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Call your neighborhood butcher to ask when their farm-fresh turkeys will be available for purchase.
You’ll get personalized service, expert advice on sizing and prep, and locally-sourced turkeys when buying from your local butcher. Some excellent local butcher shops to check for fresh turkeys include:
- Olympia Provisions (Portland, OR)
- Burkes Butchershoppe (Sandy Springs, GA)
- Red Apron Butcher (Washington, DC)
- Tom’s Custom Meats (Boise, ID)
Check for Local Birds at Farmers’ Markets
Another great place to source a locally-raised turkey is your weekly farmers’ market. Many regional farms and vendors will sell fresh turkeys through pre-order or on select market days leading up to Thanksgiving.
Check the schedule for your local farmers’ market and touch base with farms ahead of time to learn who will have fresh turkeys available and on which dates. You can hand pick your turkey size and often take it home right from the market.
Some exceptional farmers’ markets for sourcing local turkeys:
- Minneapolis Farmers Market (Minneapolis, MN)
- Owl’s Nest Farmers Market (Loudon, TN)
- Santa Monica Farmers Market (Santa Monica, CA)
- Historic Lewes Farmers Market (Lewes, DE)
Order Directly from a Local Turkey Farm
To get your turkey straight from the source, look for local turkey farms in your area that sell directly to the public. Search online farm databases by zip code to find ones nearby.
Many smaller regional farms will advertise Thanksgiving turkey availability on their websites and take online or phone orders. You can customize your turkey size and often pick up at the farm.
Buying directly from a local grower means you know exactly where your turkey came from. Check out top turkey farms like:
- Yonder Way Farm (Avon, NY)
- Raincrow Ranch (Howard, PA)
- Cherry Ridge Farm (Westminster, VT)
- Blackwing Quality Meats (Tecumseh, MI)
Check Grocery Store Local Sections
Larger grocery store chains like Kroger, Publix, and Safeway often carry local turkeys in addition to national brands. Look for tags or signage highlighting “locally-sourced” turkeys from regional producers.
While selection is more limited than a specialty butcher, grocers provide a convenient one-stop shop for both your turkey and all the holiday meal fixings. Call ahead to check availability of local birds.
Use Online Butchers for Farm-Direct Delivery
Can’t make it to a butcher or farm in person? Check for local online butcher delivery options. Companies like Porter Road Butcher and Crowd Cow partner with regional producers to ship locally-raised turkeys.
While not as local as buying direct from a farm, it’s an easy way to order a farm-fresh turkey online and have it delivered straight to your door.
Shop Online with Grocery Delivery Services
Another way to shop for local turkeys without leaving home is using grocery delivery apps. Browse selections at nearby stores on Instacart and filter for whole turkeys to compare offerings.
Tap into each store’s sales and seasonal items and have your turkey conveniently delivered. Make sure to order early to secure the size you need.
This Thanksgiving, seek out the freshest, local turkeys from butchers, markets, and farms near you. Your holiday feast will taste all the better for it!
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.
How Much Turkey Do You Need?
When buying your turkey, go for more than what you really need (because who doesn’t love turkey leftovers?). Even so, consider the size of your fridge and oven before coming home with a huge bird. Here’s how to plan your order based on the number of people you’re feeding.
|
Turkey Size |
Serves |
|---|---|
|
8–10 pounds (bone-in breast) |
4 people |
|
12–14 pounds |
6 people |
|
20–24 pounds |
12 people |
Rule of thumb: 2 pounds of turkey per person, but start with 8 to 10 pounds for 4 people.
When To Buy a Frozen Or Fresh Thanksgiving Turkey + 4 More Prep Questions Answered
FAQ
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.
Do supermarkets sell fresh turkeys?
All of our Butcher’s Selection turkeys are 100% British, specially selected for succulence and hand prepared by our expert butchers, so you know you’re putting a quality bird on the table that the whole family can tuck into and enjoy this festive season.
Are fresh turkeys available at Costco?
Plainville Farms and Butterball turkeys are fresh, and Costco sells both, but they are whole birds, not breasts. The only turkey breast Costco sells is the Kirkland Signature Turkey Breast. While it meets the standard of not being frozen, it’s processed turkey containing salt and other preservatives.
How many people will a 15 pound turkey feed?
- Some recommend planning for 1 pound of turkey per serving for birds under 16 pounds.
- For larger birds, you can plan for a little less because they have a higher meat-to-bone ratio.
- If you want to have leftovers, you can plan for 1.5 pounds per person.
- Some chefs recommend planning for 2 pounds per person to account for guests who might prefer one serving over the other.
- About 40% to 50% of a turkey is bone or parts that won’t be eaten. This means that guests will get about 8 to 9 ounces of meat for every pound of turkey.
Where can I buy fresh turkeys?
Some of the best local butcher shops I’ve found fresh turkeys at include: Shop early, as their inventory tends to move quickly closer to the holidays! Another great option for buying local turkeys is heading to your weekly farmers market. Many family farms and stands will sell fresh turkeys by pre-order or on select days.
Should I buy a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving?
The biggest advantages with a fresh turkey is they tend to roast faster, stay juicier, and just taste better. New Jersey has many farms that raise turkeys and will be happy to take your order for the holiday. Just make sure you have time to pick it up a few days before Thanksgiving.
Do grocery stores carry local turkeys?
Not every grocery store carries local turkeys, but some do! Scan the meat department or ask at the butcher counter if they have any fresh turkeys from regional producers. Larger chains like Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Albertsons often highlight local brands and farms. You can even call ahead to ask if and when they will get local turkeys in stock.
Can I get a frozen turkey from a local grocer?
While it is easy to grab a frozen bird from you local grocer, I would encourage you to get a fresh turkey from one of the many New Jersey farmers who raise them. Not only will you have a better bird that is full of flavor and so moist and delicious, you will be supporting the Garden State’s vital agriculture industry.
Can you buy a whole Turkey at Safeway?
A whole turkey is the perfect centerpiece for the table, even if it’s not during Thanksgiving or Christmas! You can get whole turkeys at your local Safeway any time of the year. Buying fresh whole turkeys unlock a wealth of delicious meal combinations, from casseroles to juicy servings just waiting to be paired with gravy and sides.
Should you buy a whole turkey?
Buying fresh whole turkeys unlock a wealth of delicious meal combinations, from casseroles to juicy servings just waiting to be paired with gravy and sides. One of the most powerful benefits of whole turkey is that it can scale up to feed just about any sized crowd you can think of. Got a big family gathering?