The holidays are quickly approaching, which means it’s time to start planning your holiday meals. The centerpiece is often a beautifully roasted turkey, but when should you actually purchase one? Can you buy a frozen turkey now and stash it in the freezer until Thanksgiving or Christmas? Or is it better to wait until right before the big day?
The good news is that yes, you can absolutely buy a frozen turkey now if you want to get ahead on holiday meal prep. Here’s what you need to know about purchasing frozen turkeys well in advance and storing them properly so they stay fresh for the holidays.
Why Buying a Frozen Turkey Early Can Be Helpful
There are several advantages to purchasing a frozen turkey weeks or even months before Thanksgiving or Christmas:
-
Lock in availability – Frozen turkeys sell out quickly as the holidays near, so buying early ensures you’ll get one.
-
Take advantage of sales – Frozen turkey prices are often lowest in October and November. Buying early can mean big savings.
-
Gain freezer space – Buying an extra freezer specifically for a holiday bird isn’t necessary if you buy frozen early. Stash it amongst your existing frozen foods.
-
Avoid last minute crowds – Shopping the week before the holidays can be hectic and stressful Purchasing a turkey now lets you avoid that rush
-
Allow proper thaw time – A frozen turkey needs days to thaw in the fridge. Buying early eliminates that time crunch.
How to Choose a High Quality Frozen Turkey
Focus on finding a premium frozen turkey if you’re buying well in advance of the holidays:
-
Reputable brand – Stick to well-known turkey brands like Butterball, Shady Brook Farms, Jennie-O, and Norbest.
-
Age at processing – Look for “young” or “hen” turkey, ideally under 16 weeks old for the most tender meat.
-
Minimally processed – Check the label for no antibiotics, hormones, preservatives or artificial ingredients.
-
Proper packaging – Select turkeys that are vacuum sealed with intact, undamaged packaging.
-
Long freezer life – Try to find turkeys that are labeled as retaining quality for 12-24 months in the freezer.
-
Size – Make sure to choose the right size turkey for your gathering generally 1-1.5 lbs per person.
How to Store a Frozen Turkey for Optimal Freshness
To keep your frozen turkey tasting delicious and safe to eat for the holidays:
-
Use freezer bags – Double bag the turkey to prevent freezer burn or off-flavors from other frozen foods.
-
Maximize freezer life – Store at 0°F or below. Use a thermometer to monitor your freezer temperature.
-
Avoid thawing – Don’t move the turkey in and out of the freezer. Thawing then re-freezing reduces quality.
-
Check expiration date – Make sure to cook or thaw the turkey by the recommended use-by date on the packaging.
-
Manage freezer space – Keep air circulating around the turkey so it stays frozen solid. Don’t overstuff your freezer.
-
Stock up close to holidays – Try to purchase frozen turkeys no more than 6 months before you’ll cook them for peak freshness.
Safely Thawing Your Frozen Turkey
When you’re ready to thaw and cook your frozen turkey for the holidays, follow safe practices:
-
Thaw in the fridge – Allow 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs. Place turkey breast side up on a tray to catch drips.
-
Thaw in cold water – Submerge wrapped turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes per lb.
-
Cook from frozen – Roast extra long, 15-20 minutes per lb, and use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
-
Don’t thaw at room temperature – This encourages bacterial growth. Thaw in the fridge or cold water only.
-
Contain drippings – Unwrap turkey and place on a rimmed baking sheet to catch juices as it thaws.
-
Cook immediately – Cook thawed turkey right away; don’t refreeze or save thawed turkey.
Enjoy a Juicy and Delicious Holiday Turkey
By purchasing a high-quality frozen turkey early and storing it properly, you can ensure a centerpiece bird that looks and tastes amazing on your holiday table. Getting your turkey well in advance means one less thing to worry about as the holidays grow closer. Follow safe thawing and cooking guidelines when you’re ready to enjoy a tender and flavorful holiday feast.
Frozen Whole Turkey Near MeBuy your favorite Frozen Whole Turkey online with Instacart. Order Frozen Whole Turkey from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
- Turning on notifications for the Instacart app
- Keeping an eye out for text messages and phone calls from your Instacart shopper
- Leaving helpful instructions for parking, gate codes, or other clues to find your home.
- Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35. Fees vary for one-hour deliveries, club store deliveries, and deliveries under $35.
- Service fees vary and are subject to change based on factors like location and the number and types of items in your cart. Orders containing alcohol have a separate service fee.
- Tipping is optional but encouraged for delivery orders. It’s a great way to show your shopper appreciation and recognition for excellent service. 100% of your tip goes directly to the shopper who delivers your order.
With an optional Instacart+ membership, you can get $0 delivery fees* on every order over $35. *Service fees apply. Instacart pickup cost:
- There may be a “pickup fee” (equivalent to a delivery fee for pickup orders) on your pick up order that is typically $1.99 for non-Instacart+ members. Instacart+ membership waives this like it would a delivery fee.
- Pick up orders have no service fees, regardless of non-Instacart+ or Instacart+ membership.
- Find Best Match: By default, your shopper will use their best judgement to pick a replacement for your item.
- Pick Specific Replacement: You can pick a specific alternative for the shopper to purchase if your first choice is out-of-stock.
- Dont Replace: For items you’d rather not replace, choose “Dont replace” to get a refund if the item is out of stock.
- Missing items
- Incorrect items
- Damaged items
- Poor replacements
- Early/late orders
If an order never came, or you get someone else’s order, you can reach out to Instacart Customer Experience. Yes! You can get Frozen Whole Turkey products delivered same-day in as fast as one hour from stores near you using the Instacart app or website.
Should you buy fresh or frozen turkey this Thanksgiving?
FAQ
Is it too early to buy a frozen turkey?
If you have more than a week before your meal, the USDA says to go ahead and buy frozen. On the other hand, fresh turkeys should be purchased only one or two days before you cook it. So keep that in mind when planning your Thanksgiving timeline.
Can you buy frozen turkeys year round?
Frozen turkeys are processed in much the same way as fresh turkeys, but producers start slaughtering them for storage as early as the beginning of the year. Though they’re available online year-round, they’ll start showing up at most supermarkets in early November, and can be stored in your freezer for up to a year.
Is it too late to buy a turkey?
When to Buy a Fresh Turkey. Whether or not you reserve a turkey from the store, picking up your turkey or actually purchasing a fresh turkey should be something you do within a couple of days of Thanksgiving.
Is a 2 year frozen turkey still good?
Eating a turkey that has been frozen for two years is generally considered safe, as long as it has been kept at a consistent temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or lower. Freezing preserves food and prevents the growth of bacteria.