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.
When you’re hosting a huge Thanksgiving feast or other special occasion, feeding a crowd often calls for a massive 30 lb turkey. But finding an exceptionally fresh, high quality 30 lb turkey isn’t always easy. In this guide, I’ll share the top places to source the best large 30 lb turkeys along with helpful buying tips.
Why Buy a 30 lb Turkey?
Here are some reasons a 30 lb turkey can be the right choice:
- Feeds a very large gathering of 20+ people
- Provides ample extra meat for leftovers
- Impressive, festive centerpiece on your table
- Often better turkey-to-bone ratio than smaller sizes
- More economical per pound than smaller turkeys
- Maximizes oven space if cooking multiple dishes
When you’re expecting a horde of hungry guests, a 30 lb bird ensures you have enough juicy, tender meat to go around.
Where to Buy 30 lb Fresh Turkeys
Here are some top sources to buy premium fresh 30 lb turkeys
Local Specialty Butchers
Independent butchers who source turkeys from local farms will likely carry or can specially order 30 lb birds. Their fresh turkeys will be of superb quality.
Direct from Turkey Farms
Research turkey farms near you and call to ask if they’ll have fresh 30 lb turkeys available for the holidays. Buying direct ensures the best freshness.
Restaurant Suppliers
Restaurant food suppliers like US Foods and Sysco sell fresh 30 lb turkeys, sometimes available to individuals around the holidays.
Local Meat Markets
Family-owned meat markets and old-fashioned butcher shops are another good bet for finding fresh 30 lb turkeys from regional providers.
Grocery Store Meat Counters
Some higher end grocers like Whole Foods get shipments of fresh 30 lb turkeys during peak holiday season. Check in store for availability.
Fresh Direct or Peapod
In certain markets, online grocers like Fresh Direct and Peapod will stock and deliver fresh 30 lb turkeys for the holidays.
Where to Buy Frozen 30 lb Turkeys
Here are some top sources for frozen 30 lb turkey options:
National Brands at Grocery Stores
Look for frozen 30 lb Butterball, Jennie-O, and Shady Brook turkeys at major supermarkets like Kroger, Safeway, etc around the holidays.
Walmart and Target
Discount mass retailers will stock large frozen value brand turkeys like Butterball and Honeysuckle White in the 30 lb range.
BJ’s, Costco, Sam’s Club
Warehouse club stores are go-to spots for budget frozen turkeys. They regularly stock sizes up to 30 lbs during peak holiday season.
Online Retailers
Order high quality frozen organic and heritage breed 30 lb turkeys from online retailers like Thrive Market, Walmart Grocery, or Amazon Fresh.
Schwan’s Home Delivery
Specialty frozen food delivery company Schwan’s will ship frozen 30 lb turkeys to your door around Thanksgiving.
Mail Order Gourmet Food Companies
Harry & David, D’Artagnan, and other gourmet food purveyors sell premium branded frozen 30 lb turkeys that ship nationwide.
Tips for Picking the Perfect 30 lb Turkey
Here are helpful buying considerations when choosing a 30 lb turkey:
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Shop early as 30 lb turkeys sell out fast. Consider reserving one in advance.
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Select either fresh or frozen based on when you want to cook it and thaw time needed.
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Look for organic, free-range, pasture-raised, and heritage breed options for premium quality.
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Check for reputable certifications like Certified Humane, American Grassfed, Animal Welfare Approved, and USDA Organic.
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Consider splurging for higher end heirloom breed turkeys for unmatched flavor.
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Inspect fresh turkeys for ice-packed, unblemished, supple skin and avoid odd odors.
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For frozen turkeys, allow 3+ days to thaw fully in the refrigerator after purchasing.
When feeding hungry holiday crowds, start sourcing your fresh or frozen 30 lb gobbler early from one of these ideal turkey suppliers. Follow the tips above to pick a delicious, humanely raised bird your guests will rave about.
Frequently Asked Questions About 30 lb Turkeys
What is the biggest turkey sold for Thanksgiving?
Grocery stores and suppliers typically offer turkeys up to about 30 lbs for the holidays. Special order turkeys can sometimes go up to 40+ lbs for extremely large gatherings.
How long does it take to thaw a 30 lb turkey?
For food safety, thawing a 30 lb turkey in the refrigerator takes around 4-5 days. For quicker thawing, allow 30 minutes per pound in cool water changed every 30 minutes.
How long to cook a 30 lb turkey?
Whole fresh or thawed 30 lb turkeys require about 4-5 hours roasted in a 325°F oven. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh.
How much does a 30 lb turkey cost?
Pricing varies greatly, but expect to pay around $3-5 per pound for a total of $90-$150 for a fresh or frozen 30 lb turkey from specialty or premium brands.
How many people does a 30 lb turkey feed?
You’ll need around 2/3 pound of turkey meat per person. So a 30 lb turkey will feed about 45 guests when factoring in bone/waste. Buy accordingly for your guest count.
When planning a grand holiday feast, starting early to source a prized 30 lb turkey from one of these trusted providers will ensure happy bellies all around your table!
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- Thanksgiving
- How to Buy Turkey: Types, Sizes and Storage
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.
What Makes Our Turkeys Different?
Whether classic or kosher, heirloom or organic, all of the fresh and frozen turkeys we sell meet our Quality Standards. All of the birds in our Meat department are Animal Welfare Certified (except kosher turkey) and meet over 100 animal welfare standards. And, like all meat and poultry in the department, the animals must be raised with no antibiotics ever and no animal by-products in feed.
What Types of Turkey Do We Offer?
So, fresh or frozen? Organic or heirloom? Here’s what you need to know about our turkey selection when shopping our Meat department. Kosher, heirloom and heritage birds may not be available in all locations, so be sure to contact your store ahead of time.
These essential whole turkeys are always crowd-pleasers. Packed with flavor and wallet-friendly, you can’t go wrong.
- Classic Turkeys: These tasty, tender turkeys are a great choice for value, quality and flavor.
- Organic Turkeys: These birds receive organic, non-GMO feed and have specific requirements for the amount of access to the outdoors.
If you’re looking to try something different this year, don’t miss our assortment of unique, special birds. Make sure to check your local store for assortment.
- Regeneratively Raised Turkeys: Tender, juicy, full-flavored turkey that was raised within a holistic regenerative program, using agricultural practices like rotational grazing, that support soil health and biodiversity.
- Heritage Turkeys: These unique, old-world birds are leaner with a smaller meat-to-bone ratio and can be very flavorful.
- Heirloom Turkeys: A little bigger than heritage turkeys, this special variety has robust flavor and a lot of dark meat.
- Brined Turkeys: We’ve marinated these birds in a seasoned brine for moist, flavorful meat. If you’re planning to fry your turkey, start with one of our brined birds.
- Kosher Turkeys: Rubbed with kosher salt inside and out, kosher birds are checked by specially trained rabbinical inspectors to make sure they’re processed in accordance with kosher standards. The kosher salt preseasons the bird and gives it extra flavor.
- Turkey Breasts: Feeding a smaller group? Our classic and organic turkey breasts (no antibiotics ever) are easy to brine and take less time to prepare than a whole turkey. We offer bone-in, organic bone-in and boneless options.
All fresh and frozen turkeys from our Meat department must meet our standards for being raised with no antibiotics ever, no animal by-products in feed and 100+ animal welfare standards. Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising turkeys.