Where to Get a Smoked Turkey for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning your holiday meal. For many families, the centerpiece is a juicy, perfectly cooked turkey But not just any turkey – a smoked turkey infused with rich, smoky flavor If you want to serve smoked turkey this Thanksgiving but aren’t sure where to find one, this article will give you several options to get your hands on a delicious pre-smoked bird.

Order from a Restaurant Chain

One of the easiest ways to get a complete Thanksgiving meal including a smoked turkey is to order from a restaurant chain Many family dining chains like Cracker Barrel or Bob Evans offer heat-and-serve Thanksgiving feasts perfect for a crowd. Or you can customize an a la carte Thanksgiving meal from a place like Metro Diner. Here are some top restaurant picks for ordering smoked turkey

• Cracker Barrel – Cracker Barrel’s Heat n’ Serve Turkey Dinner feeds 4-6 people and includes smoked turkey, cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, rolls, and more classic sides. You can also order a la carte smoked turkey breasts.

• Metro Diner – Metro Diner allows you to build your own holiday meal. Order a smoked turkey breast along with choose from homestyle sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted corn, and mac n’ cheese.

• Bob Evans – Bob Evans Farmhouse Feasts include sliced smoked turkey, bread & celery dressing, mashed potatoes, veggie, cranberry relish, rolls, and pie. The Premium Farmhouse Feast feeds up to 10.

• HoneyBaked Ham – Best known for ham, HoneyBaked Ham also sells smoked whole turkeys and boneless turkey breasts in their retail stores for convenient pickup.

The benefit of ordering from a restaurant chain is you get an entire Thanksgiving meal in one package that just needs reheating. It’s fast, easy, and delicious!

Buy from Online Mail Order Companies

Specialty meat purveyors online offer overnight shipping of smoked turkeys straight to your door. Two popular sites for mail order smoked turkeys include:

• Burgers’ Smokehouse – This 100+ year old smokehouse has smoked turkeys in all shapes and sizes – whole birds, boneless breasts, legs, seasoned turkeys, combos, and more. Their turkeys are smoked over premium hardwoods for authentic flavor.

• D’Artagnan – D’Artagnan sells artisanal meats online including fully cooked smoked turkey breast. Their turkey breast is smoked with a blend of fruitwood and hickory for a sweet, smoky flavor.

Mail order allows you to skip the grocery store crowds and get an amazing smoked turkey from a trusted smokehouse. Just place your order online and your smoked turkey will arrive frozen to thaw and reheat for Thanksgiving dinner.

Check Your Local Grocery Store

Many supermarket chains carry smoked turkeys during the holiday season from November to December. Here are some stores likely to have smoked turkey options in stock:

• Costco – Costco sells large Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkeys perfect for feeding a crowd. Their frozen precooked turkeys are around 13 pounds.

• Safeway – Safeway offers house brand Signature Select Smoked Turkey as well as national brands like Jennie-O in their holiday meat selection.

• Kroger – Kroger banner stores like Ralphs, King Soopers, and Fred Meyer stock smoked turkeys under private labels alongside national brands.

• Local chains like H-E-B, Wegmans, etc. – Check your regional grocery store for in-house smoked turkey offerings.

Stop by the grocery store meat department to browse smoked turkey selections. You can often find whole smoked turkeys as well as boneless turkey breasts and drumsticks.

Shop Your Local Butcher or Meat Market

For the freshest smoked turkey, go straight to the source at a local butcher shop, meat market, or deli. Many local meat purveyors smoke turkeys in-house for holidays. Here are some local options to find smoked turkey:

• Double R Meats – This specialty meat shop in Oklahoma hickory smokes fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving. You can order online for pickup or local delivery.

• Yorkshire Meats – Yorkshire Meats is a British butcher in Los Angeles offering 8-10 hour oak & hickory smoked fresh turkeys for the holidays.

• HoneyBaked Ham – In addition to ham, HoneyBaked Ham smokes whole turkeys and turkey breasts in their retail locations to take home.

• Local butcher shops & meat markets – Check with your neighborhood butcher to see if they offer house smoked turkeys for the holidays. Many take special orders.

The benefit of a local smoked turkey is you know just where your meat came from. You can customize your order and often choose your own wood smoke flavors.

Smoke Your Own Turkey

Finally, for the ultimate in flavor and freshness, you can smoke your own turkey at home. All you need is a backyard smoker or charcoal grill plus some technique. Follow these tips for DIY smoked turkey:

• Choose a small 12-15 lb turkey to make it easier to smoke evenly

• Brine the turkey overnight before smoking for extra moisture

• Use mild fruitwoods like apple or cherry along with oak or hickory for flavor

• Maintain temperature at 225-250°F and allow 30 minutes per pound

• Insert a probe thermometer to ensure breast reaches 165°F and thighs 175°F

With the right equipment and some practice, you can smoke restaurant-quality turkey in your own backyard. For guidance on the smoking process, check out tutorials from barbecue experts like Hey Grill Hey.

Order Your Smoked Turkey Early

Hopefully this article gave you several options for where to get your hands on a juicy smoked turkey this Thanksgiving. Whether you order from a restaurant, mail order company, grocery store, local butcher, or smoke it yourself, be sure to plan ahead. Place your order or thaw your frozen turkey early so everything is ready for the big feast! A perfectly smoked turkey makes for an incredibly memorable holiday meal.