Where to Buy Smoked Whole Turkey – The Ultimate Guide

Smoked whole turkey is a mouthwatering centerpiece for holiday meals and special occasions. The rich, smoky flavor takes basic turkey to the next level. But finding a high-quality pre-smoked turkey can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything about buying smoked whole turkeys, from the different types available to the best places to shop.

Overview of Smoked Turkey

Smoking infuses meat with smoldering wood smoke to add incredible depth of flavor. The process both cooks the turkey gently while permeating it with savory, smoky notes. Smoked turkey is fully cooked so it just needs a quick reheat before serving. The results are juicy, tender turkey with a delicious wood-fired taste.

Smoked turkey comes in a few convenient forms

• Whole Smoked Turkey – A full size turkey, 10 to 20+ pounds, smoked whole. Feeds a crowd and makes a beautiful presentation.

• Boneless Smoked Turkey Breast – Removed from the bone this 3-7 pound breast roast feeds smaller groups. Easy to carve.

• Smoked Turkey Legs – Individual drumsticks, a hit with the kids!

• Sliced Smoked Turkey – Ready for sandwiches and recipes, thinly sliced deli-style.

Where to Buy Smoked Turkey

You have several excellent options when looking to buy pre-smoked turkey, both in stores and online:

Grocery Stores

Stop by your local grocery store, especially around the holidays, and you may find smoked turkey for sale:

• Costco – Costco sells their Kirkland Signature smoked turkey breasts and whole birds during the holiday season. Quality at a good price.

• Trader Joe’s – Check Trader Joe’s freezer section for their fully cooked smoked turkey breast roasts.

• Publix – Publix often stocks boneless smoked turkey breasts and whole smoked turkeys under their house brands.

• Wegmans – High-end grocer Wegmans offers smoked turkey breast, legs, and whole turkeys for the holidays.

• Metro Market – In the Midwest, Metro Market provides smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Online Mail Order Companies

Can’t find smoked turkey locally? Ordering online is convenient and most are shipped frozen:

• D’Artagnan – Organic free-range smoked turkeys from this gourmet purveyor. Smoked over fruitwood for amazing flavor.

• Harry & David – Gift company Harry & David sells mail order smoked turkeys like their Pacific Northwest Turkey.

• Cracker Barrel – The restaurant Cracker Barrel offers online ordering of their hickory smoked whole turkeys and spiral hams.

• Double R Ranch – Try Double R Ranch’s applewood smoked Cajun turkey or other smoked turkey varieties shipped to you.

• Nueske’s – Nueske’s legendary applewood smoked meats include smoked turkey breast available online.

Direct from Smokehouses

For the freshest, highest quality smoked turkey, order directly from the source at these top smokehouses:

• Wright Brand Bacon – This Arkansas smokehouse ships hickory and applewood smoked turkeys nationwide.

• Burger’s Smokehouse – A storied Missouri smokehouse crafting smoked turkeys for over 60 years.

• Southside Market – With origins dating back to 1882, this renowned Texas smokehouse ships their award-winning smoked turkeys.

• Pueblo Lindo – A California smokehouse offering smoked turkeys in mesquite, hickory, and other premium hardwood flavors.

• Virgil’s – Try turkeys smoked over authentic Texas post oak at this online gourmet butcher shop.

The mail order turkeys may cost more but they ship extremely fresh direct from the smokehouse.

Buying Considerations for Smoked Turkey

Follow this advice when shopping for your perfect smoked turkey:

• Allow Time to Thaw – If frozen, let it thaw slowly over 2-4 days in the fridge before cooking.

• Calculate Right Size – Figure 1 pound of turkey per person. A 10-12 lb turkey feeds 10.

• Understand Prep Needed – Most only need reheating but some may need seasoning or broth added.

• Check Labeling – Select hormone-free, antibiotic-free, organic, free-range, etc. if these matter to you.

• Consider Carved vs. Whole – Carved breast saves effort. Whole looks beautiful on the table.

• Examine Wood Type – Apple, pecan, hickory, mesquite all give different smoke flavors.

• Look at Texture – Sliced or chopped turkey holds shape better after cutting.

• Read Ingredients – Watch for enhancements like broth injection or binders.

What Does Smoked Turkey Cost?

You can expect to pay:

• Small 5-8 lb smoked turkey: $40-$60
• 10-15 lb whole smoked turkey: $60-$100
• 3-7 lb smoked turkey breast: $50-$90
• 4 smoked turkey legs: $25-$40
• Sliced smoked turkey breast: $7-$11 per lb

Higher end smoked turkeys from premium smokehouses and butchers run $6-8 per pound. Basic supermarket smoked turkeys cost less, around $3-5 per pound. Take advantage of holiday sales and bulk pricing for the best deals.

Get Creative with Leftovers

Leftover smoked turkey is amazing in so many dishes like:

• Smoked turkey sandwiches

• Smoked turkey chili

• Smoked turkey salad

• Smoked turkey pizza and nachos

• Smoked turkey breakfast skillets

• Smoked turkey pot pie

• Smoked turkey casseroles

With a little creativity, you’ll look forward to leftovers!

Smoked Turkey Makes the Meal

Smoked whole turkey takes your holiday table or celebration dinner to the next level. Follow this guide to source the perfect wood-fired turkey, whether a juicy breast roast or impressive whole bird. Skip the work and let someone else handle the smoking. Just pick up a ready-to-eat smoked turkey and spend more time with guests.