Where to Find and Purchase a Pre-Cooked Turkey for Your Holiday Meal

Welcome to The Cheater’s Guide to Thanksgiving. While there are plenty of tips out there for folks making scratch desserts and artisan loaves, the Cheater’s Guide focuses on the person who could use a helping hand—even from some unconventional sources. Some might call it “cheating” (like that’s a bad thing), but there’s nothing wrong with using modern technology and supermarket know-how to help you make a bangin’ traditional feast—with much less of the traditional work.

In any well-rounded Thanksgiving feast, the turkey is the focal point. It should be delicious, no doubt, but that doesnt necessarily mean you have to be the one cooking it. Wouldnt it be nice to take a break from brining? Or stop worrying about the amount of seasoning necessary? Maybe even save a few bucks? That’s why I’d like to encourage you to do something a little bit different this year and buy a pre-cooked turkey.

The turkey that changed my mind

I’ve hosted a few Friendsgivings and I would always prepare the raw turkey myself. I was pretty much sold on the flavor of dry brining and the even, speedy cooking of the spatchcock method. Last year rolled around and I had received two turkeys from Diestel Family Ranch—a frozen raw turkey and a frozen smoked turkey. I’d never had a smoked turkey for Thanksgiving before, and I was thrilled. Moreover, it was completely cooked—it just needed to be thawed and warmed through.

I told my friends we’d be having pre-made smoked turkey that year, and not only did no one tsk-tsk or question the reason that I wasn’t preparing it myself, but this news was met with excitement. I spent the hours leading up to the feast cooking sides, arranging cheese platters, and plating desserts with an extra layer of calm—I didn’t have to cook a turkey. Cool.

When the time came, I unwrapped the thawed smoked turkey, set it up on a roasting pan like the instructions indicated, and heated it through in a 325°F oven. Granted, it took an hour, but that’s still a lot faster than a raw turkey. I checked the temperature to make sure it was hot, but I didn’t have to worry about it being raw or an unsafe temperature inside. I carved it, and served it nestled among a dozen sides.

I think I knew just from the aroma wafting up from the plate that I would no longer be cooking my own Thanksgiving turkeys. This was it. The turkey was gorgeously browned, stupendously flavorful, and perfectly juicy. Clearly the feeling was shared around the table because there was absolutely no turkey left for sandwiches the next day.

Save yourself time and doubt

Having a turkey that had been completely prepared and cooked by professionals took a load off of my shoulders. Not just in regard to timing, but there’s a lot of pressure to make the “perfect” turkey. And if it’s your first time hosting, even the pressure of making an edible turkey can be stifling. There are numerous methods of brining to consider, whether to truss or spatchcock the bird, and the simple act of roasting (let alone smoking or frying) the turkey for hours can be overwhelming. Oh, and then you have to make an entire lineup of side dishes. Right.

If you’re going to cheat just one thing about the Thanksgiving meal, I say, order your turkey. Whether it’s from a turkey farm that specializes in cooking and shipping ready-to-reheat turkeys, or having it catered from your favorite restaurant, it’s absolutely worth it. The professionals have the space and resources to marinade, season, and cook a tasty bird, plus they’ve likely figured out the best way to pack the turkey so it gets to you in the best possible shape.

Possibly the most surprising thing, at least to me, is cost. Many companies sell equal weight seasoned and cooked frozen turkeys for around the same price, or less, as the raw frozen birds they offer. If youre dropping $100+ anyway, then you might as well have the hard part taken care of.

At home, you’ve potentially saved yourself from having to store a frozen turkey or the mess of brining a bird in the fridge (no accidental raw poultry leaks this year). You don’t have to worry about cleaning up raw bird parts. Heating up the catered roast happens in a fraction of the time it takes to cook one from a raw state. This means your oven space is more available for everyones true favorites—side dishes and desserts.

Butterball Fully Cooked Smoked Turkey Breast Review

FAQ

Can you get turkey already cooked?

Butterball oven-baked turkey breasts are a fully cooked, hassle-free turkey option that offers easy preparation, less mess, rich flavor and a shorter cooking time.

Can you buy ready cooked turkeys?

A ready-to-serve roast turkey infused with herbs for a fragrant and delicate flavour, expertly prepared and cooked by our chefs. The whole turkey is slowly cooked, using a medium sized bird, bred to high welfare standards.

Can I buy a cooked turkey from Costco?

Costco’s turkey breasts are sold by weight, and they vary in size. I bought the smallest package I could find, which was about 3 pounds. Mine cost $14.42. The price per pound is $4.79, which is “good” for pre-cooked turkey, and “great” for deli-meat turkey.

Do supermarkets sell cooked turkey?

Tesco Finest Slow Cooked Turkey with all the Trimmings 3.48kg (Serves 4) – Tesco Groceries.

Where can I buy a full cooked turkey?

Alongside their signature steaks, Omaha Steaks sells fully cooked turkeys infused with brown sugar and honey. Options include whole turkeys ($99.99), turkey breasts ($59.99), and boneless breasts ($49.99). Order online for delivery in an insulated cooler to your doorstep. For organic and free-range turkeys, check out D’Artagnan.

Where can I buy precooked turkey breast?

You can also find precooked whole turkeys turkey breasts and other cuts that just require reheating. Pick up a turkey and add your own favorite sides for a semi-homemade Thanksgiving dinner. Grocery stores like Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods, Safeway, Stop & Shop, and more offer precooked turkeys during the holidays.

Where can I buy a roasted turkey?

Check the deli section of your local supermarket or specialty grocer. Many have holiday meal packages that include a roasted turkey along with side dishes and desserts. You can also find precooked whole turkeys turkey breasts and other cuts that just require reheating.

How much does a roasted turkey cost?

Prices range from $56-$150 depending on size. Choose roasted, smoked, or Cajun turkey. Honeybaked turkeys arrive frozen, so be sure to allow enough thawing time before Thanksgiving day. Order online for pickup or nationwide shipping. For premium gourmet turkey, Harry & David offers a 10-14lb pre-cooked, oven-roasted Diestel turkey for $139.99.

How much does a pre cooked turkey cost in Boston?

Order online for pickup or delivery. With over 450 locations across the country, there’s likely a Boston Market near you to supply a convenient pre-cooked turkey. Despite the name, Honeybaked Ham sells delicious fully-cooked whole turkeys too. Prices range from $56-$150 depending on size. Choose roasted, smoked, or Cajun turkey.

Where can I buy the best turkeys for 2024?

Choose from 3 sizes (7-10 pounds up to 13-16 pounds, depending on how many people you’re serving). From mail-order options to local stores like Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Publix and Popeyes, we found the best turkeys for 2024. Save time with this shortcut.