Deciding what the main course on your Thanksgiving dinner menu will be is easy—most people make a big, roast turkey. But choosing between a fresh or frozen turkey when youre at the store is an entirely other question thats often up for debate. You’ll likely be wondering if theres a difference in how to cook fresh versus frozen turkey or even if theres a difference in taste.
The good news is that theres no wrong answer. According to the National Turkey Federation, “Theres really no difference in the quality of frozen or fresh turkeys.” Frozen turkeys are simply colder (between zero degrees to -30 degrees F) compared to fresh turkeys, which are actually considered “deep chilled” (or kept at 26 degrees). Which is better all depends on availability, cost, how much time you have—and, of course, your personal preferences. Maybe you have a Thanksgiving tradition of buying a fresh turkey right before the holiday or perhaps youre the type of person who prefers to plan ahead. Either way, the best turkey for you is the one that fits your needs. Youll likely also want to consider how many people youre serving, and therefore how much turkey youll need per guest.
Read on to find out more about fresh vs. frozen turkey, then check out our recipes for spatchcock turkey, citrus-brined turkey, and maple-rosemary turkey for your holiday menu.
As the holidays approach, many home chefs dream of cooking up a perfectly roasted unfrozen turkey as the centerpiece of their Thanksgiving or Christmas feast. The concentrated turkey flavor, crispy skin, and succulent meat of a fresh bird simply can’t be matched by a frozen grocery store variety. However, finding an unfrozen turkey does require more effort and planning compared to just grabbing whatever is in the supermarket freezer.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know to source, store, prep and cook fresh never-frozen turkeys Let’s get started!
Why Go Fresh?
Here are some of the main advantages of cooking an unfrozen turkey over a frozen one:
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Superior taste – Fresh turkeys have more pronounced turkey flavor since the meat hasn’t been sitting frozen slowly losing juice and flavor The texture also tends to be moister and juicier
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Better skin crispiness – The skin on fresh turkeys crisps up incredibly well in the oven, while frozen turkey skin can turn out rubbery.
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Faster thaw and cook times – No need to remember to thaw a fresh turkey over multiple days. And since it’s not frozen solid, it roasts more quickly.
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Higher quality – Fresh turkeys are typically premium, all-natural birds rather than standard commercially raised frozen varieties.
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Custom sizing – Fresh allows you to order the exact size bird you need rather than being constrained by standard supermarket frozen turkey sizes.
While fresh costs more and has a shorter shelf life, the flavor and convenience make it worthwhile for many on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Where to Buy Fresh Unfrozen Turkey
Seeking out fresh turkeys takes a bit more effort than just grabbing a frozen one. Here are some of the top places to buy fresh turkeys:
Online Mail Order
- Several online providers like Williams-Sonoma, Harry & David’s and Goldbelly ship fresh turkeys packed in ice to residences 1-2 days before the holiday.
Specialty Butcher Shops
- Many local butcher shops and premium grocers receive fresh turkey inventory in November. Call ahead to preorder.
Farmer’s Markets
- Check for local vendors selling fresh pasture-raised turkeys at farmer’s markets on weekends leading up to the holidays.
Direct from Farms
- Search for local turkey farms selling fresh birds direct to consumers and place an early preorder.
Grocery Store Meat Counters
- Some chains like Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Kroger and Publix stock limited quantities of fresh turkeys in their meat departments around the holidays.
Warehouse Clubs
- Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s sometimes carry fresh turkeys for members if you order early enough. Quantities are limited.
No matter where you source your bird, try to buy it only 1-2 days before cooking for optimal freshness and flavor.
Proper Storage for Fresh Turkey
Once you buy your fresh turkey, proper storage is crucial to keep it safe to eat. Follow these tips:
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Leave turkey in original wrap until cooking. This helps retain moisture.
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Place turkey in a shallow pan and refrigerate on the bottom shelf. This catches any drips.
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Maintain temperature at 40°F or below. Use a fridge thermometer to verify.
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Cook within 1-2 days for best quality. Do not rinse or brine.
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Can freeze up to 1 year if unable to cook within 48 hours. Wrap tightly in freezer wrap.
Following proper storage for fresh poultry allows you to safely keep the turkey until it’s time to prep and roast.
Seasoning and Cooking Fresh Turkey
Cooking an unfrozen turkey requires some different techniques compared to a frozen bird. Here are some tips:
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Thaw – No thawing needed! Let sit at room temperature 1-2 hours before roasting.
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Prep – Pat turkey dry, rub with oil or butter. Tuck wings, tie legs together.
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Roast at 325°F – Cook approximately 15-18 minutes per pound. Verify 165°F internal temperature before removing from oven.
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Baste and tent – Baste every 30 minutes with pan juices. Tent with foil if skin browns too quickly.
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Rest – Let turkey rest 30+ minutes before carving so juices redistribute evenly.
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Carve – Slice breast meat first, then legs and thighs. Keep warm in covered pan poured over with pan juices.
Follow these guidelines for roasting your fresh turkey, and it will turn out incredibly moist, flavorful and Instagram-worthy!
The Takeaway
Seeking out and cooking an unfrozen turkey does require more effort than grabbing a frozen grocery store variety. However, the concentrated turkey flavor and tender, juicy meat of a fresh bird make it worthwhile for many on the holidays.
Use this guide to source a fresh turkey from a farm, specialty store or online provider. Store it properly, then season and roast it using the techniques above. Your holiday guests will surely appreciate the superior flavors and textures compared to a typical frozen turkey!
fresh turkey: 21
frozen turkey: 8
Thanksgiving: 9
unfrozen turkey: 5
buy: 5
store: 3
cook: 3
order: 3
online: 2
farm: 2
local: 2
prep: 1
thaw: 1
brine: 1
tent: 1
baste: 1
rest: 1
carve: 1
roast: 1
Is a Fresh or Frozen Turkey Better?
That depends on who you ask. Technically speaking, the quality of both a fresh and frozen turkey is the same, though fresh turkeys are often organic and free-range. When deciding which to buy, youll also want to consider how much room you have in your freezer, and some factors like cost, taste, and time:
Though 2023 was a good year for buying turkey (prices were down 22 percent compared to 2022), its typically still more budget-friendly to buy a frozen turkey rather than a fresh one. You can also snag a frozen turkey when theyre on sale throughout the year and keep the bird stashed in your freezer as long as you have room.
Fresh turkey thats raised on an organic diet tends to have the most flavor. Some people describe the taste as gamey yet juicy since no moisture is lost from thawing. That said, frozen turkey can still be delicious! Some companies will inject the turkey with a brining liquid (known as self-basting) before freezing it to ensure you get the best tasting bird.
Theres no question that a frozen turkey requires a bit of planning. According to the USDA, defrosting a turkey in the fridge takes at least 24 hours for every four to five pounds, so you wont be able to start this process on Thanksgiving morning. On the other hand, since fresh turkey doesnt need to be thawed, it can go straight from the store into the oven. Just be sure to pre-order your bird so youre not left scrambling at the last minute.
Should you buy fresh or frozen turkey this Thanksgiving?
FAQ
Can I buy a turkey that isn’t frozen?
Many stores will have fresh turkeys– no defrosting needed. Often, they’re pricier, but also higher quality.
Do grocery stores sell unfrozen turkeys?
Most big stores, like Publix, Sprouts etc, will have them. Pretty much any big grocery store has fresh turkeys in stock now.
Are turkeys only sold frozen?
These days, turkeys come fresh, frozen and somewhere in between. That “in between” category is courtesy of a recent USDA ruling on labeling. Fresh turkeys have to be stored at 26 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Frozen turkeys have to be stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Where can I buy a non frozen turkey?
With some advance planning, you can seek out and buy a non frozen turkey from specialty food stores, farms, online mail order companies and more. Just be sure to store your fresh bird properly and cook it within a day or two for food safety.
Should you buy a frozen turkey before Thanksgiving?
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. Find out the difference between fresh vs. frozen turkey.
Can you freeze a frozen turkey?
You can also snag a frozen turkey when they’re on sale throughout the year and keep the bird stashed in your freezer as long as you have room. Fresh turkey that’s raised on an organic diet tends to have the most flavor. Some people describe the taste as gamey yet juicy since no moisture is lost from thawing.
Are frozen turkeys better than fresh?
Faster cooking time: Since the turkey isn’t frozen solid, it will cook more quickly and evenly in the oven. Higher quality: Most fresh turkeys are higher grade, all-natural and minimally processed birds without preservatives or injections. Of course, fresh turkeys are more expensive and have a very limited shelf life compared to frozen options.
Should you buy a fresh turkey?
The primary benefit of buying a fresh turkey is that you don’t need to account for any thawing time. However, since fresh turkeys are well, not frozen, they don’t keep for nearly as long as their colder counterparts.
Should you buy a frozen turkey in 2023?
When deciding which to buy, you’ll also want to consider how much room you have in your freezer, and some factors like cost, taste, and time: Though 2023 was a good year for buying turkey (prices were down 22 percent compared to 2022), it’s typically still more budget-friendly to buy a frozen turkey rather than a fresh one.