Its never too early to start planning your Thanksgiving menu. After all, the holiday has a way of sneaking up on you—and if you dont get a head-start on your Thanksgiving turkey, you may be too late. (Gasp!) But dont worry, all you need to know is when to buy your Thanksgiving turkey and youll be well on your way to a successful feast. With this first step tackled, you can rest assured that youll have plenty of time for roasting, deep frying, or even spatchcocking the bird.
So, when exactly do you need to buy your Thanksgiving turkey? The answer depends on a couple of factors. Are you planning on buying a fresh turkey or frozen turkey? How much space do you have to store it and how do you plan to order your turkey—online or from a store? Below, youll find a breakdown of when to buy or order your turkey for every circumstance. Then, check out our tips for how much turkey you need per person and Ree Drummonds recipe for turkey brine. (Trust that it makes all the difference!)
Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved holidays in the United States. It revolves around gathering with friends and family, giving thanks, watching football and enjoying a delicious turkey dinner. However, preparing the perfect turkey roasted to golden brown perfection is no easy feat. It requires plenty of planning and forethought. One of the most frequently asked questions is how many days before Thanksgiving should I buy a turkey? There are several factors to consider when deciding the optimal time to purchase your holiday bird.
Should You Buy a Fresh or Frozen Turkey?
The first decision to make is whether you want to cook a fresh or frozen turkey Both have their advantages and disadvantages
Frozen turkeys can be purchased weeks or even months in advance. As long as you have ample freezer space, a frozen turkey will keep for up to a year in an unopened package. The benefit of frozen is that you can buy ahead of time and not have to worry about finding a turkey at the last minute. However, frozen turkeys require thawing which takes additional time. Depending on the size, you will need to allow 1 day of thawing in the refrigerator for every 4-5 pounds of turkey.
Fresh turkeys, on the other hand, do not require thawing. The flavor is often perceived as slightly better as well. The drawback is that fresh turkeys have a much shorter shelf life. They only last 2 days refrigerated after the sell-by date printed on the packaging. You will need to plan to buy a fresh turkey within a couple days of roasting.
Timelines for Buying Frozen vs. Fresh Turkeys
Here are some general guidelines for when to purchase frozen versus fresh turkeys:
Frozen
- Buy any time in advance, store in freezer until ready to thaw
- Allow 1 day thawing per 4-5 lbs turkey
- Purchase a 10-14 lb turkey 1 week before Thanksgiving
- Purchase a 15-20 lb turkey 10 days before Thanksgiving
- Purchase a 20+ lb turkey 2 weeks before Thanksgiving
Fresh
- Only lasts 2 days refrigerated after sell-by date
- Purchase 1-2 days before roasting
Obviously frozen allows much more leeway in terms of when to buy. You can purchase a frozen turkey weeks or months early if storage space permits. However, fresh turkeys taste slightly better, so some people prefer to buy them despite the narrow 1-2 day buying window.
Timing Considerations for Mail Order & Heritage Turkeys
Ordering a mail order turkey from a specialty purveyor adds another layer of timing considerations. Shipment times need to be accounted for to receive the bird in time for Thanksgiving. Here are some tips if mail ordering a turkey:
- Check delivery date estimates and order early
- Allow extra buffer time around holidays for potential shipping delays
- Order frozen turkeys 4+ weeks in advance
- Order fresh turkeys 1 week in advance
Heritage breed turkeys like Narragansett, Bourbon Red, or Standard Bronze take longer to raise and are often more expensive than commercial broad-breasted turkeys. But their rich flavor and texture make them worth seeking out. Heritage turkeys often sell out early, so it’s best to order as soon as possible.
- Check with farms early in November for availability
- Order as soon as possible, often 2+ weeks before Thanksgiving
Proper Turkey Storage
Whether you buy frozen, fresh, mail order or heritage, proper storage is critical to preserve flavor and freshness. Here are some tips:
Frozen
- Leave wrapped in original packaging
- Store flat in freezer
- Place on tray or pan when thawing to catch juices
Fresh
- Place on tray or pan in fridge
- Store on bottom shelf which tends to be coldest
- Cook within 2 days of sell-by date
Mail Order & Heritage
- Follow specific instructions from seller
- Store frozen turkeys in freezer
- Store fresh turkeys in fridge on tray
With the proper timeline, you can enjoy the most delicious and foolproof Thanksgiving turkey. Allow enough time for thawing if using frozen turkey. Or plan to purchase fresh turkeys 1-2 days before Thanksgiving Day. Whatever type of turkey you buy, follow guidelines for storage carefully. Then get ready to impress your family and friends with the perfect holiday bird.
Storing a Frozen Turkey
If you have a frozen turkey, youll want to make some room in the freezer to keep the bird. Its typically pretty big so you may need to adjust your other freezer staples so theres plenty of space. You can keep it in the original packaging, but only thaw it once youre ready to use it!
When to Buy a Fresh Turkey
Whether or not you reserve a turkey from the store, picking up your turkey or actually purchasing a fresh turkey should be something you do within a couple of days of Thanksgiving. According to Butterball, an unopened fresh turkey can be stored in the refrigerator until the sell-by date but should be cooked within four days.
When To Buy a Frozen Or Fresh Thanksgiving Turkey + 4 More Prep Questions Answered
FAQ
How far in advance can I buy a Thanksgiving turkey?
Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a ‘best-by’ or ‘use by’ date on the manufacturer’s label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date.
How early should I buy Butterball turkey?
Fresh turkeys are best if held in the refrigerator for 24 hours before final preparation. Frozen turkeys can be purchased weeks in advance, but need several days to thaw and require adequate space in your freezer and refrigerator.
Is it safe to buy a fresh turkey a week before Thanksgiving?
Fresh turkeys should not be purchased until one or two days before you cook it, unless the manufacturer’s tag has a “Best by” or “Use by” date that indicates …Nov 9, 2023
How many days before Thanksgiving should I put my turkey in the fridge?
It takes approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds of whole turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for one to two additional days before cooking. For more information about thawing a turkey, go to Turkey Basics: Safe Thawing.