A delicious turkey roast makes a fabulous centerpiece for holidays, Sunday dinners, and special gatherings year-round. When you want convenience, great taste, and the ability to feed a crowd, picking up a quality pre-cooked or raw turkey roast from the store is a great option. Here’s your guide to finding the best turkey roasts for your next event.
What is a Turkey Roast?
A turkey roast is an entire breast, breast half, or thigh section that has been cooked and carved whole. Turkey roasts offer an easy alternative to cooking a whole turkey. They come both bone-in and boneless. You can find turkey roasts in just white meat, just dark meat, or a combination of both.
Turkey roasts range in size from around 3 pounds up to 10+ pounds to feed a small dinner or a large gathering. Precooked roasted turkey just needs reheating while raw roasts need to be fully roasted and carved. For the best flavor, look for enhanced turkey roasts injected with a salt solution to boost juiciness
Where to Buy Turkey Roasts
You’ll find a wide selection of turkey roasts at these locations
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Grocery stores: Check supermarket chains like Safeway, Kroger, Publix, etc. Look in the poultry section for brands like Butterball, store brands, and more.
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Warehouse clubs Sam’s Club Costco and BJ’s sell larger turkey roasts perfect for big parties. Look for their Kirkland and Member’s Mark store brands.
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Butcher shops: Local butchers offer fresh custom boneless or bone-in turkey roasts. Choose your size and have them truss it.
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Specialty markets: Stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts have antibiotic-free and organic turkey roasts.
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Online mail order: Order fresh roasts from online grocers or buy premium roasts from sites like D’Artagnan and Porter Road.
What to Look for When Buying
Consider the following factors when choosing a turkey roast:
- Bone-in vs boneless – Boneless are easier to carve but bone-in roasts retain more moisture
- White meat vs dark meat – Choose based on preference or buy a combo
- Enhanced or not – Enhanced roasts are injected with a salt solution for more flavor
- Antibiotic-free – Opt for organic, natural roasts to avoid antibiotics
- Frozen vs fresh – Frozen lasts longer but requires thawing before cooking
- Weight – Estimate 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 pound per person, 10+ pounds for crowds
- Raw vs precooked – Precooked just needs reheating, raw needs full roasting
Best Turkey Roasts to Buy
These turkey roasts consistently earn praise for premium quality:
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Butterball frozen boneless roast – This enhanced white and dark meat roast comes precooked. Just thaw, heat, and slice.
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Trader Joe’s brined young turkey roast – Keep this moist 3+ pound roast in your freezer for an easy crowd-pleaser.
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Whole Foods Market organic boneless roast – For antibiotic-free meat, Whole Foods Market’s roast is a great choice. Go boneless for easy carving.
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Fresh Direct all natural roast – Order online from FreshDirect for a juicy roast delivered right to your door.
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Diestel Family Ranch organic roast – This antibiotic-free California brand sells premium roasts online. The dark meat gives incredible richness.
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Plainville Farms fresh bone-in roast – Found in select stores, this New England brand makes natural brined roasts.
Cooking and Serving Your Roast
Roasting brings out delicious flavor in a turkey roast. They take 2-3 hours at 325°F then should rest before slicing. Rotate bone-in roasts periodically for even cooking. Test for doneness with a meat thermometer, ensuring it reaches 165°F at the thickest part. Let rest 10-15 minutes before carving.
For the easiest roasts, buy a fully cooked one. Thaw and reheat on a baking sheet for 30-60 minutes until heated through. Then slice and serve!
With so many great turkey roasts to choose from, your table will delight without the work of roasting a whole turkey. Use this guide to pick out the perfect roast for your next dinner or special occasion.
Ground Turkey Banh Mi Bowl
Frequently Asked Questions:
*Minimally processed, no artificial ingredients
†Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones or steroids in poultry.
††Foster Farms Organic poultry is fed a diet that contains non-genetically engineered ingredients. USDA organic regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered feed ingredients in poultry products labeled as Organic.
‡ Simply Raised™ Chicken in the Pacific Northwest region, Simply Raised™ Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Tenders, Simply Raised™ Turkey and Organic Turkey are not air chilled.
Serving Size 4 oz (112 g)
Turkey, water, contains less than 2% of salt, evaporated can syrup, food starch, sodium carbonate, carrageenan, dehydrated onion, garlic, orange peel, parsley and green bell pepper, spice, natural flavor.
The Best Roast Turkey Recipe
FAQ
Is there a turkey roast?
Boneless Frozen Turkey Roast – White & Dark Meat. Our Butterball Frozen Boneless Turkey Roast features juicy white and dark meat and includes a gravy packet. With both white and dark meat, there’s a cut to suit everyone’s palate.
How many people will a 5 lb turkey roast feed?
| Number of Guests | Size Turkey Recommended |
|---|---|
| 4 – 6 | 4- to 9-lb. turkey* |
| 8 – 10 | 8- to 15-lb. turkey |
| 12 – 16 | 12- to 24-lb. turkey |
| 18 – 20 | 18- to 30-lb. turkey |
Can I buy a whole cooked turkey?
Frozen Fully Cooked Oven Baked Whole Turkey. Butterball fully cooked whole turkey is always juicy, tender and full of oven-roasted flavor. This baked whole turkey requires no brining or seasoning and less time in the oven than uncooked whole turkeys.
Can I buy a ready cooked turkey?
You can buy a whole, fully cooked smoked turkey frozen from butterball. Just heat it up, or thaw and carve if you want to eat it cold.
How much is a boneless turkey roast?
The uncooked Turkey Roast (boneless) is $9.99/lb in our retail store. All in store pick up orders will be charged based on the actual net weight of the item. Item currently available frozen. Our uncooked boneless Turkey Roast contains both turkey breast meat and turkey thigh meat and is full of flavor. There are no added ingredients.
Where can I buy a whole turkey?
All of our whole turkey (fresh and frozen), boneless roasts, and bone-in breasts are available in all major retailers across the country. Please be sure to check with the store manager if you do not find the item or specific size you’re looking for. All the turkey tips you need right at your fingertips.
Where can I buy Butterball turkey roast boneless white & dark meat?
Shop Butterball Turkey Roast Boneless White & Dark Meat – 3 Lb from Safeway. Browse our wide selection of Turkey – Whole for Delivery or Drive Up & Go to pick up at the store!
What’s in a boneless turkey roast?
With both white and dark meat, there’s a cut to suit everyone’s palate. Boneless turkey roast with white and dark meat. Contains up to 20% of a solution of Water, Contains 2% or less of Salt, Dextrose, Natural Flavor, Modified Food Starch, Sodium Phosphate to enhance tenderness and juiciness. Thaw in Refrigerator (not at room temperature).
Are Butterball turkey breast roasts gluten free?
Start Free Trial White & Dark Meat Boneless Turkey Roast with Butterball Gravy Packet Boneless turkey breast roast. Gluten free. Tender & juicy. With Butterball Gravy packet. Includes gravy packet. Raw turkey as packaged. American Humane Certified. humaneheartland.org. Inspected for wholesomeness by U.S. Department of Agriculture. butterball.com.
Do Butterball turkey breast roasts need to thaw before cooking?
Fresh Butterball Turkey Breast Roasts require no thawing before cooking and can be grilled, smoked or roasted for everyday dinners. All of our whole turkey (fresh and frozen), boneless roasts, and bone-in breasts are available in all major retailers across the country.