Serving up a delicious whole smoked turkey can take your holiday meals or large gatherings to the next level. But smoking a turkey yourself requires special equipment and can be time-consuming Luckily, Costco offers large fully-cooked whole smoked turkeys that are ready to heat and serve Here’s what to know about buying one of these convenient smoked turkey options from Costco.
Overview of Costco’s Whole Smoked Turkeys
Costco sells whole smoked turkeys under its Kirkland Signature brand These come fully cooked so they just need to be reheated before eating. The turkeys range from 10-16 pounds and are injected with a flavorful turkey broth.
According to the product details, the whole smoked turkeys contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. They are smoked using natural hardwood chips to give them a sweet, smoky flavor
Costco’s smoked turkeys are vacuum sealed for freshness. The packaging states they will remain fresh for 7-10 days when stored sealed in the refrigerator. Once opened, the turkey should be eaten within 3-5 days.
This provides plenty of time to pick one up from Costco in advance of when you need it for your event. Then you can keep it refrigerated until ready to reheat and serve.
Benefits of Buying a Pre-Made Smoked Turkey
There are several advantages to purchasing a fully cooked smoked turkey rather than doing it yourself:
Convenience – Costco’s smoked turkeys eliminate the work of brining, prepping, smoking and cooking the bird yourself. It comes oven-ready.
Flavor – Hardwood smoking gives the turkey a delicious smoked taste you don’t have to season and marinate yourself.
Juicy and moist – The turkeys are pre-injected with turkey broth to make the meat tender and flavorful.
Cook time – A pre-smoked turkey only takes about 2 hours to reheat while smoking one requires 8-12 hours.
Food safety – There’s no risk of undercooked turkey since it comes fully cooked and just needs reheating.
For ease, taste and helping feed a crowd, a ready-made smoked turkey from Costco is hard to beat!
How to Prepare a Smoked Turkey from Costco
Preparing a pre-smoked turkey from Costco is simple. Follow these steps for perfect results:
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Remove turkey from packaging and discard plastic wrap. Keep turkey in roasting pan.
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Tent turkey loosely with foil.
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Cook turkey for 1-2 hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in breast and thigh.
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Check temperature periodically and let turkey rest 15-20 minutes before carving.
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Serve turkey warm with your favorite sauces and sides!
The turkey can also be heated on a countertop in a 225°F oven or in a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours until fully heated through.
Always rely on an instant-read thermometer to check doneness rather than time alone for food safety. Reheat thoroughly until 165°F is reached.
Handling Leftover Smoked Turkey
A 10-16 pound smoked turkey yields plenty of leftovers. Properly stored, leftovers will keep for 7-10 days refrigerated.
Divide leftover turkey from Costco into shallow containers for quick cooling. Refrigerate within 2 hours after cooking.
You can also carve and freeze turkey pieces for longer storage. Freeze for 2-3 months for best quality.
Some tasty ways to use leftovers include sandwiches, casseroles, soups, smoked turkey tetrazzini, enchiladas, salads, and more! Get creative.
Is Costco’s Smoked Turkey Worth the Price?
Costco’s whole smoked turkeys cost around $2.99 per pound. So a 15 pound turkey would be about $45. Buying the delicious fully-cooked bird can save you time and effort.
However, you can sometimes find cheaper per pound prices on frozen smoked turkeys at grocery stores around the holidays.
The convenience and flavor of Costco’s smoked turkeys make them a good choice for hassle-free holiday meals. But compare prices if seeking the best deal.
Consider ordering early as these pre-made smoked turkeys sell out quickly when holiday demand is high. Try one for your next large gathering!
Frequency of Entities:
turkey: 28
Costco: 7
smoked: 16
pre-smoked: 3
cooked: 5
reheat: 4
leftovers: 2
thermometer: 1
temperature: 1
oven: 2
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Kirkland Smoked Turkey from Costco Review | Chef Dawg
FAQ
Does Costco have whole smoked turkey?
Is a whole smoked turkey fully cooked?
Does Costco have whole turkeys?
How much does a whole smoked turkey cost at Costco?
Kirkland Signature Whole Smoked Turkey is Costco Item #47470 and costs $4.99 per lb. For a 14 lb whole smoked turkey, that shakes out to about $70+. Total price varies with size. Historical Price Notes: In the Fall of 2022 this was $4.49 per lb. This whole smoked turkey is not available online at costco.com, it’s only in-store.
Are Costco turkeys cooked?
They are NOT cooked. Another Costco option for your Thanksgiving dinner is the Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey. This bird was slow-cooked for four to six hours to impart a smoked flavor. The average smoked turkey is 13 pounds. Even though it’s fully cooked, you likely want to reheat it before dinner.
Does Costco sell turkey breast?
Plainville Farms and Butterball turkeys are fresh, and Costco sells both, but they are whole birds, not breasts. The only turkey breast Costco sells is the Kirkland Signature Turkey Breast. While it meets the standard of not being frozen, it’s processed turkey containing salt and other preservatives.
Does Costco sell Deli turkeys in 2022?
As for other versions of turkey, Costco sells Hillshire Farms deli turkey. The store does not carry any frozen turkeys in 2022. Costco sells Butterball Tom Turkeys for 99 cents a pound. This price is 30 cents cheaper per pound than the local grocery store. Tom turkeys are male turkeys that are typically larger than hens.
Does Costco sell young turkeys?
Besides the standard turkey options, Costco carries the Plainville Farms Organic Young Turkey. These birds are fed vegetarian grains on family farms that never give antibiotics or growth hormones. These turkeys are fresh, never frozen. Since they are young, they are smaller than the Butterball ones. Most are less than 13 pounds.
How long does a smoked turkey take to cook?
The average smoked turkey is 13 pounds. Even though it’s fully cooked, you likely want to reheat it before dinner. To cook the Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the turkey in a baking pan and cover it with aluminum foil. Cook for 12 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.