Where to Buy Half a Turkey

With the holidays coming up, you may be looking for a smaller turkey option for a more intimate gathering. Buying half a turkey is a great alternative to purchasing a whole large bird. But where can you find half turkeys for sale? Here are some of the best places to shop for the perfect holiday half bird.

Major Grocery Stores

One of the easiest places to locate half turkeys is your neighborhood grocery store Many major chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, H-E-B, etc. stock half turkeys seasonally in the fresh and frozen poultry sections.

Look for roughly 5-12 lb prepackaged half turkeys from brands like Butterball Honeysuckle and Shady Brook Farms sold in the refrigerated sections.around holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Vacuum-sealed halves are also available in the freezer.

Grocery store half turkeys offer convenience, widespread availability, and affordable discounted holiday pricing. Just beware that popular sizes may sell out quickly due to high demand.

Warehouse Clubs

Bulk shopping destinations like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s often carry large inventories of half turkeys in addition to whole birds before the winter holidays. Shop their freezer sections for healthy supplies of vacuum-sealed half turkeys.

The half turkeys sold at warehouse clubs are typically lower cost generic brands or basic birds like Butterball. However, you can find excellent deals per pound on high quality half turkeys when buying in bulk quantity.

Butcher Shops and Meat Markets

Local butcher shops are another reliable source for fresh half turkey cuts. Talk to your butcher and ask if they have half turkeys available, or can specially cut one to order.

Explain your desired turkey size and they can often precisely halve a fresh whole turkey for you. This ensures you get the exact amount of meat you need. Expect to pay premium prices per pound for the personalized service.

Direct from Farms

Searching for the freshest all-natural half turkey? Check around local farms in your area about purchasing directly from the source. Many small farms raise pasture-raised heritage breed turkeys and will sell halves leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Look for announcements at farmers markets or search online directories like LocalHarvest. You’ll likely pay even more than at a butcher shop, but the quality is unmatched. Plus you support local agriculture.

Online Mail Order

Can’t find half turkeys nearby? Ordering online is convenient whether you want fresh or frozen turkey delivered straight to your door.

Retailers like FreshDirect, Peapod and Amazon Fresh carry halved birds along with standard whole turkeys. There are also specialty meat purveyors like Porter Road and Crowd Cow that ship half pasture-raised turkeys nationwide.

Tips for Choosing Your Half Turkey

Follow this criteria when selecting the optimal half turkey:

• Choose a size that fits your guest list, allowing 1 pound per person.

• Inspect the packaging thoroughly for any tears or ice crystals.

• Look for a use-by date well after the date you plan to cook it.

• Opt for frozen if buying more than 2 weeks in advance to allow for thawing.

• Seek out trusted poultry brands for best quality mass market options.

• Ask questions about sourcing for custom half turkeys.

With all these great options for finding the right half turkey, your holiday meal planning just got easier. Shop early to get the exact size half turkey you need for a small gathering this season.