Smoked turkey makes for a fantastic centerpiece for holiday meals or anytime you want amazing flavor without much effort. But where can you find a high-quality ready-to-eat smoked turkey to serve your family or guests? There are several great options for purchasing smoked turkeys both in stores and online.

Buying Smoked Turkey at Grocery Stores

Many major grocery store chains carry smoked turkey options in the poultry or prepared foods section, Here are some top retailers to check for whole smoked turkeys

• Costco – Carries large Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey Breasts and Whole Smoked Turkeys over 10 lbs.

• Sam’s Club – Member’s Mark Smoked Self-Basting Whole Turkey and Smoked Turkey Breast.

• Walmart – Butterball Everyday Smoked Turkey Breast and Cajun Style Smoked Turkey.

• Kroger – Private Selection Smoked Self-Basting Turkey and Smoked Turkey Breast.

• Publix – Publix Deli Smoked or Cajun Style Whole Turkey and Smoked Turkey Breast.

• Albertsons – Honeysuckle White Hickory Smoked Self-Basting Whole Turkey.

• Safeway – Signature Select Hickory Smoked Whole Turkey and Smoked Turkey Breast.

• Wegmans – Wegmans Food Markets Smoked and Cajun Style Whole Turkey.

Check the weights available, pricing, and if you need to special order larger sizes.

Find Smoked Turkey at Warehouse Clubs

Bulk shopping clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s are excellent sources for full smoked turkey breasts and whole birds from 6-16 lbs. The big advantage is large sizes at wholesale club pricing.

Costco in particular has very competitive prices on their Kirkland Signature house brand of smoked turkeys, available to members in club and online. It’s some of the best quality smoked turkey you can buy.

Warehouse clubs mostly stock their own private label smoked turkey rather than name brands. Review the details on smoking method, ingredients, and flavor styles.

Order Smoked Turkey Online

To access the widest selection of smoked turkey sizes, flavors, and premium brands, shopping online is ideal. Here are top online retailers:

• Butterball – The turkey experts offer frozen Hickory Smoked Whole Turkeys and Smoked Turkey Breasts.

• Cracker Barrel – Pick from Original or Cajun smoked Whole Turkey, Turkey Breast, and other cuts.

• Hickory Farms – Known for gift baskets but also sell smoked Whole Turkey, Breast, Drumsticks.

• HoneyBaked Ham – Famous for ham but also offer Whole and Half Boneless Smoked Turkey options.

• D’Artagnan – High-end gourmet D’Artagnan Smoked and Cajun Smoked Organic Whole Turkey.

• Peacock Foods – Smoked turkey in various flavors, sizes, and cuts as well as roasts and sausage.

• Schwan’s – Whole Hickory Smoked Self-Basting Hen Turkey Breast and other cuts.

• Omaha Steaks – Carries smoked turkey breasts and sausage varieties. Great for gift packages.

Online shopping allows you to easily compare different brand flavors, prices, weights, and order the exact size you need for any gathering. Most sites let you choose a delivery date as well.

Buying Direct from Smokehouses

Another option is to purchase smoked turkey directly from the source – traditional smokehouses. Two top smokehouses offering mail order smoked turkey include:

• Burgers’ Smokehouse – Family-owned smokehouse since the 1920s offering premium smoked turkey in various cuts, sizes, and flavors.

• Nueske’s – Specialty meats smokehouse offering Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast and other turkey cuts.

The advantage of buying direct is you know you’re getting authentic smoked turkey crafted by experts. However, minimum orders and shipping costs may apply.

Tips for Picking a Smoked Turkey

Follow these tips when buying a smoked turkey:

• Check the weight to order the right size for your group. Estimate 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound per person.

• Look for turkeys labeled “self-basting” for added moisture and flavor.

• Choose your preferred smoking wood like hickory, applewood, pecan, etc.

• Select seasoned smoked turkey for Cajun, garlic, honey and other flavors.

• Opt for boneless smoked turkey breast for easier carving.

• Order 2+ weeks ahead for holiday meals to ensure availability.

• Inspect packaging condition and expiration dates.

How Much Does Smoked Turkey Cost?

Smoked turkey prices can range quite a bit based on the brand, size, source, and any seasonal demand:

• Whole smoked turkeys usually $2.99 to $5.99 per pound

• Smoked turkey breasts average $7.99 to $11.99 per pound

• Smaller specialty smokehouses run $12.99 to $17.99 per pound

So you can expect to spend anywhere from $40 up to over $100 for a whole smoked turkey feeding 8-12 people. Higher end gourmet smoked turkeys run even more. Shopping wholesale clubs can help save substantially on cost.

Popular Brands of Smoked Turkey

If you’re new to buying smoked turkey, sticking with a well-known national brand can offer confidence in consistent quality and flavor. Here are some of the top smoked turkey brands to look for:

• Butterball – The #1 turkey brand in America also offers frozen smoked turkeys.

• Honeysuckle White – Specializes in smoked turkey in a variety of flavors, sizes, and cuts.

• Kirkland Signature – Costco’s popular house brand of smoked turkey at wholesale prices.

• Cargill – A major turkey processor selling smoked Shady Brook Farms and Honeysuckle turkeys.

• Jennie-O – Known for turkey products, Jennie-O provides smoked turkey under license to stores.

• Member’s Mark – Sam’s Club private label smoked turkey ideal for large gatherings.

There are also smaller smokehouses and specialty retailers with long smoked turkey traditions and excellent reputations to explore.

Fresh vs Frozen Smoked Turkey

You’re unlikely to find fresh, never-frozen smoked turkey at supermarkets or online. The smoking process used by major brands involves freezing. However frozen smoked turkey retains the same great flavor and texture after thawing.

To find truly fresh smoked turkey, you’d need to visit a local smokehouse or specialty meat shop. So opt for frozen smoked turkey for convenience.

Get Your Smoked Turkey Early!

During the busy holiday season, frozen smoked turkeys often sell out. Retailers also limit the number you can buy.

So make sure to purchase your smoked turkey well ahead of time – ideally 4+ weeks before Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Check your grocer’s policy on special orders as well.

Ordering online for delivery gives you more flexibility than just relying on your local supermarket. Get your smoked turkey order locked in early!

Enjoy the Convenience of Smoked Turkey

There’s no disputing the amazing flavor and convenience smoked turkey offers for holiday meals, family gatherings, or anytime you crave turkey without the work. Now that you know the inside scoop on where to buy smoked turkey both locally and online, the challenging part is just deciding which kind to serve!

Smoked Turkey Buying FAQs

When you buy smoked turkey is it already cooked?

Butterball Smoked Whole Turkeys are fully cooked and ready to eat. They can be used in recipes calling for cooked turkey without prior heating. The pink color of the meat comes from smoking and curing and is not a sign of undercooked meat.

Is smoked turkey any good?

Smoking is a flavorful way to serve a Thanksgiving turkey, and it frees up your oven for pies and side dishes. Though it requires a bit of preparation beforehand, the end result of juicy meat, smoky flavor, and deeply burnished skin is worth the effort.