A smoked whole turkey makes for an incredibly tasty and impressive centerpiece to your holiday table. The smoky aroma and flavor that permeates the meat takes your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner to the next level. While smoking a turkey yourself is an option buying a pre-smoked whole turkey can save you time and effort. Here are the best places to purchase a mouthwatering smoked turkey.
Overview of Smoked Turkey
Smoking uses indirect heat from burning wood chips or chunks to slowly cook the turkey and infuse it with smoky flavor The smoke also acts as a natural preservative Smoked whole turkeys are fully cooked so they just need to be reheated.
There are a few different forms of smoked turkey available:
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Whole smoked turkeys – full intact turkey smoked, available 10-20+ pounds
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Boneless smoked turkey breast – just the breast meat, no bones, 3-7 pounds
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Smoked drumsticks – the legs are smoked individually
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Sliced smoked turkey – sliced smoked breast meat for sandwiches
Where to Buy Smoked Whole Turkey
You have several excellent options for buying smoked whole turkeys:
Local Grocery Stores
Many grocers stock smoked turkeys seasonally:
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Costco – Kirkland and other brands, excellent quality and value
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Trader Joe’s – House brand smoked turkey breasts
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Publix – Publix and GreenWise smoked turkeys
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Wegmans – Smoked turkeys and turkey parts
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Metro Market – Smoked turkeys for the holidays
Check your local stores around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Even neighborhood grocers often carry smoked turkeys when they’re in demand.
Online Mail Order Companies
If you strike out finding smoked turkeys nearby, online retailers are very convenient:
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D’Artagnan – Organic and free-range smoked turkeys
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Harry & David – Pacific Northwest smoked turkeys
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Cracker Barrel – Hickory smoked spiral sliced whole turkeys
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Double R Ranch – Cajun smoked turkey and other flavors
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Nueske’s – Applewood smoked turkey breast
You’ll pay a bit more but the quality is outstanding from these online purveyors.
Direct from Smokehouses
For the freshest smoked turkeys, buy directly from acclaimed smokehouses like:
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Wright Brand Bacon – Hickory and applewood smoked turkeys
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Burger’s Smokehouse – Legendary smoked turkeys since 1953
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Southside Market – Award-winning smoked turkeys from Texas
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Pueblo Lindo – Mesquite smoked and other premium turkeys
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Virgil’s – Texas post oak smoked turkeys
The mail order turkeys cost more but are incredibly fresh from the source.
Buying Considerations
Keep these tips in mind when purchasing a smoked turkey:
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Allow enough thawing time for frozen turkeys
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Purchase 1 pound of turkey per person
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Understand any additional prep or seasoning needed
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Check labeling for hormone, antibiotic, organic, etc. info if desired
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Consider carved vs. whole turkey based on your needs
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Look for interesting wood smoke flavors like pecan or mesquite
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Examine the texture – chopped, sliced, or bound
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Read ingredients to see what’s added besides smoke
Average Price of Smoked Turkey
You can expect to pay:
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Small 5-8 lb turkey: $40 – $60
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10-15 lb whole turkey: $60 – $100
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3-7 lb turkey breast: $50 – $90
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Turkey legs: $25 – $40 for 4 legs
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Sliced turkey by the pound: $7 – $11 per lb
Organic and premium smoked turkeys run higher while budget brands are very affordable. Watch for deals leading up to the holidays.
Creative Uses for Leftovers
Put your leftover smoked turkey to delicious use by:
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Making smoked turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
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Dicing it for casseroles, soup, pasta, and salad recipes
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Piling it on nachos and pizza
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Whipping up pot pies and other creative dishes
With a little innovation, smoked turkey leftovers will become a new family favorite!
Smoked Turkey Is Sure to Impress
A smoked whole turkey makes a spectacular centerpiece and brings incredible flavor to your holiday meals. Use this guide to track down the perfect smoked turkey from a top grocery store, online retailer, or artisanal smokehouse. Your guests will be wowed when you serve up deliciously moist and smoky meat.
We’ll Give You a Hand with the Leftovers
Leftovers are one of the best holiday traditions. But you can only eat so many turkey sandwiches.
Let Greenberg Smoked Turkeys give you a hand. Browse our selection of recipes perfect for leftover turkey.
The Taste of The Holidays
Greenbergs have been smoking turkeys in Tyler for over 80 years. Little has changed in that time.
We prep each turkey by hand. After giving it our signature rub, we send the turkey to smoke for upwards of 16 hours.
Our Turkeys range in size from 5 to 15 pounds. We are unique in that you can order that size that you require as long as it is available. A rule of thumb for size is a third to half a pound per person for average eaters. Of course, this may vary, but we find this to be accurate in most cases.
AWESOME Smoked Turkey Recipe For Beginners!
FAQ
Does Costco sell whole smoked turkeys?
It’s plump and juicy and ready to be the centerpiece of your family’s special dinner! Our Whole Smoked Turkey by Stevison Meat Co is sold exclusively at Costco.
Does Butterball make a smoked turkey?
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 Costco whole smoked turkey good?
The turkey is moist with good smoke flavor. It’s a great alternative if you don’t want a to make a whole turkey from scratch. And no the Turkey is not dry!
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.
What is a natural smoked whole turkey?
This Naturally Smoked Whole Turkey is perfect for anybody who wants the rich, decadent flavor of a smoked turkey in just the time it takes to build a modest fire. These birds are uncured and slow cooked over natural hickory wood, so all you’ve got to do is warm the bird in the oven (and find a distraction to keep you occupied until it’s ready).
Where can I buy smoked turkey?
You have several options for purchasing smoked turkey, from grocery stores to online retailers. Here are some of the best places to buy smoked whole turkey: Many grocery store chains will stock smoked turkeys around the holidays: Costco – Costco has the popular Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey Breast and Whole Smoked Turkeys seasonally.
Where can I buy smoked turkey breast?
Many grocery store chains will stock smoked turkeys around the holidays: Costco – Costco has the popular Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey Breast and Whole Smoked Turkeys seasonally. Their prices are very reasonable for the quality. Trader Joe’s – Trader Joe’s sells frozen fully cooked smoked turkey breasts in their seasonal holiday sections.
Where can I buy hickory smoked turkey?
Check out Burgers’ Smokehouse for our hickory-smoked turkeys that are cured, aged, and slow smoked over real hickory wood. Buy now for free shipping!
Can you buy 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.
Where can I buy a smoked turkey in Texas?
Southside Market – With origins back to 1882, this Texas smokehouse has award-winning smoked turkeys for mail order. Pueblo Lindo – Based in California, they offer smoked turkeys in mesquite and other premium hardwood flavors. Virgil’s – Try turkeys smoked over Texas post oak at this gourmet online butcher shop.