Where to Buy Raw Chicken Wings in Bulk

Chicken wings are a popular appetizer and snack food Buying raw chicken wings in bulk can help save money for restaurants, caterers, or even just large families who eat a lot of wings But where can you find large quantities of raw chicken wings for sale? Here are some of the best places to buy raw chicken wings in bulk.

Grocery Store Meat Departments

Many large grocery store chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, etc. have meat departments that sell case packs of chicken wings. Case packs contain multiple bags of wings, often 20-40 pounds each. Check with the meat department manager to see if they can order cases of wings for you. The price per pound is usually cheaper when buying a whole case rather than individual packages. Make sure to see if the store requires advance notice for large case pack orders.

Restaurant Food Distributors

Restaurant food distributors like Sysco and US Foods carry large quantities of chicken wings and other proteins for food service businesses. You’ll need to set up an account with them to order. The advantage of distributors is they offer everything a restaurant needs in one place. The minimum order size might be larger than at a grocery store. But you can get great prices on wings when part of big orders.

Butcher Shops or Meat Markets

Local butcher shops or meat markets are another good option for buying wings in bulk Many butcher whole chickens on premises and can save the wings to sell in large quantities You may even find some that cater to restaurants and food service accounts. Build a relationship with the butcher to reserve cases of wings ahead of time.

Warehouse Clubs

Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s sell large case pack sizes of chicken wings at discount prices. However, you usually need a paid membership to shop there. If you already have a membership, check their selection of wings in the freezer section. Just take note of the case pack sizes, as some may be too large for non-commercial buyers.

Online Meat Purveyors

There are several online stores that specialize in selling meat and seafood in bulk quantities. This includes companies like Wild Fork Foods, Porter Road, and Crowd Cow. Read their minimum order sizes and shipping details closely. Some may have order minimums of 40+ pounds of wings. Others ship in freezer packs with dry ice. This is convenient but may have higher costs.

Direct from Poultry Plants

One option for true bulk purchasing is buying frozen wings directly from poultry processing plants. This requires 20+ case pack orders and truckload shipping quantities. Check companies like Wayne Farms, Tyson and Perdue for wholesale ordering details. You’ll get the best price per pound direct from plants. But expect to buy full pallets with 500+ pounds minimum.

What to Look for When Buying Bulk Wings

When sourcing raw wings in volume, keep these tips in mind:

• Buy individually frozen wings – Individually frozen wings keep better texture when thawed versus block frozen. Ask suppliers how wings are frozen.

• Check grade and quality – U.S. Grade A wings are plumpest and meatiest. Avoid lower Grade B. Kosher and halal wings may cost more but ensure proper handling.

• Know sizing – Jumbo, large, medium and small are typical wing sizes. Different recipes may call for certain sizes. Mixing sizes leads to uneven cooking.

• Understand costs – Prices fluctuate based on poultry supply and seasonal demand. Buying direct from plants is cheapest. Online and distributors add convenience fees.

• Factor in shipping – Will wings ship frozen in insulated boxes? Is dry ice needed? Calculate total costs before ordering.

• Check shelf life – Raw wings keep 9-12 months frozen. Ensure you use within expiry and don’t order too far in advance.

• Have storage space – Make sure freezers can accommodate large supplies of wings without crowding. Rotate stock properly.

Storing and Handling Bulk Wings

Proper storage and handling maintains safety and quality when buying wings in volume. Follow these guidelines:

• Keep frozen at 0°F or below until ready to thaw and use. Constant freezing prevents spoilage.

• Minimize temperature fluctuations. Don’t open freezer repeatedly. Cold air escapes and reduces shelf life.

• Avoid freezer burn. Use airtight packaging or zipper freezer bags to protect wings. Rewrap torn cases.

• Store cases of wings tightly together to retain coldness. Don’t let them sit in warm areas before freezing.

• When thawing, keep at 40°F or below. Thaw in fridge overnight rather than at room temperature.

• Cook thawed wings within 2 days for food safety. Don’t refreeze thawed raw wings – cook first.

• Once cooked, refrigerate wings and reheat fully to 165°F before serving. Don’t leave in “danger zone” between 40-140°F.

• Follow first in, first out rotation. Use oldest cases first before newly bought wings.

Buying bulk chicken wings provides big savings for frequent wing eaters. Just be sure to select a supplier that meets your volume needs cost-effectively. Handle the raw wings safely and freeze them properly to get the most value from your bulk purchase. With the right sourcing and storage, you can enjoy a steady supply of wings for all your cooking, restaurants or entertaining needs.

For 50 people, you should plan to have between 300 and 600 chicken wings, depending on whether they are the main course or a side, and whether other food is being served. If wings are the main focus, aim for 10-12 per person, which would be 500-600 wings.