Planning a turkey this year? Let us help you find the perfect bird for your table.
Buying the right turkey can mean the difference between a good Thanksgiving and a legendary Thanksgiving. And while you can’t go wrong with any of our birds, shopping for a specific size or certification can be tricky. Rest assured, we’re here to help simplify the process. Below, learn more about our birds, plus get expert buying and storing tips.
Order online and schedule a time for pickup in store. Menu and location availability may vary. While supplies last.
Turkey is a popular centerpiece for holiday meals and family gatherings. However, cooking and carving a large whole turkey can be time-consuming and lead to lots of leftovers This leaves many home cooks wondering – can you buy just a turkey breast?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely purchase individual turkey breast meat. From the grocery store to online specialty retailers, there are plenty of options for buying turkey breasts to enjoy the tasty white meat without the hassle of a whole bird.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying turkey breasts including
- Why cook just a turkey breast?
- Where to buy turkey breast
- Types of turkey breast cuts
- How much to buy per person
- Preparing and cooking turkey breast
- Is buying a turkey breast worth it?
Why Cook Just a Turkey Breast?
There are several good reasons to cook a bone-in or boneless turkey breast instead of a whole turkey:
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Convenience – Roasting and carving a full turkey takes hours. A breast is faster and easier, especially for smaller gatherings.
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Less waste – Leftover whole turkey often gets thrown out. An individual breast provides a reasonable portion.
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More affordable – Turkey breasts cost less per pound than a whole turkey You save money.
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Lean protein – The white meat is leaner and lower in fat than dark turkey meat.
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Versatility – Use turkey breast in more than just holiday meals. Great for sandwiches, salads, etc.
Where to Buy Turkey Breast
Fresh and frozen turkey breasts can be purchased from:
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Grocery store meat department – Check for best by dates. Prices range from $2.99-$4.99 per pound.
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Butcher shops – Custom cuts of premium quality turkey breast for $6.99 per pound or more.
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Online mail order – Companies like D’Artagnan ship fresh gourmet turkey breast nationwide. Organic options available.
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Direct from turkey farms – Buy directly from local farms for maximum freshness.
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Warehouse stores – Large quantity packs of fresh turkey breast for value pricing.
Types of Turkey Breast Cuts
Turkey breast is sold in a few different forms:
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Whole bone-in breast – Includes breast, ribs, and back. Shaped like a mini whole turkey.
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Boneless breast roast – Breast meat removed from bone and tied into a roast.
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Boneless, skinless cutlets – Sliced cross sections of breast, perfect for sautéing.
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Ground turkey breast – Breast meat that is finely minced or ground for recipes.
How Much Per Person?
Plan on purchasing the following turkey breast amounts per person:
- Bone-in whole breast – 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 pound per person
- Boneless roast – 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound per person
- Cutlets – 3 to 4 ounces per person
- Ground – 3 to 4 ounces per person
For a group of 4, buy a 2 pound boneless roast or pack of cutlets. Adjust for your number of guests and meal plans.
Preparing and Cooking Turkey Breast
Preparing turkey breast is easy:
- Rinse, pat dry, and trim excess fat if desired
- Brush with oil or coat with cooking spray
- Season the breast with herbs, spices, rubs, etc.
Cook using your preferred method such as:
- Roasting in the oven
- Grilling or smoking on the barbecue
- Sautéing in a pan on the stovetop
- Adding to soups, stews, and chilies
Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow to rest before slicing. Get creative with marinades, glazes, and seasonings.
Is Buying a Turkey Breast Worth It?
Purchasing an individual turkey breast offers many benefits:
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Convenient – No thawing or carving whole birds
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Flexible – Cook just the amount needed
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Cost effective – Less expensive than whole turkey
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Delicious – Tasty premium white meat
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Versatile – Use in all types of recipes
For home cooks cooking for smaller groups, buying just a fresh or frozen turkey breast is absolutely worth it. You can skip the large bird hassle and still enjoy juicy, flavorful turkey meat meals.
So go ahead and add turkey breasts to your regular grocery shopping list! With proper storage, you can keep them on hand for whenever a craving strikes.
Turkey Breast Recipes to Try
Here are some delicious recipes using turkey breast:
Herb Roasted Turkey Breast – Coat with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. Roast in the oven until browned and cooked through.
Cranberry Glazed Turkey Breast – Brush boneless breast with sweet cranberry glaze. Bake or grill until caramelized.
Teriyaki Turkey Breast Stir Fry – Sear cutlets in a hot pan. Toss with stir fried veggies and teriyaki.
Turkey Breast Chili – Cook ground turkey breast, beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices.
Turkey & Wild Rice Soup – Simmer boneless breast, carrots, celery, and herbs in broth.
The possibilities are endless for easily turning turkey breast into family favorite meals.
Get Your Turkey Breast Today!
You now have all the essential information for buying and cooking fresh individual turkey breasts. With so many options for quality and convenience, there’s no reason to struggle with cooking whole turkeys when all you need is the tasty white breast meat.
Check your local grocery store ads for sales and deals on turkey breasts. Or order online from specialty retailers if you want premium gourmet breeds.
Use proper handling and storage methods to keep turkey breast fresh until ready to cook. Then get creative in the kitchen with seasoning and cooking techniques. Enjoy the advantages of purchasing just the amount of turkey your household needs.
What Makes Our Turkeys Different?
Whether classic or kosher, heirloom or organic, all of the fresh and frozen turkeys we sell meet our Quality Standards. All of the birds in our Meat department are Animal Welfare Certified (except kosher turkey) and meet over 100 animal welfare standards. And, like all meat and poultry in the department, the animals must be raised with no antibiotics ever and no animal by-products in feed.
What Types of Turkey Do We Offer?
So, fresh or frozen? Organic or heirloom? Here’s what you need to know about our turkey selection when shopping our Meat department. Kosher, heirloom and heritage birds may not be available in all locations, so be sure to contact your store ahead of time.
These essential whole turkeys are always crowd-pleasers. Packed with flavor and wallet-friendly, you can’t go wrong.
- Classic Turkeys: These tasty, tender turkeys are a great choice for value, quality and flavor.
- Organic Turkeys: These birds receive organic, non-GMO feed and have specific requirements for the amount of access to the outdoors.
If you’re looking to try something different this year, don’t miss our assortment of unique, special birds. Make sure to check your local store for assortment.
- Regeneratively Raised Turkeys: Tender, juicy, full-flavored turkey that was raised within a holistic regenerative program, using agricultural practices like rotational grazing, that support soil health and biodiversity.
- Heritage Turkeys: These unique, old-world birds are leaner with a smaller meat-to-bone ratio and can be very flavorful.
- Heirloom Turkeys: A little bigger than heritage turkeys, this special variety has robust flavor and a lot of dark meat.
- Brined Turkeys: We’ve marinated these birds in a seasoned brine for moist, flavorful meat. If you’re planning to fry your turkey, start with one of our brined birds.
- Kosher Turkeys: Rubbed with kosher salt inside and out, kosher birds are checked by specially trained rabbinical inspectors to make sure they’re processed in accordance with kosher standards. The kosher salt preseasons the bird and gives it extra flavor.
- Turkey Breasts: Feeding a smaller group? Our classic and organic turkey breasts (no antibiotics ever) are easy to brine and take less time to prepare than a whole turkey. We offer bone-in, organic bone-in and boneless options.
All fresh and frozen turkeys from our Meat department must meet our standards for being raised with no antibiotics ever, no animal by-products in feed and 100+ animal welfare standards. Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising turkeys.
How Much Turkey Do You Need?
When buying your turkey, go for more than what you really need (because who doesn’t love turkey leftovers?). Even so, consider the size of your fridge and oven before coming home with a huge bird. Here’s how to plan your order based on the number of people you’re feeding.
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Turkey Size |
Serves |
|---|---|
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8–10 pounds (bone-in breast) |
4 people |
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12–14 pounds |
6 people |
|
20–24 pounds |
12 people |
Rule of thumb: 2 pounds of turkey per person, but start with 8 to 10 pounds for 4 people.
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
Can you buy a turkey breast only?
Yes you can buy just a Turkey breast and different stores have different prices for the breast.
Does Butterball sell just turkey breast?
Fresh & Frozen Whole Turkey Breasts
When you don’t need a large whole turkey, choose Butterball fresh and frozen turkey breasts. Enjoy the delicious taste of juicy white meat turkey without an excess of leftovers.
How much is a breast of turkey?
Turkey Breast (Boneless) $10.99/lb. USDA approved, hormone-free, antibiotic-free and humanely-raised.
Can you buy already cooked turkey breast?
Butterball oven-baked turkey breasts are a fully cooked, hassle-free turkey option that offers easy preparation, less mess, rich flavor and a shorter cooking time.
Where to buy turkey breast?
Grocery store pros: Potential cons: For bulk buying, stocking up, and the best deals, warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s are great places to buy turkey breast. Around the holidays, whole frozen turkey breast sells for around $1.99-$2.99 per pound.
How much does a turkey breast cost?
Farm-direct turkey breast benefits: Be sure to call or email to place your order 1-2 months before you need it since stock is limited. Expect to pay premium prices, anywhere from $4-$8 per pound for the highest quality turkey. Buying direct pros: Potential cons: When calculating how much turkey breast to buy, here are some general guidelines:
Should you buy turkey breast at a warehouse store?
Opt for turkey breasts within the sell-by date that show no signs of frost or freezer burn. The only potential warehouse store downside is having to buy a large package, which requires freezer space. However, the savings often make it worthwhile. Warehouse store pros: Potential cons:
Should Turkey Breast be refrigerated?
Keep refrigerated. Fresh whole turkey breast should be refrigerated at 35°F to 40°F. The lower temperature is preferred. Cook as soon as possible to ensure maximum freshness. If you are not confident about the temperature of your refrigerator, cook or freeze the breast within 4 days of purchase.
Can turkey breast be frozen?
Proper storage preserves freshness and prevents spoilage of raw turkey breast: Raw turkey breast – Store fresh turkey breast in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Freeze for 4-6 months. Cooked turkey – Refrigerate carved, cooked breast for 3-4 days or freeze for 2-3 months. Frozen – Keep frozen turkey breast at 0°F or below.
When should I buy a fresh turkey?
Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a ‘best-by’ or ‘use by’ date on the manufacturer’s label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date. Do not follow the ‘sell by’ date on the label.