Its never too early to start planning your Thanksgiving menu. After all, the holiday has a way of sneaking up on you—and if you dont get a head-start on your Thanksgiving turkey, you may be too late. (Gasp!) But dont worry, all you need to know is when to buy your Thanksgiving turkey and youll be well on your way to a successful feast. With this first step tackled, you can rest assured that youll have plenty of time for roasting, deep frying, or even spatchcocking the bird.
So, when exactly do you need to buy your Thanksgiving turkey? The answer depends on a couple of factors. Are you planning on buying a fresh turkey or frozen turkey? How much space do you have to store it and how do you plan to order your turkey—online or from a store? Below, youll find a breakdown of when to buy or order your turkey for every circumstance. Then, check out our tips for how much turkey you need per person and Ree Drummonds recipe for turkey brine. (Trust that it makes all the difference!)
Thanksgiving is synonymous with turkey. In fact, an estimated 46 million turkeys are consumed each Thanksgiving in the U.S. alone. But after the big feast, you may be wondering – does turkey go on sale after Thanksgiving?
The short answer is – sometimes. Let’s take a closer look at turkey prices and availability post-Thanksgiving.
Why Do Turkey Prices Drop After Thanksgiving?
It may seem counterintuitive that turkey prices fall after the peak demand on Thanksgiving, But there are a few key reasons
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Excess Supply – Farmers ramp up turkey production for the Thanksgiving rush. Once the holiday passes there is excess supply that farms and grocers want to sell off.
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Limited Shelf Life – Fresh turkeys have a shorter shelf life than frozen ones. Stores discount fresh turkeys to sell them while they’re still good.
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Christmas Demand – Customers also buy turkeys for Christmas dinner. Stores want to clear out Thanksgiving turkeys to restock for the next holiday.
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Loss Leader Pricing – Some stores use turkeys as a “loss leader”, selling them below cost to lure shoppers and make profits on other items.
What Type of Post-Thanksgiving Turkey Deals Exist?
The availability and discounts on turkeys vary depending on whether you’re looking for a fresh or frozen bird.
Fresh Turkeys
Fresh turkeys often see steep discounts after Thanksgiving because of their shorter shelf life. Look for sales like:
- BOGO free fresh turkeys
- Fresh turkeys for as low as $0.49/lb
- Fresh turkey breast discounts
However, options dwindle quickly. Grab discounted fresh turkeys right after Thanksgiving or you’ll miss out!
Frozen Turkeys
Frozen turkeys hold their quality longer, so discounts aren’t as deep. But you may find:
- Smaller frozen turkeys 10-15% off
- Savings on turkey crowns and boneless turkey breasts
- Buy one get one half off frozen turkeys
- Frozen turkeys discounted $5-$15 overall
Check the freezer section for deals in the weeks following Thanksgiving.
When Are the Best Post-Thanksgiving Turkey Deals?
The best turkey deals are found on Black Friday and the weekend directly after Thanksgiving. Here’s an overview:
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Black Friday – Look for loss leader fresh turkey deals and doorbuster savings on frozen birds.
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Saturday – Fresh turkey discounts continue. Grocers may offer new frozen turkey promotions.
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Sunday – The last day for fresh turkey deals. Limited quantities remain.
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Cyber Monday – Online discounts on frozen turkeys and smaller turkey products.
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Later Weeks – Occasional discounts, but selection is minimal by this point. Shop early!
What About Turkey Prices Leading Up to Christmas?
Grocery stores do restock turkeys in the weeks before Christmas to meet holiday demand. However, discounts aren’t as significant.
If you have freezer space, your best bet is to buy an extra discounted turkey after Thanksgiving and save it for Christmas dinner. You’ll get the best savings!
Why Do Turkey Prices Drop When Demand is Highest?
You may be wondering why turkey prices fall when demand peaks for Thanksgiving. It seems counterintuitive.
Here are a few key reasons explained:
Excess Supply
Farmers increase turkey production for Thanksgiving. Once the holiday passes, they’re left with excess supply to sell off.
Price Sensitivity
Thanksgiving shoppers are more price sensitive and willing to shop around. Lower prices help stores attract deal-seeking shoppers.
Hyperseasonal Competition
More grocery stores offer turkey during the holidays, increasing competition and pushing down prices.
Loss Leader
Some stores discount turkeys to bring in customers, making profits on other holiday purchases.
Tips for Finding Post-Thanksgiving Turkey Deals
Here are some tips to help you snag the best turkey deals:
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Ask About Upcoming Deals – Check with the butcher or customer service about upcoming turkey promotions.
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Shop Early – Turkey deals sell out fast. Shop early in the day and week for the best selection.
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Price Compare – Review flyers from grocery chains to price compare post-Thanksgiving turkey deals.
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Consider Freezer Space – Have room to store a frozen turkey if the discounts are better than fresh options.
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Buy Smaller Birds – Discounts on 8-12 lb turkeys are common and feed fewer guests.
Enjoy Delicious Leftover Turkey Recipes
Along with scoring a post-Thanksgiving turkey deal, you can stretch your turkey leftovers into lots of easy recipes like:
- Turkey noodle soup
- Turkey sliders or sandwiches
- Turkey casserole or pot pie
- Turkey enchiladas
- Turkey chili
With proper storage, leftover turkey can last 3-4 months in the freezer. Get creative with the recipes!
The Bottom Line
The bottom line? With the right timing and preparation, you can absolutely find turkey deals after Thanksgiving. Use these tips to shop at the right time and place to save money on holiday birds.
When to Buy a Fresh Turkey
Whether or not you reserve a turkey from the store, picking up your turkey or actually purchasing a fresh turkey should be something you do within a couple of days of Thanksgiving. According to Butterball, an unopened fresh turkey can be stored in the refrigerator until the sell-by date but should be cooked within four days.
How to Store a Thanksgiving Turkey
Once you’ve bought your Thanksgiving turkey—whether its frozen or fresh—its important to store it properly for the best quality.
Why Turkey Prices Drop Right Before Thanksgiving | 3 Reasons
FAQ
Is turkey cheaper before or after Thanksgiving?
Turkeys are generally cheapest just before Thanksgiving. Markets lower the prices to lure shoppers to buy all the extras. Some offer discounts when you spend a certain amount. One store near me gives you a free turkey if you spend $100.
Will turkeys go on sale after Thanksgiving?
The Cheapest Time to Buy a Turkey
According to USA Today, “Retail prices for a whole-fresh turkeys dropped 9% in October compared to the same month last year.” That said, if you’re looking to save even more, you can buy frozen turkeys after Thanksgiving—and they can sometimes be on sale.
What month is the cheapest to buy turkey?
November is the best time of year to buy turkey on sale. You should easily find whole, frozen birds for less than $1 per pound, and some grocery stores will even offer a FREE turkey with purchases over a specific dollar amount, or when you buy your Christmas ham along with it.
What happens to unsold turkeys after Thanksgiving?
Repurposing Food for Other Occasions
As a result, many unwanted fresh Thanksgiving turkeys are sent straight to the butcher so that consumers can purchase smaller, more affordable portions of the meat. Some grocery stores also opt to cook a portion of their leftover Thanksgiving meats to be sold at their delis.
Can you buy a Turkey after Thanksgiving?
No sale or reduced prices at all. Here are some things you need to keep in mind when shopping for a turkey after Thanksgiving. The frozen ones will be more expensive than before Thanksgiving likely. Since they are frozen there is no need for the stores to try and sell them quickly.
When should a fresh turkey be sold by date?
A fresh turkey should have a sell by date on it. Fresh turkeys tend to arrive at stores the weekend that is before the weekend that is before Thanksgiving – in other words just under 2 weeks from Thanksgiving Day. I have always found that those turkeys had a sell by date that was at least a couple days past Thanksgiving.
Should I buy a Turkey before or after Christmas?
I highly recommend if you have the freezer space and are doing a turkey for Christmas to is buy to ahead. You can even grab one of those clearance sales on a fresh turkey and freeze it. After Christmas, the fresh turkeys will disappear until next Thanksgiving season. I have never seen a fresh whole turkey in a store outside of the holiday season.
Should you buy a turkey in December?
Buying a turkey in December is the best time to snag an incredible deal and save money on meat. This sets up you for success at the best price. Don’t automatically buy the turkey at the first store you go to. It may seem a bit strange, but learning how to buy turkey after Thanksgiving can help you save.
What percentage of Thanksgiving sales are fresh turkeys?
Fresh turkeys account for 20% of Thanksgiving sales, according to Butterball. The birds are hatched, raised and slaughtered in a narrow window leading up to Thanksgiving. Leupen said Butterball is working with local retailers across the United States to “make sure there is a range of whole turkey sizes for Thanksgiving.”
Are frozen turkeys still on sale?
The frozen turkeys were still plentiful but those were no longer on sale. Plus just as Publix it was hard to find any ones that weren’t 20 pounds plus. Anyone one buying one would be better off with the fresh ones. RELATED – Kroger Turkey Price Guide They had both fresh and frozen turkeys left. No sale or reduced prices at all.