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 right around the corner which means it’s time to start thinking about getting your hands on the star of the show – the turkey! As you start planning your Thanksgiving meal one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to cook a fresh or frozen turkey. If you opt for fresh, the next question is – how early can you actually buy one?
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Fresh Thanksgiving Turkey?
Ideally you’ll want to buy your fresh Thanksgiving turkey just 1-2 days before cooking it. Here’s why this timing is best
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Freshness – The closer to cook time you buy it, the fresher your turkey will taste. Fresh turkeys only last for a couple days in the fridge before they start deteriorating in quality.
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Availability – There’s no guarantee your local grocery store will have fresh turkeys in stock if you shop too far in advance. Supplies may be lower closer to the holiday.
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Food Safety – Fresh poultry can be prone to bacteria growth, so you don’t want to buy a turkey too early and risk it spoiling before Thanksgiving.
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Storage Space – Fresh turkeys take up a decent amount of fridge space. Buying later means you don’t need that space tied up for as long.
I know it seems counterintuitive to wait until a day or two before Thanksgiving to get your turkey. But trust me, it really is in your best interest taste and food safety-wise!
How Should I Store a Fresh Turkey I Buy in Advance?
Okay, maybe you’re someone who likes to get things done early no matter what. I get it – I do too! If you simply can’t fathom buying your turkey just 1-2 days in advance, here are some tips for storing a fresh bird properly:
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Keep it in its original wrapping until you’re ready to cook. This helps preserve freshness.
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Place the turkey on a tray or pan in the fridge to catch any leaks or juices.
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Store the turkey on the bottom shelf of the fridge, where temperatures are coldest.
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Use the turkey by the expiration date printed on the packaging. Don’t try to push it beyond that.
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Check for ice crystals or frozen sections on your turkey, which indicate it’s been stored too long. Discard if found.
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Monitor the temperature of your fridge to ensure it stays at 40°F or below.
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Consider brining your turkey before cooking to help keep it moist after extended storage.
No matter what, don’t try to store a fresh turkey in the fridge for longer than 4-5 days before Thanksgiving. The quality and taste really start to go downhill after that point.
What’s the Earliest I Can Buy a Fresh Turkey?
Okay, maybe you’re someone who likes to get things done early no matter what. I get it – I do too! If you simply can’t fathom buying your turkey just 1-2 days in advance, here are some tips for storing a fresh bird properly:
Technically speaking, the earliest you could buy a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving would be:
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10-14 days in advance if you have a large enough freezer to store it. This allows time to safely freeze and thaw it.
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7 days in advance if you feel comfortable keeping it in the fridge that long. This is the absolute max fridge time.
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5 days in advance for best taste and texture. Quality may start diminishing beyond this.
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3-4 days in advance to be extra safe. This timing really optimizes freshness.
Again, I really can’t stress enough that 1-2 days before Thanksgiving is ideal when it comes to buying a fresh turkey. But if you’re set on purchasing further in advance, follow the cold storage guidelines outlined above.
No matter what day you end up buying your turkey though, be sure to factor in enough thawing time if frozen. And as always, thoroughly cook that bird to 165°F internal temperature before serving! Here’s to a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with family, friends, and a perfectly cooked turkey.
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When to Buy a Frozen Turkey
Frozen turkey is a great idea for those who have the space in their freezer. You can buy it way in advance and stash it in your freezer until youre ready to thaw. In fact, Butterball says that an unopened frozen turkey can be kept in the freezer for up to two years! Thawing the turkey depends on the size—youll want to allow for at least 24 hours for every four to five pounds.
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.
Should you buy fresh or frozen turkey this Thanksgiving?
FAQ
How far in advance is it safe to buy a fresh turkey?
Fresh turkeys should not be purchased until one or two days before you cook it, unless the manufacturer’s tag has a “Best by” or “Use by” date that indicates the turkey will be okay on the date you plan to cook it. If there is no tag, then purchase a fresh turkey one or two days before you plan to cook it.
How long can a fresh turkey stay in the fridge before cooking?
Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Place it on a tray to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen.
How long can you keep a fresh butterball turkey in the fridge?
If you are not confident about the temperature of your refrigerator, cook or freeze the turkey within 4 days of sell-by date. Storage of Leftovers: Carve leftover turkey into pieces before refrigerating to speed cooling. Refrigerate carved leftovers within 2 hours of eating. Use leftover turkey within 3 days.
How early should I buy my frozen turkey?
If you have more than a week before your meal, the USDA says to go ahead and buy frozen. On the other hand, fresh turkeys should be purchased only one or two days before you cook it.
When should I buy a fresh turkey?
Getting the timing right ensures you end up with the freshest, tastiest bird for your gathering. The optimal window for purchasing a fresh turkey is 1-2 days before you plan to cook it This gives you the freshest bird possible However, you can buy a fresh turkey up to 5-7 days in advance as long as you follow proper storage protocol.
When should you pick up a Turkey for Thanksgiving?
Just be sure to check the delivery dates to ensure it arrives in time for your holiday feast. 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.
Should you order a Turkey before Thanksgiving?
Ordering a turkey is always a good idea, especially if you don’t want to be stressed during your Thanksgiving prep. Many grocery stores and farms these days allow you to order or reserve your fresh turkey in advance and pick it up closer to the holiday.
Can you cook a fresh turkey after buying it?
If you’re not going to cook your fresh turkey immediately after buying it, you’ll need to place it in the refrigerator until just before it’s ready to go in the oven. Remember: Fresh turkeys should be cooked within two days.
Should you pre-order a Turkey?
If you’re planning to buy from a small local farm, it’s a good idea to call ahead to see if they require that you pre-order the turkey. Pre-ordering guarantees that you’ll have a turkey and also helps the farmers prepare for the holiday rush. Fresh turkeys will start popping up in grocery stores about a week before the big day.
How long does a fresh turkey last?
It won’t last indefinitely. You need to treat it as you would any other poultry. 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.