Anyone who loves Thanksgiving — or anyone who always gets pressured into hosting — knows that putting this massive meal together is a huge challenge. From finding those Thanksgiving sides that will have guests asking for seconds to sourcing the perfect turkey, its a lot to have to deal with. You might be tempted to do some one-stop shopping at Costco and pick up everything that youll need, but is that the best plan? Advertisement
Thats what were deep diving into, and were going to focus on the turkey. Costco generally has a variety of options, and if you plan ahead, you can even order some online. But should you? Thats the thing: There are some options that are online only, and if youre the type who wants to pick out their bird in person, you might just be out of luck. On the other hand, Costco might be the perfect place to source your Thanksgiving turkey.
So, were going to take a look at what has been on offer at Costco in the past few years, and see what people have had to say about the turkeys theyve purchased. Hopefully, itll help you decide if Costco will be your go-to store for Thanksgiving shopping.
Turkey is a popular centerpiece for many holiday meals and gatherings. With its large size and affordable price tag, turkey can feed a crowd for less. That’s why many households turn to Costco to purchase their holiday turkeys. But with different options available, how much does turkey cost at Costco?
Overview of Turkey Options at Costco
During the holidays Costco offers several turkey options
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Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey – Fully cooked smoked turkey weighing approx. 13-16 lbs.
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Kirkland Signature Turkey Breast – Fully cooked turkey breast averaging 4 lbs. or less Sold pre-sliced
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Plainville Farms Organic Young Turkey – Fresh organic turkey weighing 16 lbs. and under.
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Butterball Tom Turkey – Fresh tom turkeys (male) typically over 18 lbs.
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Butterball Hen Turkey – Fresh hen turkeys (female) ranging 10-14 lbs.
Costco also sells turkey deli meat (Hillshire Farm) and frozen whole turkeys (Empire Kosher) year-round.
Turkey Prices at Costco
Here are the average prices for holiday turkeys at Costco:
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Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey – $3.79/lb
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Kirkland Signature Turkey Breast – $4.79/lb
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Plainville Farms Organic Young Turkey – $2.99/lb
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Butterball Tom & Hen Turkeys – $0.99/lb
So a 13 lb Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey would cost around $49.27. The organic Plainville Farms turkey would be the most budget-friendly at $2.99/lb.
Butterball offers the lowest price per pound for a fresh whole turkey at just $0.99/lb. A 18 lb Butterball Tom turkey would cost about $17.82.
Year-round, deli turkey breast is approx. $9.99/lb and Empire Kosher frozen turkeys cost approx. $3.39/lb.
Estimated Price for a Turkey Feast at Costco
To feed a group of 10 people, you’ll need around a 16 lb turkey. Here’s a price estimate for a full turkey dinner at Costco for 10 people:
- 16 lb Butterball Turkey – $15.84
- Stuffing – $6.99
- Mashed Potatoes – $7.99
- Gravy – $4.99
- Cranberry Sauce – $5.99
- Green Beans – $9.99
- Dinner Rolls – $5.99
- Pumpkin Pie – $7.99
Total Price: $65.77
This totals around $6.58 per person for a classic Thanksgiving or holiday turkey dinner from Costco. Their affordable turkey prices help make it possible to serve a crowd without breaking the bank.
Tips for Saving on Turkey at Costco
Here are some tips to save money on turkey at Costco:
- Buy the Kirkland frozen turkey for the lowest price per pound
- Look for turkey markdowns and promotions before holidays
- Split larger turkeys with family or friends if you don’t need a whole one
- Use turkey leftovers creatively in soups, sandwiches, wraps, and casseroles
- Purchase sides, desserts, and other dinner items at Costco to complete your meal
How Much Turkey Should I Buy?
When estimating how much turkey to buy, plan for about 1 pound of turkey per person. For hearty eaters, allow up to 1.5 lbs per person. Leftovers are great, but you don’t want to be stuck with a freezer full of turkey for weeks either.
An 8-10 lb turkey can feed up to 8-10 people when supplemented with sides. A 12-15 lb turkey can feed 10-12 people. Turkeys 16 lbs and up are ideal for feeding crowds of 12-15+ people.
When to Buy Turkey at Costco
Turkeys typically arrive at Costco warehouses in late October or early November. Shop early while there is a good selection of frozen and fresh turkeys available.
Costco limits turkey purchases to ensure availability through the holidays. Try to buy your turkey at least 1-2 weeks ahead of when you need it. You can always freeze it if buying early.
Call your local Costco first to check current turkey inventory and availability for the size you need.
Is Costco’s Turkey Good Quality?
Yes, Costco is known for selling high quality turkeys. Their fresh Butterball turkeys are a customer favorite. The Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey earns rave reviews as well.
Costco has buying power that allows them to source high quality turkeys at lower prices than typical supermarkets. Their turkeys are flash frozen to lock in freshness. Overall, Costco’s turkeys provide premium quality meats at affordable discounted prices.
When wondering “how much does a turkey cost at Costco”, prices range from $0.99/lb for Butterball turkeys up to $4.79/lb for Kirkland pre-sliced turkey breast. Their organic Plainville Farms turkeys offer the best deals. A full holiday turkey dinner for 10 from Costco can cost under $7 per person. With excellent prices on turkeys, sides, and all the holiday fixings, Costco makes it possible to serve up serious savings on your turkey feast.
You can pick up a Butterball turkey at Costco, but should you?
Butterball is one of the brands thats typically available at Costco, both in whole turkey form and as a breast roast. The good news is that as far as Thanksgiving turkeys go, Butterball lives up to its reputation in a few ways. Advertisement
Head over to Reddit to see what people have been saying about recent purchases, and youll find that theyre largely saying good things. Redditors laud Butterball for producing turkeys that are consistently juicy, flavorful, and high-quality, which says a lot — especially when some say Butterball has been their go-to for several generations.
Butterball also has a strict policy in place regarding the use of antibiotics in their turkeys, and in recent years, its also gotten kudos for how turkeys are raised. In 2021, the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau took a look at the claims the company made, and found some — including claims of humane animal care policies — were legit. They did suggest that some vague statements — including comparisons to the ways other turkeys were raised — be discontinued, but Butterball continued to get high marks all around. Theyre a legit option at Costco, with one footnote: Butterball encourages retailers to participate in rewards programs, so if youre looking for a deal, you might want to check Costcos pricing against other deals in your area. Advertisement
Many customers love Costco’s Kirkland Signature smoked turkeys
This year, you might consider brining and smoking your turkey. If youre wondering how long it takes to smoke a turkey, the general rule is that itll take about 15 minutes per pound. Youll need to keep an eye on things, though, and heres where Costco comes in. One of Costcos offerings is the Kirkland Signature Naturally Hickory Smoked Turkey, which is advertised as having already been through the smoking process for four to six hours. According to what some Redditors have to say, this just might be the best turkey youve ever had. Advertisement
“So worth it. Ive gotten it three years in a row now. Best turkey ever,” wrote one person, while others confirmed it only needed to be reheated, and came with easy-to-follow directions. Another Redditor volunteered, “The white meat was perfectly juicy and delicious. The dark meat was mind blowing. One of the best turkeys Ive ever had.”
That sounds like a slam dunk, but fortunately, Redditors tend to share the good and the bad. Some complain about the high price tag, and while the price varies by the year, its always a more expensive option. That makes sense since someone else is doing the work for you, but others suggested that the smoked flavor wasnt great when used for some leftovers, and some found it too salty. Advertisement
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FAQ
Does Costco sell turkey for Thanksgiving?
The Costco Turkey
Costco sells both frozen and fully cooked turkeys ahead of the big day, along with a variety of other meats (who doesn’t love options).
Is Costco a good place to buy turkey?
There are some circumstances that a Costco turkey is exactly what you need to make your Thanksgiving a win. If you’re looking for a traditional, whole turkey, Costco is known to be competitively priced (although, if you’re looking for the most affordable, it never hurts to do a price check against other stores).
How much does turkey cost per pound?
The average turkey cost per pound is around $2.95. – Our online grocery store carries a variety of sizes and types of turkeys to fit your family’s needs.Mar 25, 2024
How much does a pound of Turkey cost at Costco?
Brands include (but are not limited to): Norbest Farms Turkeys, Plainville Farms, Pitman Farms, and others. Young Organic Hen Turkey is Costco Item Number 39044 and Young Organic Tom Turkey is Costco Item Number 39042. Both costs $2.99/lb. Find them in the meat department in open refrigerated cases. Note: This is $.50 per pound LESS than 2023.
How much is a whole Turkey at Costco 2023?
Price Update 2023: Good news, Whole Thanksgiving Turkeys at Costco are the same price they were in 2022 as 2021! Still $0.99 per pound! Fresh Butterball Young Hen Turkey is Costco Item Number 97705. Fresh Butterball Young Tom Turkey is Costco Item Number 57513.
Does Costco sell turkeys?
As for other versions of turkey, Costco sells Hillshire Farms deli turkey. The store has Empire Kosher Young Turkeys if you want a frozen bird. Costco sells Butterball Tom and Hen Turkeys for 99 cents a pound, 60 cents cheaper per pound than the local grocery store. Tom turkeys are male turkeys that are typically larger than hens.
Does Costco sell Butterball turkeys?
Costco sells Butterball Tom and Hen Turkeys for 99 cents a pound, 60 cents cheaper per pound than the local grocery store. Tom turkeys are male turkeys that are typically larger than hens. Most Butterball Tom turkeys at Costco are 18 pounds or more while Hens are 10 to 14 pounds.
Does Costco sell turkey legs?
The price stays the same through Thanksgiving. You might be able to see them cheaper afterward but that is not guaranteed. People have reported them being $5 off for a hen size and $15 for a tom size turkey in years past. Do They Sell Turkey Legs? No, I haven’t see any kind of turkey legs at Costco in recent years or this year.
Are Costco turkeys organic?
These are sold under multiple brands which vary region to region, but all are sold raw/uncooked, USDA Certified Organic, Project Non-GMO Verified and gluten free. The organic whole turkeys at Costco come in a Hen turkey or a Tom turkey, and range from 14 lbs to 19 lbs. And there’s a price drop for 2024 – they’re $.50 per pound LESS than last year!