Turkey Ready to Eat for Thanksgiving: 8 Delicious Pre-Cooked Options

Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

As much as we love Thanksgiving, sometimes the stress and planning (and cooking and cleaning…) can be a lot. And one big responsibility is cooking the Thanksgiving turkey. After all, its the centerpiece of the meal, so the pressure is on. This year focus on the sides and desserts and order a precooked turkey. Youll save space in your oven and a bit of your sanity. (Of course, if ordering the sides and desserts appeals to you too, we will not judge!)

If youve had a burnt turkey or turkey fryer mishap in the past, then theres nothing easier than picking up one of these options from a local store of even having it delivered in the mail. Just be sure to check delivery times and availability, or you might find yourself looking for restaurants open on Thanksgiving. While precooked turkeys are basically fool-proof, some of these options are sold frozen, so you may need to plan some time for thawing. Heres our guide on how to time the thawing—or thaw super quickly, if you forgot!

Also, use our handy chart to find out how many pounds of turkey per person, so you dont end up with endless leftovers! Now you just have to carve it!

Note: Check the order cutoff and dont delay! Many stores require advanced notice for Thanksgiving pickup.1

This Jackson, MS institution has been helping families with their holiday needs since 1984. Get one of their moist, slow-smoked turkeys delivered straight to your door this month, so you can just heat it up and serve it on Thanksgiving! 2

Your local membership club has great deals on fully-cooked turkeys around now, and most will offer both pickup and delivery options! This Members Mark Hickory Smoked Whole Turkey is available at Sams Club for just $2.98 per pound! That means youll pay between $27 and $48 for a 9 to 16 pound turkey.

While youre ordering, you can also pick up all the trimmings, including mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, dinner rolls, and cranberry crunch salad!Advertisement – Continue Reading Below3

This precooked turkey will become your familys new favorite. Its slow smoked over pecan hardwoods until golden. All you have to do is heat it up for your family. Be sure to plan ahead and select your delivery date.

You can add individual sides and pies to a breast, or order the complete Thanksgiving heat-and-eat feast, for 4 to 6 or for 8 to 10, which includes one or two turkey breasts, dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, three sides, yeast rolls, and pumpkin and pecan pies. It simply could not be easier (or more delicious!). This year, theyre offering a fried turkey option too!

Sure, Popeyes is famous for their Louisiana-style fried chicken (and of course that chicken sandwich), but did you know you they also deep-fry Cajun-flavored turkeys for Thanksgiving?

Order it for pickup at the restaurant nearest you right here, or call ahead to place your order. Prices vary, but are typically around $59.

You can also order online and have it delivered to your door for about $99, which includes shipping fees.

Order the whole menu from Boston Market, or go a la carte and pick up a fully cooked turkey and take care of the sides yourself. Choose from a whole roasted turkey or a precooked boneless turkey breast.

If youre cooking yourself or looking for premade options, their whole turkeys come in a range of sizes to feed 4 up to 18. They offer complete feasts and premade sides as well.8

Honey Baked sells much more than just hams! You can order a complete pre-cooked holiday feast that serves 10-12, to be delivered right to your door. The meal comes with an 11 to 13 pound turkey, gravy, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato souffle with pecan topping, and a pecan pie. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below9

The gourmet food retailer offers a 10-pound oven-roasted turkey with two-day shipping. Or splurge and order the whole , complete with apple sausage stuffing, Brussels sprouts with bacon, brown sugar sweet potatoes, pumpkin cheesecake, gravy, and spiced cranberry chutney.

Many grocery stores offer fully cooked turkeys as well as complete Thanksgiving meals. Publix offers a complete feast for 8. It includes a 10 to 12 pound fully-cooked turkey, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, marshmallow delight, and gravy.

Thanksgiving is all about gathering with loved ones, not stressing in the kitchen So this year, make the holiday easier on yourself by ordering a fully cooked turkey ready to eat With minimal effort, you’ll have juicy, delicious turkey as the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast.

Here are 8 great options for turkey ready to eat

Grocery Store Deli Turkey

Stop by the deli counter at your local supermarket to find precooked whole turkeys, turkey breasts, and other cuts that just need reheating. Stores like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, and more sell holiday turkeys that are ready to eat. Place your order early though, as quantities are limited. Going the grocery store route lets you pair your ready-to-eat turkey with your favorite sides.

Complete Meals from Boston Market

With over 450 locations, Boston Market is ideal for worry-free Thanksgiving meals. Choose a full precooked turkey or just a turkey breast, then add their classic sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac and cheese, and more. With minimal effort, you’ll enjoy a delicious holiday feast. Order online for takeout or delivery.

Cracker Barrel’s Heat and Serve Feast

Cracker Barrel’s complete Thanksgiving meals to-go take the guesswork out of dinner. Their packages include a fully cooked turkey breast along with Southern-style favorites like cornbread dressing, gravy, and cranberry sauce ready to heat and eat. Order online or call ahead to your nearest location.

Harry & David’s Pre-Brined Turkey

For premium quality, Harry & David’s pre-brined whole turkey arrives chilled just 2 days after shipping, perfect timing for Thanksgiving. Upgrade to their full turkey dinner package with sides and dessert for the ultimate holiday feast ready to eat.

HoneyBaked’s Slow-Roasted Turkey

HoneyBaked Ham sells more than just ham! Their slow-roasted whole turkeys and turkey breasts are injected with a sweet glaze for moist, delicious flavor Order online for convenient pickup or delivery.

Omaha Steaks Mail Order Turkeys

Carnivores, rejoice! Omaha Steaks offers smoked and roasted whole turkeys and breasts shipped frozen to your door. Order ASAP so your turkey is thawed and ready for Thanksgiving meal prep. Add their premium sides or your own.

Pre-Cooked Turkey from Local Farms

Many local butchers and family farms roast turkeys in-house for the holidays. Check farmers markets and butcher shops for fresh, local turkey ready to eat. You’ll get gourmet quality and support small business.

Costco’s Holiday Turkeys

Feeding a crowd? Costco has major deals on precooked whole turkeys, turkey breasts, hams, and full holiday meals. Take advantage of their wholesale prices and order early as these sell out fast.

Local Restaurant Take-Out

Many restaurants like delis, BBQ joints, and diners cook Thanksgiving turkeys to-go. Some even deep fry them! Call around to compare options and prices. With take-out turkey ready to eat, just add a couple sides.

Tips for Reheating Your Precooked Turkey

Thaw frozen turkeys in the fridge 1 day for every 4 lbs.

Cook thawed turkey in a 350°F oven until internal temp reaches 165°F.
For crispier skin, broil turkey for a few mins after reheating.
Slice turkey breast and reheat slices in broth or gravy for extra moisture.

Microwave turkey pieces in short bursts to maintain texture.
Keep stuffing separate and bake directly from fridge to prevent bacterial growth.

Add the Perfect Sides

Pair your ready-to-eat turkey with:

Fluffy mashed potatoes and turkey gravy
Savory bread stuffing or cornbread dressing
Tangy cranberry sauce

Roasted autumn veggies like Brussels sprouts
Sweet potato casserole or soufflé
Fresh rolls and butter

Pumpkin or pecan pie for dessert

With so many options for precooked turkey ready to enjoy, this year you can actually relax and savor Thanksgiving. Let someone else handle the roasting and just reheat tasty turkey from the grocery store, restaurants, mail order companies or local purveyors. Add your favorite sides for the perfect fuss-free holiday feast!

FAQ

Can you buy a fully cooked turkey for Thanksgiving?

Whole Foods sells Thanksgiving meals with a whole cooked turkey, stuffing, and a bunch of typical thanksgiving sides. You have to order it a bit in advance and it’s expensive, though.

Does Costco sell cooked turkeys for Thanksgiving?

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).

Can I buy a ready cooked turkey?

You can buy a whole, fully cooked smoked turkey frozen from Butterball. Just heat it up, or thaw and carve if you want to eat it cold.

Are pre-cooked turkeys worth it?

“If you want to save hours on prep time, this should be your go-to. I’d recommend this to anyone who doesn’t want their entire day to be about cooking a turkey. It’s the perfect low-maintenance addition to a table full of delicious sides.”

The Top Brands for Pre-Cooked Turkey

Here are some of the most popular and trusted brands that sell delicious pre-cooked turkeys for Thanksgiving:

Butterball

The turkey experts at Butterball offer juicy pre-cooked whole turkeys and turkey breasts ready to heat and eat. Their turkeys are lightly seasoned for tenderness and flavor.

Honeysuckle White

Try Honeysuckle White’s hickory-smoked or Cajun-style pre-cooked turkeys for big, bold flavors. Their turkeys are pre-brined for extra moisture and juiciness.

Jennie-O

Jennie-O sells whole oven-roasted turkeys with gravy as well as boneless turkey roasts that just need gentle reheating. Their flavors include classic roasted, herbed, and hickory smoked.

Boar’s Head

For premium deli turkey, Boar’s Head offers high-quality oven-roasted turkey breasts fully cooked and ready to enjoy. Their meats contain no artificial ingredients.

Plainville Farms

This New England brand offers natural, humanely-raised turkeys in fully cooked boneless breast roasts and whole birds. Try their signature apple cider brined turkey.

Cargill

Under their Honeysuckle, Shady Brook Farms, and Wilton brands, Cargill offers a range of smoked, Cajun, and classic roasted pre-cooked turkeys.

Norbest

Norbest turkeys are pre-brined for extra juiciness. Choose from their line of ready-to-eat roasted whole turkeys and boneless turkey roasts.

Foster Farms

On the West Coast, this poultry producer sells all-natural, pre-cooked Diestel turkey breasts and whole birds for easy holiday feasts.

Trader Joe’s

For budget-friendly turkey, check Trader Joe’s frozen section for their pre-cooked whole birds and boneless turkey breast roasts.

FreshDirect

In select regions, online grocer FreshDirect sells fully cooked whole turkeys and boneless turkey breasts for fast and flavorful meals.

So take the stress out of Thanksgiving dinner with a delicious pre-cooked turkey from one of these top brands. Focus on the fun, family, and sides!

How to Pick the Right Pre-Cooked Turkey

When ordering your hassle-free holiday bird, keep these tips in mind:

Allow 1 – 1 1⁄2 pounds of turkey per person. An 8 to 12 lb. turkey feeds 8.

Get a whole turkey for classic presentation and the ability to use leftovers. Go boneless for easier carving.
Make sure to order early! Quantities are limited for pre-cooked turkeys.
Know your oven size. Measure to ensure a whole turkey fits.

Check if turkeys come fresh or frozen. Build thawing time into plans if needed.
Reheating a full turkey takes 2-3 hours at 325°F. Boneless breasts take less time.
For the best flavor, choose turkeys that are smoked, brined, or rub-seasoned.

Take the uncertainty and stress out of roasting turkey yourself. With so many excellent pre-cooked turkey options for Thanksgiving, you can simply focus on preparing delicious sides and desserts to complete the all-star holiday meal.

turkey ready to eat for thanksgiving

Omaha Steaks Now 50% Off

Best known for their ribeyes and filets, Omaha Steaks offers precooked brown sugar-and-honey-basted turkeys as well. This 10 pound bird feeds 8 easily. Serving a smaller crowd? Opt for a instead.12

Burgers Smokehouse sells whole turkeys that are brined and then smoked over hickory chips for delicious flavor. You can order anything from a small, 6 to 8 pound turkey to a hefty 12 to 14 pounder. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below13