Deciding what the main course on your Thanksgiving dinner menu will be is easy—most people make a big, roast turkey. But choosing between a fresh or frozen turkey when youre at the store is an entirely other question thats often up for debate. You’ll likely be wondering if theres a difference in how to cook fresh versus frozen turkey or even if theres a difference in taste.
The good news is that theres no wrong answer. According to the National Turkey Federation, “Theres really no difference in the quality of frozen or fresh turkeys.” Frozen turkeys are simply colder (between zero degrees to -30 degrees F) compared to fresh turkeys, which are actually considered “deep chilled” (or kept at 26 degrees). Which is better all depends on availability, cost, how much time you have—and, of course, your personal preferences. Maybe you have a Thanksgiving tradition of buying a fresh turkey right before the holiday or perhaps youre the type of person who prefers to plan ahead. Either way, the best turkey for you is the one that fits your needs. Youll likely also want to consider how many people youre serving, and therefore how much turkey youll need per guest.
Read on to find out more about fresh vs. frozen turkey, then check out our recipes for spatchcock turkey, citrus-brined turkey, and maple-rosemary turkey for your holiday menu.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner which means it’s time to start thinking about purchasing the star of the meal – the turkey! For many families Thanksgiving dinner just isn’t complete without a perfectly roasted turkey as the centerpiece. But when is the optimal time to buy your frozen bird to ensure you get a high-quality turkey at a good price? In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about when to purchase your frozen Thanksgiving turkey.
Why Choose a Frozen Turkey?
Opting for a frozen turkey has several advantages over a fresh one:
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Earlier Purchase Frozen turkeys can be bought well in advance of Thanksgiving since they have a long shelf life when properly stored This gives you plenty of time to shop around for sales and deals.
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More Options: Freezing allows turkeys from many different farms and locations to be processed and distributed. So you’ll have more variety in breed, size, pricing, and features like antibiotic-free or organic.
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Better Availability: As Thanksgiving nears, fresh turkeys fly off the shelves. But there is usually ample frozen stock still available leading up to and even on Thanksgiving.
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Easier Storage: A large frozen turkey takes up minimal space in your freezer until you’re ready to thaw it. Fresh turkeys need careful refrigeration.
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Longer Lasting: Frozen turkeys maintain quality for up to two years in the freezer whereas fresh turkeys must be used within a few days.
When to Buy Your Frozen Bird
So when should you plan to purchase your frozen turkey? Here are some guidelines:
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Early November: This is a great time to start comparing prices and keeping an eye out for turkey sales leading up to Thanksgiving. Stores will be building inventory.
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Mid November: Prices may start creeping lower as we get closer to Thanksgiving and demand is satisfied. Retailers want to clear stock.
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1-2 Weeks Before Thanksgiving: There should be plenty of turkeys available at competitive prices. Make sure to check sizing.
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Day Before Thanksgiving: You’ll still find frozen turkeys, though selection will be more limited. Prices also tend to increase closer to the holiday.
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Thanksgiving Day: Limited availability, but many stores will still have some frozen birds. Expect to pay higher last-minute prices.
I recommend purchasing your frozen turkey any time between early November and 1 week before Thanksgiving. This gives you a nice balance of availability, variety, and potential savings. Just be sure to check the size you need is in stock.
What Size Bird to Buy
The typical recommendation is to plan for 1 pound of turkey per person. But here are some other frozen turkey sizing guidelines based on the number of guests:
- 4 people = 8-12 lb turkey
- 6 people = 12-14 lb turkey
- 8 people = 16-18 lb turkey
- 10 people = 20-22 lb turkey
- 12 people = 24-26 lb turkey
- 14 people = 26-28 lb turkey
There are also smaller turkey breast halves, which are great for smaller gatherings. Allow about 1 breast per 2 people.
Aim for the smaller end of the size range if you want ample leftovers, or larger for heartier eaters and few leftovers. And remember to account for extra sides and dessert filling people up too!
Checking for Savings on Frozen Turkeys
Here are some tips for finding the best deal on your holiday bird:
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Check store flyers and ads leading up to Thanksgiving for turkey promotions. These often run in early November.
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Ask about price-matching policies so you can take advantage of competitors’ deals.
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Check warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club for savings on large birds.
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Watch for turkey coupons that can be used in addition to store sales.
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Consider supermarket loyalty programs with special holiday savings.
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Check warehouse websites for bulk frozen turkey discounts. You can stock up for multiple meals.
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Don’t forget smaller chains, ethnic markets, and butcher shops. Their prices are sometimes lower.
Proper Frozen Turkey Storage
It’s important to properly store your turkey from the time you buy it until you’re ready to thaw and cook it. Here are some guidelines:
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Store the frozen turkey in a low temperature freezer at 0°F or below. Most home freezers are suitable.
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Leave the turkey in its original airtight and moisture-proof packaging. Don’t use freezer bags.
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Place the turkey on a tray to catch any leaks if the packaging fails. Avoid freezer burn.
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Stack packages flat on top of each other vs upright which can rupture seals.
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Don’t purchase frozen turkeys with torn, damaged, or ice-crusted packaging. This indicates improper freezing.
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Follow “use by” dates and don’t keep frozen for over 2 years for best texture, flavor and moisture.
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When ready to thaw, leave turkey wrapped and place it on a tray in the refrigerator 2-3 days ahead.
In Summary
Following these tips for when to purchase, sizing, price savings, and storage of your frozen turkey will help ensure a delicious, high-quality, and budget-friendly holiday meal. Allow enough time to thaw your turkey properly, and your Thanksgiving dinner will be a huge success.
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Is a Fresh or Frozen Turkey Better?
That depends on who you ask. Technically speaking, the quality of both a fresh and frozen turkey is the same, though fresh turkeys are often organic and free-range. When deciding which to buy, youll also want to consider how much room you have in your freezer, and some factors like cost, taste, and time:
Though 2023 was a good year for buying turkey (prices were down 22 percent compared to 2022), its typically still more budget-friendly to buy a frozen turkey rather than a fresh one. You can also snag a frozen turkey when theyre on sale throughout the year and keep the bird stashed in your freezer as long as you have room.
Fresh turkey thats raised on an organic diet tends to have the most flavor. Some people describe the taste as gamey yet juicy since no moisture is lost from thawing. That said, frozen turkey can still be delicious! Some companies will inject the turkey with a brining liquid (known as self-basting) before freezing it to ensure you get the best tasting bird.
Theres no question that a frozen turkey requires a bit of planning. According to the USDA, defrosting a turkey in the fridge takes at least 24 hours for every four to five pounds, so you wont be able to start this process on Thanksgiving morning. On the other hand, since fresh turkey doesnt need to be thawed, it can go straight from the store into the oven. Just be sure to pre-order your bird so youre not left scrambling at the last minute.
Should you buy fresh or frozen turkey this Thanksgiving?
FAQ
How soon before Thanksgiving should I buy a frozen turkey?
If you have more than a week before your meal, the USDA says to go ahead and buy frozen.Nov 18, 2024
How far in advance should I take turkey out of the freezer?
Refrigerator thawing is the preferred method, Butterball says, and the least labor-intensive. But it requires more time. Butterball recommends at least one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey. That means, for a 12-pound turkey, you’ll be thawing it in the refrigerator for three days.
How early should I buy Butterball turkey?
Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook.
Is a 2 year old frozen turkey still good?
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Safety:According to the USDA, a properly frozen turkey can be safely eaten indefinitely, meaning even a 2-year-old frozen turkey is safe to consume.
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Quality decline:While safe, the quality of the turkey will decline over time, with potential issues like freezer burn and dryness after extended freezing periods.
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Best practice:For optimal taste and texture, it’s recommended to cook a turkey within a year of freezing.
Should you buy a frozen turkey before Thanksgiving?
1. You can buy them way ahead of time. With a frozen bird, you don’t have to worry about the sell-by date as much as with fresh turkey. Most people pick up their turkey one week or more before Thanksgiving. An unopened, whole turkey will keep perfectly well in the freezer for up to two years. 2. You should keep it ice cold.
When should you buy a frozen turkey?
If you’re planning to buy a frozen turkey, grab your wallet and head to the grocery store ASAP. But for those willing to spend a little extra for a fresh turkey, you can wait until the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving to buy your bird.
Should you buy a frozen turkey in 2023?
When deciding which to buy, you’ll also want to consider how much room you have in your freezer, and some factors like cost, taste, and time: Though 2023 was a good year for buying turkey (prices were down 22 percent compared to 2022), it’s typically still more budget-friendly to buy a frozen turkey rather than a fresh one.
Should you buy a fresh turkey?
The primary benefit of buying a fresh turkey is that you don’t need to account for any thawing time. However, since fresh turkeys are well, not frozen, they don’t keep for nearly as long as their colder counterparts.
Can you freeze 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 you’re ready to thaw. In fact, Butterball says that an unopened frozen turkey can be kept in the freezer for up to two years!
Should I pre-order a fresh turkey?
You will also want to make sure to pre-order your fresh turkey well in advance, to ensure there is one available. Fresh turkeys tend to be in more limited supply than frozen. At the same time, fresh turkeys don’t need to be defrosted, so you can pop them in the oven as soon as they are brined, seasoned, or stuffed.