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 the star of the show – the turkey! As many families know, Thanksgiving dinner just isn’t complete without a beautifully roasted turkey as the centerpiece But when’s the right time to buy a frozen turkey to ensure you get a high-quality bird at a good price?
As a Thanksgiving enthusiast and amateur chef, I’ve done lots of research over the years to find the optimal time to purchase a frozen turkey. Here’s what I’ve learned:
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 sales
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More Options: Freezing allows turkeys from different farms and locations to be processed and distributed. You’ll have more variety in breed, size, organic, etc.
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Better Availability: Fresh turkeys sell out as Thanksgiving nears. But ample frozen stock is still available leading up to and even on Thanksgiving.
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Easier Storage: A large frozen turkey takes up minimal freezer space 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, while fresh ones must be used within days.
When to Buy Your Bird
So when should you plan to buy your frozen turkey? Here are some general guidelines:
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Early November: This is a great time to start price comparisons and watch for turkey sales leading up to Thanksgiving. Retailers are building inventory.
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Mid November: Prices may start dropping as Thanksgiving nears 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 good prices. Just check on sizing.
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Day Before Thanksgiving: You’ll still find frozen turkeys, though selection is more limited. Prices also tend to increase closer to the holiday.
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Thanksgiving Day: Limited availability, but some stores still have frozen birds. Expect to pay higher last-minute prices.
Ideally, purchase your frozen turkey anytime between early November and 1 week before Thanksgiving. This balances availability, variety, and potential savings. Just confirm your needed size is in stock.
What Size Turkey to Buy
The typical recommendation is 1 pound of turkey per person. But here are some more specific frozen turkey size guidelines:
- 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, about 1 per 2 people.
Aim for the smaller end of the size range if you want ample leftovers, or larger for heartier eaters and fewer leftovers. And account for all the sides filling people up too!
Finding the Best Deals
Here are some tips for scoring the best frozen turkey price:
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Check store flyers and ads for November turkey promotions. These often run in early November.
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Ask about price-matching policies to 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 to combine with store sales.
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Consider supermarket loyalty programs with holiday savings.
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Check warehouse websites for bulk frozen turkey discounts. Stock up for multiple meals.
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Remember smaller chains, ethnic markets, and butcher shops. Their prices can be lower.
Properly Storing Your Turkey
It’s important to properly store your turkey after purchase until you’re ready to thaw and cook it:
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Store the frozen turkey in a 0°F or below freezer. Most home freezers work.
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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 on a tray to catch any leaks if packaging fails. Avoid freezer burn.
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Stack packages flat, not upright, to avoid seal ruptures.
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Avoid torn, damaged, or ice-crusted packaging. This indicates improper freezing.
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Follow “use by” dates and don’t keep frozen over 2 years for best texture and moisture.
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When ready to thaw, leave turkey wrapped and place it on a tray in the fridge 2-3 days ahead.
Takeaway Tips
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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 can I buy a frozen turkey?
A frozen turkey can be bought weeks before the holiday, as long as you give it enough time to thaw.Nov 28, 2024
How early should I buy Butterball turkey?
Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook.
How long does a frozen turkey take to thaw?
It takes 24 hours for every four to five pounds of weight for a turkey to thaw in the refrigerator (a 15-pound turkey will take three days to thaw in your refrigerator). A completely thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for one or two days before cooking.
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 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.
Can you cook a fresh turkey a day before Thanksgiving?
However, since fresh turkeys are well, not frozen, they don’t keep for nearly as long as their colder counterparts. You should only buy a fresh bird about a day or two before you intend to cook it, so plan to procure your fresh turkey no earlier than two days before Thanksgiving.
How long can you keep a frozen turkey in the fridge?
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. 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.
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 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.