Where to Find Small Turkeys Near You for Your Holiday Dinner

With the holidays coming up, you may be planning a small gathering and looking for a smaller turkey to roast. Having a smaller guest list? Get together with a few close friends instead of extended family this year? Then a standard 15-20 pound turkey is probably more bird than you need.

A small turkey in the 8-12 pound range can comfortably feed 4-6 people with plenty of leftovers. The best part is that a smaller turkey cooks faster, making it a great choice when you don’t want to spend all day tending to the oven

I searched around my local grocery stores and found that it can be tricky tracking down smaller turkeys. Many stores focus on providing large birds for feeding big crowds. But with a bit of digging, you can usually find a quality small turkey option that works well for intimate holiday meals.

Here are some tips on where to buy a small turkey in your area and how to select the best one

Check Your Local Grocery Store

Head to the poultry section of your supermarket and look for the butterball or store branded small turkeys. I found that my local Publix had an excellent selection of Lil’ Butterballs in the 8-10 pound range. Make sure to check the frozen section too!

Publix offers the Lil’ Butterball Young Turkey that is tender, juicy, and already injected with a solution to keep it moist. The small size means it will cook quickly and be perfect for my small Friendsgiving dinner.

Other grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons will also stock smaller turkeys this time of year. Prices and availability will vary by location.

Ask Your Local Butcher

The personal service and specialty offerings at your local butcher shop make it another great option for finding smaller turkeys. A good butcher will have relationships with local farms and be able to source fresh turkeys in any size you need.

I called up the butcher counter at my local organic market. They carry fresh turkeys from family farms all through November. I can special order a free-range 10 pound turkey from their supplier without having to buy a 15+ pound bird.

Local butchers are also happy to break down large turkeys if needed. Ask them to cut a boneless turkey breast or just leg quarters if that meets your needs.

Order from a Turkey Farm

Looking for the freshest, all-natural turkey you can find? Order directly from a local turkey farm or producer in your state.

Many small farms sell petite turkeys perfect for gatherings of 4-8 people. I found a few options under 12 pounds from farms within driving distance of me.

Direct from farm prices are usually comparable to grocery stores. And you’ll get amazing quality. Check their websites for weight ranges and place your order early for the best selection.

Buy Direct Online

Don’t have time for grocery store runs or visiting a butcher? Consider ordering a small turkey for delivery right to your door.

Sites like FreshDirect and Peapod let you browse turkey options online and input the specific size you need. Shipping is included with a minimum order amount.

Or use a service like Instacart or Amazon Fresh to shop multiple stores and compare turkey selections virtually. I found Instacart had good availability of small frozen Butterballs to choose from.

Ordering online makes finding just the right small turkey for your gathering simple and convenient.

Tips for Picking the Best Small Turkey

Once you’ve located some small turkey options nearby, keep these tips in mind to pick the best one:

• Check the weight – Look for a turkey in the 8-12 lb range to comfortably feed 4-6 people. Go a bit bigger if you want ample leftovers.

• Consider frozen vs fresh – Frozen small turkeys are more readily available. Make sure to allot time for safe thawing. Fresh tastes incredible but order early as supply is limited.

• Read the label – Look for keywords like ‘young’, ‘petite’, ‘tiny’, or ‘lil’ to denote smaller turkeys. Confirm it’s USDA approved.

• Check ingredients – Opt for turkeys with minimal added ingredients and no antibiotics or hormones. Kosher, organic, and free-range turkeys are great choices.

• Estimate cook time – Small turkeys cook faster than large ones. A good rule of thumb is 13-15 minutes per pound.

• Check sell-by date – Make sure the expiration date leaves enough time to cook your turkey. Plan to cook fresh turkeys within 1-2 days of purchasing.

Get Ready to Roast Your Small Turkey

Once you secure the ideal small turkey for your gathering, it’s time to start prepping. Make sure to allow enough time for thawing if you purchased a frozen bird. I like to thaw mine in the fridge for 24 hours per 4 pounds of turkey.

When your small turkey is thawed and ready, follow your favorite roasting method. I recommend roasting uncovered at 350°F and basting occasionally with broth. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F.

Small turkeys cook faster than large ones so start checking temp after about 2 hours just to be safe. Let your turkey rest for 15-30 minutes before slicing for juicy, tender meat.

Opting for a small turkey this holiday season lets you effortlessly customize for your guest list. Just a few bites of tender, savory turkey with all the fixings will still capture that quintessential Thanksgiving or Christmas spirit. With a more manageable sized bird, you can focus on spending time with loved ones rather than slaving away in the kitchen.

So don’t feel like you have to cook a huge turkey to celebrate! With some smart shopping tactics, finding and roasting the ideal petite turkey for your holiday gathering is easy.