The holidays are fast approaching and if you’re hosting a large gathering, you may be looking for a turkey bigger than the standard 16 pound bird. A 25 pound turkey can comfortably feed 18-20 guests, ensuring everyone gets a generous portion of tender white meat. But where can you find this impressive centerpiece for your festivities? I’ve got the inside scoop on tracking down and buying the perfect 25 pound gobbler.
Why Go Big? The Benefits of a 25 Pound Bird
Opting for an oversized turkey has several advantages beyond having plenty of servings. Larger birds offer better value per pound – you’ll get more meat for your money. Roasting a big 25 pounder also simplifies cooking. With so much mass, it holds heat beautifully and cooks evenly from edge to edge. No need to worry about thighs and breasts finishing at different times.
Preparing one sizable turkey is easier too. You only have to season and stuff one cavity and baste one exterior. Buying one large bird streamlines your workload. And your guests will be awed when you bring the plump golden turkey to the table. Going big makes a dramatic, festive statement.
Fresh vs. Frozen: Know Your Options
You can buy a 25 pound turkey either fresh or frozen. Fresh turkeys are ready to pop right into the oven, saving you time spent thawing. But finding fresh turkeys over 18 pounds can be tricky. Check with specialty butcher shops or pre-order directly from local farms.
Taking the frozen route gives you more selection – 25 pounders are readily available frozen. Just be sure to allot 4-5 days to thaw a frozen bird this size in the fridge before roasting. Whether fresh or frozen, look for well-known, reliable brands like Butterball. Their turkeys come pre-brined for guaranteed juiciness.
Check Larger Grocery Stores for 25 Pound Birds
Your best bet for finding a 25 pound turkey is scouting bigger grocery stores in person. Most standard supermarkets stock frozen turkeys up to 25 pounds to meet holiday demand. Ask at the butcher counter or look for special seasonal merchandise displays.
Club warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club always carry frozen 25 pound turkeys at competitive prices. But snag one early – the extra large sizes sell out fast. Don’t underestimate old fashioned grocery shopping when on the hunt for your holiday showstopper.
Order a Mail Order Turkey Online
If braving crowded aisles seems stressful, turn to the internet. Many grocery delivery services like Instacart let you browse and buy a 25 pound turkey online. Specialized e-commerce sites like Williams-Sonoma and Harry & David sell mail order turkeys in 20 pound plus sizes.
Online shopping gives you maximum flexibility in finding the ideal bird. Filter by weight, brand, fresh or frozen, organic, kosher and more. Ordering online also avoids lugging a 25 pound frozen turkey home from the store. Home delivery brings the turkey right to your door.
Think Local – Check Farms for Fresh Turkeys
For a farm fresh, free range or pasture raised turkey, go straight to the source. Many local turkey farms and ranches sell directly to consumers for the holidays. Visit their websites and social media for availability of 25 pound and larger turkeys to pre-order.
Farmer sales often have limited quantities, so reserve your extra large bird early. You may even be able to customize details like breed, diet, processing method and packaging. It’s the closest you can get to the true source of your holiday feast.
Do the Math – Calculate How Much Turkey You Need
When estimating what size turkey to buy, plan for about 1 pound of turkey per guest. Adding a couple extra pounds allows for plentiful leftovers. Factor in a few more pounds if you want to send family and friends home with turkey care packages or accommodate second helpings.
A 25 pound turkey provides flexibility to generously serve 20 or more guests. Adjust up or down a few pounds depending on your final headcount. Leftovers freeze beautifully, so no turkey will go to waste. Follow these tips to bring home the perfect 25 pound gobbler for your holiday table.
What to Look for in a Mail Order Turkey
How many people are you feeding? Some companies offer a variety of turkey sizes, while others only have one, so you’ll need to calculate how much meat is necessary before you order. The general rule of thumb is you need 1 pound of turkey per guest if you don’t want any leftovers; plan for 1.5 pounds per guest if you want to have meat to spare.
How We Taste Tested Mail-Order Turkeys
We have facilitated two mail-order turkey taste tests in order to find the best options to include on this list. For both tests, we ordered several turkeys from different retailers to the homes of our experienced product testers and editors so that they could prepare them for their own Thanksgiving or other holiday dinners and provide feedback. During this years test, turkeys arrived at the testers homes in late June.
How to cook a PERFECT 25 pound Buttered Turkey for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter!
FAQ
Can you get a 25lb turkey?
Butterball Whole Fresh Turkey (25 lb) Delivery or Pickup Near Me – Instacart.
How many people will a 25lb turkey feed?
A 25-pound turkey will feed approximately 18 to 20 people.
What is the smallest turkey they sell?
Fresh Li’l Butterball Turkey. Perfect for smaller gatherings, a Li’l Butterball is a small whole turkey. Li’l Butterball turkeys have all the wow factor of a traditional whole turkey, but at a smaller weight so they cook faster and provide fewer servings.