Where to Buy a Cooked Whole Turkey for Your Next Holiday Meal

A cooked whole turkey makes for a convenient, delicious and impressive centerpiece for holiday meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas. But with so many options, where can you find a high-quality pre-cooked turkey to easily pick up? This comprehensive guide covers the best places to buy a fully cooked whole turkey to wow your guests.

Check Warehouse Club Stores for Convenient Cooked Turkeys

Warehouse club stores like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale are go-to sources for picking up large fully cooked whole turkeys. Here’s what makes these stores so convenient for grabbing a holiday bird

• They stock fresh, fully cooked turkeys in a wide variety of sizes leading up to major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Their store brand turkeys like Kirkland offer great quality and value.
• Limited seasoning allows you to flavor the bird however you like.
• Warehouse club pricing means you can get a sizable turkey for less than other retailers.
• Fully cooked turkeys from warehouse stores just need reheating – no thawing or roasting required!

Be sure to check your local warehouse club a few weeks ahead of your meal to grab a cooked turkey early The most popular sizes often sell out as it gets closer to holidays when demand spikes.

Order from Your Local Grocery Store Deli for Freshness

The deli section at your grocery store is another convenient spot to buy a hot fully cooked whole turkey. You can either special order one for pickup or grab a pre-made one they have available. Here’s what to look for when buying from the grocery store deli:

• Higher end grocers like Whole Foods offer natural and organic cooked turkey options.
• Make sure the turkey wasn’t cooked too far in advance for maximum freshness.
• Have the deli season it simply so you can add your own flavors and glaze.
• Specify the exact weight and size bird you need to feed your particular guest list.
• Delis can run out of cooked turkeys for holidays if you don’t order early.

Grocery store deli turkeys provide freshness and convenience without the large quantities of warehouse clubs.

Buy Fully Cooked from Local Butcher Shops for Quality

Local butcher shops are a top choice for sourcing a cooked whole turkey made completely from scratch. Many butchers cook turkeys fresh in-house. Here are the benefits of buying a pre-cooked turkey from a local butcher:

• Their cooked turkeys are often the freshest you can find.
• You can request specific seasonings or preparation methods.
• Supporting local butchers gives back to your community.
• Butchers can guide you to the ideal turkey size for your gathering.
• You get high-quality meat for a memorable holiday feast.

Plan ahead and put in your order early with a reputable local butcher to secure a delicious fully cooked fresh turkey.

Order Online for Maximum Convenience Right to Your Door

To take the work out of finding a pre-cooked whole turkey, order one online for direct delivery to your home. Some good online options for cooked turkeys include:

• Cracker Barrel ships complete heat and serve holiday meals with turkey.
• Goldbelly delivers fully cooked turkeys overnight from famous local restaurants around the country.
• Harry & David, Hickory Farms and other food gift companies offer cooked turkey packages.
• Meal kits like Home Chef provide quick semi-prepared turkey dinner options.
• Amazon ships Whole Foods and other pre-cooked turkeys through Prime delivery.

Be sure to account for delivery days and costs when ordering online. With early planning, buying cooked turkeys online is easy.

Mail Order Fully Cooked Brand Name Turkeys

There are several popular national specialty brands offering mail order fully cooked whole turkeys:

• Omaha Steaks ships delicious ready-to-heat smoked turkeys nationally.
• HoneyBaked Ham sells large fully cooked turkey breast roasts for smaller groups.
• Butterball’s frozen smoked turkeys only require warming with no thawing.
• D’Artagnan provides organic, free-range and heritage breed cooked turkeys overnight.

Check each brand’s ordering deadlines and delivery options to get your preferred turkey delivered in time for the holidays.

Quickly Defrost a Store Bought Frozen Cooked Turkey

If you can’t source a fresh cooked turkey, a premium quality frozen cooked turkey can work too. Just be sure to properly thaw and reheat it:

• Thaw the frozen turkey for 2-3 days in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
• Submerge in cold water to rapidly defrost a turkey changing the water every 30 minutes.
• Use the microwave or oven to thoroughly reheat the turkey to a safe internal temperature.

With the right handling, a frozen cooked turkey makes a fine stand-in when fresh pre-cooked isn’t available.

Where to Buy Cooked Turkeys Locally

When you want the great taste of turkey but don’t have time to roast a whole bird, look for a conveniently fully cooked turkey instead. Here are some of the best places to buy locally:

• Costco – Carries Kirkland and other brand fresh cooked turkeys during the holidays.
• Sam’s Club – Stocks Member’s Mark and Butterball cooked turkeys in popular sizes.
• Grocery Store Deli – Order ahead then pick up freshly cooked turkeys from the deli.
• Butcher Shop – High quality custom cooked turkeys made from scratch locally.
• Boston Market – Pick up convenient heat and serve holiday meals with turkey.
• Cracker Barrel – Ships complete Thanksgiving meals with fully cooked turkey nationwide.

Follow this guide and options like warehouse clubs, specialty grocers, online mail order and local butchers will have you covered with a quick and delicious pre-cooked whole turkey this holiday season.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Cooked Turkeys

Can you get a turkey already cooked?

Yes, many grocery stores and specialty food outlets offer fully cooked whole turkeys as well as complete holiday meals.

Does Costco sell cooked turkeys for Thanksgiving?

Yes. Costco sells their Kirkland Signature brand of whole smoked turkeys that are fully cooked and ready to eat for the holidays.

Where are the best mail order cooked turkeys?

Some of the best mail order cooked turkeys come from Omaha Steaks, Harry & David, Goldbelly, Hickory Farms and D’Artagnan.

What’s the easiest way to get a cooked turkey?

Ordering online for delivery is the easiest way to get a fully cooked turkey since it arrives ready to eat without any thawing or cooking required on your part.

How much does a cooked turkey cost?

A 13-16 pound fully cooked whole turkey costs $59.99 to $100+ depending on the retailer, brand, and holiday demand.

Picking up a conveniently cooked whole turkey can make holiday hosting much simpler. Follow this guide to your perfect pre-cooked turkey and you’ll be ready to relax and enjoy the big meal with minimal effort.