Welcome to The Cheater’s Guide to Thanksgiving. While there are plenty of tips out there for folks making scratch desserts and artisan loaves, the Cheater’s Guide focuses on the person who could use a helping hand—even from some unconventional sources. Some might call it “cheating” (like that’s a bad thing), but there’s nothing wrong with using modern technology and supermarket know-how to help you make a bangin’ traditional feast—with much less of the traditional work.
In any well-rounded Thanksgiving feast, the turkey is the focal point. It should be delicious, no doubt, but that doesnt necessarily mean you have to be the one cooking it. Wouldnt it be nice to take a break from brining? Or stop worrying about the amount of seasoning necessary? Maybe even save a few bucks? That’s why I’d like to encourage you to do something a little bit different this year and buy a pre-cooked turkey.
When it comes to holiday meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas, the star of the show is often a beautifully roasted turkey. However, cooking a whole turkey yourself can be time-consuming and stressful. If you want to enjoy turkey without the hassle, consider purchasing an already cooked turkey instead. There are many great options available from grocery stores, restaurants, specialty retailers and more.
In this article, we’ll explore the different places you can buy a ready-to-eat turkey along with the benefits of choosing pre-cooked. That way, you can determine the best source for your household. With an already cooked turkey, you’re sure to have a flavorful centerpiece for holiday meals without enduring the trials of roasting one yourself.
Benefits of Buying Already Cooked Turkey
Here are some of the biggest advantages to buying a pre-cooked turkey:
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Saves oven space Your oven is freed up to cook side dishes and desserts instead of tying it up with a raw turkey for hours
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Peace of mind: No worries about undercooking or food safety issues since the turkey is fully cooked when purchased.
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Less preparation Skipping labor-intensive prep like thawing, brining, seasoning and cooking a raw turkey
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More time for other dishes You gain extra time to focus on side dishes appetizers and desserts.
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Portion control: Individual turkey breasts allow you to buy just the right amount of meat.
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Convenience: Restaurant take-out, delivery and heat-and-serve options offer maximum convenience.
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Premium flavor: Professionally seasoned and cooked turkeys deliver ideal taste.
With an already cooked turkey providing the protein, you can truly enjoy the holiday. Now let’s explore all your options for where to buy one.
Grocery Store Deli Counters
One of the best places to buy a pre-cooked turkey is right at your local supermarket deli counter. During the holidays, many grocers roast fresh turkeys in their kitchens and sell them chilled at the deli counter or hot as ready-to-serve meals.
Large chains like Kroger, Safeway and Albertsons as well as wholesale clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club offer whole roasted turkeys in a variety of sizes. You can also find individual turkey breast entrees, which are quick to reheat. Prices typically range from $2.99 to $5.99 per pound.
The benefit of getting your turkey from the grocery store is you can also pick up all the holiday meal side dishes, desserts and other essentials in one convenient stop.
Online Mail Order Companies
If you prefer to handle the entire turkey process without leaving home, there are many excellent online options for ordering pre-cooked turkeys. Companies like Harry & David, Omaha Steaks and Hickory Farms ship ready-to-cook turkeys nationwide.
Online retailers offer premium turkey options like smoked, glazed, herb-roasted and deep fried turkeys. Birds are flash frozen to lock in freshness before overnight delivery to your door. Holiday meal bundles with sides are also available. Expect to pay $100 to $200 for a whole turkey feeding 10 to 12 people.
Deli Chains and Restaurants
Popular restaurant and deli chains like Boston Market, Cracker Barrel and HoneyBaked Ham sell complete holiday meals featuring fully cooked turkey. These conveniently prepared turkeys simply need to be picked up hot or reheated.
Because quantities are limited, it’s smart to call your nearest locations and order your holiday turkeys a couple weeks in advance. But it’s worth it for the convenience of delicious turkey without the mess and stress of roasting it yourself.
Butcher Shops and Specialty Food Stores
For premium quality pre-cooked turkeys, look to specialty food purveyors like butcher shops, gourmet markets and fresh food stores. These smaller businesses pride themselves on artisan offerings.
You may find heritage breed turkeys, specially seasoned smoked or fried turkey, chef-prepared turkeys roasted on the bone, and other gourmet turkey options perfect for a holiday centerpiece. Expect to pay premium prices but get amazing taste.
Local Farms
Shopping from local farms is a win-win. You support small businesses while getting fresh local foods. Several family-owned farms cook turkeys to order for the holidays. Check farmer’s markets or peruse food listings to find farms near you.
Pasture-raised and organic turkeys are popular offerings. You may also find heritage breed turkeys raised sustainably on small farms. Expect to pay $3 to $6 per pound. Lead times can be limited, so order early.
Meal Kits and Catering
For ultimate convenience, order a complete pre-cooked turkey dinner from a meal delivery kit company or local caterer. You get gourmet food with zero prep work required.
Meal kit companies like Blue Apron and HelloFresh offer turkey dinner bundles during the holidays. Or partner with a caterer to deliver a ready-to-serve turkey meal right to your front door. It doesn’t get easier than that!
Tips for Buying Already Cooked Turkey
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Look for turkey that is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F as verified by the seller.
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Opt for turkey packed in oven-safe containers to simplify reheating.
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Allow 1 pound of turkey per person when estimating how much to buy.
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Order early as pre-cooked turkeys sell out quickly during the holidays.
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Thaw frozen turkeys for 24-48 hours in the refrigerator before reheating.
Ready for Turkey Without the Work?
As you can see, you have ample options for purchasing already cooked turkey for your holiday meals. From grocery stores to online ordering to restaurants and specialty shops, you can find amazing pre-cooked turkey in your area or shipped right to your home.
With the protein handled by the pros, you’ll gain time, oven space and peace of mind. Spend your holidays enjoying friends and family instead of laboring over a hot stove. With so many convenient choices, there’s no reason to cook your own turkey from scratch unless you really want to!
The turkey that changed my mind
I’ve hosted a few Friendsgivings and I would always prepare the raw turkey myself. I was pretty much sold on the flavor of dry brining and the even, speedy cooking of the spatchcock method. Last year rolled around and I had received two turkeys from Diestel Family Ranch—a frozen raw turkey and a frozen smoked turkey. I’d never had a smoked turkey for Thanksgiving before, and I was thrilled. Moreover, it was completely cooked—it just needed to be thawed and warmed through.
I told my friends we’d be having pre-made smoked turkey that year, and not only did no one tsk-tsk or question the reason that I wasn’t preparing it myself, but this news was met with excitement. I spent the hours leading up to the feast cooking sides, arranging cheese platters, and plating desserts with an extra layer of calm—I didn’t have to cook a turkey. Cool.
When the time came, I unwrapped the thawed smoked turkey, set it up on a roasting pan like the instructions indicated, and heated it through in a 325°F oven. Granted, it took an hour, but that’s still a lot faster than a raw turkey. I checked the temperature to make sure it was hot, but I didn’t have to worry about it being raw or an unsafe temperature inside. I carved it, and served it nestled among a dozen sides.
I think I knew just from the aroma wafting up from the plate that I would no longer be cooking my own Thanksgiving turkeys. This was it. The turkey was gorgeously browned, stupendously flavorful, and perfectly juicy. Clearly the feeling was shared around the table because there was absolutely no turkey left for sandwiches the next day.
Save yourself time and doubt
Having a turkey that had been completely prepared and cooked by professionals took a load off of my shoulders. Not just in regard to timing, but there’s a lot of pressure to make the “perfect” turkey. And if it’s your first time hosting, even the pressure of making an edible turkey can be stifling. There are numerous methods of brining to consider, whether to truss or spatchcock the bird, and the simple act of roasting (let alone smoking or frying) the turkey for hours can be overwhelming. Oh, and then you have to make an entire lineup of side dishes. Right.
If you’re going to cheat just one thing about the Thanksgiving meal, I say, order your turkey. Whether it’s from a turkey farm that specializes in cooking and shipping ready-to-reheat turkeys, or having it catered from your favorite restaurant, it’s absolutely worth it. The professionals have the space and resources to marinade, season, and cook a tasty bird, plus they’ve likely figured out the best way to pack the turkey so it gets to you in the best possible shape.
Possibly the most surprising thing, at least to me, is cost. Many companies sell equal weight seasoned and cooked frozen turkeys for around the same price, or less, as the raw frozen birds they offer. If youre dropping $100+ anyway, then you might as well have the hard part taken care of.
At home, you’ve potentially saved yourself from having to store a frozen turkey or the mess of brining a bird in the fridge (no accidental raw poultry leaks this year). You don’t have to worry about cleaning up raw bird parts. Heating up the catered roast happens in a fraction of the time it takes to cook one from a raw state. This means your oven space is more available for everyones true favorites—side dishes and desserts.
Butterball Fully Cooked Smoked Turkey Breast Review
FAQ
Can you get a turkey already cooked?
Frozen Fully Cooked Oven Baked Whole Turkey. Butterball fully cooked whole turkey is always juicy, tender and full of oven-roasted flavor. This baked whole turkey requires no brining or seasoning and less time in the oven than uncooked whole turkeys.
Do supermarkets sell cooked turkey?
Delicious served hot or cold, this succulent cooked turkey is perfect for Christmas lunch or for feeding a crowd. Product legal description: Cooked and roasted formed turkey breast topped with stuffing and bacon.
Does Costco sell cooked turkeys for Thanksgiving?
The Costco Turkey
Costco sells both frozen and fully cooked turkeys ahead of the big day, along with a variety of other meats (who doesn’t love options).
Where can I buy a full cooked turkey?
Alongside their signature steaks, Omaha Steaks sells fully cooked turkeys infused with brown sugar and honey. Options include whole turkeys ($99.99), turkey breasts ($59.99), and boneless breasts ($49.99). Order online for delivery in an insulated cooler to your doorstep. For organic and free-range turkeys, check out D’Artagnan.
Where can I buy a roasted turkey?
Check the deli section of your local supermarket or specialty grocer. Many have holiday meal packages that include a roasted turkey along with side dishes and desserts. You can also find precooked whole turkeys turkey breasts and other cuts that just require reheating.
Where can I buy precooked turkey breast?
You can also find precooked whole turkeys turkey breasts and other cuts that just require reheating. Pick up a turkey and add your own favorite sides for a semi-homemade Thanksgiving dinner. Grocery stores like Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods, Safeway, Stop & Shop, and more offer precooked turkeys during the holidays.
Where can I buy pre cooked Thanksgiving turkey?
Order in person in store while supplies last and pick up pre-ordered turkeys in store at the scheduled date/time set at time of order. Supermarkets are actually great sources for pre-seasoned, pre-cooked, chilled and sometimes even hot Thanksgiving turkeys and Thanksgiving meal packages.
How much does a roasted turkey cost?
Prices range from $56-$150 depending on size. Choose roasted, smoked, or Cajun turkey. Honeybaked turkeys arrive frozen, so be sure to allow enough thawing time before Thanksgiving day. Order online for pickup or nationwide shipping. For premium gourmet turkey, Harry & David offers a 10-14lb pre-cooked, oven-roasted Diestel turkey for $139.99.
Where can I buy a turkey without thawing?
HoneyBaked Ham’s convenient whole turkey breasts are another choice. Frozen smoked Butterball turkeys only require warming with no thawing. D’Artagnan provides organic and free-range cooked turkeys overnight. Check each brand’s ordering deadlines and delivery options to get your bird in time for the holidays.