Where to Buy Turkey Parts

For many home cooks, buying an entire turkey is unnecessary for small gatherings or everyday meals. Often, you just need a breast, some legs, or other turkey parts to feed your family. Luckily, there are plenty of options for purchasing high-quality turkey pieces without having to buy a whole bird. Let’s explore the best places to buy turkey parts for any occasion.

Grocery Stores

Your local grocery store is an easy and convenient option for finding turkey parts. Many grocers will stock:

• Turkey breasts – boneless and bone-in, skin-on and skinless
• Drumsticks and thighs – bone-in or boneless
• Wings – whole or sectioned
• Ground turkey
• Turkey necks and giblets for making stock

Turkey parts are often sold fresh or frozen. Ask your butcher if specialty cuts like turkey scaloppini or roulade are available upon request.

When purchasing, look for plump wholesome pieces without tears bruises, or blemishes. Check sell-by dates and opt for packages furthest from expiration.

Warehouse Clubs

Warehouse retailers like Costco Sam’s Club and BJ’s are great for buying turkey parts in bulk when feeding a crowd. Their freezer sections usually feature

• Large value packs of drumsticks, thighs, or boneless breasts
• Ground turkey tubes in 5+ pound sizes
• Frozen smoked/cooked turkey wings, legs, and breast meat

Shop their holiday promotions for specials on turkey parts. Separate bulk packages into meal-sized portions and freeze any excess.

Butcher Shops

Visiting a full-service butcher shop opens up more options for custom-cut turkey parts. A butcher can provide:

• Turkey breast cutlets or steaks
• Skinless, boneless turkey thigh or leg meat
• Cubed or ground turkey meat
• Turkey necks, wings, feet, or other odd bits
• Fresh, smoked, or cured turkey parts

Talk to your butcher about special prep like marinating, seasoning, or grinding. This allows you to get just what you need for recipes.

Online Mail Order

Ordering turkey parts online from specialty purveyors ships unique products directly to your door. Mail order turkey offers:

• Boneless turkey breast roasts or fillets
• Skin-on, bone-in turkey thighs and legs
• Pre-smoked and pre-cooked turkey wings, drumsticks, etc.
• Cured, smoked, or roasted whole muscle cuts
• Custom-ground turkey blends

Check company shipping policies before ordering perishables like raw turkey online. Opt for overnight shipping or freezer packs to ensure quality.

Direct from a Turkey Farm

Purchasing turkey parts directly from a local farm gives you the freshest selection. Turkey farms sell:

• Whole breasts, wings, thighs, drumsticks, etc.
• Organ meats like hearts, livers, and gizzards
• Ground or cubed turkey meat from trimmings
• Value packs of mixed parts like drumstick and thigh packs

Check if the farm offers slaughtering and butchering services for customized cuts. Buying local supports small farmers in your community.

Should You Buy Organic or Free-Range Turkey Parts?

Both organic and free-range turkey parts offer benefits over conventional products:

• Organic – Turkeys are fed an organic, vegetarian diet without antibiotics, hormones, or GMOs. Meats carry the USDA Organic seal.

• Free-Range – Turkeys have access to the outdoors and movement. Provides enhanced flavor and texture.

However, these specialty turkey parts usually come at a higher price point. Prioritize certified organic or free-range if your budget allows, or stick to conventional turkey if cost is a concern.

How to Store Turkey Parts

Proper storage preserves freshness and flavor. Follow these turkey part storage tips:

• Store raw turkey parts on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Use within 1-2 days.
• Freeze raw turkey parts up to 9 months in airtight packaging. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.
• Cooked turkey parts last 3-4 days refrigerated. Freeze leftovers for longer storage.
• Wrap smoked turkey pieces tightly and refrigerate up to 2 weeks. Freeze for longer duration.

With multiple purchasing options, there’s no shortage of places to buy quality turkey parts for any recipe. Use turkey breasts, thighs, legs, wings, and more to add lean protein to salads, sandwiches, soups, and entrees. A little meal planning and smart storage helps make the most of your turkey parts purchase.