Where to Get a Smoked Turkey for Thanksgiving

A smoked turkey makes for a flavorful and memorable Thanksgiving feast. The smoky, savory flavor pairs perfectly with traditional side dishes and gravy If you’re looking to serve smoked turkey this Thanksgiving, you have several excellent options to acquire a fully cooked smoked bird

Ordering Online

Ordering a smoked turkey online is a convenient way to get a delicious pre-cooked turkey delivered straight to your door, Here are some of the best online retailers to order smoked turkey for Thanksgiving

• Burgers’ Smokehouse – This legendary smokehouse sells hickory smoked whole turkeys from 10-24 lbs that are smoked fresh for holidays. The turkeys contain no preservatives or injections.

• Harry & David – Known for gift baskets, Harry & David offers ready-to-eat smoked turkey breast in various wood smoked flavors. Their hickory smoked turkey breast is hand rubbed with herbs and spices.

• Goldbelly – Order smoked turkeys from famous BBQ restaurants around the country through Goldbelly. Try turkeys from Central Texas, Kansas City, and other smokehouses shipped overnight.

• Rastelli’s – Get a natural wood smoked turkey from this online butcher. Rastelli’s turkeys range from 10-16 lbs and are free of hormones, steroids, antibiotics, and preservatives.

• D’Artagnan – For organic and heritage breed smoked turkeys, D’Artagnan ships them frozen overnight. Their turkeys are smoked low and slow over fruitwoods.

When ordering online, make sure to account for shipping time in your Thanksgiving schedule.

Grocery Store Smoked Turkeys

Many grocery store chains now sell ready-to-eat smoked turkey in the poultry department. Here are some good options to look for:

• Kirkland Signature Smoked Turkey at Costco – Costco’s house brand smoked turkey is very popular for its quality and value. The 13 lb birds are hickory smoked and injected with broth.

• Butterball Fully Cooked Smoked Turkey – Trusted brand Butterball offers pre-smoked whole turkeys and turkey breasts from 10-24 lbs. They are hardwood & hickory smoked.

• Eckrich Smoked Turkey – Eckrich whole smoked turkeys and turkey breasts are hickory smoked with no preservatives. Find them at Kroger, Safeway, Publix and more.

• Boar’s Head Smoked Turkey – Boar’s Head sells premium quality smoked turkey deli meat as well as bone-in smoked turkey legs and breasts. No artificial ingredients.

• Plainville Farms Smoked Turkey at Stop & Shop – New England grocery chain Stop & Shop carries this regional brand’s applewood smoked whole turkeys and breasts.

Be sure to reserve your grocery store smoked turkey a few weeks in advance as they often sell out.

Order from a Local Butcher or Deli

In addition to the major chains, many local butchers and delis now offer house-smoked turkeys. Here are some ways to source locally smoked birds:

• Check your high-end grocer’s butcher counter for specialty smoked turkey options. Many have in-house smoking for the holidays.

• Search for local butchers and call around about smoked turkey availability for custom smoking.

• Look for BBQ restaurants or smokehouses selling fully cooked smoked turkeys. These provide incredible flavor.

• Ask farmers at your local farmer’s market if they smoke their own turkeys. Small farms often have special recipes.

• Check restaurant reviews and food blogs for top spots to buy smoked turkey from in your area. Some restaurants sell theirs.

Buying locally supports small businesses and yields ultra-fresh smoked turkey.

Smoking Your Own Turkey

If you have experience with smoking meat, you can smoke your own turkey at home. Here are some tips:

• Allow at least 12 hours to fully smoke a 10-15 lb turkey. Brine it overnight before for juiciness.

• Set up your smoker with charcoal or wood chips. Good smoking woods are hickory, apple, cherry, mesquite and pecan.

• Maintain a smoking temp of 225-275°F. Insert a meat thermometer to ensure the thighs reach 165°F.

• Rub the turkey with herbs, salt, pepper and spices for flavor. Maple syrup, citrus or mustard make good glazes.

• Let the smoked turkey rest 30 minutes before carving. Serve with homemade gravy and enjoy!

Smoking your own turkey takes effort but delivers incredible homemade flavor.

Choosing the Best Smoked Turkey

No matter where you get your smoked turkey, here are some tips for picking the tastiest bird:

• Seek out natural and organic turkeys without preservatives or artificial ingredients.

• Check the ingredients for real wood smoke flavoring rather than “liquid smoke”.

• Select heritage breed or free-range turkeys for premium quality meat and flavor.

• Estimate 1 pound of turkey per person when choosing the whole bird size.

• Opt for minimal seasoning to let the real smoke flavor shine through.

• Look for turkey smoked slowly over flavorful wood like hickory, apple, pecan or mesquite.

• Make sure frozen turkeys are thawed completely before cooking and reheating.

Serving Smoked Turkey for Thanksgiving

Smoked turkey makes for amazing Thanksgiving leftovers too. Here are some serving tips:

• Let roasted smoked turkey rest 20-30 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

• Carve thin slices across the grain of the breast meat. Separate legs and thighs.

• Pair smoked turkey with bold flavors like sharp cheddar, sweet cranberry, barbecue sauce and spicy mustard.

• Use leftover smoked turkey within 4 days for sandwiches, soups, salads, tacos, pizza, casseroles and any recipe calling for cooked turkey.

• Slice or shred remaining smoked turkey meat and refrigerate in shallow airtight containers.

This Thanksgiving, a smoked turkey makes for an incredibly flavorful and memorable centerpiece. With excellent smoked birds available online, at national and local retailers, or smoked yourself, you have fantastic options to serve up the perfect feast this holiday season.