Where to Get a Turkey Smoked: A Guide to Finding Delicious Smoked Turkeys

Smoked turkey is becoming more and more popular every holiday season. The rich smoky flavor takes relatively bland turkey up several notches. But many wonder – where can I get a turkey smoked if I don’t own a smoker? Luckily, you have several excellent options for getting your hands on a delicious smoked turkey.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll overview the various places you can get a turkey smoked and key factors to consider with each option. Read on to learn all about the best places to find smoked turkey for your next special meal.

Purchase a Fully-Cooked Smoked Turkey

The easiest route is to simply buy a pre-smoked turkey that is fully cooked and ready to serve, Many specialty meat shops and online retailers offer smoked turkeys you can order ahead of time for pickup or delivery,

Some top places to buy fully cooked smoked turkeys:

• Local butcher shops or meat markets – Many local butchers and meat markets, especially those with on-site smokehouses, offer fully smoked turkeys, particularly around the holidays. Call ahead a few weeks in advance to place your order.

• Online specialty meat companies – Retailers like Smokehouse.com, Nueske’s, and Double R Ranch ship fully cooked smoked turkeys nationwide. Order 1-2 weeks ahead for delivery right to your door.

• Grocery store deli – Some supermarket deli counters stock fully cooked smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check with your local store a month or more ahead.

• Big box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club – Warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club usually carry smoked turkeys in the weeks leading up to major holidays. No membership required to purchase.

The main benefit of ordering a fully pre-smoked turkey is convenience – no messy work smoking it yourself and it’s ready to serve. The downside is the cost is higher than DIY smoking. Prices range from $3-8 per pound for a quality pre-smoked turkey.

Order a Smoked Turkey from a Restaurant

Another handy option is to order a fully smoked turkey from a local restaurant, BBQ eatery, caterer, or commercial kitchen. Many restaurants and food services smoke turkeys specially for holidays and will cook one for you if you order ahead of time.

Some places that may offer whole smoked turkeys:

• BBQ restaurants – Ask your favorite local BBQ joint, ribhouse, smokehouse, etc. if they smoke whole turkeys for holidays. Many do turkey specials.

• Catering companies – Most professional caterers and personal chefs can provide a smoked turkey for events or individual holiday orders.

• Upscale restaurants – Some fine dining restaurants will brine and smoke a whole turkey if you order well in advance and are willing to pay.

• Butcher shops with kitchens – Local butchers with on-site kitchens sometimes offer holiday smoked turkeys cooked in their smokers.

Ordering a smoked turkey from a restaurant or food service gets you a ready-to-eat turkey without any prep work. You pay for their time, expertise, and ingredients. Prices vary widely, typically $100-300 depending on the size of turkey.

Hire a Private Chef to Smoke a Turkey

For the ultimate convenience, consider hiring a personal or private chef to come smoke a turkey freshly on-site at your home. Many professional chefs offer this service for holidays.

The chef will bring all the necessary equipment, prep and season the raw turkey, smoke it on your property using their mobile smoker, and present a just-cooked gourmet smoked turkey ready to carve and serve. It saves you all the effort but costs significantly more than other options, with prices starting around $400-500.

Smoke a Turkey on Your Outdoor Grill

With the right technique and some practice, you can smoke a tasty turkey on a standard charcoal or gas grill, even without investing in a dedicated smoker. This allows you to enjoy homemade smoked turkey without buying any specialized equipment.

Here’s a basic process for smoking turkey on a regular backyard grill:

• Set up a two-zone indirect fire with coals or burners on only one side to create a hot zone and cooler indirect zone.

• Use soaked wood chips or chunks for smoke flavor. Soak chips in water for 30 mins before grilling.

• Place turkey on the indirect heat side over a drip pan/foil and maintain temperature of 225-250°F.

• Cook for approx. 30 minutes per pound until the thigh meat reaches 165°F.

• Allow turkey to rest 15-20 minutes before carving to let juices redistribute.

With a few simple adjustments, any outdoor grill can be rigged to “smoke” turkey relatively easily. It takes more hands-on effort but saves substantially over buying a pre-smoked turkey. Expect around $40-60 in supplies.

Rent or Borrow a Smoker

If you don’t own your own smoker but want to DIY, consider renting or borrowing a smoker just for the holiday meal. Many specialty cooking stores offer smoker rentals for reasonable daily rates.

You may also have family or friends willing to lend their smoker for a day. Offer to provide the turkey, wood chips, and other supplies in exchange.

Types of smokers you may be able to rent or borrow include:

• Electric smoker – Very easy to use even for beginners. Great for smoking turkey.

• Charcoal smoker – Requires some skill but imparts wonderful flavor.

• Pellet grill/smoker – Versatile all-in-one grill and smoker popular for turkey.

• Propane smoker – Relatively easy to use smoker for novices.

Renting or borrowing a smoker allows you to smoke a delicious turkey without buying a pricey appliance. Just learn to use the particular smoker properly before the big feast.

Purchase an Affordable Smoker

Finally, consider investing in your very own smoker if you want to smoke turkey and other meats regularly. You can find very basic beginner smokers these days for under $100. While not as versatile or well-built as more expensive smokers, they can still produce tasty smoked turkey.

Some budget-friendly smoker options to consider purchasing:

• Charcoal kettle grill – Functions as both a grill and smoker with indirect heat. Weber kettles around $100-150.

• Electric smoker – Basic electric models from Masterbuilt, Cuisinart, etc. in the $100-$200 price range.

• Compact propane smoker – Small vertical propane smokers start around $60-$70 on Amazon.

• Smoking tube/tray – Inexpensive pellet smoke generator for any grill under $50.

Buying an entry-level smoker means you can smoke foods anytime and will quickly recoup your investment. An affordable smoker is the best option if you want to smoke turkey regularly.

Key Tips for Perfectly Smoked Turkey

Once you’ve figured out where to get your turkey smoked, keep these tips in mind for the juiciest, most flavorful smoked turkey:

• Brine the turkey – Soaking in a saltwater brine ensures a moist, seasoned turkey. Brine 12-24 hrs.

• Dry thoroughly – Pat turkey dry before smoking for crispy skin. Air dry in fridge 12-24 hrs if possible.

• Use a rub – Coat with a basic poultry rub, herb butter, or oil for flavor and browning.

• Maintain steady heat – Keep smoker temp between 225-250°F for even cooking.

• Cook to 165oF – Smoke until the thigh meat reaches 165oF for food safety.

• Rest before carving – Allow to rest 15-30 mins so juices redistribute.

• Carve properly – Let meat cool slightly before slicing against the grain for tenderness.

Enjoy Delicious Smoked Turkey!

With so many excellent options, there’s no reason to miss out on incredible smoked turkey just because you don’t own a smoker. Take your pick from buying pre-smoked, hiring a chef, using your grill, or purchasing an affordable smoker.

For many, ordering a fully cooked smoked turkey from a trusted source is the easiest and most foolproof choice for first-timers. As you get hooked on the delicious flavor, consider exploring DIY methods like smoking on a grill or buying your own smoker so you can enjoy smoked turkey year-round!

Whichever option you choose, follow the tips above for the juiciest, most flavorful holiday centerpiece turkey. Your taste buds will thank you.

Hickory Smoked Whole Turkey

How Much Turkey Per Person