Planning a turkey this year? Let us help you find the perfect bird for your table.
Buying the right turkey can mean the difference between a good Thanksgiving and a legendary Thanksgiving. And while you can’t go wrong with any of our birds, shopping for a specific size or certification can be tricky. Rest assured, we’re here to help simplify the process. Below, learn more about our birds, plus get expert buying and storing tips.
Order online and schedule a time for pickup in store. Menu and location availability may vary. While supplies last.
As Thanksgiving approaches the search begins for the perfect turkey – fresh local, and delicious. Many prefer fresh over frozen for maximum flavor and juiciness. But where can you find farm-fresh turkey close to home?
I’ve put together this guide on locating fresh turkeys from local sources including farms, markets, butchers, and specialty grocers. Keep reading for tips to land the best local turkey for your holiday feast.
Check Local Butcher Shops and Meat Markets
My top suggestion is to check with local butchers and meat markets These specialty stores work closely with regional farms and ranches to offer locally-raised meats.
Many butchers source fresh turkeys from nearby family farms starting in early November. Call ahead to ask when their Thanksgiving turkeys will arrive. You’ll get great quality local birds along with experienced butcher advice on cook times, prep, and more.
Some exceptional local butcher shops to find fresh turkeys include:
- Mike’s Quality Meats (Ann Arbor, MI)
- Otto’s Meat Market (Portland, OR)
- Delmar Meats (Charlotte, NC)
- Clarke’s Butcher Shop (Austin, TX)
Look for Turkeys at Local Farmers Markets
Another option is to visit your weekly farmers market leading up to Thanksgiving. Many stands and farms sell fresh pre-ordered turkeys or have select pickup days.
Check the schedule and speak with vendors to see who will have fresh turkeys and when. You can choose your size and often pick up the same day from the farm’s stand. It’s a fun way to shop local!
Some top farmers markets for turkeys:
- Downtown Holiday Market (Washington, DC)
- Midtown Farmers Market (Raleigh, NC)
- Saturday Farmers Market (Las Vegas, NV)
Visit Nearby Turkey Farms
For the absolute freshest turkey, buy directly from a local farm. Search online directories like LocalHarvest to find turkey farms close by.
Contact them to ask when fresh Thanksgiving turkeys will be available. You can select your bird and pick up at the farm. It’s rewarding to meet the producers and see the turkeys in person.
Some exceptional local turkey farms include:
- Yonder Way Farm (Madison, WI)
- Baywater Farms (Annapolis, MD)
- Prayer Creek Farm (San Diego, CA)
Check Local Grocery Stores
Larger grocery store chains like Kroger, Publix, and Safeway sometimes carry local turkeys. Ask at the butcher counter or check for signs calling out regional brands.
While selection is more limited, it’s an easy one-stop option. You can also call ahead to ask if they will stock local turkeys for Thanksgiving.
Use Online Butcher Delivery
Brands like Porter Road and Crowd Cow deliver locally-raised meat nationwide. Browse their sites to see if they deliver near you. It supports small farms while being delivered to your door.
Use Grocery Delivery Apps
Apps like Instacart allow you to shop multiple stores’ selections in one place. Search for “whole turkey” and filter by local stores to compare availability and pricing. It simplifies finding local turkeys at nearby markets.
Order Direct from Local Farms
Some small farms sell turkeys online and ship nationwide. While not as close as picking up yourself, it still supports local family farms.
Look for antibiotic-free, pasture-raised turkeys from brands like Joyce Farms, Mary’s Free Range Turkeys, and Diestel Family Ranch. Order early to ensure your size and delivery date.
Tips for Finding the Freshest Local Turkey
Here are some top tips for landing the best farm-fresh turkey near you:
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Plan ahead – Check on availability 1-2 months before Thanksgiving
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Call local butchers and farms first – This yields the best selection and quality
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Ask for antibiotic-free and pasture-raised – Opt for no hormones or antibiotics
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Check farmers markets – Fun option to support multiple local farms
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Buy early – Inventory moves quickly so shop early for best pick
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Freeze if needed – Fresh turkeys can be frozen until you’re ready to thaw and cook
Estimated Cost of a Local Fresh Turkey
Pricing will vary by source, but here are some general cost ranges:
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Local butcher shop or meat market: $3.50-$5.00 per lb
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Farmers market stand: $3.00-$4.50 per lb
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Direct from family farm: $2.50-$4.00 per lb
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Organic: $4.00-$6.00 per lb
While more than a frozen bird, fresh local turkeys provide maximum flavor and support family farms. The premium quality is worth the price for a holiday centerpiece.
Is Fresh Turkey Worth It?
Here are some key benefits that make fresh local turkey worth the higher price tag:
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Superior flavor – Never frozen for a more pronounced turkey taste
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Juicier meat – Careful processing preserves moisture content
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Supports local farms – Keeps dollars in the community
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Humane raising practices – Many local farms avoid hormones and antibiotics
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Sustainable – Less processing and transportation needed
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Satisfaction – Knowing your turkey’s origins and freshness
Going local delivers a better tasting turkey and memorable holiday meal. With minimal effort, you can access amazingly fresh turkey direct from nearby family farms. Just get your orders in early! Supporting local never tasted so good.
What Makes Our Turkeys Different?
Whether classic or kosher, heirloom or organic, all of the fresh and frozen turkeys we sell meet our Quality Standards. All of the birds in our Meat department are Animal Welfare Certified (except kosher turkey) and meet over 100 animal welfare standards. And, like all meat and poultry in the department, the animals must be raised with no antibiotics ever and no animal by-products in feed.
What Types of Turkey Do We Offer?
So, fresh or frozen? Organic or heirloom? Here’s what you need to know about our turkey selection when shopping our Meat department. Kosher, heirloom and heritage birds may not be available in all locations, so be sure to contact your store ahead of time.
These essential whole turkeys are always crowd-pleasers. Packed with flavor and wallet-friendly, you can’t go wrong.
- Classic Turkeys: These tasty, tender turkeys are a great choice for value, quality and flavor.
- Organic Turkeys: These birds receive organic, non-GMO feed and have specific requirements for the amount of access to the outdoors.
If you’re looking to try something different this year, don’t miss our assortment of unique, special birds. Make sure to check your local store for assortment.
- Regeneratively Raised Turkeys: Tender, juicy, full-flavored turkey that was raised within a holistic regenerative program, using agricultural practices like rotational grazing, that support soil health and biodiversity.
- Heritage Turkeys: These unique, old-world birds are leaner with a smaller meat-to-bone ratio and can be very flavorful.
- Heirloom Turkeys: A little bigger than heritage turkeys, this special variety has robust flavor and a lot of dark meat.
- Brined Turkeys: We’ve marinated these birds in a seasoned brine for moist, flavorful meat. If you’re planning to fry your turkey, start with one of our brined birds.
- Kosher Turkeys: Rubbed with kosher salt inside and out, kosher birds are checked by specially trained rabbinical inspectors to make sure they’re processed in accordance with kosher standards. The kosher salt preseasons the bird and gives it extra flavor.
- Turkey Breasts: Feeding a smaller group? Our classic and organic turkey breasts (no antibiotics ever) are easy to brine and take less time to prepare than a whole turkey. We offer bone-in, organic bone-in and boneless options.
All fresh and frozen turkeys from our Meat department must meet our standards for being raised with no antibiotics ever, no animal by-products in feed and 100+ animal welfare standards. Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising turkeys.
How to Store Your Turkey
Whether you’ve picked up your turkey from our stores or you’re having it delivered, it’s important to store your bird properly before cooking. Follow these tips for success.
Our fresh turkeys are kept in a deep chill to maintain a crust of ice on the surface. This ensures that you can safely store your bird at home until you’re ready to cook. Keep your turkey deep-chilled (35°F) in the coldest spot in your fridge, turned down as low as possible, or store in a secondary fridge. The ice will easily melt over time, but be sure to check your bird the day before Thanksgiving. If it looks a bit crisp, place under cool running water to ensure it’s perfect by your feast.
Store frozen birds in your freezer (ideally in a secondary freezer if you have one) until you’re ready to thaw. Depending on how much time you have, you can thaw your turkey in your refrigerator or by submerging it in cold water.
Should you buy fresh or frozen turkey this Thanksgiving?
FAQ
When can I buy my fresh turkey?
Fresh turkeys should not be purchased until one or two days before you cook it, unless the manufacturer’s tag has a “Best by” or “Use by” date that indicates …Nov 9, 2023
Can I pre-order a fresh turkey?
Most local farms and retailers require customers to pre-order and place a deposit on their turkeys in advance, generally from September to early November. Browse the list below or contact a farm near you to reserve a local turkey for your Thanksgiving table.
Are Trader Joe’s turkeys fresh?
Fresh, never frozen.