The Best Places to Buy Delicious Turkey Wings

Turkey wings are an underrated delight that deserve more attention. These flavorful, meaty wings offer a unique taste and texture perfect for braising, frying, grilling, and any other cooking method. If you’re looking to add turkey wings to your dinner rotation, you first need to find the best sources to purchase high-quality wings. Here are the top retailers and tips for getting your hands on some finger-licking good turkey wings.

Grocery Store Poultry Sections

The poultry section of your local grocery store is a convenient place to grab turkey wings Most major chains like Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, etc carry fresh or frozen turkey wings. Pros of going the grocery store route

• Easy one-stop shopping for all ingredients at same store

• Can personally inspect product for freshness

• Possible to special request custom cuts from butcher

• Turkey is often on sale leading up to holidays like Thanksgiving

Just be aware that selection may be limited compared to specialty meat shops. Inspect wings carefully for plumpness and avoid any with dry, wrinkly, or cracked skin.

Warehouse Clubs

For bulk buying, warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s offer an affordable source for fresh or frozen wings. Benefits of buying in bulk include:

• Lower per pound cost when purchasing multiple packages

• Larger wing sections since clubs buy whole turkeys

• High turnover means consistently fresh wings

• Ability to separate and freeze extras for later

Check club flyers and be flexible on brands to catch the best deals. Break down bulk packs into meal-size portions before freezing to avoid waste.

Butcher Shops or Meat Markets

For the widest selection and highest quality, patronize local butcher shops or meat markets. Knowledgeable butchers can provide:

• Exact sizing and portioning per your request

• Advice on the best wings for your recipe

• Fresh in-house turkey wings rather than mass packaged

• Humanely raised or organic turkey options

The downside is typically higher prices than large chains. Developing a relationship with a local butcher can pay off via custom cuts and insider deals.

Online Mail Order

Ordering turkey wings online through services like Rastelli’s, Porter Road, or Crowd Cow provides unique benefits:

• Ability to buy direct from small farms across the U.S.

• Choose heritage or specialty breed turkeys

• Get portioned, vacuum sealed packs delivered frozen

• Avoid crowded stores when social distancing

• Read reviews to find the highest quality vendors

Just account for possible shipping delays and check delivery dates. Pick shippers using adequate insulation and freeze packs.

Direct from Local Farms

Purchasing turkey wings straight from a local farm is the best way to get true farm-to-table freshness. Positive points are:

• Know exactly where your food is coming from

• Higher quality than mass-produced turkey

• Interesting heritage breed options

• Connect with and support local farmers

• Possible to buy whole turkey wings uncut

The catch is limited availability based on geography and season. Be prepared to buy in bulk quantities rather than retail packs.

Tips for Picking the Best Turkey Wings

Once you’ve selected a preferred source, use these tips for picking optimal turkey wings:

• Look for plump, meaty sections – avoid scrawny wings

• Skin should be smooth, intact, and not wrinkled or dry

• Raw wings should look moist; juices not sticky or tacky

• Avoid any odd odors; should smell fresh, not sour

• For freshest wings, try to buy them the same day you’ll cook

• Check expiration or sell-by date if purchasing pre-packed wings

Finding high-quality turkey wings is easy using this guide. Now you’re ready to kick off a new turkey wing recipe obsession! Dig into juicy baked, air fried, or deep fried turkey wings and discover a new favorite dinner.