It's never too early to start planning your Thanksgiving menu. After all, the holiday has a way of sneaking up on you—and if you don't get a head-start on your Thanksgiving turkey, you may be too late. (Gasp!) But don't worry, all you need to know is when to buy your Thanksgiving turkey and you'll be well on your way to a successful feast. With this first step tackled, you can rest assured that you'll have plenty of time for roasting, deep frying, or even spatchcocking the bird.
So, when exactly do you need to buy your Thanksgiving turkey? The answer depends on a couple of factors. Are you planning on buying a fresh turkey or frozen turkey? How much space do you have to store it and how do you plan to order your turkey—online or from a store? Below, you'll find a breakdown of when to buy or order your turkey for every circumstance. Then, check out our tips for how much turkey you need per person and Ree Drummond's recipe for turkey brine. (Trust that it makes all the difference!)
When to Order a Turkey for Thanksgiving
Ordering a turkey is always a good idea, especially if you don't want to be stressed during your Thanksgiving prep. Many grocery stores and farms these days allow you to order or reserve your fresh turkey in advance and pick it up closer to the holiday. Not only will this help you ensure that you get a turkey on the table, but you can also reserve the right size turkey to feed your family.
If you’re looking for a mail-order turkey, there are plenty of online grocers that will allow you to skip the busy supermarket altogether! Just be sure to check the delivery dates to ensure it arrives in time for your holiday feast.
When to Buy a Fresh Turkey
Whether or not you reserve a turkey from the store, picking up your turkey or actually purchasing a fresh turkey should be something you do within a couple of days of Thanksgiving. According to Butterball, an unopened fresh turkey can be stored in the refrigerator until the sell-by date but should be cooked within four days.
When to Buy a Frozen Turkey
Frozen turkey is a great idea for those who have the space in their freezer. You can buy it way in advance and stash it in your freezer until you're ready to thaw. In fact, Butterball says that an unopened frozen turkey can be kept in the freezer for up to two years! Thawing the turkey depends on the size—you'll want to allow for at least 24 hours for every four to five pounds.
How to Store a Thanksgiving Turkey
Once you’ve bought your Thanksgiving turkey—whether it's frozen or fresh—it's important to store it properly for the best quality.
Storing a Frozen Turkey
If you have a frozen turkey, you'll want to make some room in the freezer to keep the bird. It's typically pretty big so you may need to adjust your other freezer staples so there's plenty of space. You can keep it in the original packaging, but only thaw it once you're ready to use it!
Storing a Fresh Turkey
Fresh turkeys are best stored in the refrigerator until just before you're ready to use it. Be sure to place the turkey on a sheet pan to catch any juices and prevent them from leaking onto other foods in your fridge. Then, place the tray on the bottom shelf which tends to be the coldest.
The Cheapest Time to Buy a Turkey
Buying a whole turkey right before Thanksgiving is historically expensive, especially if you're buying a fresh turkey, but this year might be better than in the past. According to USA Today, "Retail prices for a whole-fresh turkeys dropped 9% in October compared to the same month last year." That said, if you're looking to save even more, you can buy frozen turkeys after Thanksgiving—and they can sometimes be on sale. You'll have to shop around and compare to get the best price for your turkey.
Now that you know when to buy your holiday bird, check out our tips for basting and cooking a turkey.
