Updated Sep. 29, 2024
Skip the lines and limited selection at your grocery store this November. You can order turkey for Thanksgiving and get a fresh, tasty bird without leaving home.
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Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. And ahead of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, shopping for Black Friday sales and gathering with loved ones, there’s an important detail on the to-do list: Order turkey for Thanksgiving. If you’d prefer to skip the grocery store lines, try ordering one of these delicious birds directly to your door. We found juicy, flavorful options for every feast.
While you’re waiting for your turkey to arrive, brush up on our best-kept turkey tips. Learn how to brine, season and spatchcock your bird for extra flavor. Or, discover why it’s not the best idea to cook your turkey with stuffing. At a bare minimum, consult our chart on how long to cook a turkey.
Plan to order a turkey for Thanksgiving well before the feast to ensure enough time for delivery. Fortunately, turkeys are fairly easy birds to ship, store and prep. Many brands even ship frozen turkeys that can survive in your freezer for months until Thanksgiving.
Just make sure to thaw your turkey in advance. The rule of thumb is to allow one day of thawing for every 4 pounds, so a larger turkey can take five or six days.
Our ButcherBox review explains that, yes, this mail-order meat service really is worth the hype. We love the brand’s quality standards and ethical sourcing, and their turkey box is ready to wow everyone at your holiday table. It features a humanely raised 14- to 18-pound turkey. Plus, shipping is free! If you’re craving a different kind of poultry, ButcherBox is also one of our favorite spots for buying chicken online.
We know you’ll be slinging slices of famous blue-ribbon apple pie, but what if your turkey was a winner, too? FarmFoods is making it possible with their “grand champion” turkeys. These all-natural, antibiotic-free, non-GMO birds come from a historic family farm. And the proprietary breed offers more white meat than the average grocery store turkey.
Your favorite store for buying table settings and stocking up on cookware also sells turkey. Williams Sonoma partnered with Willie Bird to bring a variety of free-range options to your holiday table. Whether you prefer your turkey plain, pre-roasted, smoked, boneless or even stuffed, there’s a Willie Bird for every home cook. You can also find a wide variety of sizes, ranging from petite 10- to 12-pound birds to monstrous options weighing more than 20 pounds.
There’s a reason why highly rated D’Artagnan turkeys taste so good: They’re raised free-range on American farms, without any antibiotics or hormones. The focus is on treating birds well, and the Taste of Home staff considers D’Artagnan turkeys a Thanksgiving essential. The company sells whole, unseasoned turkeys, as well as ground turkey and breast-only options.
If you want to sway from tradition, Goldbelly has your back. This mail-order service allows you to order iconic eats from all across America. Try cajun deep-fried turkey from Uncle Ray’s, a turducken from Herbert’s Specialty Meats or smoked turkey legs from Alewel’s Country Meats. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be memorable!
Wrangling the main course for Thanksgiving has never been easier, thanks to Perdue Farms. The company offers turkey breasts, whole turkeys and bundles that include both turkey and ham. This is ideal for families looking to hold on to tradition and try their hand at a new one all at once. Here’s exactly how much turkey to make per person.
After thorough expert testing, we named Porter Road the best overall spot to order meat online. So, of course, it’s on our Thanksgiving turkey list, too! Choose from three sizes: 10-12.5 pounds, 13-15.5 pounds or 16-19 pounds. These pasture-raised birds are free from hormones and antibiotics, and they’re just begging for an herby brine or flavored butter rub.
If you want to skip the messy brining and cooking step, there are many places to order a pre-cooked turkey for Thanksgiving. Our favorites are Willie Bird at Williams Sonoma, Goldbelly and Perdue Farms.
Craving crispy skin and succulent, juicy meat—without the fire hazard? Buy pre-cooked fried turkey on Goldbelly via Uncle Ray’s.
Originally Published: November 21, 2022
