It’s never too early to plan your Thanksgiving menu so you don’t have to frantically search for turkey, especially a few days before Thanksgiving. Even if you’re normally brave enough to go to the grocery store to buy your bird, you might want to consider ordering your turkey online this year.
There are many groceries for Thanksgiving dinner that can be purchased well in advance. A raw frozen turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to two years, and a cooked turkey can be stored for about three months. You can get frozen and preserved foods like canned pumpkin and frozen cranberries for Southern side dishes and desserts. And once Thanksgiving week begins, all you need to buy is fresh produce.
Don’t know where to buy turkey online? Don’t worry. We’ve done the research for you and brought you the best frozen and cooked turkeys you can order now, just in time for your Thanksgiving feast.
porter road
This whole turkey from Porter Road is the perfect holiday bird for cooks who like a blank canvas to work with. Porter Road is known for its high-quality meat, and the brand’s turkeys are no exception. Raised on pasture on farms in Tennessee and Kentucky, these turkeys are free of antibiotics and hormones and taste great. Available in three sizes: 10-12.5 lbs, 13-15.5 lbs, and 16-19 lbs.
Size Range: 10-19 lbs | Shipping: Free on orders over $125
fossil farm
Ordering turkey online can be expensive, so if you’re looking for a cheaper option, we recommend Fossil Farms Turkey Whole Bird. Birds range in weight from 8 pounds to 10 varieties and provide approximately 8 servings. These cage-free turkeys come from her 3rd generation and her 4th generation family farm that raises turkeys in a healthy environment. The turkey will be shipped frozen, so please thaw it for about 4 days before eating. There’s something for every size crowd, from 8-10 pound turkeys to 28 pound birds.
Size Range: 8-28 lbs | Shipping: Free Ground or 2nd Day Air on orders over $175
harry and david
In addition to selling fruit baskets and baked goods, Harry & David also has a gourmet food store where you can order succulent meats. This 10 pound oven roasted turkey serves approximately 7 people and is perfect for small gatherings. Since the bird is already perfectly cooked, all you need to do is heat the meat to a safe temperature of about 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to go deluxe, order the Gourmet Turkey Feast, which includes oven-roasted turkey, gravy, apple sausage stuffing, black truffle and almond green beans, brown sugar sweet potatoes, spiced cranberry chutney, and pumpkin cheesecake. can.
Size Range: 10 lbs | Shipping: $25.99 for 2-day expedited shipping
gold berry
Sure, eating a whole turkey may be more traditional, but you’re likely to end up with bones and bits of fat that have to go in the trash. If your family prefers white breast meat, this deliciously cooked roasted turkey is a great choice. It’s brined with simple natural ingredients like garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns, and seasoned with Hink’s signature spice blend. Have a bigger crowd? Choose the 4 pound breast to serve 8-10 people.
Size Range: 3.5-4.5 lbs | Free Shipping
d’Artagnan
D’Artagnan is well known for its premium meats, and the brand’s USDA-certified organic turkey is one of the best options. Each turkey is free-range raised and fed a 100% organic vegetarian diet with no antibiotics or growth hormones. Available in seven size options, from 8-10 pounds to 20-22 pounds, you can feed up to 18 people. If you don’t want to spend that much money on an organic turkey, try the same brand’s Green Circle Turkey or Heritage Turkey.
Size Range: 8-22 lbs | Shipping: Varies
gold berry.
This turkey has a sweet, spicy, and smoky flavor that gives it a hint of fall. At The Shed, a Mississippi barbecue restaurant, we slowly smoke our birds over pecan wood and season them with our award-winning rub, a blend of brown sugar and various spices. If that’s not enough, the company will also send you a pack of au jus to keep your turkey extra juicy while cooking. Best of all, this ready-to-eat beauty takes less than an hour to heat up in the oven.
Size Range: 10-12 lbs | Free Shipping
gold berry
Cajun Turkey Company has been frying turkeys since 1994, so it’s safe to say you can rest assured that your Christmas bird is in good hands. Before frying the meat, the company seasones its carefully selected turkeys with a Cajun-inspired family recipe. The combination of this spicy kick and crispy golden crust equals pure bliss in every bite. This is a lightly seasoned version, but there is also a spicy version if you want your turkey spicy. The turkey is shipped frozen and must be thawed in the refrigerator for 72 hours before heating in the oven.
Size Range: 10-12 lbs | Free Shipping
williams sonoma
Williams Sonoma is your one-stop shop for vacation fun. Upscale home improvement stores stock cooking essentials, bakeware, decorative items, and most importantly, food. As a host, cooking turkey for Thanksgiving will certainly take most of your time and attention. Luckily, Williams-Sonoma offers pre-cooked turkeys delivered to your door just in time for Thanksgiving. This organic, pre-cured bird arrives refrigerated, so you can skip the thawing process.
Size Range: 10-22 lbs | Shipping: Starting at $24 based on order total.plus $15 surcharge
gold berry
If you want something even more hearty, look no further than this delicious triple meat platter. Hebert’s Specialty Meats’ Thanksgiving “turducken” is essentially a boneless turkey stuffed with boneless duck, chicken, and Cajun-style cornbread stuffing. It takes 3 days to thaw in the fridge and 5 hours to cook in the oven, but it’s worth it. This huge piece of meat will serve 25 people.
Size Range: 16 lbs | Free Shipping
gold berry
Ah, Thanksgiving leftovers! If you’re a fan of turkey sandwiches and casseroles, consider ordering a 14- to 16-pound whole turkey from 4 Rivers Smokehouse. A plump bird provides enough meat for up to 18 people. Seasoned with a fragrant blend of thyme, sage, and rosemary, it will fill your home with holiday scents. For an additional $20, you can add Texas-style jalapeño cornbread.
Size Range: 14-16 lbs | Free Shipping
harry and david
Thanksgiving always has a variety of sides, so why not offer a few different meat options? This ham and turkey set from Harry & David includes 2 pounds of spiral-sliced ham. and 2 pounds of spiral-sliced turkey breast, which together feed about 6 people. Boneless meat is easy to cook, slice, and eat.
Size Range: 4 lbs total | Shipping: $21.99 for 2-day expedited shipping
harry and david
Not feeling like cooking this year? Harry & David’s Create Your Own Gourmet Turkey Feast is a great value. Serving 8 to 10 people, the holiday dinner includes one roasted turkey, one appetizer, two sides, and one dessert, as well as cranberry sauce and gravy. Standout sides include sun-dried tomato truffle mac and cheese, Gruyère garlic red mashed potatoes, and apple sausage stuffed with walnuts. Blueberry Peach Crisp is a must for dessert.
Size range: 8-10 servings | Shipping: 17% of total order
hello fresh
HelloFresh’s annual Thanksgiving Box is available for pre-order until November 16th or while supplies last. This holiday box often sells out, so get it while you can! There are two options to choose from: Traditional Turkey + Side Box and Beef Tenderloin + Side Box. The turkey kit serves 8 to 10 people, while the beef option serves 4 to 6 people. Both boxes come with Apple Ginger Crisp as a dessert. The best part? You do not need to be a HelloFresh member to purchase this limited time meal kit.
Size Range: 8-10 servings | Shipping: Varies
conclusion
Overall, we think Porter Road Whole Turkey is the best choice if you want to order a quality turkey online. With three sizes to choose from, you’re sure to find a bird to feed, no matter what type of Thanksgiving gathering you’re hosting. Additionally, the birds are raised in a cage-free environment in Tennessee or Kentucky and are fed a vegetarian diet free of antibiotics and hormones.
questions and answers
When should I order my Thanksgiving turkey?
Typically, you don’t need to buy a turkey until about a week before Thanksgiving. However, between shipping delays and chicken shortages, it’s important to plan ahead this holiday season. Your grocery store may not carry the size or type of turkey you want. That’s why we recommend ordering online now.
How much turkey should each person eat on Thanksgiving?
Account for the extra weight from bones in a whole turkey, so estimate about 1 to 1.5 pounds of meat per person. For a party of 10 people, you’ll need to order at least a 15-pound whole turkey. If you have a small group, try turkey breast. 4 pounds of brisket provides approximately 6 to 8 servings. What do we recommend? For those who love Thanksgiving leftovers, bigger is better.
How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
Allow 1 day to thaw every 4 to 5 pounds. This means that it will take about 4 days to thaw a 16 pound turkey in the refrigerator. Let the thawed turkey rest at room temperature for at least an hour before placing it in the oven.
How long does it take to cook a turkey?
A turkey takes 3 to 5 hours to cook, but a stuffed turkey will cook faster than a stuffed bird. For example, a 14- to 16-pound turkey without stuffing takes about 4 hours to cook. A stuffed turkey of the same size will roast for 4 hours and 15 minutes, about 15 minutes longer. For moist meat, we recommend slow and steady roasting your turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
The best way to tell if the bird is done is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the brisket in the oven should be about 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove and let sit for about 20 minutes, the temperature will rise to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why trust Southern Living?
This article was written by Bridget Degnan, an associate editor who works across the Dotdash Meredith brands. To write this article, she researched a variety of turkeys and evaluated each one’s quality, range of size options, and shipping costs.