Whether it’s your first time hosting this yr’s Thanksgiving otherwise you’re a seasoned ‘hostess with the mostest,’ cooking the proper, golden brown turkey never fails to be a frightening task.
Not only do you could have to cook it at the proper temperature (that’s where good meat thermometers come into play) but you could have to make sure it feeds enough for your whole guests, has enough flavor and checks all of the boxes.
To aid you prepare for this yr’s holiday, we rounded up the 14 best places to order a Thanksgiving turkey online. A few of these shops include each frozen and pre-made options. Consider it as your fairy godmother of sorts — simply labeled ‘Thanksgiving meal kit.’
What’s more, we spoke with a culinary expert on all the things you want to learn about a turkey, including the proper oven temperature in your bird, the right way to prepare a frozen turkey, what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers and more.
Click to leap to the most effective places to order Thanksgiving turkey online:
What to search for in a turkey, per a culinary expert
While there are numerous various kinds of ways to arrange a turkey, there surprisingly isn’t much of a difference between your principal Thanksgiving dish.
“Usually, the overwhelming majority of turkeys are commodity products and there may be little variation in the way in which they’re raised,” Shawn Matijevich, lead chef of Online Culinary Arts & Food Operations on the Institute of Culinary Education told the Recent York Post. Matijevich can be a former five-year Navy chef who prepared Thanksgiving dinners for greater than 1,000 people.
“The farmers all have contracts with the distributers that lay out how they’re raised and the standards for the birds,” he adds. “Your run of the mill turkey could have a high meat to bone ratio and tender meat.”
How much Thanksgiving turkey to order per person
Surely, this can be a personal selection, but Matijevich provides an estimate as you prepare your Thanksgiving menu.
“A mean person can eat one pound of food in a setting like a Thanksgiving meal,” he says. “If you should have leftovers, you then should purchase an even bigger bird, but one pound of raw product per person is an excellent place to begin.”
What’s a heritage turkey?
Heritage turkeys are an interesting trend in the meanwhile, in keeping with Matijevich. Briefly, they’re breeds that retain among the original characteristics which have been bred out of contemporary, business breeds.
“Some chefs will let you know that they taste higher and are higher for you than business turkeys, but you could have to do not forget that there was a reason that some characteristics and traits were purposely bred out,” he notes. “Those birds take an extended time to get to market which implies they’re lots costlier. Additionally they have a lower meat to bone ratio and so they are much tougher usually.”
While heritage turkeys have more flavor, Matijevich recommends passing on preparing one for those who don’t have a full understanding of the right way to treat a much tougher bird.
What’s the difference between free-range turkey and organic turkey?
Ahead, Matijevich outlines the difference of this much-heard-about food market lingo:
- Free-range: Which means 51% of the turkey’s life has been spent ‘outdoors.’ It isn’t what most individuals imagine as outdoors either, the birds aren’t frolicking with other animals in a pasture, it means they live in a shed that’s packed to the brim with a whole bunch of other turkeys.
- Organic: Which means they’ve been fed a eating regimen without hormones or steroids. They’ve also been fed only organic feed.
How long does it take to thaw a frozen turkey?
If you could have a mean bird (15 to twenty kilos), Matijevich recommends having it within the refrigerator for one week before you intend to cook it.
For best results, buy a frozen turkey at the least every week prematurely of the day you intend on cooking it and to make sure it thaws appropriately.
“When you’re thawing within the refrigerator, remove the turkey from the package to let the surplus water evaporate off the skin,” he adds. “It’ll offer you crispier skin and an overall more flavorful bird.”
What should the oven temperature be for a turkey?
Uniquely, Matijevich uses two temperatures. “First, I preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and place the turkey in to cook until the skin begins to brown,” he begins. “Then I take it out and drop the temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and return the bird once the temperature drop happens.” This makes for a really juicy roast bird.
What kitchen tools to purchase for preparing your Thanksgiving turkey
You possibly can’t cook a bird without the right tools in your arsenal. In accordance with Matijevich, you wish an excellent meat thermometer.
“When you don’t wish to be surprised by an excellent dry or raw inside while you go to carve, get a thermometer,” he recommends. “The turkey is completed when the thermometer registers 161 degrees Fahrenheit when it’s placed within the thickest a part of the breast.”
Also, picking up an excellent roasting pan is essential. “It doesn’t should be expensive, it just needs to be sturdy – but avoid non-stick roasting pans,” he notes.
What’s the most effective Thanksgiving turkey flavor?
Ah, the golden cheat code we’re all dying to learn about. Here’s Matijevich’s secret recipe that he shared with The Post:
“I make a compound butter of rosemary, garlic, thyme, lemon zest, and orange zest to rub everywhere in the bird and under the skin,” he lists. “I stuff the cavity with rosemary and lemons.”
Crucial note, though, is to make use of the flavors you want. “I feel the flavour of the turkey by itself is superb and the gravy will do the remaining,” he adds.
The best way to make Thanksgiving stuffing
With Thanksgiving comes a slew of scrumptious sides, though Matijevich doesn’t recommend making stuffing inside the turkey.
“This adds an unnecessary level of complication to the method that causes the meat of the bird to overcook,” he notes. “You must cook the bird until each the stuffing and the meat come to 165 Fahrenheit since the stuffing soaked with raw turkey juice is definitely more dangerous than raw turkey by itself.”
That said, it will end in the meat being very overcooked by the point the stuffing inside is completed.
The best way to ensure a clean cooking space when preparing turkey
If there’s one big no-no in cooking your Thanksgiving turkey, it’s cross-contamination.
“Once the turkey is prepped and within the pan, clean your kitchen,” Matijevich says. “Use soap and water followed by a wipe down after which a bit of sanitizer over all of your surfaces and equipment.” And, after all, wash your hands often.
What to do with leftover Thanksgiving turkey
Above all else, Matijevich recommends using leftover Thanksgiving turkey and making a turkey pot pie. You can even make a turkey-leftovers grilled cheese.
Best Places to Order Thanksgiving Turkey Online
1. Harry & David
As probably the most acclaimed places to purchase a turkey online, Harry & David has a classic catalog of Thanksgiving turkeys to pick from. Namely, its Smoked Turkey ($110) is a crowd-pleaser, alongside the Oven-Roasted Turkey ($110) and Diestel Naturally Smoked Turkey ($120).
What’s more, the brand also has a Gourmet Turkey Feast ($250) up for grabs as well for those who’d wish to impress your guests with all of your favorite sides, too. For dessert, Harry & David even has a Belgian Milk Chocolate Turkey Centerpiece ($125) to kick your traditional bird up a notch for a sweet treat.
2. Webstaurant Store
Webstaurant Store not only has a set of popular kitchen cookware and gadgets, but it surely offers a ten to 14-pound All-Natural Whole Young Turkey ($48). It’s injected with turkey broth, salt and spices to offer an ultra-tender cut with a consistent juicy bite throughout the bird. For lower than $50, it’s price adding to your cart.
3. Burgers Smokehouse
Yes, you’ll be able to order a high quality Thanksgiving turkey on Amazon — and for that, we thank Jeff Bezos.
Burgers Smokehouse is a direct-to-consumer brand with its own Amazon storefront for you to arrange your Thanksgiving dinner. Notably, the Hickory Smoked Whole Turkey ($90) is an eight to 10-pound bird with nearly 200 positive rankings. One reviewer says it’s “higher than a fresh-killed turkey.”
4. Rastelli’s
Because the King of Meats and Poultry, Rastelli’s has it happening. Its Whole Turkey ($55) is certain to be successful, because of its locally raised origin on a small family farm in Northern California. It’s an all-natural bird, too, that boasts juicy and daring flavors.
Not to say, the Whole Turkey is an all-vegetarian feed mix with no fillers, growth stimulants or antibiotics.
5. D’Artagnan
D’Artagnan is a well-liked name for turkeys — and for an excellent reason. They’re available to buy online and are available a wealthy variety, from its Wild Turkey ($96) and Organic Bone-In Turkey Breast ($70) to its Truffle Turkey Breast ($60) and Heritage Turkey ($166).
Now, you’ll be able to pre-order select cuts or add some which can be available to your online shopping cart. It’s a standout brand for its widespread offerings and unique flavor blends.
6. Porter Road
What’s great about Porter Road is its simplistic approach to ordering a turkey online. You don’t should grow overwhelmed with a bounty of options — it only has a Whole Turkey online that may either feed as much as 15 guests ($156) or as much as 12 guests ($132).
This bird is selling out quickly, so we urge you so as to add the Whole Turkey to your online shopping cart to ensure this yr’s bird in your table. Plus, the offering is pasture-raised, grown without antibiotics or added hormones and can deliver by Nov. 19.
7. Omaha Steaks
You didn’t think Omaha Steaks offered greater than prime rib and filet mignon — but reassess. Not only are you able to order turkey but you’ll be able to grab curated Thanksgiving feasts that’ll help streamline your preparation.
From its Whole Basted Turkey ($100) to its Smoked Whole Turkey ($112), it has never been easier to pick by your flavor preference. You furthermore mght can’t go mistaken with its Thanksgiving Turkey Feast ($200) that features a 10-pound whole basted turkey, green bean casserole, steakhouse creamed corn, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, individual baguettes with garlic butter and caramel apple tartlets.
8. Goldbelly
Consider Goldbelly because the Bloomingdale’s of Turkey — an incredible hub for several highly rated birds, all at your fingertips.
We recommend looking into Uncle Ray’s Cajun Mild Deep Fried Turkey ($130) with an overall grade of 4.9 out of 5 stars that’ll fly to your door from Dallas. Also on the table is Logan Farms’ Hickory Smoked Turkey ($115), a nine-pound bird hailing from Jackson, Mississippi. If you should impress your guests with a singular bird, Goldbelly has all of them.
9. Crowd Cow
Make your Thanksgiving plans easier with Crowd Cow. The direct-to-consumer brand has a Pasture-Raised Whole Turkey that’s currently 27% off (now $110) and comes with a free oven mitt set. Plus, this open-pasture-raised bird is juicy, made without antibiotics or hormones and only incorporates two and a half grams of fat for each 4 ounces.
10. Perdue Farms
With a reputation like Perdue Farms, it’s going to be good. Namely, the grocery store-popular name offers its Whole Turkey (starting at $95) and its Easy Roast Turkey with Herbs (also starting at $95), the latter great to feast on a wealthy, seasonally crafted flavor mix.
Even higher, Perdue Farms splendidly outlines all the things you want to know for popping your principal event into the oven on Thanksgiving Day — including cooking time and preparation notes. It doesn’t recover than that.
11. iGourmet
On iGourmet, the Roots 657 Fully Cooked Smoked Turkey ($100) is one to look at for. Roots 657 is a café market positioned in Leesburg, Virginia and offers regionally curated products like house-made soups and award-winning smoked meats. Its turkey isn’t any different.
Seasoned with superb sea salt crystals and cracked black pepper, this offering can be all-natural and hormone-free.
12. Williams Sonoma
Ah, Williams Sonoma — the leading name in all things kitchen. It has a wealth of Thanksgiving food options to pick from, including its best-selling Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Pre-Brined Organic Turkey (starting at $173) and brand-new Willie Bird Mushroom & Herb Stuffed Free-Range Turkey Breast (starting at $90), the latter coming ready-to-slice.
Pro tip: add the All-Clad Quick Read Digital Thermometer ($50) and latest Plymouth Turkey Serving Platter ($80) to your cart as well.
13. Allen Brothers Steaks
As a hidden gem on the web, Allen Brothers Steaks has it happening within the turkey department. Its Heritage Black Turkey (starting at $128) is the star of the show and particularly great for seasoned chefs who wish to amp up the ante on their Thanksgiving meal.
Depending on which size you order, it feeds as much as 16 people. This turkey is sourced from the brand’s small family farm in North Carolina and was raised without antibiotics, hormones, growth stimulants and animal by-products.
14. Fossil Farms
For an all-natural turkey, Fossil Farms is one to look into. Its Turkey Whole Bird ($90) was raised in Pennsylvania in a free-roaming, cage-free environment after which processed in Northern Recent Jersey. It was also fed a vegetarian eating regimen of farm local rye, oats, alfalfa and soybean meal, making this a 100% all-natural bird freed from antibiotics, hormones and steroids.
Try the Recent York Post Shopping section for more content.
Whether it’s your first time hosting this yr’s Thanksgiving otherwise you’re a seasoned ‘hostess with the mostest,’ cooking the proper, golden brown turkey never fails to be a frightening task.
Not only do you could have to cook it at the proper temperature (that’s where good meat thermometers come into play) but you could have to make sure it feeds enough for your whole guests, has enough flavor and checks all of the boxes.
To aid you prepare for this yr’s holiday, we rounded up the 14 best places to order a Thanksgiving turkey online. A few of these shops include each frozen and pre-made options. Consider it as your fairy godmother of sorts — simply labeled ‘Thanksgiving meal kit.’
What’s more, we spoke with a culinary expert on all the things you want to learn about a turkey, including the proper oven temperature in your bird, the right way to prepare a frozen turkey, what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers and more.
Click to leap to the most effective places to order Thanksgiving turkey online:
What to search for in a turkey, per a culinary expert
While there are numerous various kinds of ways to arrange a turkey, there surprisingly isn’t much of a difference between your principal Thanksgiving dish.
“Usually, the overwhelming majority of turkeys are commodity products and there may be little variation in the way in which they’re raised,” Shawn Matijevich, lead chef of Online Culinary Arts & Food Operations on the Institute of Culinary Education told the Recent York Post. Matijevich can be a former five-year Navy chef who prepared Thanksgiving dinners for greater than 1,000 people.
“The farmers all have contracts with the distributers that lay out how they’re raised and the standards for the birds,” he adds. “Your run of the mill turkey could have a high meat to bone ratio and tender meat.”
How much Thanksgiving turkey to order per person
Surely, this can be a personal selection, but Matijevich provides an estimate as you prepare your Thanksgiving menu.
“A mean person can eat one pound of food in a setting like a Thanksgiving meal,” he says. “If you should have leftovers, you then should purchase an even bigger bird, but one pound of raw product per person is an excellent place to begin.”
What’s a heritage turkey?
Heritage turkeys are an interesting trend in the meanwhile, in keeping with Matijevich. Briefly, they’re breeds that retain among the original characteristics which have been bred out of contemporary, business breeds.
“Some chefs will let you know that they taste higher and are higher for you than business turkeys, but you could have to do not forget that there was a reason that some characteristics and traits were purposely bred out,” he notes. “Those birds take an extended time to get to market which implies they’re lots costlier. Additionally they have a lower meat to bone ratio and so they are much tougher usually.”
While heritage turkeys have more flavor, Matijevich recommends passing on preparing one for those who don’t have a full understanding of the right way to treat a much tougher bird.
What’s the difference between free-range turkey and organic turkey?
Ahead, Matijevich outlines the difference of this much-heard-about food market lingo:
- Free-range: Which means 51% of the turkey’s life has been spent ‘outdoors.’ It isn’t what most individuals imagine as outdoors either, the birds aren’t frolicking with other animals in a pasture, it means they live in a shed that’s packed to the brim with a whole bunch of other turkeys.
- Organic: Which means they’ve been fed a eating regimen without hormones or steroids. They’ve also been fed only organic feed.
How long does it take to thaw a frozen turkey?
If you could have a mean bird (15 to twenty kilos), Matijevich recommends having it within the refrigerator for one week before you intend to cook it.
For best results, buy a frozen turkey at the least every week prematurely of the day you intend on cooking it and to make sure it thaws appropriately.
“When you’re thawing within the refrigerator, remove the turkey from the package to let the surplus water evaporate off the skin,” he adds. “It’ll offer you crispier skin and an overall more flavorful bird.”
What should the oven temperature be for a turkey?
Uniquely, Matijevich uses two temperatures. “First, I preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and place the turkey in to cook until the skin begins to brown,” he begins. “Then I take it out and drop the temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and return the bird once the temperature drop happens.” This makes for a really juicy roast bird.
What kitchen tools to purchase for preparing your Thanksgiving turkey
You possibly can’t cook a bird without the right tools in your arsenal. In accordance with Matijevich, you wish an excellent meat thermometer.
“When you don’t wish to be surprised by an excellent dry or raw inside while you go to carve, get a thermometer,” he recommends. “The turkey is completed when the thermometer registers 161 degrees Fahrenheit when it’s placed within the thickest a part of the breast.”
Also, picking up an excellent roasting pan is essential. “It doesn’t should be expensive, it just needs to be sturdy – but avoid non-stick roasting pans,” he notes.
What’s the most effective Thanksgiving turkey flavor?
Ah, the golden cheat code we’re all dying to learn about. Here’s Matijevich’s secret recipe that he shared with The Post:
“I make a compound butter of rosemary, garlic, thyme, lemon zest, and orange zest to rub everywhere in the bird and under the skin,” he lists. “I stuff the cavity with rosemary and lemons.”
Crucial note, though, is to make use of the flavors you want. “I feel the flavour of the turkey by itself is superb and the gravy will do the remaining,” he adds.
The best way to make Thanksgiving stuffing
With Thanksgiving comes a slew of scrumptious sides, though Matijevich doesn’t recommend making stuffing inside the turkey.
“This adds an unnecessary level of complication to the method that causes the meat of the bird to overcook,” he notes. “You must cook the bird until each the stuffing and the meat come to 165 Fahrenheit since the stuffing soaked with raw turkey juice is definitely more dangerous than raw turkey by itself.”
That said, it will end in the meat being very overcooked by the point the stuffing inside is completed.
The best way to ensure a clean cooking space when preparing turkey
If there’s one big no-no in cooking your Thanksgiving turkey, it’s cross-contamination.
“Once the turkey is prepped and within the pan, clean your kitchen,” Matijevich says. “Use soap and water followed by a wipe down after which a bit of sanitizer over all of your surfaces and equipment.” And, after all, wash your hands often.
What to do with leftover Thanksgiving turkey
Above all else, Matijevich recommends using leftover Thanksgiving turkey and making a turkey pot pie. You can even make a turkey-leftovers grilled cheese.
Best Places to Order Thanksgiving Turkey Online
1. Harry & David
As probably the most acclaimed places to purchase a turkey online, Harry & David has a classic catalog of Thanksgiving turkeys to pick from. Namely, its Smoked Turkey ($110) is a crowd-pleaser, alongside the Oven-Roasted Turkey ($110) and Diestel Naturally Smoked Turkey ($120).
What’s more, the brand also has a Gourmet Turkey Feast ($250) up for grabs as well for those who’d wish to impress your guests with all of your favorite sides, too. For dessert, Harry & David even has a Belgian Milk Chocolate Turkey Centerpiece ($125) to kick your traditional bird up a notch for a sweet treat.
2. Webstaurant Store
Webstaurant Store not only has a set of popular kitchen cookware and gadgets, but it surely offers a ten to 14-pound All-Natural Whole Young Turkey ($48). It’s injected with turkey broth, salt and spices to offer an ultra-tender cut with a consistent juicy bite throughout the bird. For lower than $50, it’s price adding to your cart.
3. Burgers Smokehouse
Yes, you’ll be able to order a high quality Thanksgiving turkey on Amazon — and for that, we thank Jeff Bezos.
Burgers Smokehouse is a direct-to-consumer brand with its own Amazon storefront for you to arrange your Thanksgiving dinner. Notably, the Hickory Smoked Whole Turkey ($90) is an eight to 10-pound bird with nearly 200 positive rankings. One reviewer says it’s “higher than a fresh-killed turkey.”
4. Rastelli’s
Because the King of Meats and Poultry, Rastelli’s has it happening. Its Whole Turkey ($55) is certain to be successful, because of its locally raised origin on a small family farm in Northern California. It’s an all-natural bird, too, that boasts juicy and daring flavors.
Not to say, the Whole Turkey is an all-vegetarian feed mix with no fillers, growth stimulants or antibiotics.
5. D’Artagnan
D’Artagnan is a well-liked name for turkeys — and for an excellent reason. They’re available to buy online and are available a wealthy variety, from its Wild Turkey ($96) and Organic Bone-In Turkey Breast ($70) to its Truffle Turkey Breast ($60) and Heritage Turkey ($166).
Now, you’ll be able to pre-order select cuts or add some which can be available to your online shopping cart. It’s a standout brand for its widespread offerings and unique flavor blends.
6. Porter Road
What’s great about Porter Road is its simplistic approach to ordering a turkey online. You don’t should grow overwhelmed with a bounty of options — it only has a Whole Turkey online that may either feed as much as 15 guests ($156) or as much as 12 guests ($132).
This bird is selling out quickly, so we urge you so as to add the Whole Turkey to your online shopping cart to ensure this yr’s bird in your table. Plus, the offering is pasture-raised, grown without antibiotics or added hormones and can deliver by Nov. 19.
7. Omaha Steaks
You didn’t think Omaha Steaks offered greater than prime rib and filet mignon — but reassess. Not only are you able to order turkey but you’ll be able to grab curated Thanksgiving feasts that’ll help streamline your preparation.
From its Whole Basted Turkey ($100) to its Smoked Whole Turkey ($112), it has never been easier to pick by your flavor preference. You furthermore mght can’t go mistaken with its Thanksgiving Turkey Feast ($200) that features a 10-pound whole basted turkey, green bean casserole, steakhouse creamed corn, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, individual baguettes with garlic butter and caramel apple tartlets.
8. Goldbelly
Consider Goldbelly because the Bloomingdale’s of Turkey — an incredible hub for several highly rated birds, all at your fingertips.
We recommend looking into Uncle Ray’s Cajun Mild Deep Fried Turkey ($130) with an overall grade of 4.9 out of 5 stars that’ll fly to your door from Dallas. Also on the table is Logan Farms’ Hickory Smoked Turkey ($115), a nine-pound bird hailing from Jackson, Mississippi. If you should impress your guests with a singular bird, Goldbelly has all of them.
9. Crowd Cow
Make your Thanksgiving plans easier with Crowd Cow. The direct-to-consumer brand has a Pasture-Raised Whole Turkey that’s currently 27% off (now $110) and comes with a free oven mitt set. Plus, this open-pasture-raised bird is juicy, made without antibiotics or hormones and only incorporates two and a half grams of fat for each 4 ounces.
10. Perdue Farms
With a reputation like Perdue Farms, it’s going to be good. Namely, the grocery store-popular name offers its Whole Turkey (starting at $95) and its Easy Roast Turkey with Herbs (also starting at $95), the latter great to feast on a wealthy, seasonally crafted flavor mix.
Even higher, Perdue Farms splendidly outlines all the things you want to know for popping your principal event into the oven on Thanksgiving Day — including cooking time and preparation notes. It doesn’t recover than that.
11. iGourmet
On iGourmet, the Roots 657 Fully Cooked Smoked Turkey ($100) is one to look at for. Roots 657 is a café market positioned in Leesburg, Virginia and offers regionally curated products like house-made soups and award-winning smoked meats. Its turkey isn’t any different.
Seasoned with superb sea salt crystals and cracked black pepper, this offering can be all-natural and hormone-free.
12. Williams Sonoma
Ah, Williams Sonoma — the leading name in all things kitchen. It has a wealth of Thanksgiving food options to pick from, including its best-selling Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Pre-Brined Organic Turkey (starting at $173) and brand-new Willie Bird Mushroom & Herb Stuffed Free-Range Turkey Breast (starting at $90), the latter coming ready-to-slice.
Pro tip: add the All-Clad Quick Read Digital Thermometer ($50) and latest Plymouth Turkey Serving Platter ($80) to your cart as well.
13. Allen Brothers Steaks
As a hidden gem on the web, Allen Brothers Steaks has it happening within the turkey department. Its Heritage Black Turkey (starting at $128) is the star of the show and particularly great for seasoned chefs who wish to amp up the ante on their Thanksgiving meal.
Depending on which size you order, it feeds as much as 16 people. This turkey is sourced from the brand’s small family farm in North Carolina and was raised without antibiotics, hormones, growth stimulants and animal by-products.
14. Fossil Farms
For an all-natural turkey, Fossil Farms is one to look into. Its Turkey Whole Bird ($90) was raised in Pennsylvania in a free-roaming, cage-free environment after which processed in Northern Recent Jersey. It was also fed a vegetarian eating regimen of farm local rye, oats, alfalfa and soybean meal, making this a 100% all-natural bird freed from antibiotics, hormones and steroids.
Try the Recent York Post Shopping section for more content.
