Thanksgiving Turkey Guide 2024: Savings, Selection, and Flavor Insights

With a few weeks until Thanksgiving, it’s time to start planning your turkey purchase. If you’re buying fresh from a local retailer, placing your order now ensures you’ll have the perfect bird for your feast. Turkey’s availability should be plentiful this year, making the selection process more accessible than in recent years.

The American Farm Bureau Federation anticipates a 10% decrease in turkey prices this year, dropping from $1.27 per pound in 2023 to $1.10 in 2024. This decline is due to a 2-3% increase in turkey flocks this past summer. Transport costs have also eased, with refrigerated truck rates down to $3.30 per mile (from last year’s $3.80), thanks to an expanded fleet and lower fuel expenses.

Frozen turkeys need three to four days in the fridge to thaw safely, so plan to purchase at least five days before Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 28. Fresh turkeys, however, can only be refrigerated for two days before cooking.

Below are some expert turkey tips from Janet Rausa Fuller at Epicurious to make your holiday meal a hit:

Fresh vs. Frozen Turkey

Both fresh and frozen turkeys are delicious but require different preparation times. Frozen turkeys are flash-frozen to 0°F or lower, preserving them safely until thawed. On the other hand, fresh turkeys are kept cold just above freezing (around 26°F) but never frozen solid.

Only turkeys that have never been below 26°F can be labeled “fresh.” If a turkey has ever been frozen, it remains in the “frozen” category.

Understanding Turkey Types: Pastured and Heritage

Farmers’ markets often offer pastured or heritage turkeys, which bring unique flavors:

• Heritage Turkeys: These traditional breeds often have more leg and thigh meat and offer a richer, slightly wild taste.
• Pastured Turkeys: Raised outdoors, pastured turkeys are thought to have better flavor due to their natural diet and exercise.

Both types are usually leaner, so use butter under the skin or “barding” with bacon on top for extra moisture during roasting.

Kosher, Organic, Range-Free, and Hormone-Free Options

• Kosher Turkeys: Processed under rabbinical supervision, these turkeys come pre-brined, reducing the risk of dryness.
• Organic Turkeys: USDA-certified organic turkeys are raised on pesticide-free feed with outdoor access.
• Range-Free: Turkeys labeled range-free have “access to the outside,” though time spent outdoors varies.
• Hormones and Antibiotics: Hormone use is illegal for turkeys, and for additional peace of mind, look for “antibiotic-free” or “raised without antibiotics” labels.

Selecting your Thanksgiving turkey—whether fresh or frozen, kosher or organic, heritage or pastured—ensures a memorable meal in taste and tradition. Let your choice reflect your values and the joy of gathering.

Here’s to a Thanksgiving feast as warm and wonderful as the company you keep. Happy cooking and even happier feasting!