Turkey Price Guide 2021

Since Thanksgiving is only three weeks away, I thought I would create this thread to track turkey prices at various grocery stores. Here’s what I have so far:

Aldi 89¢/lb for whole frozen Butterball turkey (no minimum purchase required)

Amazon Fresh 99¢/lb for whole frozen Butterball turkey (no minimum purchase required)

That’s all I’ve seen so far, but I’m sure we’ll see all the stores have their specials beginning next week.

Whole Foods for Amazon Prime Members this week sale (11/3 - 11/9)

Code: Select all

Animal Welfare Certified
365 by Whole Foods Market Frozen Whole Turkey*
Prime99¢/lb
Regular $1.49/lb
Valid 11/03 – 11/09

https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/sales- ... e-id=10170

Walmart Frozen Butterball Turkey is $0.98/lb

Jim-Bob wrote:Aldi 89¢/lb for whole frozen Butterball turkey (no minimum purchase required)

Aldi's Ad this week is for:
Butterball Whole Turkey
87¢ Per Lb. Limit 2
Valid: 11/3/2021 - 11/9/2021
https://www.aldi.us/en/weekly-specials/our-weekly-ads/

Last year I bought my frozen turkey on Thanksgiving morning. Got home, stripped off the plastic and put it in a preheated oven.

I think my luck may not be so good this year, so I am eating down the freezer to make room.

Regards,
CAthy2

Mod note: edited the header to reflect the current year.

Cathy,

"Last year I bought my frozen turkey on Thanksgiving morning.
Got home, stripped off the plastic and put it in a preheated oven.

This really flummoxed me; somehow, I assumed that a food forum would consist of people who understand fine cooking.

I assumed you microwaved the turkey. How long and how did that turkey turn out? Did the temperature bulb pop when the breast hit 185°F?

Tim,

Thank you for the insult, but I hope you will eat your words.

I have documented on LTH my adventures of cooking a turkey directly from the freezer. It was sparked by a comment made about someone learning you could roast a turkey directly from the freezer. I decided to try it out one day at 11 AM and had a roasted turkey on the table at 6 PM. My family wanted to know why we did not have any guests, because this was a 20-pound turkey. Frankly, I was not sure how it would work out and did not want people giving me the stink eye waiting impatiently for dinner.

If you go to your grocery store, you will find an oven ready turkey in a bag for several dollars a pound. I have not bought one, though I suspect the giblets and neck might be packed separately. Convenient, but not worth the upcharge.

My 49 cent a pound wonder turkey went into a 325 degree oven. After about two hours roasting, I was able to remove the giblet bag. After about three hours, I was able to remove the neck. I took this opportunity to remove as much ice from the cavity, too. After another 2.5 to 3 hours, the turkey had reached the proper serving temperature.

My niece did not believe this would work, either. Yet, she found the turkey perfectly cooked last Thanksgiving. I recently learned, she has now made turkey fresh from the freezer at least once and found it worked well, too. An indirect bonus is not having to work around a defrosting bird in your refrigerator and now a roast turkey can be an impulsive inspiration.

Part of my motivation was having moved and no longer had a large all-refrigerator. I no longer had enclosed porches to keep my turkey in a brine overnight. I could put it in the garage, but walking a 20 pound turkey in 16-20 pounds of brine is just not great on my back.

Unfortunately, those Butterball answer ladies will instruct someone on Thanksgiving morning to run water continuously over the bird for hours. I suggest you just get it in the oven now!

Regards,
Cathy2

I just found out Popeyes (yes the fast food chain) has a whole Cajun Turkey that is preseasoned and frozen and you bake it at home available for Thanksgiving preorders for $39.99.

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken is bringing back its “fan favorite Thanksgiving staple” ahead of the holiday.

The fast-food New Orleans-style chicken chain confirmed to USA TODAY that it will start taking preorders of its Cajun Style Turkeys on Oct. 18 at participating restaurants nationwide. Customers will need to call or visit their local restaurants to reserve a bird, while supplies last.

Prices vary by location since many restaurants are owned by franchises. Last year, the turkey cost $39.99 at many locations.

Popeyes said its turkey is hand-rubbed and infused with “zesty Louisiana-style seasonings” and comes precooked. The turkeys need to be rethawed before reheating.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/fo ... 010938001/

Cathy2 wrote:I have documented on LTH my adventures of cooking a turkey directly from the freezer. It was sparked by a comment made about someone learning you could roast a turkey directly from the freezer.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Cathy,

I would be happy to eat my words!

I now have a better perspective of LTH Forum objectives.

I beg your understanding; forgive me.

Tim

USDA
“ If your turkey is still icy on Thanksgiving morning, don’t panic! It is perfectly safe to cook a turkey from the frozen state; it will just take longer to cook. A solidly frozen turkey will take at least 50 percent longer to cook than a thawed turkey. If your turkey is only partially frozen, remember that it will take a bit longer to cook. Use your food thermometer, and when your bird measures 165˚F in the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing and the thickest part of the breast, it is ready.”

That said, my turkey will have never been frozen, but raised locally and processed by a farmer I have known for 40 years.
I won’t go into a critique of a ‘Butterball’ or similar enhanced turkey but just to say I prefer my tradition.
-Richard

Bud...

We also use local growers, but are now seeking a reliable source for "air chilled turkeys". If your local grower actually air chills, I would love to support that farm.

As far as cooking, we have adapted Judy Roger's Zuni Cafe method for dry aging turkey with great success. It is much easier than wet aging and is very easy to lift the skin and insert herb butter.

Spatchcocking and draping over a rib rack elevates the bird for faster cooking. 12 pound birds take less than 90 minutes at 450°F. Spatchcocking or rotating also provides 160°F breast with 175°F in the thigh.

Tim wrote:Cathy,

I would be happy to eat my words!

I now have a better perspective of LTH Forum objectives.

I beg your understanding; forgive me.

Tim

I try hard not to be a food snob, so it is open to every level. You always learn something from unexpected places. I do not want to shut down that opportunity.

Regards,
Cathy2

I have two local sources, one of which only raises a very limited number for close friends only. I suspect he does it just out of habit.
He uses horse troughs with well water to cool his poultry.
The other source uses a commercial operation for processing in Beloit. I would assume, it’s not air chilled.

http://www.oldgloryfarmwisconsin.com/

I don’t think you are going to find a local source that you can actually visit who uses air chilling and I’m not sure it’s even important at this level.
-Richard

Bud,
Wow! We will visit the next time we are in Wisconsin. Not only a wonderful source but a walk down memory lane for me. I grew up in Burlington, with grandparents in Elkhorn and friends and relatives in almost every city they mentioned. We never missed the Walworth County Fair.

When I lived in Evanston we went to Wisconsin to try wonderful restaurants from New Glarus to Heaven on the Hill (a former bordello).

Thank you for the information and wonderful memories.

Tim

Meijer has their brand of frozen turkey for 33¢/lb starting tomorrow.

From a visit to Trader Joe's yesterday, their turkeys will arrive in five days or by Friday. No idea yet on price.

Trader Joes Fresh Turkey Prices:
Brined and salt injected @ $1.99/Lb. Why pay $1.99 for water and salt
Kosher @2.99/Lb. Also Salted
Organic free-range @ $3.49/Lb. No salt and a serious bargain.

The problem with injected and kosher turkeys in the gravy or stock. Reduce it for more flavor and it becomes very salty. You get a better quality bird with out brine or koshering. Season your turkey to your taste.

Even better, dry brine your turkey; much easier than wet brining.

Old Glory Farm is just south of East Troy and north of Alpine Valley. The most profitable site in the 1960's and 1970's for my family. I foraged for morels there for over a dozen years as a youth.

Next weeks Jewel Ad 11/10 - 11/16:
*Jennie-O frozen whole turkey $0.49/lb with $25 purchase
*ButterBall frozen whole turkey $0.99/lb

polster wrote:Next weeks Jewel Ad 11/10 - 11/16:
*Jennie-O frozen whole turkey $0.49/lb with $25 purchase
*ButterBall frozen whole turkey $0.99/lb

Also in tomorrow's Jewel ad = Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix - $.05 - Just for U - limit of two.

Mariano’s = frozen Butterball = $.88/lb + $25 separate purchase.
Aldi - frozen Butterball = 87¢ Per Lb.

Has anyone noticed what Costco is offering with turkey options this year & the prices?

My husband was there last week and forgot to check.

Last couple years, we've been partial to the Jennie-O 'Freezer-to-Oven' turkey, and have had moist, juicy results. This year before Thanksgiving, they were nowhere to be found at Jewel, Mariano, Woodman or Target. I thought maybe they had been discontinued.

So imagine my surprise on Sunday at my local Jewel to see plenty of them in the freezer kiosk on sale at $19.99 for a 12-pound bird. Not super cheap but we can garner a lot of meals out of that turkey for twenty bucks. Bought one and trying to make freezer space for another.