Buying the right turkey can mean the difference between a good Thanksgiving and a legendary Thanksgiving. And while you can’t go wrong with any of our birds, shopping for a specific size or certification can be tricky. Rest assured, we’re here to help simplify the process. Below, learn more about our birds, plus get expert buying and storing tips.
Psst! Get a 365 by Whole Foods Market Frozen Whole Turkey ($1.49 lb with Prime) or 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Frozen Whole Turkey ($2.99 lb with Prime) while supplies last.*
Order online and schedule a time for pickup in store. Menu and location availability may vary. While supplies last.
What Makes Our Turkeys Different?
Whether classic or kosher, heirloom or organic, all of the fresh and frozen turkeys we sell meet our Quality Standards. All of the birds in our Meat department are Animal Welfare Certified (except kosher turkey) and meet over 100 animal welfare standards. And, like all meat and poultry in the department, the animals must be raised with no antibiotics ever and no animal by-products in feed.What Types of Turkey Do We Offer?
So, fresh or frozen? Organic or heirloom? Here’s what you need to know about our turkey selection when shopping our Meat department. Kosher, heirloom and heritage birds may not be available in all locations, so be sure to contact your store ahead of time.
Essential Birds
These essential whole turkeys are always crowd-pleasers. Packed with flavor and wallet-friendly, you can’t go wrong.
Classic Turkeys: These tasty, tender turkeys are a great choice for value, quality and flavor.
Organic Turkeys: These birds receive organic, non-GMO feed and have specific requirements for the amount of access to the outdoors.
Leveled-Up Birds
If you’re looking to try something different this year, don’t miss our assortment of unique, special birds. Make sure to check your local store for assortment.
Regeneratively Raised Turkeys: Tender, juicy, full-flavored turkey that was raised within a holistic regenerative program, using agricultural practices like rotational grazing, that support soil health and biodiversity.
Heritage Turkeys: These unique, old-world birds are leaner with a smaller meat-to-bone ratio and can be very flavorful.
Heirloom Turkeys: A little bigger than heritage turkeys, this special variety has robust flavor and a lot of dark meat.
Brined Turkeys: We’ve marinated these birds in a seasoned brine for moist, flavorful meat. If you’re planning to fry your turkey, start with one of our brined birds.
Kosher Turkeys: Rubbed with kosher salt inside and out, kosher birds are checked by specially trained rabbinical inspectors to make sure they’re processed in accordance with kosher standards. The kosher salt preseasons the bird and gives it extra flavor.
Turkey Breasts: Feeding a smaller group? Our classic and organic turkey breasts (no antibiotics ever) are easy to brine and take less time to prepare than a whole turkey. We offer bone-in, organic bone-in and boneless options.
All fresh and frozen turkeys from our Meat department must meet our standards for being raised with no antibiotics ever, no animal by-products in feed and 100+ animal welfare standards. Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising turkeys.
How Much Turkey Do You Need?
When buying your turkey, go for more than what you really need (because who doesn’t love turkey leftovers?). Even so, consider the size of your fridge and oven before coming home with a huge bird. Here’s how to plan your order based on the number of people you’re feeding.
Turkey Size | Serves |
|---|---|
8–10 pounds (bone-in breast) | 4 people |
12–14 pounds | 6 people |
20–24 pounds | 12 people |
Rule of thumb: 2 pounds of turkey per person, but start with 8 to 10 pounds for 4 people.
How to Store Your Turkey
Whether you’ve picked up your turkey from our stores or you’re having it delivered, it’s important to store your bird properly before cooking. Follow these tips for success.
Fresh Turkeys
Our fresh turkeys are kept in a deep chill to maintain a crust of ice on the surface. This ensures that you can safely store your bird at home until you’re ready to cook. Keep your turkey deep-chilled (35°F) in the coldest spot in your fridge, turned down as low as possible, or store in a secondary fridge. The ice will easily melt over time, but be sure to check your bird the day before Thanksgiving. If it looks a bit crisp, place under cool running water to ensure it’s perfect by your feast.
Frozen Turkeys
Store frozen birds in your freezer (ideally in a secondary freezer if you have one) until you’re ready to thaw. Depending on how much time you have, you can thaw your turkey in your refrigerator or by submerging it in cold water.
How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey
If you do choose one of our frozen birds, make sure to leave plenty of time for thawing. Use this handy chart to plan ahead.
Turkey Size | Days in Fridge | Hours in Cold Water |
|---|---|---|
14 pounds | 3 | 7 |
20 pounds | 4 | 10 |
We recommend thawing your turkey one of two ways:
Most Reliable Way: Put a tray or pan underneath the bird (in its packaging) to catch drips and place it in the refrigerator on the lowest shelf for 1 full day for every 5 pounds of turkey.
Fastest Way: Short on time or fridge space? This is your best option. Make sure the turkey is sealed in a leakproof wrapper and place it in a vessel large enough to completely contain it. Add cold water to cover. Change the water every 30 minutes and allow 30 minutes of thawing time per pound.
Need to stock up on turkey essentials like spices, fresh herbs and more? You can shop holiday groceries for pickup or delivery opens in a new tab with Prime.**
For plenty of inspiration, check out our Turkey Recipe Collection for menu ideas and our Essential Turkey Cooking Tips for expert pointers.
Supplier Spotlight: Diestel Family Ranch
We care deeply about animal welfare, including how our turkeys are raised. That’s why we’ve built strong relationships with our suppliers and know them personally.
The Diestel Family Ranch has been in the family for over 70 years and a Whole Foods Market supplier since 1989. Tim and Joan Diestel were early adopters of organic poultry production and have since invested in regenerative farming practices. Diestel Family Ranch turkeys raised with regenerative farming practices are juicy and tender. The birds were raised with rotational grazing, foraging through pastures to support soil health.
*Valid while supplies last. No rain checks except where required by law. Limitations: Frozen Whole Turkey excludes organic, fresh, kosher, pasture-raised, heritage-breed, heirloom-breed, marinated and cooked. Organic Frozen Whole Turkey excludes fresh, kosher, pasture-raised, heritage-breed, heirloom-breed, marinated and cooked.
**Delivery available for Prime members at $9.95 and non-Prime members at $13.95 in select ZIP codes. Pickup offer varies by location. Some stores may not have dedicated parking spots and require entering the store for pickup. Your Amazon app will let you know upon check-in.
