When's the best time to buy a Thanksgiving turkey? I know this is about buying, not cooking, but gathering your ingredients is the first step, and right now this is the one worrying me most.

I'll be cooking the Thanksgiving bird this year, due to my wife's work schedule. I know that in the past she's had issues with getting to the store after the entire selection is picked over, and having trouble finding any left that are the right size.

The tempting thing to do is just go buy one now and stick it in the freezer, but this early I'd worry about it getting frostburn in the intervening month.

So when is the best time to go pick out a turkey?
It all depends what you want:


Best quality: Fresh, organic, heritage turkey. Order now, pick up maximum 1 week beforehand
Good quality, reasonable price: Frozen organic turkey. Buy now
Good quality, normal price: Fresh turkey. Order now, pick up maximum 1 week beforehand
OK price: Frozen turkey. Buy now
Best price: Buy a large chicken and tell everyone it's a small turkey!  :-)


When buying fresh, store in the coolest part of the fridge.