Click here to check out the 2016 Best Turkey Deals in Michigan guide
Welcome to the 6th annual Eat Like No One Else guide to buying turkeys here in the Wolverine state.
The grocery landscape in Michigan has changed a bit this year. Hiller's is no more, now under the ownership of Kroger. Two new chain stores have entered the state ready to make a big impression - Lucky's Market with a store in Ann Arbor, and Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market with 4 locations in East Lansing, Northville, Troy, and Rochester Hills.
The current cheapest price in the state of Michigan - Meijer with their Meijer brand frozen turkey for 52 cents per pound. Every year Meijer has offered the cheapest price.
How Can Stores Make Turkeys So Cheap
There is a reason why you must make $20 purchases besides the turkey to get the deal. Meijer isn't making any money off the turkeys, in fact I would bet they are losing money on the deal. But the price is so good it attracts people to the store and gets them to buy more while they are there.
The Turkeys I Recommend
If you just want the cheapest turkey money can buy then fill no shame about heading to Meijer and getting their store brand turkey. I have bought their turkeys before and have made a delicious meal with them. If you are looking for something a little bit, skip the big chain stores and visit one of the smaller chains or specialty stores. I would recommend checking out Lucky's Market in Ann Arbor. They have 2 turkeys under $2 per pound (Amish Country All-Natural Fresh Turkey $1.39/lb and Plainville Antibotic-Free Fresh Turkey $1.99/lb). I think that is a nice setup in quality without going overboard with the cost. You can find organic and kosher options at Whole Foods Market.
Make sure when you are done reading the guide to check out some of these other Thanksgiving-related posts: What is a Self-Basted Turkey?, What is an Organic Turkey?,Essential Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools, Pop-Up Timers, Pumpkin Recipes.
Whole Foods Market
Two locations in Ann Arbor, as well as stores in Troy, Rochester Hills, Midtown Detroit and West Bloomfield.
Nature’s Rancher Fresh Turkey $2.49/lb
Organic Turkey $3.99/lb
Valerie’s Family Organic Brined Whole Turkey $2.49/lb
Kosher Valley Kosher Turkey $3.99/lb
Bone-in Turkey Breast $4.99/lb
Boneless Turkey Breast $6.99/lb
Organic Bone-In Turkey Breast $6.99/lb
Please note the Detroit store has these price differences
Nature’s Rancher Fresh Turkey $1.99/lb
Organic Turkey $2.99/lb
The Produce Station
Ann Arbor
Michigan-Raised Tom Otto’s Farm (Middleville, Michigan) White Broad-Breasted Fresh. Otto turkeys are hormone and antibiotic-free! Call (734) 663-7010 to place your order.
Meijer
Various locations throughout the state. Prices may be slightly different in each store, check your store to be sure.
For the 2nd year in a row Meijer is offering 50& off all frozen or fresh turkeys with an additional $20 purchase.
Here are some example prices with the 50% off:
Meijer Frozen Turkey $.52/lb
Meijer Fresh Turkey $1.49/lb
Sam's Club & Costo
Prices coming Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Arbor Farms
Ann Arbor
1) Michigan Fresh Turkey, Pasture-raised | $4.29/lb.
From the Circle B Turkey Farm in the northwestern Michigan community of Mancelona, where Jim Biehl and family have been raising turkeys for over 50 years. The birds are allowed to graze the pasture during daylight hours; as night falls they are chased back into the brooder barns for safety. The turkeys have ample room to run and exercise, dine on bugs and grasshoppers, and roost under beautiful shade trees as nature intended. Their forage diet is supplemented with a non-GMO, all-vegetarian feed. No growth hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products are used in the feed. Artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are never used on the farm. Our Michigan turkeys are grazing on bugs and grasses and roaming freely, giving them an unmatched texture and flavor. Order early, we will sell out!
2) Peacock Fresh Amish Country Turkey | $2.99/lb.
This is the same quality turkey that we’ve been enjoying for over 25 years: natural (no preservatives or additives), minimally-processed without growth hormones, and fresh from farms in the Midwest.
3) Mary’s Organic Turkey | $4.99/lb.
Certified USDA organic and fed a vegetarian-based diet of organic grains. Growth hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products are never used. Humanely-raised “free-range” on a certified organic farm in California
Trader Joe's
Ann Arbor, Northville, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Rochester Hills, Grand Rapids, and Gross Pointe
Trader Joe's All Natural, Brined, Fresh Young Turkeys (12-22 pound birds) for $1.99 per pound
Glatt Kosher, All Natural, Fresh Young Turkeys (12-16 pound birds) for $2.49 per pound.
Country Market
Jackson, Chelsea, Brooklyn, Adrian, and Dexter
Butterball Frozen Turkey $1.59/pound
Honeysuckle White Frozen Turkey $1.49/pound
Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Market
Clinton Township and Shelby Township
They are taking orders for turkeys, call the store to order - Clinton Township (586) 263-7870 and Shelby Township (586) 786-9230
Busch’s
Ann Arbor, Saline, Clinton, Tecumseh, Dexter, Pinckney, South Lyon, Plymouth/Northville, Carleton, Livonia, Novi, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, and Rochester Hills.
Northern Pride Frozen Turkey 59¢ Per Pound (with an additional $35 Purchase. Limit 1)
Timber Valley Fresh Amish Turkeys $1.89/pound (starting November 18th)
Weekend Only Sale on Frozen Butterball or Honeysuckle turkeys for $.99/lb
Plumb’s
Locations in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, Newaygo, N. Muskegon, and Whitehall.
Spartan brand Frozen Turkeys for $.99/lb with additional $25 purchase
Giada’s Cranberry-Orange Glazed Turkey
Kroger
Various locations throughout the state. Prices may be slightly different in each store, check your store to be sure.
The former Hiller stores that Kroger took over may have a different selection. I will update you when I have checked my local one.
Kroger Frozen Turkey $.59/lb, down $.20/lb from last year (Limit 1 with additional $10 purchase)
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
Locations in East Lansing, Troy, Rochester Hills, and Northville
Call store to order your turkey.
Lucky's Market
Ann Arbor
Amish Country All-Natural Fresh Turkey $1.39/lb
Plainville Antibotic-Free Fresh Turkey $1.99/lb
Mary's Organic Free Range Turkey $3.49/lb
Tom’s Food Market, Family Fare, and Olesons
Locations in Northern Michigan.
Half off Spartan brand turkeys
Joe's Produce
Livonia
Amish Country Turkey $2.49/lb
Amish Country Turkey Breast $2.99/lb
Bell & Evans Turkey $3.69/lb
Plainville Turkey $3.69/lb
Otto's Turkey $4.49/lb
Holiday Market
Royal Oak
Free Range Grade A All Natural Fresh Turkey $2.69/lb
Holiday Market
Canton
Frozen Honeysuckle Turkey Breast $1.99/lb
Village Market
Elk Rapids, Central Lake, and Rapid City
Spartan Frozen Turkey (8 to 15.99 lb) $10 off
Spartan Frozen Turkey (16 lb and up) $17 off
I love this guide, I come here every year for it. I didn't see Costco on the list, last year they carried deistel turkeys. I wonder if they are doing the same this year.
I did see that Costco and SAMs is forthcoming........