Get the lowdown on what the price of a turkey is this year at a Costco near you. We got everything you need to know and all of your questions answered.
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Thanksgiving is finally upon us. With the year most of us have probably endured, it's hard to believe we have made it this far. Or that is has only bene a year since last Thanksgiving!
Not much has changed with buying turkey at Costco this year. This was the first year I have seen signs limiting the number of turkeys you could buy. The limit is 5, I doubt that is a problem for most of us.
Let's take a look at what they got.
? Turkey Prices
Here are the prices for the 2020 Thanksgiving season. The prices are the same as in previous years:
| Fresh Whole Turkey (Butterball or other) | $.99/lb |
| Fresh Organic Turkey | $2.99/lb |
| Whole Smoked Turkey | $2.99/lb |
Selection does vary based on the Costco you are in. I have shopped at Costco around Thanksgiving for several years at stores in Michigan, Ohio, and California. What I see in every store is a fresh whole turkey, an organic whole turkey, and a smoked whole turkey. The fresh one is nearly always Butterball but have seen Honeysuckle White before.
The organic turkey has been Foster Farms, Plainville Farms, or Norbest.
The smoked turkey is a Kirkland brand. They are smoked for 4 to 6 hours using hickory.
Learn the Best Way to Reheat a Smoked Turkey
The store I went to near Palm Springs, California had these additional turkeys.
| Just Cook Citrus Herb Spatchcock Turkey | $3.89/lb |
| Diestel Oven Roasted Cooked Whole Turkey | $5.29/lb |
This was the first time I have seen an already cooked whole turkey (besides smoked) at Costco. I always spatchcock myself using Alton Brown's technique. But if that is too intimidating for you, Costco is offering one already prepared just need to throw it in the oven. If you do go this way, I still suggest still following Alton's method for time and temperature.
Diestel turkeys are from California and usually not found in the Midwest and eastern stores. It was my first time seeing them this year while in California. This one was an oven roasted organic turkey.
? Price by Size
Here is a table with what you would pay by size.
| Size | Butterball or Honeysuckle White ($.99/lb) | Organic or Smoked Turkey ($2.99lb) |
| 10 | $9.90 | $29.90 |
| 11 | $10.89 | $32.89 |
| 12 | $11.88 | $35.88 |
| 13 | $12.87 | $38.87 |
| 14 | $13.86 | $41.86 |
| 15 | $14.85 | $44.85 |
| 16 | $15.84 | $47.84 |
| 17 | $16.83 | $50.83 |
| 18 | $17.82 | $53.82 |
| 19 | $18.81 | $56.81 |
| 20 | $19.80 | $59.80 |
| 21 | $20.79 | $62.79 |
| 22 | $21.78 | $65.78 |
| 23 | $22.77 | $68.77 |
? How Early Can You Buy?
As soon as the turkeys are in the store you can buy them. The fresh ones won't go bad before the meal. I have never seen one at Costco that had a sell by date that was before Thanksgiving.
? Shopping List
Want some help with your Thanksgiving shopping at Costco? We have created a guide that you can purchase.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Let me answer some of the most frequent questions I get about turkey at Costco.
Do They Sell Frozen Turkeys?
No, all the turkeys are fresh.
RELATED - Fresh vs. Frozen Turkeys
When Do They Start Selling Turkeys?
You should be able to find them at the latest, the Monday that is the week before the week of Thanksgiving. Peak selection being on the Friday before Thanksgiving.
Will They Go on Sale?
The price stays the same through Thanksgiving. You might be able to see them cheaper afterward but that is not guaranteed. People have reported them being $5 off for a hen size and $15 for a tom size turkey in years past.
Do They Sell Turkey Legs?
No, I haven't see any kind of turkey legs at Costco in recent years or this year.
Which is the Best Tasting?
I think this comes down to how you season it and cook it yourself the most. But if you start with an organic turkey you will probably have a better tasting bird in the end. Will you be able to really tell the difference that much? That's the real question.
Can You Order a Turkey?
Depending on the market you live in, you may be able to get same day delivery on turkey. and other Thanksgiving ingredients. You will need to check their website. I did notice that the prices listed ae higher than what I saw in the store, like $1.16/lb for a fresh turkey instead of $.99/lb.
You also can look into using a service like Instacart. Keep in mind all these services will probably be used to their max this year, so don't hesitate if you want to use one.
?? How Are You Going to Cook Your Turkey?
Every year I like to cook a turkey that is dry brined and butterflied or spatchcocked. I follow Alton Brown's method. This makes all the hard work of preparing the turkey done the Sunday before.
A fresh turkey from Costco makes it easier. I have tried to butterflied a turkey that was frozen a bit in the middle still and my hands can't take that kind of cold!
As a Thanksgiving bonus, I wanted to share with you my favorite tools that will make your Thanksgiving easier.
- Probe thermometer - Stick the probe in your turkey and take the guess work out of when it's done. Perfectly cooked turkey every year.
- Roasting Pan with Rack - For cooking the turkey in and finishing the gravy in
- Electric Knife - For carving the turkey, also good to slice bread
- Ricer - My secret to fluffy mashed potatoes
- Heating Pad - Can be used to keep food warm, especially good to wrap rolls or bread in
- Coffee Cup warmer - To keep the gravy warm
? More About Turkey You'll Want to Read
- How to Dry Brine and Butterfly a Turkey
- Which is Better - Fresh or Frozen Turkey
- How to Cook a Turkey in the Instant Pot
- How to Thaw and Brine a Turkey at the Same Time
Are you finding different turkeys in your store or different prices? Let us know what your store has by leaving a comment below. Thanks! Also feel free to ask any question you have.
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