While fresh turkeys offer a delicious way to support a local farmer (and provide a sigh of relief for last-minute shoppers), many Americans opt to buy frozen turkeys.

Though 2023 was a good year for buying turkey (prices were down 22 percent compared to 2022), it's typically still more budget-friendly to buy a frozen turkey rather than a fresh one.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends using a fresh turkey from the supermarket by the best-by or use-by date on the label; and, if there isn’t a best-by date, within one to two days of ...

Meanwhile, a turkey with the “fresh” label “has never been chilled below 26 degrees Fahrenheit.” The main difference between the two turkeys is when you buy them.

Farm fresh local free-range turkey on sale at Rob Rattray butcher shop in Aberystwyth, Wales, U.K. Keith Morris/Alamy It's definitely worth strategizing when to buy a fresh turkey, especially ...

MIRROR IMAGE FARMS • Where: 2365 River Road, Bainbridge. • What: Chemical-free, non-GMO broad-breasted white turkeys raised on pasture. Twenty turkeys left at the time of writing; call 717-522 ...

Turkeys are priced at $8.50 per pound and vary in size between 15 to 30 pounds. The shop receives the birds fresh on Monday evening. Customers can schedule pickup between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on ...

A Thanksgiving turkey is a big purchase—or at least, it’s a big bird with big dreams riding on it. Even if you know how much turkey to buy (two pounds per guest to ensure leftovers, and/or two ...

Pros of fresh turkey. It doesn’t require thawing, so you can buy it on the day of your feast. It’s easier to control the moisture content so you get a crisp-skinned, juicy turkey. Cons of ...