Thanksgiving Turkey FAQ
Thanksgiving Turkey FAQ
Product FAQ:
Each retailer organizes their Thanksgiving Preorders differently so we recommend calling them directly or visiting their website to find out how to reserve your Ferndale Market Thanksgiving turkey. Find your closest retailer with our online locator.
We only have fresh whole turkeys at our on-farm store the week leading up to Thanksgiving. However, we always have frozen whole turkeys available, in a wide range of sizes, available.
We offer a variety of food service and bulk turkey options to stores, restaurants, schools, corporate dining, and further processing. Learn more about purchasing wholesale turkey products and feel free to contact us to explore how we can fit your needs. Our bulk turkey products are available by the case to retail customers year-round at our on-farm store in Cannon Falls, MN.
You can easily find Ferndale Market’s fresh turkeys close to you by using our Ferndale Market Thanksgiving Turkey Locator. We raise a special flock that will be our fresh, free-range Thanksgiving turkeys and these birds have never been frozen. Because of that, our deep-chill fresh turkeys arrive at the store only days before your holiday meal. Our turkey locator will help you find the stores that sell our fresh and frozen Thanksgiving turkeys near you. Call your nearest location directly to see how you can reserve your fresh turkey, as each location organizes their reservations differently.
Fresh Turkey Reservation FAQ:
We open fresh turkey reservations on our website in October. If you’re not already signed up for our newsletter, we encourage you to do so here. You’ll be notified when reservations are live, as well as receive other fun updates from our farm and market.
Please respond to your confirmation email or give us a call at 507-263-4556 ext 1 and we’ll be happy to help you.
Order Thanksgiving Turkey for Delivery
Yes! We ship whole Thanksgiving turkey directly to you. You can shop our online store and add items to your Thanksgiving order to be shipped. If you order a whole turkey, shipping is included. At checkout, you’ll be able to let us know if this order is for Thanksgiving and, if it is, you can select your preferred shipping date.
The best time to buy your Thanksgiving turkey depends on how you will be getting it (picking it up in person versus having it shipped to you), how you will be preparing it, and when your meal is. You can check out our cooking instructions to get an idea on how much time you’ll need to prepare your turkey. Then you’ll want to decide how to order. You can order in two different ways:
If you place an order for delivery, you can choose a shipping date at checkout. If you choose to make a reservation for pickup at our on-farm market in Cannon Falls, MN, you can select the pick up date that works best for you.
General Turkey FAQ:
Fresh turkeys should be cooked by the Sunday following Thanksgiving. Alternatively, you can freeze them by Sunday.
We recommend 1 to 1.5 pounds per person (1.5 should ensure leftovers).
Yes, each whole turkey includes a bag of giblets (including a heart, liver, and gizzard) and a neck, which you’ll find in the neck cavity.
Preparation FAQ:
Brining a turkey is an easy way to achieve moist, flavorful meat. The basic wet brine recipe is one cup of coarse kosher salt to one gallon of water, making enough to submerge the bird. You can add herbs, fruits, and seasonings to your brine for flavor.
Place your turkey and brine solution in a large container. Cover and refrigerate it for 12-24 hours based on the size turkey you are brining. Smaller turkeys need less time to absorb the brine mixture. After brining, remove your turkey from the brine and pat it dry before cooking.
How long does it take to thaw a turkey? It varies based on size and thawing method.
When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, allow approximately 24 hours per 3 to 4 pounds of turkey:
- 10 to 16 pounds: 3 to 4 days
- 16 to 22 pounds: 4 to 6 days
- 22+ pounds: 6+ days
For faster thawing, you can use a water bath. Submerge the turkey (sealed in a leak-proof bag) in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. This will allow you to thaw one pound every 30 minutes or so.
Always cook the turkey immediately after thawing if using the cold-water method.
If you would prefer to avoid the thawing process, we offer fresh turkeys during the Thanksgiving season. You can find one at a store near you or reserve one at our on-farm market. Reservations open in October every year. Sign-up for our newsletter to stay up to date on Thanksgiving turkey reservations and more.
No, Ferndale Market turkeys are not brined or basted. They do not contain any added salt, water, or fillers of any kind so they are perfect to bring. We don’t add any competing flavors to your holiday traditions, just 100% turkey.
Cooking Turkey FAQ:
On average, it takes about 14 minutes to cook one pound of turkey. Looking for more detailed instructions on cooking a turkey? Check out our recommendations for preparing turkey with a slow cooker, grill, or deep fryer. We also recommend our chef-crafted butter and herb roasted turkey recipe.
No matter how you prepare your turkey, always verify doneness by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F measured at the thickest part of the thigh.
Check out Chef Donald Selmer’s recipe for a succulent Butter & Herb Roasted Turkey. The fresh herbs add amazing flavor to the rich, buttered turkey.
We recommend caution when stuffing your holiday turkey. The density of the stuffing can cause the inside of the turkey to remain under-cooked while the outside becomes overdone and dries out. We suggest using the flavorful drippings from your cooked bird to season your stuffing before cooking it in a separate pan.
For tips and advice on carving a turkey, visit our page on Cooking Turkey.
Fresh turkeys tend to cook faster than frozen turkeys. Make sure to keep an eye on the bird’s internal temperature so as to not overcook.
Yes, the hock lock is oven safe.
Our smoked products are fully cooked so preparing them is quick and easy! Here are two great heating methods for heating up large items, like our whole smoked turkey:
Using your crockpot:
- Place your crockpot on LOW and cover the bottom with water or broth.
- Carve your smoked turkey and place the pieces into the crockpot.
- Apply the lid and cook until warmed throughout (around 45 minutes).
Using your stove:
- Fill the bottom of a broiler tray with water and place the broiler rack on top.
- Place your smoked turkey on the broiler try rack and tent securely with tin foil.
- Place the trayed smoked turkey in the middle of a 350° F oven and cook for about 1.5 – 2 hours (or until a meat thermometer reaches about 140° F in the center of the breast).
- Remove the turkey and carve for serving.
Enjoy!
Get delicious results no matter what method you use to cook a turkey. Read our tips and recipes for cooking turkey.
