Thanksgiving Turkey FAQ
Thanksgiving Turkey FAQ
Product Questions:
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 carry fresh whole turkeys at our on-farm store around Thanksgiving. However, we always have frozen whole turkeys available year-round and are happy to thaw for pickup. To have a frozen turkey thawed for you, please call 507-263-4556 ext 1 or email [email protected].
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.
We have turkeys starting at 10 pounds all the way up to 24 pounds! If you are picking up your turkey at one of our retail partners, please call ahead to see what size ranges they will have available. If you are preordering your turkey for pickup at our market, turkeys can be preordered in 2 pound increment ranges from 10-24 so you can get the perfect turkey for your celebration.
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.
Preorder Questions:
Visit our Thanksgiving Turkey page to find our Market’s fresh turkey preorder form. You can also call us at 507-263-4556 ext 1.
No problem! The person picking up just needs to know the first and last name on the order to pickup the reservation.
If you need to change the size of your turkey or how many turkeys you are reserving, simply respond to your preorder confirmation email or call 507-263-4556 ext 5.
We will keep your preorder, even if you do not come your scheduled day. Plans change and you can come on any of the available pickup days to pickup your turkey.
We have turkeys starting at 10 pounds all the way up to 24 pounds! If you are picking up your turkey at one of our retail partners, please call ahead to see what size ranges they will have available. If you are preordering your turkey for pickup at our market, turkeys can be preordered in 2 pound increment ranges from 10-24 so you can get the perfect turkey for your celebration.
Yes! We carry a wide variety of items to fill out your Thanksgiving feast, from turkey gravy to fresh bread cubes to pie pumpkins to homemade apple pie.
If you have not received a confirmation email within 24 hours, please feel free to email us at [email protected] or call 507-263-4556 ext 5 to confirm your order was received. Be sure to check your spam folder just in case the confirmation email accidentally ended up there.
We understand plans can change and will do our best to accommodate you. If you need to make changes or cancel an order, simply respond to your preorder confirmation email or call 507-263-4556 ext 5.
We have Fresh Whole Turkeys, Smoked Whole Turkeys, and Bone-In Breasts available for preorder. Visit our online turkey order form for details.
Fresh turkeys can be picked up at the Market during the five days preceding Thanksgiving, as well as the Friday following Thanksgiving.
General Turkey Questions:
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 Questions:
The basic wet brine is one cup of coarse kosher salt or sea salt to one gallon of water, making enough to submerge the bird. We recommend not brining for longer than 12 hours. Herbs, fruits, and seasonings are all great additions to brines so be sure to customize to your tastes!
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.
We recommend thawing your turkey for at least 24 hours in the fridge for every 3 pounds of turkey.
Cooking Questions:
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.