Not sure which bird is best for your feast? Read on to select the right turkey.
The bird is the main event, and picking one shouldn’t feel like a group project. Here’s how to choose the right turkey, get it delivered when you need it, and sit back while the compliments roll in. Thanksgiving 2026 pre-orders open October 29, so you can lock in your bird (and your delivery time) ahead of the big day.
Planners, this one’s for you: you can place a pre-order for Thanksgiving 2026 beginning Thursday, October 29 at FreshDirect. Add a turkey to your cart and you can reserve a delivery slot anytime from Friday, November 20, through Thanksgiving Day. Windows go fast, so the earlier you book, the better your shot at the time you want. You can add to or edit your Thanksgiving order up until the Modify Order cutoff time shown in your pre-order confirmation email.
Not a planner? A limited selection of fresh and frozen turkeys is available for regular or express delivery at any time. We deliver throughout the greater New York City area, including to neighborhoods in New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, and Philadelphia. Delivery windows vary by location. You can see what’s available to you at checkout.
As a general rule, we recommend buying 1 pound of turkey per person. But if you want lots of leftovers or know there will be big appetites, increase that to a 1½ pounds per person. Check out our size guide chart below for quick reference:
| Size | Weight | Servings |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless breast or tenderloin | 2–4 lb | 2–4 |
| Bone-in breast | 4–8 lb | 4–6 |
| Small turkey | 8–12 lb | 7–11 |
| Medium turkey | 12–16 lb | 11–15 |
| Large turkey | 16–24 lb | 15–22 |
It’s all about timing. Consider how far ahead you’re shopping and how much fridge space you have. Here’s how it breaks down.
Fresh turkeys are never frozen. We store them at 32 °F (turkey meat doesn’t freeze until 26 °F), so they arrive firm and very cold. Plan on up to four hours before yours is ready to prep.
Thawed means we’ve started the defrosting for you. Keep it in the fridge until Thanksgiving Day, and don’t refreeze it.
Frozen is for the planners. Stash it in the freezer, then thaw it in the fridge following USDA guidance: about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 lb. A 16 lb bird can take four days, so start early.
Meet the Farms Behind Your Bird: Every turkey we sell is raised without antibiotics, by farms we know by name.
Jaindl Farms, Lehigh Valley, PA. Our local pick. Jaindl grows and harvests its own feed right on the farm, and decades of selective breeding produce a lean, plump bird with more white meat than typical commercial turkeys.
Diestel Family Ranch, Sonora, CA. Four generations in, this family-run ranch raises slow-growing birds on high-quality feed, with plenty of time and space to develop. The payoff is a juicy, tender turkey with old-fashioned flavor.
Empire Kosher, Mifflintown, PA. Empire has been raising kosher poultry since 1938, and every bird is processed under rabbinical supervision, then soaked and salted by hand. That means juicy meat and seasoned skin.
Just FreshDirect Turkey Breasts and Tenderloins, Shenandoah Valley, VA. Sourced through the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, a network of independent family farms that raise birds humanely and never give them antibiotics. Made for smaller tables and the white-meat crowd.
Thursday, October 29: Pre-orders open. Add a turkey or prepared Thanksgiving meal to your FreshDirect order and you’ll be given the option to schedule a delivery slot any day between November 20 and November 26.
Thursday, November 19: Pre-orders close. A limited selection of turkeys will be available for regular or express delivery during the week leading up to Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 20: Pre-orders begin arriving.
Thursday, November 26: Final deliveries roll out Thanksgiving morning. For any super last-minute shoppers, express delivery will be available on Thanksgiving Day in eligible neighborhoods. See when we’re delivering to you by selecting a delivery window at checkout.
Not a cook? We offer complete prepared meals, as well as a big selection of chef-made entrées, sides, and desserts. So if you’re looking for a Thanksgiving shortcut or two, we’ve got you covered.
Adding a Thanksgiving prepared meal to your order qualifies you to reserve an advance delivery window too.
