A turkey—whether roasted, in a roulade, or even deep-fried—is a hallmark of the holiday season. But how far ahead should you buy it?

Between decorating, cleaning, and picking up last-minute essentials, it’s fair to say we all have a hefty checklist around the holidays. With a turkey being the pièce-de-résistance for most feasts, it’s helpful to have a strategy for picking it up.

Here is when the experts suggest buying your fresh or frozen bird for maximum freshness and optimal storage. 

When to buy a fresh turkey

If you’re picking up a fresh turkey—in other words, a non-frozen bird—the closer to the cooking date, the better. Since you don’t need to deal with defrosting, you can start the cooking process as soon as you get it home.

Generally, try to buy it a day or two before the big event. This gives you ample time for prep (brining a turkey often takes one to two days). Even better, it ensures your turkey won’t take up too much space in your already-full fridge.

When to buy a frozen turkey

The best part about buying a frozen turkey is that it, well, is frozen. They’re also generally more cost-effective than a fresh bird. That said, factoring in how much prep time you’ll have available on the big day is key.

A frozen turkey takes about 24 hours for every four pounds to thaw in the fridge, according to Butterball. Considering most turkeys weigh about 15 pounds, this will take three to four days.

Read more: How much turkey per person and roasting guide

For a quicker thaw, place your turkey in a sink filled with cold water. Your bird will take about 30 minutes per pound to thaw with this method. Ensure you swap out your water every half hour or so to keep the turkey cold. Once it’s thawed, Butterball suggests keeping your turkey in the fridge for up to four days.

How far ahead should I pre-order my turkey?

If you're planning to order a specific turkey (whether fresh or frozen) from a butcher or a cooked bird from a local caterer, you'll want to get a jump on this sooner rather than later. While it ultimately depends on when the specific shops start accepting orders, we typically suggest booking in your turkey anywhere from three to six weeks before the holiday.

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