Where to Buy a Pasture Raised Turkey for Thanksgiving (2026)
Updated: 5 days ago
This Thanksgiving, consider buying a pasture-raised turkey for your holiday table. During a holiday that’s all about the food, selecting a bird that had the chance to spend its life outdoors, roaming and foraging on pasture, is a meaningful statement.
In our family, Thanksgiving is a time to talk about what’s important to us, and how we can make the world a kinder place. A pasture-raised turkey as the centerpiece of the meal gets that conversation going.
But finding one isn't always easy. Turkey labels are full of words like Natural, Free Range, Organic, Heritage, and Regenerative, and they don't all mean the same thing. Even brands that market themselves as higher-welfare may sell several different kinds of turkey, raised under different conditions. Here’s how we find pasture-raised turkeys for Thanksgiving.
If you can, we highly recommend seeking out a whole-animal butcher shop that sells pasture-raised products, or a pasture-raised farm to source your turkey from. See below for recommendations, as well as for supermarket brands from producers that offer pasture-raised products.
What Does Pasture Raised Turkey Mean?
According to the USDA FSIS, a pasture-raised turkey spends the majority of its life outdoors, on land covered in grass and other vegetation. Pasture-raised turkeys have the opportunity to act in the way that nature intended, doing things like running, exploring, scratching at the ground, and foraging for seeds, insects, and plants.
Turkeys are curious, active birds. They like to explore their surroundings, forage, and spend time with other turkeys. A well-managed pasture gives them opportunities to do those things that an indoor barn cannot.
For meat and poultry, animal-raising claims like “Pasture Raised” are reviewed by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Producers must submit documentation supporting the claims they make. Here’s how to sort fact from fiction when buying a Thanksgiving turkey.
What to Look for When Buying a Turkey
Here are the most common labels you'll encounter, and what they actually tell you.
Pasture Raised. The most important claim we look for. USDA's current guidance describes animals raised on vegetative pasture for the majority of their lives. This is our starting point for choosing a turkey.
Free Range. Means the birds had access to the outdoors. It doesn't guarantee that the outdoor area was pasture, how much time the birds spent outside, or that the outdoor space was designed to encourage use.
Organic. USDA Organic turkeys must receive organic feed and have outdoor access, with permitted exceptions for young birds, severe weather, and health or safety concerns. But organic doesn’t mean pasture-raised: there’s no requirement that turkeys spend a set percentage of their lives outdoors on vegetated pasture.
Heritage. Describes the turkey's breeding and genetic characteristics, rather than where it lived, but heritage turkeys are slower-growing and naturally reproducing birds, and are generally better suited to outdoor living. More on this below.
Regenerative. Describes farming practices intended to improve the land and agricultural ecosystem. These practices can complement pasture raising, but a regenerative claim alone doesn't tell you how much time the turkey spent outside.
Natural. Refers to the meat's processing and ingredients, not the bird's living conditions. A Natural turkey could have spent its entire life indoors.
You'll also see claims like No Antibiotics Ever, Vegetarian Fed, and No Added Hormones. These don't establish whether a turkey was raised on pasture. In fact, federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in poultry production, so every turkey qualifies for the last one.
Heritage Turkey vs. Pasture Raised Turkey: What’s the Difference?
Just like with chickens, breed can have a significant impact on animal welfare. Most conventional supermarket turkeys are Broad Breasted Whites, which are bred to grow quickly and produce large amounts of breast meat. This rapid growth can lead to leg and mobility problems. Heritage turkeys, on the other hand, grow more slowly, have more balanced body proportions, and are generally better suited to active lives outdoors.
But Heritage and Pasture Raised aren't interchangeable. A heritage turkey is genetically better suited to outdoor living, but that doesn't guarantee it was actually raised on pasture. Likewise, a conventional broad-breasted turkey can be pasture-raised, even if its genetics present potential welfare concerns. For us, pasture raised is the starting point, and heritage breeding is an added bonus.
Our takeaway: Find a turkey that’s marketed as “Pasture Raised”. If you can find a “Pasture Raised” and “Heritage Breed” bird, opt for that.
Where to Buy a Pasture Raised Turkey for Thanksgiving
Pasture-raised turkeys are more difficult to find than conventional Thanksgiving birds, but there are some excellent options available.
You'll have the best luck with specific supermarket product lines, grocery delivery services, online meat retailers, and independent butcher shops that work directly with pasture-based farms.
Many Thanksgiving turkeys are also seasonal, so availability will depend on where you live, when you order, and what individual retailers stock.
Important: Not every product from the brands listed below is pasture-raised. Pay attention to the exact product name and label.
Where to Buy a Pasture Raised Turkey from a Grocery Store
Only Mary’s specifically labeled Heritage Turkey is pasture raised.
Standard: G.A.P.® Step 5, Pasture Raised (Note: while the labeling on-product is Free Range, the labeling according to Mary's website and team is G.A.P.® Step 5 Pasture Raised for their Heritage Turkey line).
What qualifies: Mary's Heritage Whole Turkey
EPR Note: Mary's uses heritage, slower-growing breeds including Standard Bronze, Narragansett, and White Holland.
Where to buy: Natural Grocers. Select other grocery retailers may also carry Mary's Heritage Turkey.
Only Diestel's specifically labeled Pasture Raised brand is pasture raised.
Standard: Pasture Raised
What qualifies: Pasture Raised Whole Turkey
EPR Note: Diestel uses a slower-growing breed in its pasture raised turkey.
Where to buy: Whole Foods Market, select other supermarkets, and Diestel's online store. Check your local Whole Foods for Thanksgiving availability.
Only Joyce Farms' specifically labeled Heritage Black Turkey is pasture raised.
Standard: Pasture Raised
What qualifies: Whole Heritage Black Turkey and Bone-In Heritage Black Turkey Breast
Where to buy: Find store retailers here.
Where to Buy a Pasture Raised Turkey Online
If you don't live near a supermarket that sells pasture-raised turkey, ordering online may be your best option. Several producers and specialty meat retailers ship whole pasture-raised turkeys directly to you. Many also offer smaller cuts or turkey parts, if you don’t want or need a whole bird for your Thanksgiving celebration.
Standard: Pasture Raised
What qualifies: Whole Pasture Raised Turkey and pasture-raised turkey parts
Where to buy: Grass Roots Farmers' Cooperative
Standard: Pasture Raised
What qualifies: Whole Pasture Raised Turkey and pasture-raised turkey parts
Where to buy: Heritage Foods (Our tip: Heritage often runs sales. Keep an eye out!).
EPR Note: Heritage Foods sells turkeys raised by Frank Reese, a longtime advocate for preserving traditional American poultry genetics. Reese has spent decades raising and protecting heritage turkey varieties and is a pioneer in pasture-raised poultry. You can read more about his work here.
Standard: Pasture Raised
What qualifies: Whole Pasture Raised Turkey
Where to buy: White Oak Pastures
Where to Buy a Pasture Raised Turkey from a Butcher
Independent butcher shops that source from pasture-raised farms are our favorite place to buy a pasture-raised Thanksgiving turkey.
When you buy from a knowledgeable butcher, you can ask specific questions about the farm, breed, and raising conditions before making a purchase.
In New York City, we love shopping at the following pasture-raised butchers:
Ends Meat. Located in Brooklyn's Industry City as well as on the Lower East Side, Manhattan.
Hudson & Charles. Located in the West Village and Upper West Side, Manhattan.
Marlow & Daughters. Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The Meat Hook. Located in Williamsburg and Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, as well as in Hudson, New York.
Where to Buy a Pasture-Raised Turkey from a Farm
For New York City shoppers, farm delivery service Farm to People has a good Thanksgiving selection. For a pasture-raised turkey from Farm to People, make sure to select a turkey from Two Creek Farm or Autumn's Harvest Farm. Goffle Road Poultry Farm, Jaindl's Farm, and LaBelle Patrimoine turkeys are not pasture-raised.
LocalHarvest connects people across the U.S. with farmers and local food. Use their directory to search for farmers who carry specifically pasture-raised turkey near you.
Searching for Local Farms
Search Google and local directories, or ask your neighbors, to find local farms that sell pasture-raised turkeys. Questions to ask the farmer include: Do the animals live in a barn? Do they ever go outside? How often? What breed are your birds?
Why Does Pasture Raised Turkey Cost More?
Pasture-raised turkey is expensive, and often considerably more expensive than the conventional frozen turkeys you'll see at supermarkets. Raising turkeys on pasture requires land, labor, shelters, and ongoing management. Farmers need to provide protection from predators, maintain healthy pasture, and move animals or manage their outdoor areas as conditions change. This all costs money.
Pasture-raised food costs more because it costs more to raise animals well. As a consumer, you can choose what agricultural system you want to support. We think paying more for a more humane approach to farming, one that values the animals and the people who work in agriculture, is worth it.
For us, Thanksgiving feels like an especially important moment to make that choice. If there's one meal where the ingredients themselves can reflect what matters to us, this is it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I order a pasture-raised Thanksgiving turkey?
As early as you can, ideally in October or early November.
Pasture-raised and heritage turkeys are produced in smaller quantities than conventional turkeys, and many farmers raise birds specifically for holiday orders.
Some supermarkets also offer advance reservations. For example, Natural Grocers is accepting Mary's turkey reservations for Thanksgiving 2026, with a November 1 deadline for a promotional reward, although turkey orders may remain available afterward.
Our advice: Once you find a turkey that meets your standards, reserve it rather than waiting until Thanksgiving week.
Do pasture raised and heritage turkeys taste different?
They can, although pasture-raising and heritage breeding affect the bird in different ways. Heritage turkeys typically have a more balanced proportion of white and dark meat than factory-farmed turkeys. Their meat is often described as richer, firmer, and more flavorful, particularly the dark meat. A pasture-raised Broad Breasted White turkey may taste more familiar, with the breast-heavy proportions many people associate with a traditional Thanksgiving turkey. Flavor will also depend on the bird's diet, age, processing, and how it's cooked.
Can I buy a pasture raised turkey breast instead of a whole bird?
Yes! You don't have to roast an entire turkey to support pasture-based farming. Some producers sell turkey breasts, legs, and other cuts from their pasture-raised birds. Joyce Farms, for example, sells a Heritage Black Turkey breast, while Grass Roots offers pasture-raised turkey parts. Just make sure the cut comes from the same qualifying pasture-raised production line. A brand that sells pasture-raised whole turkeys may also sell conventional turkey parts.
How much turkey should I buy?
The USDA suggests approximately 1 pound of whole turkey per person. If you want plenty of leftovers, plan for a little more. Be aware that heritage turkeys can have different meat proportions than conventional birds, so you may want to discuss sizing with the producer or retailer. And if you're ordering a frozen turkey, plan for thawing time. The USDA recommends allowing approximately 24 hours in the refrigerator for every four to five pounds of turkey, followed by cooking to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Sources and Standards
We recommend pasture-raised products based on the best information we can verify about animals' living conditions, breed, and applicable welfare standards. USDA guidelines, producer descriptions, certification requirements, and retailer listings all help inform our recommendations.
USDA guidance for reviewing and substantiating animal-raising claims on meat and poultry labels, including pasture-raised claims and documentation of animals' time on vegetative pasture.
USDA explanations of common meat and poultry terms, including Natural and Free Range, and what those claims do and do not establish.
Defines heritage turkeys by their ability to reproduce naturally, slow growth rate, and suitability for long, productive lives outdoors. Also explains the development of modern broad-breasted commercial turkey breeds.
The certification program's turkey-specific standards, covering housing, outdoor access, pasture, welfare, and breeding requirements across its certification tiers.
Diestel's account of its turkey-raising practices, including its pasture-raised program and G.A.P. certification claims.
Mary's comparison of its turkey product lines, including pasture-raised claims and information on the heritage birds it raises.
Producer information about its slow-growing Heritage Black Turkeys, small family-farm production, and the age at which birds receive outdoor access.
USDA food-safety guidance on refrigerator thawing times and other safe methods of thawing frozen turkey.
Published: October 14, 2026
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
Product availability, pricing, certification status, and holiday ordering details may change. Verify the specific product and current retailer information before purchasing.
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