Do I really need to order a turkey in advance?

[User16529834]

This year we are hosting and there will be 12 of us in total. 3 kids 9 adults. I really want it to be fun for everyone including myself (I'll be cooking) so I actually want it all to be fairly low key. I want to avoid over buying and getting things for the sake of it - eg we won't have sprouts cos nobody ever eats them. We usually buy them 'just because' but not this year!

9 of us will be eating turkey. 7 adults and 2 kids. The kids are 7 so eat a decent portion but not a whole adult sized one.

What kind of turkey do I buy, and do I really need one in advance? My only non negotiable is fresh not frozen. I have hear crowns are easier to cook? Ideally I want something really easy but also tasty. I've seen a few that come ready to roast in a bag.

Apparently I need a 3kg one but I'm assuming that's a turkey not a crown. It all feels unnecessarily complicated 😱 please tell me I can just go get on on the 22nd?

I like the look of this but will it really serve 8? Will that be enough?

www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/butter-basted-turkey-breast-in-a-smoked-bacon-lattice/561154-79472-79473

I'm not fussed about leftovers. I'm happy to have a bit but won't be doing more than a few sandwiches so would rather not have loads.

Any advice from seasoned mnetters who have hosted larger groups before. We've never managed to get both sides of the family together before!

Go to a butcher (High St or in-store), explain what you need, let them guide you, place an order. If you don't order, you'll need to flexible to work with whatever you can get.

Why don't you want frozen? It doesn't taste any different🤷

According to the French news the UK have a major shortage of turkeys this year because 3 million were killed due to bird flu.

I would order in advance.

Yes or chance it and be prepared to buy lamb or something instead

Yes you need to order in advance! Go to the local butcher, order, collect on Christmas Eve. All the stress gone!

Our local butchers (2) have sold out of Turkey already. On order obviously. I’d order but that’s me.

We ordered from a local turkey farm in September, they sold out in two weeks.

I'd order in advance, especially with bird flu about this year.

One of our local butchers couldn't get any turkeys this year.

Not what you’re asking but we usually don’t have Turkey. I cook a ham or gammon joint and a beef joint the day before and just heat them up in the day. Got lots of room in the oven then to do lots of different roast veg. I’ve found this much less stressful!

I’d order in advance. Saves worries about supermarkets etc running out if you’re set on having turkey.

We’ve ordered from our local butcher’s before.

Not sure it’s bound to work this year, what with avian flu affecting supplies, but in the past, with up to 12 for dinner, I’ve always gone to M&S at the crack of dawn on the 23rd, so as to be there when the doors open at (IIRC) 7 am. Always found what I wanted - free range, right size.

Only me and dh this year so haven’t decided on a strategy yet, not to mention whether whole smallest one, or a crown.

This is correct. I know someone who owns a turkey farm in the Midlands and they were ordered to kill all of their livestock. The UK news have barely reported anything which surprised me.

I'd just chill and buy chicken or lamb if there's no turkey. No need to get stressed out about it.

Definitely order in advance as pp have said, due to shortages because of bird flu. There's nothing complicated about it - google size of turkey per number of people or ask the butcher.

3kg would be a tiny turkey. A big chicken can be nearly 2kg.

Yes, you need to order if you want fresh. And IMO fresh are much better than frozen, unless you are going to overcook it or cook it the night before and reheat, or other things that spoil the fresh roast fresh poultry taste.

If you are looking at Waitrose get the Essential Large Whole Turkey with Giblets (£39 -52) or if you can afford it The Large Duchy Original Bronze Whole Turkey £75-105 . Maybe you could get away with the cheaper medium one.

Or go to your local high street butcher….asap!

The one you linked is a Turkey breast only.

We like dark meat best (moister, more flavour) . If you all prefer breast get the Extra Large Turkey Breast Crown on the Bone £60 - 75.

You need to order in advance as per pps due to bird flu. I have bought from Waitrose and from the butcher mainly depending on my working hours. Usually buy a small to medium fresh turkey with giblets, sausage meat, rashers and chipolatas ( for pigs in blankets.)we are usually 10 or so adults.If you are worried about carrying the turkey and the cooking of it , a boneless joint is easy .

I don't really want a whole bird. I'd rather just a crown. Is it even possible to get one big enough?

Good to know I need to order in advance though, will get my arse in gear!

I have googles the size but it's hard to understand how the sizes translate to just a turkey crown. I've literally no idea what I need! Internet said 3.5kg but I found an asda one that was 1.4kg and said it fed 8!

I also want fresh because I don't have space in the freezer and I don't want the added stress of defrosting something and worrying about it being fully cooked.

I would order a turkey breast joint from the butcher and def pre order if you are set on turkey. Bird flu has wiped out a lot of stock. My butcher isn't accepting any more orders.

Like this larderlondon.com/shop/rolled-boneless-turkey-crown-with-bacon-lattice/

I have ordered ours from M&S, as we always do. Paid a £40 deposit, and there will be £80 to pay when we collect it. Every year, when I join the queue to collect, I notice the shelves are stuffed with turkeys to buy, so I am not sure why I bother.

Can I jump in and ask about price ranges? Is a turkey is listed as, say, £30-50, how do I know which end of the price range I'll be given if I pre-order? Can I tell the shop I only want the £30 end?

@AriettyHomily that thing you posted is exactly what I want I think! Would that be easy to cook?

I'm right in thinking I don't need a whole bird do I?

@DillDanding same here! We usually order a small m&s crown in advance as it's usually just 5 of us. And there are loads on the shelf when I go to do the big shop. I've never looked for the big 8+ people turkeys but guess I could just get two small ones.

FIL is the only one who is particularly fussed about it having to be turkey. Everyone else would be happy with gammon or chicken. On that basis I'm tempted to wing it and see what happens.... You only live once 🤣. S

You can always ask. They'll understand,

Have mine in the freezer already. Nothing wrong with frozen as long bc as you defrost it properly.