Fresh Slagel Farms Thanksgiving Turkeys
Every Thanksgiving, we offer fresh, pasture-raised turkeys from Slagel Family Farms in Fairbury, Illinois. These are the same premium birds trusted by many of Chicago's finest restaurants and by customers who return to Homestead year after year for their holiday table.
Because we receive a limited number of turkeys each season, reservations are strongly recommended. In prior years, we've sold out well before the holday.
Reservations typically open in early October. Once reservations open, you'll be able to reserve your turkey online on this page.
Want a reminder when reservations open? Sign up for the weekly MeatMail, and we'll announce the start of Thanksgiving turkey reservations there.
Why We Choose Slagel Turkeys
We've worked with Slagel Family Farms for more than a decade because we've never found a better Thanksgiving turkey.
Slagel is a fifth-generation family farm that has built its reputation by focusing on quality over quantity. The family raises its own livestock, grows much of the feed, and processes the meat through its own USDA-inspected facility. That commitment to quality has made Slagel a trusted supplier to many of Chicago's best restaurants—and to our customers each Thanksgiving.
If you'd like to learn more about the farm, read about our visit to Slagel Family Farms.
Fresh, Air-Chilled Turkeys
Unlike many commercially processed birds, Slagel turkeys are air chilled rather than immersed in cold water after processing. This helps preserve the turkey's natural flavor and texture while preventing excess water absorption. If you're curious about why that matters, we take a closer look at the process in our blog, "5 Reasons to Think Twice About That Supermarket Chicken."
The result is a fresh turkey with exceptional flavor, crisp skin, and excellent roasting performance.
Turkey Sizes
We typically offer four size ranges:
Size | weight |
|---|---|
Small | 12–15 pounds |
Medium | 16–18 pounds |
Large | 19–22 pounds |
Extra Large | 23–25 pounds |
Pickup Information
Turkeys are generally available for pickup:
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Sunday before Thanksgiving
-
Tuesday before Thanksgiving
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Wednesday before Thanksgiving
If you need an earlier pickup, please call us. Depending on our delivery schedule, we can sometimes accommodate earlier requests.
If you're traveling after Thanksgiving, we're also happy to hold your turkey for pickup after the holiday by special arrangement
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for Cooking Ideas?
One of the questions we hear every year is, "What's the best way to cook a turkey?"
Ehran's favorite approach is a simple dry-brine method that produces crisp skin, juicy meat, and consistently excellent results without complicated techniques.
Read Ehran's Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
