From fresh to frozen – we crown this year’s best value turkeys as Christmas cost of living crisis bites
CHRISTMAS would not be the same without a turkey on the table.
But farmers have been warning shoppers that they need to secure birds early this year following fears over avian flu and to beat rising costs.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) says the poultry sector has experienced a “very difficult year”, which could leave some farmers struggling to keep up with demand.
Ellie Smitherman has compared prices to crown the cheapest supermarket winners.
We have chosen to compare whole, medium-sized turkeys, where possible.
And we have worked out the price per kilogram for each bird using the lowest weight in each range to make sure it is a fair comparison.
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Supermarkets do offer smaller or different cuts, such as turkey crowns and joints, which may be cheaper, depending on your needs.
It’s also important to note that the quality of birds will vary — this comparison is purely on cost.
Prices were correct at the time of going to print.
Do remember to compare them before you shop.
Lidl and Sainsbury’s will both be revealing their prices a bit closer to Christmas.
Fresh
ALDI is the winner in our fresh category with a bird costing £4.95 per kg.
It pipped Morrisons – which is charging £4.99 per kg – to the top spot.
That is closely followed by Tesco and Asda who are both charging £5 per kg.
Unsurprisingly, Marks & Spencer is selling the most expensive fresh bird at £7 per kg.
Cheapest five fresh
- Aldi, Ashfields British medium fresh turkey (order Nov 18), £4.95/kg, 5kg bird = £24.75
- Morrisons, British medium whole turkey (available Dec 19), £4.99/kg, 5kg bird = £24.95
- Tesco, medium whole turkey (available Dec 20), £5/kg, 5kg bird = £25
- Asda, medium British turkey (available Dec 19), 5/kg, 5kg bird = £25
- Waitrose, Essential medium whole turkey with giblets (order now, available Dec 20), £6.50/kg, 5kg bird = £32.50
Frozen
IT’S the battle of the bargain retailers in our frozen category with Aldi and Lidl both coming top.
They are both charging £15.99 for a 4kg–5.4kg bird.
M&S is not selling frozen turkeys this year.
Buy your bird now, stick it in the freezer and it will keep for up to three months. But check defrost times, to avoid a nightmare on Christmas Day.
Cheapest five frozen
- Aldi, Oakhurst medium British ready-basted whole turkey (available now), 5kg bird = £15.99
- Lidl, Braemoor medium British self-basting turkey (available now), 5kg bird = £15.99
- Asda, basted medium British turkey (available Dec 19), 5kg bird = £17.50
- Iceland, Bernard Matthews medium turkey (available Nov 14), 5kg bird = £18
- Tesco British frozen medium basted whole turkey (available Dec 14), 5kg bird = £18
Fancy
IF you want to treat yourself to a more up-market bird this Christmas, then Aldi has the cheapest premium turkey.
It is £7.99/kg and costs from £31.96.
For those who really want to splurge, M&S’s British free-range Pembrokeshire Bronze whole turkey is the most expensive at £16 per kg and prices start at £64.
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Cheapest five fancy
- Aldi, British free-range Bronze Roly Poly whole turkey with giblets (available Dec 19), £7.99/kg, 5kg bird = £39.95
- Tesco, Finest free-range Bronze whole medium turkey (available Dec 20), £9/kg, 5kg bird = £45
- Asda, Extra Special medium free-range & corn-fed turkey (available Dec 20), £9/kg, 5kg bird = £45
- Morrisons The Best free-range whole medium Bronze turkey (available Dec 19), £9.49/kg 5kg bird = £47.45
- Waitrose, medium Duchy Organic Bronze feathered whole turkey with giblets (available Dec 20), £15/kg, 5kg bird = £75