How many days in advance should I purchase a fresh turkey?
The USDA recommends that for optimal safety, buy a fresh turkey only if you do your shopping within one or two days of when you plan to serve it. The reason is that fresh turkeys, like other fresh meat and poultry, are highly perishable. Some labels can be helpful by including “sell by” dates. The “sell by” date is the last day the turkey should be sold by the retailer. Make sure to store your turkey on a tray with sides (to catch any uncooked juices).
