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You'll need to preorder if you want a fresh turkey (not frozen). You'll be able to pick one up closer to Thanksgiving if you don't mind having a frozen one from the store. Keep in mind you need to thaw it out for a couple of days before you cook it.
Since the T-day turkey can affect so many other meals, I'd consider stepping up from HT. You can try Vic's in Ballantyne, the Meat House, or the Fresh Market for organic or other premium birds. You'll definitely need to reserve one, and check on it repeatedly. You don't want to find out the day before that you don't have a turkey.
Cooking a turkey isn't difficult, but DO NOT OVERCOOK IT. It keeps cooking for a long time after you take it out of the oven. This is the number one mistake people make, because they're concerned about salmonella or cancer or catching mono or something. You can try brining, and I think stuffing a bird tastes better and helps to keep it from drying out.
Time the rest of the dinner around the bird. I have a friend who fancies himself to be a gourmet, and a few years ago he tried his first turkey dinner. Several of were helping with side dishes and had timed them to be ready around 1:00 PM. The bird wasn't done until nearly 4:00, and then my buddy nearly had a panic attack about making gravy, which would have taken another hour. I told him to take the bird and go away, and had some awesome (yes, awesome) gravy 15 minutes later.
T-day dinner doesn't have to be difficult. It is time consuming, and takes some planning. Having a few beverages helps too.
Thanks. Where do I preorder a fresh one from Harris Teeter Deli section or meat dept?
I agree w/vmax, that if you're going to order fresh, go ahead and get one from Fresh Market, Earth Fare, or small place like that. That being said, I'm honestly not sure how to get a fresh turkey from HT. I bet they would have info on their website or you could call.
I agree w/vmax, that if you're going to order fresh, go ahead and get one from Fresh Market, Earth Fare, or small place like that. That being said, I'm honestly not sure how to get a fresh turkey from HT. I bet they would have info on their website or you could call.
Enjoy your first Thanksgiving at home!
Earth Fare is another place I should have mentioned. Local farms, as have been recommended in numerous other threads, would be a good source as well.
Thanks. Where do I preorder a fresh one from Harris Teeter Deli section or meat dept?
If you visit your Harris Teeter, preferably during the week in the mornings, you can speak with the meat department manager and place your order for a fresh turkey. You can also tell them what day you prefer to pick it up (and time). HTH
Thanks guys. Will check out Earth Fare and Fresh Market this weekend. I have a meat thermometer so I will just keep checking on that regularly to make sure we dont under/over cook it.
We are all pretty laid back so even if it turns out to be a disaster we would all be fine with pizza as a backup plan.
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You can try brining, and I think stuffing a bird tastes better and helps to keep it from drying out. 
