Q. What size turkey should I buy and how far in advance can I order it?
A. Bow Street Market offers a range of sizes to meet everyone’s needs! Our fresh turkeys weigh between 12 lbs to 24 lbs or we offer Bone-in Turkey breast which average 7lbs! But I think that having leftovers is just as important as the big meal itself, so I always make sure that we have a bird that allows for 1.5 to 2 lbs. of turkey meat per person. If you’re not a fan of leftovers, I think that 1 to 1.5 lbs. per person is just fine. Our fresh turkeys can be reserved in advance beginning November 1st, giving you more time to prepare for the big day!
Q. What’s the best turkey to get for our Thanksgiving dinner?
A. Our best-selling turkey is our all-natural free-range local turkeys from Greaney’s Turkey Farm in Mercer Maine. They are a small Family owned and operated farm offering high quality fresh turkeys. These birds are not available for pick up until the Sunday before Thanksgiving because they are so fresh.*
We also offer Bell & Evans all-natural and organic turkey and turkey breast – the same brand and quality as our signature chicken!
*In order to safely deliver the turkeys from Mercer to Freeport, the birds undergo a blast chilling process that leaves the exterior of the bird feeling frozen. Don’t worry- it is just the exterior, they are still fresh and you won’t have a problem cooking them up like any other fresh bird.
Q. How should I store my turkey prior to cooking?
A. Once you have your turkey home, it should be stored in the coldest part of your refrigerator, which is the bottom back corner. Keep it wrapped in the plastic until just ready to begin preparing. Our chefs also recommend putting the raw turkey on a plate or in a pan just to make sure no juices accidently drip inside the refrigerator.
Q. How do I prep my oven and turkey before cooking?
A. First, I always make sure the oven is fully preheated. I generally turn the oven on when I take the bird out of the refrigerator to begin preparing it. That way, a bit of the chill is gone from the turkey, giving it the opportunity to cook at a more even pace. You will want to cook the turkey for 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F. For a plump and juicy bird, layer fresh aromatics in the bottom of your roasting pan and place the bird on top. Once the skin is brown, tent the turkey with a piece of parchment paper and then a piece of foil on top. The parchment will prevent the foil from sticking to the skin. You’ll want to cook the bird until a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh joint reaches 165°F. Pop up timers will go off once the breast reaches 165°F, but our chefs tell me to test the thickest part of the thigh to make sure the turkey is cooked through! Take the bird out of the oven to rest, still tented under the foil, for about 15-20 minutes before carving.
Q.Should I stuff the turkey before roasting? I’ve heard it’s not safe, but everyone seems to be doing it!
A. We like to use our chef’s Turkey aromatics inside of our bird- it gives the meat a wonderful flavor and the aroma is incredible! If your family really prefers to stuff your turkey, just be sure to place fully cooked stuffing in the turkey right before roasting, never the night before (this could grow bacteria), and make sure the stuffing is at least 165°F before removing from the oven. Keep in mind that when you stuff the bird the cook time increases slightly, up to 5 extra minutes per pound of turkey.
Q. What wine, spirits, and beer should I serve?
A.The most highly recommended wine varietal for Thanksgiving is Pinot Noir. Any wine expert or chef will be impressed if you serve this with your meal. It’s super food-friendly and goes great with pretty much any food you have on the table. However, some people prefer white wine so I’d also serve a Pinot Grigio. Why? It’s crisp, has nice fruit, and it’s a crowd-pleaser. And before your meal, everyone loves a lightly sweet sparkler like Prosecco. Check in with Paula or Lindsay in our wine and spirits department to find the perfect bottle in your price range.
Q. What sides will you have available? Can I preorder them?
A. We will have a full spread of our homemade sides. We are not taking preorders* for sides, because we want to speed up the process and make it easier for you! All of our sides will be available in the grab & go in 1 lb and 2 lb increments. They will also be available in the deli service case for smaller quantities and in between.
The sides we are offering are:
- Savory Mashed Sweet Potato
- Maple Butternut Squash
- Roasted Mushrooms with Capers
- Pecan Green Beans
- Brussel Sprouts w/Bacon
- Mashed Potatoes
- Traditional Stuffing (no meat)
- Roasted Squash with Craisins
- Mashed Potatoes
- And more!
*preorders are available for bulk quantities of over 10lbs
Q. What pies are available? Can I preorder?
A. We will have a huge selection of pies from both local and commercial bakers! We are not accepting preorders, but will have more tons available in the following flavors:
- Blueberry
- Apple
- Pumpkin
- Pecan
- and more
Q. What are your holiday hours?
A. We are closed on Thanksgiving day so our team can celebrate with their families. We are open regular hours all other days from 6:30 am to 8:00pm
The deli service case closes at 6:00pm daily, but all of your favorite side dishes will be available in the grab and go right up until closing!