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Growing up, my parents always ordered a turkey that came to our porch the week of Thanksgiving. It was from a farm in a town near where they grew up. While the turkey was smoked in the ground and injected with Cajun spices, it came frozen and ready to serve. That turkey would feed our family for multiple meals over the days following Thanksgiving.
While we are a state known for wild hogs, the traditional food for the Thanksgiving feast is turkey, fried, baked, smoked and injected with butter and Cajun flavors. Wild turkeys are regular inhabitants around the state. But centuries-old meat markets and the 27.5 million turkeys that make their way through processing plants in Arkansas make it very easy to get a locally sourced bird for the holidays.
How Does Turkey Impact Arkansas?
While Springdale, Arkansas, is the “Poultry Capitol of Arkansas,” it’s not just because of chicken. With Cargill Productions and Butterball nearby, Arkansas ranks third in turkey production nationally. Arkansas industrial turkey operations are in Ozark, Huntsville, Jonesboro, Alix, Yellville, Springdale, Rogers, Clinton and Forrest City.
Arkansas sees a significant economic impact from the turkey production industry, with a value of just over $443 million. Jobs in several locations total more than 17,500, producing 12 percent of the U.S. turkey production.
However, many local farmers raise turkeys to sell at local markets and to supply the demand of grocery stores and food markets around the region.
Where Can I Buy a Thanksgiving Turkey in Arkansas?
- Petit Jean Meats | Morrilton
Bless a family by shipping a meal from this favorite Arkansas company to a destination. Or, let this 95-year-old meat company handle the big bird. And any wise friend would tell you not to forget to add bacon to your order to spruce up leftovers and for breakfast the next day!
- Burge’s| Lewisville and Little Rock
Burge’s has provided smoked meats to Arkansas for over 60 years. Their reputation crosses four generations, with grown-ups cherishing childhood memories at the meat counter with a grandparent. A little dairyette turned Arkansas Food Hall of Fame member, Burge’s signature hickory smoke flavor is a classic!
- Stubby’s BBQ | Hot Springs
Stubby’s has been around since the 1950s. Their signature sauce is a fixture in many Arkansas homes and magazines, food books, and the Travel Channel have recognized their distinct taste. They bring their well-known smoke flavor to the Thanksgiving table through whole birds, tenderloins, ham and prime rib.
- GrassRoots Farmers Co-op | Rural AR and Heifer International store
A farmer’s cooperative of natural, non-GMO pasteurized birds grown on Arkansas soil. Order your turkey directly from the farmers to your holiday dinner table.
- Wrights BBQ | Johnson, Rogers, Bentonville, Little Rock
A growing Arkansas company built by Arkansas Razorback tailgate lovers. But their casual, approachable business model helped them grow from a game day catering truck to four locations, ever-expanding from giving hearts and the best flavors they carry to the big bird during the holiday season.
- Boulevard Bread Company | Little Rock
All orders must be made as pre-orders and picked up the week of Thanksgiving, but the rosemary and lemon turkey breast with a bacon glaze will set apart your dinner from any other meal. Check out the sides, desserts and add-ons available to complete the meal.
- Rosie’s Pot and Kettle | Little Rock
Three women are chasing one dream, a diner that serves breakfast and lunch east of downtown Little Rock. It took some time, but the concept grew in their hearts and these three “Rosies” make magic happen over a hearty breakfast and hot lunch plate. To serve their community, they make Thanksgiving dinner easy for their patrons. Call in the whole meal, sides or just the desserts.
Northeast Arkansas
- Natural Grocers | Jonesboro – whole turkeys, sold by the pound
- Ribs and More | Wynne – smoked meats
- Hays Food Town | Wynne, Helena, Osceola, Paragould, Blytheville – meat market, Grade A turkeys
- Rockin’ Hog Smokehouse | Batesville – smoked turkey
Northwest Arkansas
- Herman’s Ribhouse | Fayetteville – smoked meats
- Southern Food Company | Fayetteville – turkey dinners
- Penguin Ed’s | Fayetteville – smoked meats
- Richard’s Meat Market | Fayetteville – sliced smoked turkey dinners
- Whole Hog | Fayetteville – smoked meats
- Natural Grocers | Fayetteville – whole turkeys, sold by the pound
- JJ’s Grill | Fayetteville and Rogers – smoked meats
- Harter House | Berryville – turkey plates
River Valley Arkansas
- Bruce Teri Catering | Barling – whole smoked turkeys
- The StoneHouse at Chaffee Crossing |Fort Smith – whole meats and sides
- Calico County | Fort Smith – meats and holiday meals
Central Arkansas
- Whole Hog | Conway, Bryant, Little Rock, North Little Rock – smoked meats
- Chicken Country | Jacksonville – Cajun injected, fried, smoked turkeys
- Rocket 88 BBQ | Bryant – smoked turkeys
- Natural Grocers | Little Rock – whole turkeys, sold by the pound
- Lindsey’s Holiday Hospitality | North Little Rock – smoked turkey and sides
- Count Porkula | Little Rock – smoked meats and turkey feasts
- Glenn’s Smokehouse | Searcy – smoked meats
- KnightFire BBQ | Searcy – smoked meats
South Arkansas
- White Hall Fresh Market | Pine Bluff – specialty meats and market items
- Big Jake’s BBQ | Hope, Texarkana, Ashdown
- Mountain Meadows Farm | Hatfield – direct from the farm meats ready to cook
- Johnny B’s Grill | Texarkana – a la carte turkeys, sides and desserts
- Lagniappe Specialty Meats | Texarkana – all the meats, including turducken and sides
Statewide Food Providers
- Whole Foods | Fayetteville and Little Rock– whole meal holiday catering and butcher-prepared birds ready to cook
- Cracker Barrel – locations offer Heat n’ Serve selections
- Sam’s Club locations offer turkeys prepared or ready to cook and sides as a gathered meal or a la carte. Grab a brining kit and make preparation easy.
- Harps Food Stores – Martha Harp fully cooked turkey and all the trimmings
- Edward’s Food Giant – Tom Turkeys or smokehouse party trays
The National Turkey Federation is an excellent resource for Turkey recipes and proper turkey preparation. Check out all their tips for cooking to the right temperature, spatchcocking, frying and carving.
So, as you gather around the table with family and friends next, we encourage you to think about the men and women who helped bring your meal to the table. Arkansas farmers made not only your meal but countless meals across the country possible.” – Arkansas Grown
If you want other items to round out your Thanksgiving feast, many locations listed above offer meals with sides and desserts as you get your plan together. Or, you can check out some of these recipes from the “What’s Cookin’ at First Security Vol. 2” cookbook. You can purchase the cookbooks for $20 at any First Security Bank location.
- Honey Ham Tortilla Rolls with Honey Dip
- Spinach Dip
- Refreshing Cucumber Salad
- Grape Salad
- Crack Potatoes Hashbrown Casserole
- Corn Casserole
- Praline Sweet Potato Casserole
- Orange Spice Glazed Carrots
- Green Bean Bundle Casserole
- Cinnamon Pecans
- Perfect Pumpkin Cobbler
- Ooey Gooey, Pumpkin Spice Bars
- Donut Hole Pumpkin Pops
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