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Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
Just before the holidays , people wait in line for hours to buy all-natural turkeys at the Willie Bird ranch in Sonoma County, California. These legendary birds are among the world's best: extraordinarily juicy, succulent and flavorful. They're raised on a tasty natural diet and allowed to roam freely in the golden, oak-shaded hills. The coveted turkeys are shipped directly to you directly from the farm - no standing in line required! For Thanksgiving delivery, order no later than 12pm (PST), Nov. 16. For Christmas delivery, order no later than 12pm (PST), Dec. 17. Quantities are limited. 12-26 lb. Shipped partially frozen to arrive chilled. Product of the USA.
Average Customer Rating:
(90 Reviews) 90
82 of 90(91%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
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Customer Reviews for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
Review 1 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
Jthe701Coordinator
,Odenton
,MD
December 5, 2012
Ability level:Intermediate
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? Yes
0points
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Excellent bird for family!
December 5, 2012
This was probably the juciest turkey my family ever had for Thanksgiving. I ordered a 12-14 lb range bird and the one delivered to me was roughly 13.5 lbs. All the necessary parts were included (giblets, etc) and the box was well packaged.
The one thing you must do though is when you open your box, make sure you remove ANY ice packs that are packaged with the bird as well! The turkey isn't itself frozen, but it is packaged with ice packs so it stays cold. We didn't realize that so when we went to start cooking the bird, the thighs were still very cold and we had to let the bird sit at room temperature longer than anticipated. It wasn't a big deal, but something to remember for the future
We'll probably be ordering another bigger turkey for Christmas as well!
Pros: Amount, Quality, Flavor, Healthy
Cons: Time to Prepare
Review 2 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
Sonbuddy
,Tallahassee
,Fl
September 8, 2012
Ability level:Intermediate
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? Yes
+2points
2of 2found this review helpful.
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Will never buy a different bird
September 8, 2012
A co-worker criticised me for spending "so much money" on this turkey when she went to the big box store and paid a lot less for hers. But after she spent money on the frozen turkey, paid over sixty dollars for oil, and then more money on some type of injectable she had spent more for her main dish then me! My bird roasted perfectly while I read a good book on the beach! This year I will be back on the beach while my Willie Bird roasts. This is an excellent product.
Pros: Texture, Easy to Prepare, Authentic, Quality, Good for Entertaining, Flavor, Healthy
Review 3 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
MissMelly
,VA
Purcellville, VA
January 8, 2012
Would You Recommend? Yes
-1point
0of 1found this review helpful.
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Terrific Turkey
January 8, 2012
A very plump good looking bird that arrived in time for xmas. Cooked beautifully although I didn't find the livers in time and cooked them inside by mistake. The giblets were in the cavity so I found those OK. Plenty of good juicy meat left over to make a tasty turkey pie the next day. Everyone loved the texture and moist meat. Definitely would buy again.
Review 4 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
Anng102106
,Irving
,TX
January 6, 2012
Would You Recommend? Yes
+3points
3of 3found this review helpful.
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Good tasting bird but worth the price?
January 6, 2012
This was a good tasting bird, juicy and tender. Certainly a hit at the table. It cooked up well, browned nicely and there were just enough drippings for some pretty good gravy.
My only "beef" was the price. I was charged an additional handling fee from Williams-Sonoma (WS) on top of the extra shipping fees from Willie Bird. WS was only a conduit to order the bird as it was shipped directly from the farm. If you decide to order this, expect an additional $20+ in shipping and fees.
Planning note...the WS website said the turkey would be delivered on the Friday before Christmas. The week of delivery I received an email from Willie Bird Farms saying the turkey would be delivered on Thursday. I had to rearrange my schedule to make sure someone was home to put the bird in the fridge.
Bottom line, it was a good tasting bird but I'm not sure it was worth the cost vs. a local turkey. If you have the money and don't mind spending upwards of $100, this one's a good one to buy.
Pros: good tasting, juicy
Cons: price, shipping and handling fees, delivery schedule
Review 5 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
DrCarla
,Key West
,FL
December 20, 2011
Ability level:Intermediate
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? No
-3points
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Dry and tastless and not worth the money
December 20, 2011
We were all disappointed and happy we had a large ham when I served this at Thanksgiving. The only good thing was that W & S was very professional and resolved the situation as well as possible after the fact. This was surprising because W & S is known for superb products and customer service. Everyone can have an off day and except for this they are still the best company around.
Cons: Disappointing
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Read Comments (1)
asalva
Posted October 19, 2012
lol
your bird was dry and tasteless because you obviously didn't cook it properly.
0points
Review 6 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
MN06
December 7, 2011
Would You Recommend? Yes
-2points
0of 2found this review helpful.
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Moist but expensive turkey
December 7, 2011
The turkey was moist. I'm not sure if it was due to brining or not because I did use the William Sonoma dry brine. I rinsed the turkey off after brining it for 24 hours and even put salt and pepper on it before cooking it. My family thought it needed more seasoning. I'm not sure I will be purchasing this turkey in the future.
Cons: Amount
Review 7 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
DEE135
,NJ
December 6, 2011
Ability level:Intermediate
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? Yes
0points
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Willie Bird
December 6, 2011
We had our thanksgiving dinner on tuesday the 22nd, which is the day the turkey arrived as advertised, we were able to prepare it that day! My family enjoyed the turkey. After reading some of the reviews, I was afraid that I had paid to much, but was very happy with Willie Bird, I have never purchased a fresh turkey and I am glad that this was a good experiece. I plan on purchasing another next year. It was worth it.
Pros: Easy to Prepare, Quality, Time-saver, Healthy
Review 8 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
bonniebeagle
December 6, 2011
Would You Recommend? Yes
0points
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Great bird!
December 6, 2011
I wasn't sure what to expect from a mail order turkey but our most recent store-bought ones were dry. The turkey arrived on the date promised. And, a woman called that night to be sure we had received the turkey. That's what I call excellent customer service! The turkey was nice and moist, very flavorful. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for excellent turkey.
Pros: Texture, Amount, Easy to Prepare, Authentic, Quality, Good for Entertaining, Time-saver, Flavor, Healthy, Great Gift
Review 9 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
Montecito
,Dallas
,TX
December 6, 2011
Ability level:Intermediate
Purchased:Regularly
Would You Recommend? Yes
0points
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Thanksgiving Turkey
December 6, 2011
I love ordering a Willie Bird Turkey from William Sonoma every year. It always arrives on time fresh and perfectly packed. The turkey is flavorful, juicy and a perfect Thanksgiving bird that my family and friends enjoy each year.
Pros: Texture, Amount, Easy to Prepare, Authentic, Quality, Good for Entertaining, Flavor, Healthy
Review 10 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
tennfoodguy
,Morristown
,TN
Near Knoxville, TN
December 6, 2011
Ability level:Intermediate
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? Yes
0points
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Awesome Bird
December 6, 2011
After doing my usual research prior to the holidays and having had some disappointments with "mail-order" turkeys in the past, I decided to take a chance with your Willy Bird. Happily it lived up to the positive reviews and came out juicy and perfectly done without a lot of prepping. It arrived in perfect condition, no evidence of having been frozen. You folks at WS seldom disappoint and you came through again with this offering.
Pros: Quality, Good for Entertaining, Flavor, Healthy
Review 11 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
Mckm
,Carlisle
,Pa
December 6, 2011
Ability level:Advanced
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? No
+2points
2of 2found this review helpful.
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Was this frozen?
December 6, 2011
I was very suspicious that this was a fresh turkey when it arrived at my door with one small ice pack in the box (having traveled from CA to PA I expected more ice packs) The bird was very cold and when I reached inside to remove the gizzards, there were pieces of ice. Very disappointing. The turkey tasted fine, but it was nothing special and not worth $90. Next year I will get a fresh turkey from a local farm
Cons: Disappointing
Review 12 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
MarkinKansas
,Wichita
,KS
Kansas
December 3, 2011
Ability level:Professional
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? No
+1point
1of 1found this review helpful.
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It's a nice turkey
December 3, 2011
Now, W-S longterm customers, like me (since 1992), Open-pasture-raised turkeys are great.
They are given grain supplements, but all commercial turkeys are, otherwise they would cost $40+/lb.
My only criticism of W-S selling Willie Birds, is, as a high-end purveyor to serious cooks, I would like to see W-S push Willie Birds to shift to heritage-breed narrow-breasted turkeys, and shift from ultra-low omega-3 feed to higher omega-3 flax, and maybe even sell some high-price totally open-range/non-grain-fed birds, unless they were foraging in flax, milo and oats fields. (unsprayed so the turkeys can eat lots of "bugs").
Pros: Quality, Good for Entertaining
Cons: Texture
Review 13 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
TheFred
,Norman
,OK
November 26, 2011
Ability level:Advanced
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? No
0points
1of 2found this review helpful.
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Disappointed
November 26, 2011
Cooked in a browning bag in the oven for the time and temperature recommended with the instructions, was very excuited because it looked very plump and juicy but ....
My family was very disappointed it had a very distinct taste that was almost gamey, first time I had tried it and will be the last. Thankfully I had smoked a butterball and that is all that was eaten.
My family was very disappointed it had a very distinct taste that was almost gamey, first time I had tried it and will be the last. Thankfully I had smoked a butterball and that is all that was eaten.
Cons: Disappointing, Flavor
Review 14 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
melkitho
November 24, 2011
Ability level:Advanced
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? Yes
0points
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Freaking Amazing Bird
November 24, 2011
This is the best turkey I have ever had for Thanksgiving... hands down. I was worried that this turkey that my father ordered was not going to be flavorful or seasoned well. Let me tell you I was wrong. The best part was the skin. The turkey was juicy and just plain delicious. Everyone should get this turkey at least once.
Pros: Texture, Easy to Prepare, Quality, Good for Entertaining, Time-saver, Flavor
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Review 15 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
Thanksgivingcook2
,Stevenson Ranch
,Ca
October 25, 2011
Ability level:Intermediate
Purchased:Once
Would You Recommend? Yes
+1point
1of 1found this review helpful.
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The Best Turkey Ever!!
October 25, 2011
I have cooked the last 26 Thanksgivings. Trying every Turkey imaginable until I came upon Willie Bird Free-Range last year. I have finally found what I have been looking for. This turkey was so moist and enjoyable!! You can bet this will be our Thanksgiving bird from here on out.
Review 16 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
snobird
Taos, NM
February 12, 2011
Would You Recommend? Yes
+2points
2of 2found this review helpful.
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Great Turkey
February 12, 2011
The Willie Bird turkey was very moist. It even held its moistness the third day after roasting which made for delighful turkey sandwiches. However, I found it took longer to cook than was posted but that may be because I'm at 7000 ft. Still a great bird nonetheless!!
Review 17 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
mrst75
Illinois
January 15, 2011
Would You Recommend? Yes
0points
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Excellent Turkey
January 15, 2011
I've prepared countless turkeys for the holidays through the years. I've tried several different brands, mainly Perdue fresh turkeys. I decided to try the Willie Bird Free-Range Turkey this year for Thanksgiving. Everyone in my family agreed it was the best turkey they've ever had. I followed the directions provided. I purchased another turkey for Christmas & it was excellent. I will be buying this from now on.
Review 18 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
triebbee
sacramento ca
January 5, 2011
Would You Recommend? Yes
+1point
1of 1found this review helpful.
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A True Christmas Experience
January 5, 2011
I spend 2 days brining and smoking my holiday turkey so naturally I want the very best. I have been trying every fresh turkey available and finally I believe I have found the best!!! I will definitely be ordering more Willie Bird's in my future...all agreed this years turkey was the best ever
Review 19 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
BigSkyGal
Billings, MT
December 21, 2010
Would You Recommend? Yes
0points
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Perfect Bird / Great Service
December 21, 2010
First, this is by far the best fresh turkey available and is worth every dollar. There is a very big difference from other birds. This was our 2nd WIllie Bird and they always arrive in the best condition -- no brusing or pin feathers like I've had in other turkeys. Also, the service from William-Sonoma is subperb! They call to make sure the bird is delivered and are so friendly and accomodating. I will never buy another turkey from anywhere else!
Review 20 for Willie Bird Fresh Free-Range Turkey
CubanSpice
Miami Beach
December 6, 2010
Would You Recommend? Yes
0points
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Juicy Juicy Juicy
December 6, 2010
This is our 3rd year buying our turkey from you guys and I must say its the BEST!!!! Thank you WS