Do you think of Popeyes when planning your Thanksgiving meal? You might after you read about this. Not only does the Popeyes Cajun Turkey offer a way different taste than the traditional Thanksgiving turkey, but it’s pre-cooked — making it an easy choice for people who want a hassle-free dinner.
Now, we’ll tell you right off the bat: These aren’t cheap. But you have options. (Heck, you could even find a way to convert a free turkey into a cajun turkey.) But is the Cajun Turkey worth it?
These turkeys have been available to purchase every year from October to November since 2001, and we’ve found out everything you should know about the release — including how to get one, the price, cooking instructions, and more.
But before you get your Popeyes Cajun Turkey, be sure to check out all our Popeyes chicken savings to get the best deals on your purchases.
The Popeyes Cajun Turkey costs $59.99 — and you have to buy it at the restaurant.
If your local Popeyes is selling the 13 to 16 pound Cajun Turkey, you’ll be able to pick one up for $59.99. Just make sure to contact your local Popeyes or call their corporate offices at (1-877-767-3937) to check their prices, availability, and to reserve your turkey for pickup time. Turkeys at Popeyes are only available while supplies last, and you won’t be able to purchase the turkey through the Popeyes app.
The Popeyes Turkey was bit by the price increases bug in 2023. Last year, you could have gotten your turkey for as little as $39.99, so you’ll be paying around 33% more for your Popeyes Turkey this year.
Note: Each Popeyes location is different, and prices might be higher than $59.99, depending on your local Popeyes and the size of the turkey.
The Popeyes Cajun Turkey can feed 8 to 12 people — as much as $4.99 per person.
If we’re assuming that everyone eats around 1 to 1.25 pounds of turkey, a 14 pound Popeyes Cajun Turkey can feed 8 to 12 people. If we break that down per person, you can expect to pay $4.99 to $7.50 per head just for the turkey.
Last year, we saw Thanksgiving meal deals for as little as $5.50 per head from Publix — which included sides and a similar-sized turkey.
A 14 pound Popeyes Cajun Turkey costs less than ordering 14 pounds of Popeyes.
A 16-Piece Signature Chicken costs $37.99, and it generally weighs around 4.65 pounds. If you’re doing the math, that means you’ll need to order three 16-Piece Signature Chicken bundles to get around 14 pounds of Popeyes — the weight of the Cajun Turkey. That means spending around $113.97 or $53.98 more than the turkey.
You’d have to pay an extra $40 to get your Popeyes Cajun Turkey delivered — but no guarantees on when you’ll receive it.
You can order your Popeyes Cajun Turkey online through their website (http://thecajunfix.popeyes.com) to be delivered at your doorstep pre-cooked and frozen for $99.99. Your turkey will be delivered within 1-3 business days after placing your order.
Now, this is important: There is no way to set a delivery date, so keep that in mind when you’re purchasing your turkey. If you’re unable to find the Popeyes Turkey at your local restaurants, this is the only other way to pick one up.
Thaw your Popeyes Cajun Turkey for 72 hours in the fridge.
The Popeyes Cajun Style Turkey isn’t going to be ready when you pick it up or receive it on your doorstep. You’ll have to thaw it and reheat it yourself, and there are two different ways you can thaw your Popeyes Cajun Style Turkey.
First, you can let it sit in your fridge for 72 hours to fully thaw.
You could also submerge it in cold water (below 70 degrees Fahrenheit) for 10 – 12 hours. You’ll have to change the water every 30 minutes to fully thaw properly. The downside of that is that you’ll wash off those amazing spices you paid so much for.
Note: You should never defrost your turkey at room temperature since bacteria can multiply quickly, and you could get salmonella.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to cook your Cajun Turkey.
To reheat your Popeyes Cajun Turkey, you’ll first need to preheat your conventional oven to 375 degrees and place the turkey on a large roasting pan with its juices in the pan. Get some aluminum foil and form a seal around the edges of the pan.
Once the oven is done preheating, place the turkey on the lower rack for 90 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for another 30 minutes and until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees.
Be sure to let it sit for 20 minutes to cool before carving, and then you’re all set.
Or you could just get a cheaper turkey and make your own cajun turkey rub at home.
If you’re having second thoughts about the Popeyes Cajun Turkey, we’ve got a whole list of places where we expect to get you a free turkey.
To make your own cajun-style turkey at home, all you need to do is create a cajun rub that you can apply to the exterior of the turkey as well as under the skin of the breast. Make sure to keep the rub on the turkey for at least two hours to make sure that the flavors will be uniform throughout the turkey. Here are the ingredients that you need to mix:
- 1/4 cup of salt
- 2 tablespoons of onion powder
- 2 tablespoons of paprika
- 1 tablespoon of ground oregano
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
So is the Popeyes Cajun Turkey worth it? Probably not, when you can get a turkey for as low as $0.99 per pound.
Is the Popeyes Cajun Turkey worth the price? If you’re a Popeyes loyalist who is heart-set on their unique flavors and preparation, it’s not a cost-saving measure, but more of a splurge. For the rest of us, there’s no way it’s a cost-effective idea. When you compare the price of turkey from different grocers, the cheapest turkey will come from Safeway at $0.99 per pound. Here’s the breakdown:
- Safeway Turkey (around $12.38; 9 to 16 pound turkey): $0.99 per pound
- Walmart Turkey (around $18.34; 10 to 16 pound turkey): $1.28 per pound
- Kroger Turkey (around $13.95; 3 to 9 pound turkey): $1.55 to $4.65 per pound
- Harris Teeter Turkey (around $27.34; 10 to 14 pound turkey): $1.99 per pound
- Target Turkey (16 to 20 pounds; maximum price of $49.80): $2.49 per pound
- Wegmans Turkey (around $38.25; 10 to 14 pounds): $2.79 per pound
- Popeyes Cajun Turkey (reg. $59.99; 13 to 16 pound turkey): $3.75 to 4.61 per pound
- Costco Turkey (reg. $79.99; 13 to 15 pound turkey): $5.33 to $6.15 per pound
Note: Prices will depend on location and store, so make sure to check your local grocery store to find the best prices.
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