Where to Buy Raw Chicken Gizzards Near Me: Your Complete Shopping Guide

Let’s face it – finding raw chicken gizzards isn’t always easy. I’ve spent countless hours driving around town, calling different stores, and leaving empty-handed more times than I care to admit. If you’re like me and love these nutritious chicken parts but struggle to find them, you’re in the right place.

After years of hunting for the best raw chicken gizzards, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to help you locate them quickly near your location. No more wasted trips or disappointment!

What Exactly Are Chicken Gizzards?

Before diving into where to buy them, let’s clarify what chicken gizzards actually are. Many folks aren’t familiar with this part of the chicken.

Chicken gizzards are muscular organs found in a chicken’s digestive tract. Since chickens don’t have teeth they swallow small stones and grit that collect in the gizzard. This organ then uses those stones to grind up the food the chicken eats – essentially functioning as the chicken’s teeth!

Gizzards are dark meat with a distinctive chewy texture that many cultures around the world consider a delicacy. They’re incredibly nutritious and packed with protein.

Why Chicken Gizzards Are Worth Seeking Out

You might wonder why anyone would go through the trouble of finding chicken gizzards when chicken breasts and thighs are readily available everywhere. Here’s why I think they’re worth the effort:

• Incredibly nutritious – From a 3.5-ounce serving, you get about 18 grams of protein, important vitamins and minerals
• Budget-friendly – Usually much cheaper than other cuts of chicken
• Versatile in cooking – Can be braised, fried, grilled, or used in soups and stews
• Rich, unique flavor – Offers a more intense taste than typical chicken cuts
• Great for slow cooking – The tough texture breaks down beautifully in slow-cooked dishes

Where to Buy Raw Chicken Gizzards

1. Major Grocery Stores with Delivery via Instacart

One of the easiest ways to find chicken gizzards is through Instacart, which partners with numerous grocery chains. Based on Instacart’s listings, you can find chicken gizzards from these brands:

• Publix Chicken Gizzards
• Perdue Chicken Gizzards
• Tyson All Natural Chicken Gizzards
• Sanderson Farms Chicken Gizzards
• Harris Teeter All Natural Chicken Gizzards
• Bell & Evans Chicken Gizzards (Air Chilled)
• Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Gizzards & Hearts
• Gold’n Plump Chicken Gizzards

The beauty of using Instacart is that you can check availability before driving to the store, and even have them delivered right to your door in as little as an hour in many locations.

2. Walmart

Walmart typically carries chicken gizzards in both their fresh meat department and frozen sections. They specifically offer:

• Foster Farms Fresh Natural Cage-Free Chicken Gizzards & Hearts

These typically come in packages around 1 pound. You can check availability at your local Walmart using their website or app before making the trip.

3. Specialty Meat Markets and Butcher Shops

In my experience, small local butcher shops are gold mines for organ meats like gizzards. Unlike big chain stores that might only stock what’s popular, butchers often have access to every part of the chicken.

Benefits of buying from a butcher shop:

• Fresher product
• Staff knowledge about preparation
• Ability to request specific amounts
• Supporting local businesses

Call ahead to confirm they have gizzards in stock before visiting.

4. Ethnic Grocery Stores

Asian, Latin, and African markets often carry chicken gizzards regularly since they’re common ingredients in many traditional dishes from these cultures.

Some markets to check:

• H Mart or other Asian supermarkets
• Hispanic/Latino grocery stores
• African specialty markets

These stores often have the added benefit of staff who can provide cooking tips and complementary ingredients for traditional recipes.

5. Farmers Markets & Direct from Farms

For the absolute freshest gizzards, consider:

• Local farmers markets
• Farms that sell direct to consumers
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs

Many small-scale poultry farmers who sell whole chickens also offer packages of giblets (which include gizzards) separately. The quality is usually exceptional, though prices might be higher than commercial options.

How to Choose Good Raw Chicken Gizzards

When you finally find chicken gizzards, here’s what to look for:

• Color – Should be pinkish-red without gray or green discoloration
• Smell – Should have minimal odor (slight metallic smell is normal)
• Texture – Firm to the touch, not slimy
• Cleanliness – Check if they’re cleaned (have debris removed) or uncleaned
• Packaging – Look for undamaged packaging with no excess liquid

Pricing: What to Expect to Pay

Chicken gizzards are generally inexpensive compared to other cuts of chicken. Based on current market trends:

• Chain grocery stores: $2-4 per pound
• Specialty markets: $3-6 per pound
• Direct from farms: $4-8 per pound

The price variation usually reflects how the chickens were raised (conventional vs. free-range or organic) and whether the gizzards are pre-cleaned.

Storage Tips for Raw Chicken Gizzards

Once you’ve purchased your gizzards:

• Refrigeration: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
• Freezing: For longer storage (up to 4 months), place in freezer-safe bags
• Thawing: Always thaw in the refrigerator, never at room temperature
• Quality check: After thawing, ensure texture is still firm – if soft, slimy, or grayish, discard

How to Prepare Chicken Gizzards Before Cooking

If you bought pre-packaged gizzards from a store like those listed on Instacart, they’ll typically come pre-cleaned. However, if you purchased them directly from a butcher or farm, you might need to clean them yourself:

1. Slice each gizzard in half
2. Remove any debris, grit, or yellowish lining
3. Rinse thoroughly under cold water
4. Pat dry with paper towels

My Favorite Ways to Cook Chicken Gizzards

I’ve experimented with countless recipes over the years. Here are some methods that work beautifully:

Slow-Cooked Tender Gizzards

1. Marinate in buttermilk overnight with salt and pepper
2. Slow cook on low for 6-8 hours with broth and aromatics
3. Result: Fall-apart tender meat perfect for soups or over rice

Crispy Fried Gizzards

1. Boil gizzards for 30-45 minutes until partially tender
2. Coat in seasoned flour (I use garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper)
3. Deep fry at 350°F until golden brown and crispy
4. Drain on paper towels

Grilled Gizzard Skewers

1. Marinate in soy sauce, ginger, garlic overnight
2. Thread onto skewers
3. Grill over medium heat, turning frequently
4. Brush with marinade while cooking

Common Questions About Buying Chicken Gizzards

Are frozen chicken gizzards as good as fresh?

While fresh is always ideal, frozen gizzards work perfectly well for most recipes, especially slow-cooked dishes. The texture difference is minimal after cooking.

Why are chicken gizzards sometimes hard to find?

In many Western markets, there’s less demand for organ meats compared to chicken breasts or thighs. Stores stock based on customer demand, which is why specialty markets often have better availability.

Can I substitute chicken gizzards in recipes?

If you can’t find gizzards, chicken hearts offer a somewhat similar texture, though less chewy. For some recipes, dark meat chicken thighs cut into small pieces can work as a substitute.

Should I be concerned about the high cholesterol in gizzards?

Chicken gizzards do contain cholesterol, but they’re also extremely nutritious. Most nutrition experts now recognize that dietary cholesterol has less impact on blood cholesterol than previously thought. Still, moderation is key – enjoying them occasionally as part of a balanced diet is the best approach.

Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Gizzards

When you do track down some good chicken gizzards, you’re getting an incredibly nutritious food. A 3.5 ounce serving provides:

• 18 grams of protein
• 2.1 grams of fat
• 69 milligrams of sodium
• 237 milligrams of potassium
• Rich in Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, and E
• Contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper
• Contains folate, which helps the body produce and use amino acids

The health benefits include:

• Prevention of anemia (due to iron content)
• Improved brain, heart, and immune system functions
• Support for white and red blood cell formation
• Skin and hair health
• Collagen content (about 23mg per gram)

My Personal Experience Buying Chicken Gizzards

I’ve had the most consistent luck finding good quality chicken gizzards at Asian markets near me. The staff are usually knowledgeable about cooking them too, which is a bonus! My second best option has been using Instacart to check which of my local grocery stores have them in stock before making a trip.

Walmart sometimes has them, but availability can be hit or miss in my experience. I’ve found that calling ahead saves a lot of time regardless of where I’m shopping.

Conclusion

Finding raw chicken gizzards doesn’t have to be a wild goose chase (or should I say chicken chase?). With this guide, you now know exactly where to look, what to look for, and how to prepare these nutritious and flavorful chicken parts.

Whether you’re making a traditional family recipe or experimenting with gizzards for the first time, the effort to find them is well worth it. They offer exceptional nutrition at a budget-friendly price, with a unique texture and flavor that can’t be matched by other chicken parts.

Have you had success finding chicken gizzards somewhere I didn’t mention? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

Remember, if you’re using Instacart, you can simply add chicken gizzards to your cart and place your order via their app. They’ll do their best to ensure same-day delivery so you can start cooking these nutritional powerhouses right away!