Are you tired of making multiple trips to the grocery store just to keep your freezer stocked with chicken? Maybe you’re planning a big family gathering, or perhaps you run a small restaurant and need reliable sources for quality poultry. Whatever your reason, buying chicken in bulk can save you both time and money. In this guide, I’ll show you the best places to buy bulk chicken and share some tips I’ve learned from my own experience.
Why Buy Chicken in Bulk?
Before we dive into where to shop let’s talk about the benefits
- Save money – Bulk purchases typically come with significant discounts
- Reduce packaging waste – Fewer individual packages means less plastic and waste
- Fewer shopping trips – Stock up once and you’re set for weeks or months
- Better meal planning – Having chicken on hand makes weekly meal prep easier
As someone who feeds a family of five, I’ve found that buying in bulk has cut our meat budget by nearly 20% while giving us better quality options. Plus I’m not running to the store every other day!
Best Places to Buy Bulk Chicken
1. Specialty Meat Shops and Butchers
Local butcher shops like Bringhurst Meats offer excellent bulk chicken options with customization that you just can’t get at supermarkets
At Bringhurst Meats, you can purchase:
- Conventional chicken cases (around 40 lbs)
- Premium Gerber Amish Farms All Natural Chicken
- Various cuts including fryers, legs, wings, bone-in breasts, and boneless breasts
What makes butcher shops special is the service. They can cut pieces to your specifications and wrap them according to your needs. For example, Bringhurst offers options to:
- Split fryers in half or cut into drums, thighs, wings & breasts
- Cut whole legs into drums and thighs
- Split bone-in breasts in half
- Filet boneless breasts
They even offer an “Italian Style” option for boneless breasts (butterflied and flattened) for a small additional fee.
2. Specialty Online Retailers
For those seeking specific types of chicken, such as halal or organic options, online retailers are increasingly popular.
Crescent Foods specializes in Halal Hand-Cut chicken products that can be ordered online:
- 20-pound cases of various cuts:
- Boneless Skinless Thighs ($120)
- Chicken Tenders ($150)
- Drumsticks ($80)
- Leg Quarters ($65)
- Party Wings ($105)
- Whole Chicken ($75)
They also offer specialty items like 24-pound cases of breaded chicken tenders ($164) and fully cooked chicken breast nuggets ($144).
What I love about Crescent Foods is their transparency about their process. All their products are halal, hand-cut, and all-natural, which matters to many families with dietary restrictions or preferences.
3. Wholesale Clubs
Membership-based stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale are popular choices for bulk chicken purchases:
- Costco – Known for their rotisserie chickens and large packs of organic options
- Sam’s Club – Offers good prices on conventional chicken in family-sized packs
- BJ’s Wholesale – Similar to other clubs but sometimes has regional specialty items
We’ve had a Costco membership for years, and their 6-pack of chicken breasts is always in our cart. The quality is consistent, and the price per pound is hard to beat.
4. Direct from Farms
Many farms now sell directly to consumers. Sunrise Farms, for example, offers all-natural chicken wholesale with various options:
- Whole birds
- Boneless skinless breasts
- Thighs, wings, and drumsticks
- Custom processing options
The advantage here is freshness and knowing exactly where your meat comes from. You’re also supporting local agriculture directly.
5. Restaurant Supply Stores
If you’re looking for truly large quantities, restaurant supply stores like Restaurant Depot or WebstaurantStore offer:
- Cases of whole chickens
- Bulk packages of specific cuts
- Commercial-grade quality at wholesale prices
Some of these stores require a business license, but others are open to the public. We’ve found that the quality is sometimes better than grocery stores because restaurants demand consistency.
What to Consider When Buying Bulk Chicken
Before you place that big order, here are some things to think about:
1. Storage Space
This is probably the biggest limitation for most families. You’ll need:
- A dedicated freezer (upright or chest)
- Proper packaging to prevent freezer burn
- Organization system to keep track of what you have
We invested in a chest freezer a few years ago, and it’s been one of our best purchases ever. It pays for itself in bulk savings!
2. Quality and Sourcing
Not all bulk chicken is created equal. Consider:
- Conventional vs. organic or free-range
- Special certifications (halal, kosher, etc.)
- Antibiotics and hormone policies
- Ethical farming practices
For example, Crescent Foods emphasizes their halal hand-cut process, while Bringhurst offers both conventional chicken and premium Gerber Amish Farms All Natural Chicken at different price points.
3. Processing and Packaging Options
Different suppliers offer different services:
- Pre-cut vs. whole birds
- Custom cutting options
- Packaging choices (individual wrapping, vacuum sealing, etc.)
- Fresh vs. frozen
Bringhurst Meats, for instance, charges slightly more for custom cutting and wrapping services, but the convenience is worth it for many customers.
4. Delivery or Pickup Options
Logistics matter when dealing with large quantities of perishable items:
- Delivery availability and fees
- Pickup requirements and timing
- How products are kept cold during transport
Crescent Foods, for example, has specific pickup procedures at their Chicago facility with designated parking spots, and they’ll hold orders for up to 2 days.
Price Comparison
To give you an idea of what to expect price-wise, here’s a comparison of boneless chicken breast prices from our sources:
| Supplier | Product | Price per Pound | Case Size | Total Case Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent Foods | Tenders | $7.50 | 20 lbs | $150.00 |
| Bringhurst (Conventional) | Boneless Breasts | $2.34-$2.59 | 40 lbs | $93.60-$103.60 |
| Bringhurst (Amish) | Boneless Breasts | $5.43-$5.73 | 20 lbs | $108.60-$114.60 |
As you can see, prices vary significantly based on quality, processing methods, and certifications. The conventional options from Bringhurst are the most economical in this comparison, while specialty products like halal or Amish-raised chicken command premium prices.
How to Store Bulk Chicken
Once you’ve got your bulk chicken, proper storage is crucial:
- Divide into meal-sized portions before freezing
- Use quality freezer bags or vacuum seal for best results
- Label everything with contents and date
- Use older items first – rotate your stock
- Keep chicken at 0°F or below for best quality
I personally like to prep some portions with marinades before freezing – it saves time later and the meat absorbs flavor as it thaws!
FAQ About Buying Bulk Chicken
Will bulk chicken be fresh or frozen?
It depends on the supplier. Crescent Foods mentions that “All orders are freshly packed and frozen.” Many butchers offer fresh chicken that you can freeze yourself, while wholesale clubs typically sell both options.
How long can I store bulk chicken?
Properly frozen chicken can maintain quality for 9-12 months. Crescent Foods notes that their products have a “use by date 1 year from date of production.”
Can I customize my bulk chicken order?
Many suppliers offer customization. Bringhurst Meats provides detailed cutting options, while Crescent Foods states they “do not customize products” beyond what’s listed.
Do I need to be a business to purchase bulk chicken?
Not usually! While some restaurant supply stores require business credentials, most options we’ve discussed are available to individuals. Crescent Foods specifically states, “You do not need to own a business to pick up a bulk order.”
What if I don’t have enough freezer space?
Consider splitting an order with friends or family. You get the bulk discount without needing to store everything yourself. We’ve done “chicken splits” with our neighbors several times!
Conclusion
Buying chicken in bulk is a smart strategy for families and small businesses looking to save money and time. Whether you choose a local butcher like Bringhurst Meats, a specialty supplier like Crescent Foods, or another option, the key is finding a reliable source that matches your quality expectations and budget.
I’ve been buying in bulk for years now, and I can’t imagine going back to small-package shopping. The savings add up quickly, and there’s something deeply satisfying about having a well-stocked freezer!
Have you tried buying chicken in bulk? What’s been your experience? I’d love to hear about your favorite suppliers and tips in the comments below!
Why Buy Bulk Chicken?
There are several great reasons people choose to purchase chicken in bulk:
Buying in larger quantities often comes with a significantly lower cost per pound. For example, when you buy 40 pounds of chicken breast at once, you’ll usually pay much less than purchasing the same amount in smaller packs from the grocery store.
Having a freezer full of chicken means fewer trips to the store. With bulk chicken on hand, you can always whip up a meal without needing to run out for ingredients.
How much does a lb of chicken cost?
The price of chicken per pound can vary depending on the cut, quality, and where you buy it. On average:
- Conventional chicken breast typically ranges from $2.50 to $4.00 per pound.
- Organic or pasture-raised chicken can cost $5.00 to $8.00+ per pound.
Prices of chicken fluctuate, and these are just average estimates based on current market trends. Always check with your supplier or co-op for the most up-to-date pricing.
Buying in bulk is one of the best ways to reduce the price per pound and stretch your food budget further.