Are you someone who loves the all-day Thanksgiving cooking marathon, or would you rather kick up your feet, watch football in your jammies, and let someone else do the heavy lifting while everything warms up in the oven at your leisure?
Personally, I fall firmly into the second category!
Especially when it comes to the turkey. I follow the directions, and it usually turns out delicious, but I spend most of the day hovering over that bird like a helicopter parent! By the time everything is cooked, served, and cleaned up, the sun has gone down, the kitchen looks like a tornado came through, and I'm completely exhausted. Somewhere between basting the turkey and washing the last dish, I realize I haven't really enjoyed the holiday!
Over the past few years, I've started sprinkling in a little holiday takeout here and there. Not every year, of course, but as an occasional treat, or when we're hosting a smaller group, I've realized there's something pretty wonderful about letting someone else handle the cooking.
After all, Thanksgiving is supposed to be about slowing down, enjoying good food, and spending time with the people we love—not spending the entire day chained to the kitchen!
And sometimes, the best thing you can make for Thanksgiving is a reservation...or an order for pickup!
Where can YOU order Thanksgiving meal this year?
LOCAL
Whether you want a whole turkey meal for 16+, or a meal for two, Whole Foods has got you! If you think it’s too late, it’s not! You can order it pretty quickly, select your pickup time, location and boom, Thanksgiving is mostly done. What an easy way to do the holiday!
This small business based in Louisville, CO, has provided my family with tasty meals for years now. When I know it’s a busy week, I’ll order a few meals for the week, heat them up and enjoy. It’s like having a private chef! Cultivate Kitchen is featuring holiday meals again this year. Think of it as ELEVATED dining for Thanksgiving, with large and small portion options. Let’s say only one of you is gluten free in your home, this could be the solution for you! They also offer vegetarian and vegan dishes as well. Ordering is open now!
Order your Thanksgiving Box by Nov 16th to pick up on Nov 25th between 11 am-3 pm!
This Thanksgiving box has options - choose Turkey or Ham. Comes with a starter salad, mashers and gravy, yams, green bean and Mushroom Casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, the whole 9 yards. Reheat and serve! Optional pie add-on as well. Check and check!
*Note: If you are hosting an event on a larger scale, they do a catered Thanksgiving, but you’d need to contact them for details.
Order this year to get the BBQ Holiday dinner of your dreams! Whole Smoked Turkey or Bourbon-Glazed Spiral Cut Bone-in Ham. Sides galore, with options of Chicken & Cornbread dressing, Garlic Buttered Broccoli, Mashed Potatoes with Biscuit Gravy, BBQ Beans etc! The desserts sound amazing : Bread Pudding, Apple Crisp, Banana Pudding, Chocolate Brownies and more! Dining in a small group, pair or single, they have individual heat-and-serve plates as well!
Sticking with the BBQ theme for a minute we have Famous Dave’s holiday menu where you’ll find Whole Smoked Turkey or Ham. Sliced “feasts” for a smaller crowd of 4-5 or whole “feasts” for the larger groups of 10-12+.
Offerings vary by location and at the time of this post are not yet available for the holiday season at our closest location.
Starting at $85 this holiday meal is a total steal in this economic environment. Order through your local King Soopers or online, and take the guesswork out of it.
Meals start at $80 and feature things like turkey, ham or prime rib, select your store and meal, pick up and be ready to go! Heat and serve.
This smaller natural foods grocery also provides some pre-cooked meals. You’ll see traditional meals and even sushi platters for the unconventional holiday feast. Find your closest location, select your meals, order, and make life easy!
A staple of the South, Cracker Barrel is a very popular option. With only 24 hour notice, this could save your bacon if you can’t find a turkey! Or if you are celebrating the day early, you can certainly still enjoy this meal with family and friends as pick up is offered early enough to do your own faux-giving day feast.
SHIPPED TO ME
While you do have to order this year by 9pm on 11/20, Williams Sonoma offers a full build-your-own Thanksgiving meal shipped to your door! Exciting. The turkey is pre-brined, meaning you still need to cook it yourself, but the sides are put together and ready to bake…so it’s a half-baked Thanksgiving, ha! Mostly done and delicious.
Featured as a Gift a Thanksgiving Meal, you can send this package to a loved one or a family needing a pick me up. Or gift it to yourself! Entire meals come with Turkey, sides, dessert etc.
If you cook your meal from scratch (which is truly a medal-worthy achievement) or bring in reinforcements, we hope you have a beautiful holiday filled with good weather, football, and quality time with family and friends.
