This Thanksgiving, whether you’re roasting the entire bird or just the breast, you want it to taste juicy and flavorful, not depressing and boring. It’s all about the seasoning, and there are a few different approaches to take to ensure that your turkey doesn’t taste like sawdust. Here’s how to season a turkey so it actually tastes like something.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. But let’s be honest, not everyone has the time or energy to cook a full Thanksgiving dinner from scratch That’s where pre-cooked turkey dinners come in.
Whether you’re looking for a classic roasted turkey or something a little more adventurous there are plenty of places to buy a cooked turkey dinner that will make your Thanksgiving feast a breeze.
Here are some of the best places to buy a cooked turkey dinner:
- Harry & David: This company is known for its gourmet food gifts, including its Thanksgiving turkey dinners. You can choose from a whole or sliced turkey, as well as a variety of sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
- HoneyBaked Ham Co.: While HoneyBaked Ham Co. is famous for its hams, they also offer delicious Thanksgiving turkey dinners. You can order a whole turkey or a half turkey, and they have a variety of sides to choose from as well.
- Bob Evans: This family-friendly restaurant offers a variety of Thanksgiving meal options, including a pot roast, turkey, and ham. You can also order sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole.
- Cracker Barrel: If you’re looking for a classic American Thanksgiving meal, Cracker Barrel is a great option. They offer a Heat n’ Serve Feast that includes two oven-roasted turkey breasts, turkey gravy, cranberry relish, two sides, and pie for dessert.
- Whole Foods: Whole Foods offers a Thanksgiving Feast that comes with turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, traditional herb stuffing, and more. Or, if you don’t want turkey on the menu this year, you can also order their Prime Rib Meal, complete with a salt and pepper prime rib roast, truffled parmesan mashed potatoes, and more mouth-watering sides.
- Denny’s: This diner is open 24/7, all year round, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for a last-minute Thanksgiving meal. They offer a Turkey & Dressing Dinner Bundle that comes with roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, sides, and more.
- Blue Apron: This meal kit delivery service offers a variety of Thanksgiving meal options, including a Classic Thanksgiving Box with turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, and a Vegetarian Holiday Box with plant-based dishes like lentil loaf and roasted vegetables.
- Nueske’s: If you love a nice, smoky turkey, Nueske’s is a great option. They specialize in smoked meats and offer a variety of smoked turkey options for Thanksgiving.
- Omaha Steaks: This iconic mail-order steak company sends far more than just steak. They run a special promotion every year where they’ll mail a juicy whole-basted turkey to you for the big day.
- Williams Sonoma: Williams Sonoma offers complete Thanksgiving dinners, with turkey and all the fixings, online. You can also order a variety of sides and desserts.
- Goldbelly: Goldbelly is a great option if you’re looking for a unique Thanksgiving meal. They offer a wide selection of Thanksgiving mains and side dishes from all over the country.
- Brio Italian Grille: If you’re looking for an Italian-style Thanksgiving meal, Brio Italian Grille is a great option. They offer a variety of Thanksgiving classics, including roasted turkey, Italian sausage stuffing, and roasted garlic mashed potatoes.
- FreshDirect: FreshDirect offers a guaranteed-fresh full Thanksgiving dinner for just $9.99 a plate. Dinner includes turkey breast with cornbread-sausage stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
- Maggiano’s: This Italian-American restaurant offers a four-course family-style Thanksgiving meal that you can enjoy at home. The meal includes smoked ham, four-cheese ravioli, pumpkin praline cheesecake, and more.
- Marie Callender’s: Marie Callender’s offers a variety of pre-cooked Thanksgiving meal options, including turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and pie.
- Buca di Beppo: This family-style restaurant offers a Thanksgiving dinner that includes sliced turkey, gravy, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, seasoned vegetables, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and more.
- HelloFresh: HelloFresh offers a variety of Thanksgiving meal options, including a Turkey + Sides Box that serves 8-10 people and a Beef Tenderloin Sides Box serving 4-6 people.
- Trader Joe’s: Trader Joe’s doesn’t offer a fully prepared Thanksgiving meal, but they do offer a variety of Thanksgiving-themed items, including a Brined Bone-In Half Turkey Breast, Turkey Gravy, Scallopini Potatoes, Nantucket Style Cranberry Pie, Cornbread Stuffing Mix, and more.
- Albertsons: Albertsons offers a variety of Thanksgiving meal options, including a variety of turkey options, a spiral cut ham, and all the classic sides.
- Bravo! Italian Kitchen: Bravo! Italian Kitchen offers a Thanksgiving dinner that includes roasted turkey breast, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, spicy Italian sausage stuffing, pumpkin pie, and more.
- Popeyes: Popeyes offers a Cajun-style Thanksgiving meal that includes a juicy turkey, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and cinnamon apple pie.
- Publix: Publix offers a Thanksgiving meal that you can order online and pick up at the deli and bakery. The meal includes a variety of turkey options, sides, and desserts.
No matter what your budget or dietary restrictions are, there’s a pre-cooked turkey dinner out there that’s perfect for you. So relax, put your feet up, and let someone else do the cooking this Thanksgiving.
Here are some additional tips for buying a pre-cooked turkey dinner:
- Order early. Thanksgiving is a busy time for restaurants and grocery stores, so it’s important to order your turkey dinner in advance. Most places will allow you to order up to a week in advance, but some places may require you to order even earlier.
- Ask about sides. Some places will include sides with your turkey dinner, while others will charge extra. Be sure to ask about sides when you’re placing your order.
- Read the reviews. Before you order from a particular place, be sure to read the reviews online. This will give you a good idea of what other people have thought of the food and service.
- Consider your budget. Pre-cooked turkey dinners can range in price from around $50 to $200 or more. Be sure to set a budget before you start shopping so that you don’t overspend.
- Don’t forget the dessert! No Thanksgiving meal is complete without dessert. Be sure to order a pie or other dessert to complete your meal.
With a little planning, you can have a delicious and stress-free Thanksgiving feast with a pre-cooked turkey dinner.
Season Your Turkey in Advance
Please, we beg you, don’t salt your bird the day of Thanksgiving, just as you shouldn’t wait to thaw your turkey. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels at least one day, if not three, before Thanksgiving. Then, liberally season it with kosher salt, making sure to rub it all over or just enough to coat the surface. In this manner, the turkey will taste well-seasoned throughout and not just salty on the outside since the salt will have had time to seep into the bird’s flesh. And unlike wet-brining (soaking the turkey in saltwater) this method ensures crispy skin. Once you’ve seasoned your turkey, leave it uncovered in the fridge until you’re ready to roast. (Covering it will lead to a soggy bird. ).
Don’t Be Shy with Salt
When we say season generously, we mean generously. According to the experts at America’s Test Kitchen, you should use 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per pound of turkey (and ¾ teaspoon per pound if you’re cooking just the breast). So if you’re cooking a 12-pound turkey, that’s about ¼ cup of salt for the whole bird. This is not the time to sprinkle delicately.
Best Thanksgiving: How to Brine a Turkey & How to Salt a Turkey
FAQ
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