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Thanksgiving is the favorite holiday of many people and one of the biggest home-entertaining days of the year. There's no need to buy gifts, wear a costume, or worry about getting pinched for not wearing green.
On Thanksgiving, all you need to worry about is eating a delicious turkey dinner, watching some football, taking a nap, eating some more food, watching some more football and just chilling with family and friends.
That's a holiday!
You might think, 'That's all well and good if you're not the one who has to make that massive feast.' Well, you don't have to be the one who does all the cooking this year. You have plenty of options to order Thanksgiving dinner to go from your favorite grocery store or restaurant.
It just depends on what you're willing to spend.
Here's Where to Order Thanksgiving Dinner To Go
Thanksgiving 2020 saw smaller-than-usual gatherings because of the pandemic. But this year, grocery chains are stocking up on larger turkeys as they expect Thanksgiving tables to look more like they did pre-pandemic. If you're hosting that means you need to figure out how to feed all those mouths without collapsing from exhaustion from the cooking duties.
Food prices are also on the rise, with news reports saying that turkeys are likely to cost about 25 cents more per pound than they did in 2020. And it's not just turkey prices that are rising â€" consumers across the country are noticing higher prices on everything from canned pumpkin to sweet potatoes.
Suddenly, paying someone else to make dinner for you doesn't seem so extravagant. That way, you can spend time decorating the table.
So, what are your options when you want to skip the cooking entirely and let someone else do the heavy lifting?
Here are 16 places where you can order a pre-made Thanksgiving dinner â€" or at least part of it â€" to stuff family and friends on the big day. Plus, reduce the work in the kitchen.
1. Publix
If you live in the Southeast, you probably know and love Publix. It loves you right back with the premade Publix Deli large turkey dinner. All you have to do is buy it, take it home and heat it up. It'll feed 14 to 18 people.
This Thanksgiving meal cost $89.99 in 2020, which comes out to $4.99 to $6.43 per person. Prices for 2021 haven't yet been made public as of this writing but this will give you a benchmark.
The meal price includes:
- One 16- to 18-pound cooked Butterball turkey
- 5 pounds dressing
- 5 pounds mashed potatoes
- 64 ounces Publix gravy
- 56 ounces Marshmallow Delight, a sweet fruit salad
- 32 ounces Publix cranberry orange relish
And if you're feeding a smaller family, you can get the Publix Deli turkey dinner for 7 to 10 people for $49.99 (2020 price), or about $5 to $7.14 per person.
The meal includes:
- One 10- to 12-pound fully cooked Butterball turkey
- 2 1/2 pounds dressing
- 2 1/2 pounds mashed potatoes
- 32 ounces Publix gravy
- 28 ounces Marshmallow Delight
- 16 ounces Publix cranberry orange relish
Some items require up to 150 minutes to heat because of their size so plan accordingly. Heating instructions are included for both meals.
2. Cracker Barrel
Nothing says 'homestyle' like Cracker Barrel. With its Heat n' Serve Holiday Family Meal To-Go, you know you'll get comfort food â€" and plenty of it.
This Heat n' Serve Feast feeds eight to 10 people for $139.99, which comes out to $17.50 to $13.99 per person.
The meal includes:
- Two oven-roasted turkey breasts
- Cornbread dressing
- Turkey gravy
- Cranberry relish
- Sweet potato casserole
- Your choice of two country sides
- Sweet yeast rolls
- Pumpkin pie and pecan pie
If you're planning a smaller gathering, Cracker Barrel's Heat n' Serve Family Dinner serves four to six people. At $89.99, that comes out to $22.50 to $14.99 per person. The meal includes the following:
- Oven-roasted turkey breast
- Cornbread dressing
- Turkey gravy
- Cranberry relish
- Sweet potato casserole
- Your choice of one country side
- Sweet yeast rolls
It's pricey per person, but if you pre-order and schedule your pickup for Nov. 22 or Nov. 23, you'll also receive a $10 Cracker Barrel gift card with the Feast or $5 gift card with the Family Dinner.
3. Boston Market
Boston Market prides itself on its homestyle food, so when Thanksgiving rolls around, it's not about to step back. It gets in on the action with its complete Thanksgiving meal for 12.
The price is $149.99, putting it at $12.50 per person.
The meal includes:
- One whole roasted turkey
- Spinach artichoke dip and crackers
- Mashed potatoes
- Gravy
- Vegetable stuffing
- Cranberry walnut relish
- Dinner rolls
- Apple pie
- Pumpkin pie
Or you could go for the essential turkey meal for $129.99, or $10.83 per person, instead. This meal also serves up to 12 people and includes:
- Whole roasted turkey
- Mashed potatoes
- Gravy
- Vegetable stuffing
- Dinner rolls
- Apple pie
- Pumpkin pie
And for smaller families (up to 6 people), you'll find two meals to choose from on Boston Market's heat-and-serve Thanksgiving menu. If you need any additional meats, sides or desserts, you can order from the a la carte menu. All items are cooked and chilled for pickup the week of Thanksgiving.
4. The Fresh Market
Fresh Market is known as an upscale grocer, but it doesn't stretch the budget with its deluxe holiday dinner. If you want variety in your meal, you'll get it with this one.
The cost to feed 12 to 14 people is $159.99, which comes out to $11.43 to $13.33 per person.
The meal kit includes:
- One 10- to 12-pound cooked turkey
- 3 1/2 pounds boneless sliced ham
- 4 pounds of Yukon Gold whipped potatoes
- 3 pounds of traditional herb stuffing
- 30 ounces of turkey gravy
- 2 pounds of roasted butternut squash with pecans and cranberries
- 2 pounds of green bean medley
- 16 ounces of cranberry relish with walnuts
- 24 dinner rolls
- 1 apple pie
Wait. Turkey and ham? That's excessiveness we can get behind. Plus, the sides look amazing. If you have a Fresh Market nearby, this could be a great option.
If your Thanksgiving dinner will be a little smaller â€" as in 8 to 10 people â€" then you can go for the traditional holiday dinner for $89.99, or about $8.99 to $11.25 per person.
This meal includes:
- One 10- to 12-pound cooked turkey
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold whipped potatoes
- 3 pounds traditional herb stuffing
- 30 ounces turkey gravy
- 16 ounces cranberry relish with walnuts
- 12 golden dinner rolls
And if your Thanksgiving table is even smaller, you can grab the essential holiday dinner for 3 to 5 people. This heat-and-serve meal rings in at $69.99, or about $14 to $23 per person, and includes:
- 3-pound cooked turkey breast
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold whipped potatoes
- 2 pounds traditional herb stuffing
- 1 pound green bean medley
- 30 ounces homestyle turkey gravy
- 8 ounces cranberry relish with walnuts
The Fresh Market will be open Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
5. Bob Evans
To feed 12 people with Bob Evans' Turkey Farmhouse Feast, you'd need to order one eight-person meal and one four-person meal. Together, they run $159.98, putting your bill at $13.33 per person.
The meal includes:
- Slow-roasted turkey
- Bread-and-celery dressing
- Mashed potatoes with gravy
- Corn
- Green beans with ham
- Cranberry relish
- Dinner rolls
- Pumpkin pie
- Pumpkin bread
If you prefer turkey over ham, you can order the Ham Farmhouse Feast for $149.98, or $12.50 per person.
You can also opt for the Premium Farmhouse Feast, which feeds 8 to 10 people for $134.99, or $13.50 to $16.87 per person, and includes:
- Slow-roasted turkey
- Hickory-smoked ham
- Bread-and-celery dressing
- Mashed potatoes with gravy
- Corn
- Green beans with ham
- Cranberry relish
- Macaroni and cheese
- Pumpkin bread
- Dinner rolls
- Pumpkin pie
- Double-crust apple pie
The meals are packed cold, but heating instructions are included.
6. Hy-Vee
If you're lucky enough to live in the Midwest where you can shop at Hy-Vee, you have a great holiday meal option with its family feast turkey dinner. Those outside the Midwest don't know what they're missing from this Iowa-based grocery store chain.
The 2020 price for up to 12 people is $129.99, which comes out to $10.83 per person. Prices for 2021 haven't been released yet.
The meal includes:
- One 14- to 16-pound Butterball turkey
- 32 ounces beef or turkey gravy
- Two large sides mashed potatoes
- Four large sides your choice (including dessert)
- 24 dinner rolls
The instructions say to plan for 2 1/2 hours to reheat the meal.
7. Whole Foods Market
OK, you're ready to pull out all the stops. 'Go big or go home' is a great motto for this holiday. Whole Foods' festive feast for 12 isn't cheap, but it'll blow the doors off your Thanksgiving â€" as well as your belt buckles and buttons.
The price for up to 12 people is $299.99, which comes out to $24.99 per person.
It includes:
- One roast turkey
- One spiral-sliced ham
- Mashed potatoes
- Traditional herb stuffing
- Green beans with roasted shallots
- Roasted butternut squash with cranberries and sage
- Creamed spinach and kale
- Turkey gravy
- Cranberry orange sauce
- Spiced brown sugar ham glaze
- Brioche rolls
- One pumpkin pie
- One apple pie
At $279.99, it's a more expensive option, but you're getting a lot of food for your buck. Plus, there are a few smaller holiday meal options.
8. Costco
It's no surprise to find Costco on this list. Just like most things you buy here, you can expect quality and deliciousness from their Schwan's Thanksgiving Meal, also billed as Thanksgiving meal in a box.
The meal serves 8 people and costs $119.99, which works out at $14.99 a head. Watch out for discounts early in the month, which can bring the price down even more.
This meal includes:
- Two 2.5-pound turkey breasts (ready to roast)
- 2-pound bag whole baby potatoes, roasted and seasoned with garlic, onion and salt
- 2-pound bag roasted sweet potatoes
- 36 ounces MicroSteam whole green beans
- 26 ounces super-sweet corn
- Southern-style biscuit dough
- Traditional pumpkin pie
- Old-fashioned apple pie
- Classic vanilla ice cream
You need to pre-order this meal by Nov. 12, 2021, for delivery between Nov. 17 and 19. This means you'll need to have room in the fridge for about a week. And keep in mind, you will be doing more cooking than you would with other meal offers.
9. Albertsons
If you live west of the Mississippi, Albertsons has your back this Thanksgiving. You can order a fully cooked Smoked Turkey Holiday Dinner that serves 8 to 10 people for just $62.99. That works out between $6.30 and $7.87 per person!
For that low, low price, you'll get a lot of food to feed your crew. It includes:
- Fully cooked turkey
- Cornbread dressing
- Mashed potatoes
- Cranberry relish
- Giblet gravy
- Dinner rolls
You can also choose a version with turkey breast instead of whole turkey for the same price, or a version that subs in spiral-cut ham for $67.99.
Order online from Nov. 1-22, 2021, for Thanksgiving. You can also order the meals for the Christmas holiday from Nov. 16-Dec. 21, 2021.
10. Shoprite
Looking to feed 8 to 10 people? Check out the Complete Thanksgiving Dinner from Shoprite. It includes:
- Fully cooked 10- to 12-pound Butterball turkey
- 3 pounds mashed potatoes
- 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes
- 2 pounds holiday stuffing
- 2 pounds green bean casserole
- 2 pounds turkey gravy
Ordering should open soon, so keep an eye on the website to get yours in ASAP!
11. Popeyes
When it comes to Thanksgiving meals, the turkey is the main attraction. It seems deceptively simple to roast a perfect bird but how many of us have served it dried out or undercooked? Stick to making the sides and get a cooked turkey from Popeyes instead.
Popeye's turkey is hand-rubbed and infused with Cajun seasonings before being roasted. The restaurant chain then freezes the cooked turkey so all you need to do on Thanksgiving day is reheat the thawed bird. Check thawing times because you should start that a day or two ahead of the day you want to heat and eat.
You can also pick up sides at Popeyes, including mashed potatoes, biscuits and mac n cheese.
Since Popeyes restaurants are franchises, the price of the turkey will vary based on location. Contact your local Popeyes to find out more and place an order.
12. Buca di Beppo
Buca di Beppo is known for its family-style meals, so what better place to get your family's Thanksgiving dinner? Buca's Thanksgiving Feast To-Go costs $78.99 for a small (feeds 3) or $148 for a large (feeds 6). That works out around $24-$26 per person.
The meal includes:
- Sliced white meat turkey
- Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
- Homestyle gravy
- Spicy Italian sausage stuffing
- Green beans
- Cranberry sauce
- Pumpkin pie
You can order online now and pick up on Nov. 23, 2021.
13. Harry & David
Harry & David is known for its premium foods that it delivers by mail nationwide. You can order the Gourmet Turkey Feast for your family for $229.99, which is pricey but may be worth it if you have a lot of picky mouths to feed. It doesn't specifically say how much it feeds but a 10-pound turkey is usually good for about six people, leaving some for leftovers.
The meal includes:
- 10-pound oven-roasted turkey
- Apple sausage stuffing
- Creamy Brussels sprouts with bacon
- Brown sugar sweet potatoes
- Classic turkey gravy
- Spiced cranberry sauce
- Pumpkin cheesecake
You can also upgrade to the Wow Holiday Meal for $399.99 if you're really feeling fancy â€" and flush with money â€" this year.
14. Omaha Steaks
Omaha Steaks is typically known for their namesake meat, but at Thanksgiving you'll want to get your hands on one of their prepared Thanksgiving dinners.
There are four options available: Custom Thanksgiving Feast for Four ($129.99), Custom Thanksgiving Dinner for Six ($149.99), Build Your Own Thanksgiving Feast for Six ($179.99), and Tailor-Made Thanksgiving for Eight ($199.99). Depending on which you order, the per-head price ranges from $25 to $32.50.
The meal for 8 includes:
- Choice between whole turkey or spiral-sliced ham
- Three sides of your choice (options include smashed red potatoes, green bean casserole and creamed corn)
- Two desserts of your choice (options include pumpkin pie and pecan pie)
- Mini baguettes with garlic butter
Once you've ordered, your meal will ship directly to you and all you'll need to do on the day is reheat it.
15. Hello Fresh
Meal delivery service Hello Fresh offers a complete Thanksgiving meal kit shipped straight to your door for $16.99 per person for 8-10 guests.
You can customize your box depending on your food preferences. Choices include:
- Roast turkey
- Ciabatta stuffing
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Classic gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Apple ginger crisp
Once you've placed your order, it'll be delivered to your door in the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Make you you give the turkey at least four days to thaw!
16. Trader Joe's
While Trader Joe's doesn't have a complete Thanksgiving meal kit available, they do have several options to make Thanksgiving meal prep easier.
Choose options like:
- Turkey & stuffing en croute ($15.99, serves 8)
- Cornbread stuffing mix ($3.99, serves 12)
- Scallopini potatoes ($3.99, serves 3.5)
- Turkey gravy ($1.49, serves 20)
It's important to note that these are recommended serving sizes, which are not equal to Thanksgiving serving sizes, so make sure you buy enough food to account for seconds (and thirds, and fourths …).
Holidays should be fun and relaxing, not tiring and taxing. Sometimes it pays to spend a little money to buy back your time.
Pittsburgh-based writer Brynne Conroy is the founder of the Femme Frugality blog and the author of 'The Feminist Financial Handbook.' She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Information from a previous post by Tyler Omoth is included in this report.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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