What do pilgrims and your in-laws have in common? An appreciation for all the Thanksgiving delicacies Austin has to offer! Whether you’re a die-hard DIYer or someone who doesn’t want to lift a finger unless it’s to nab the last dinner roll, we’ve got the ultimate take-home Thanksgiving meal guide for you!
DIY Thanksgiving
Many of us follow the philosophy that Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a constantly ringing timer, a battle plan and a little elbow grease. Just because you want to play chef, doesn’t mean you can’t partake in the Thanksgiving goodness Austin provides. This guide will make your shopping trips easier and ensure that all your ingredients are fresh and local!
Mix and match your own creations with pre-made, take-home Thanksgiving dishes from your favorite spots. Despite what Willie says, it’s not always funny how time slips away, so add in these dishes and permit yourself to take a breath during your Thursday morning prep.
Meat
Classic Turkey: Farmhouse Delivery offers broad breast and heritage turkeys for those of you who have honed their seasoning skills. This local and organic bird will make that secret family recipe all the more delicious!
Porchetta, Mincemeat, Brined Turkey: The butcher shop at Dai Due is famous for its Porchetta–a whole pork loin seasoned with fennel, rosemary, garlic and olive oil, wrapped in pork belly. Place orders by phone at (512) 524-0688.
Lamb, Prime Rib and Charcuterie: Salt & Time has a feast of meats to choose from including pre-seasoned, stuffed and rubbed cuts, as well as fresh meats for you to fix up yourself. Don’t forget to pick up some cured meats for a charcuterie board that your guests can snack on before the big meal! Order before Nov. 14 at (512) 524-1383.
Turducken: What I thought was the stuff of fairytales is no big deal to Lucy’s Fried Chicken. Get a chorizo cornbread stuffed turducken with gravy and cooking instructions and be the talk of the town!
Smoked Turkey Breast and Brisket: Stiles Switch BBQ offers two succulent meat entrees for Thanksgiving this year. No awkward bird or cow carving required with these smoked selections. Orders must be placed online before Nov. 21.
Cajun Deep Fried Turkey: Hyde Park Bar & Grill slathers and injects its birds with traditional five-spice Cajun seasoning and then plunges them into a deep frier. All you have to do is warm the meat before serving, which is easy because this clever turkey comes with instructions and accessories. $70 per bird. Call to order at (512) 889-2700.
Pineapple Glazed Ham: Noble Sandwich Co. offers a holiday ham that has been brined for 10 days. Order before Nov. 13 to guarantee this noble pig a place at your table.
Sides
Seafood Platters: Mix up your land-locked meal with maritime delights from Mongers Market + Kitchen. Take-home specials include fish dip, shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, seafood chowder, crab and shrimp gumbo, crab cakes, customizable platters with ahi poke, blue crab fingers, chilled lobster, and more! Call ahead at 512.215.8972.
Spreads: Confituras will keep your guests jammin’ with locally-made fruit preserves and pepper jellies. Add them to any bread selection or that charcuterie board you’re building! Check out the website for sale locations.
Soups: For something smooth, grab some soup pints from The Soup Peddler. I suggest Green Goddess to capitalize on other rich Thanksgiving flavors.
Bread and Rolls
Keeping it fresh at Texas French Bread
Corn Puddin’: Tired of Parker House rolls? Let Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop surprise you with their Corn Puddin’ specialty: sweet corn, sour cream and cornbread! While you’re there, check out Sugar Mama’s cupcakes and pies.
Bread Basket: Easy Tiger offers seasonal breads, pull-apart rolls and even croutons to wow your guests and sop up the leftovers!
Loaves and Pastries: A classic French baguette or croissant always adds to a spread. Hit up Texas French Bread in-store or at the farmers’ market for a few flakey delights.
Savory Dinner Rolls: Bribery Bakery takes rolls to a new level with bacon caramelized onion cheddar rolls and honey butter. Don’t forget to check out the delicious pies!
Full Take-home Thanksgiving Meals
The holidays can be stressful. In-laws, dietary restrictions, special requests. Sometimes you wish you lived at Downton Abbey and had a slew of happy British cooks preparing your feast and sweeping the dishes away afterwards. I don’t fault you for that and neither do many Austin chefs. Let the experts take the reigns this year. All you have to do is arrange the table, greet your guests and plunge head first into a fully prepared meal.
Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon: $285 will get you a meal that serves 8-10 people and includes roasted turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing and your choice of sides. Add pie, cajeta ice cream or a left over pozole kit for an additional fee.
Whole Foods: Whole Foods has traditional turkey dinners, vegan platters, prime roasts and all the fixings. Pick your protein and your number of guests, and you’re good to go!
Delicious: This year, Delicious is offering a large turkey dinner with lemon herb brined turkey, oyster dressing, mac and cheese, gravy, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberry, sauce and rolls, plus additional sides. Packages start at $154. Place your order before Nov. 16 at (737) 802-3807.
Wheatsville Co-op: Choose from an impressive list of entrees, sides and appetizers which includes vegan options. Wheatsville also offers Holiday Helper bags of fresh-made sides that just need to be popped in the oven.
Counter Culture: Vegans rejoice! Counter Culture has a slew of Thanksgiving offerings that will please even carnivorous guests. Choose from apple cranberry sauce, local roasted squash and kale salad, green bean casserole, garlic roasted mashed potatoes, golden gravy, rice and quinoa rosemary stuffing and seitan mushroom loaf. Order as individual meals before Nov. 20.
Desserts
Credit: Lick Ice Cream
Holiday Pies: Located in South Congress Hotel, Mañana has classic pumpkin, caramel apple and chocolate bourbon pecan pies for you to take home. Order through Nov. 19.
Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Cake: If you don’t like tradtional pie, opt for a holiday flavored alternative with ice cream cake from Amy’s Ice Creams.
Gluten-free Pumpkin Pie: Gf friends, never fear! People’s Rx lets you have your pie and eat it too.
Seasonal Ice Cream Flavors: Lick has seasonal ice cream flavors such as Brown Butter Brown Sugar and Horchata.
Thanksgiving Treat Bundles: Want some treats to complement your pie? Order cookies, quick breads and granola from the Sweet Semanas mini bakery.
Tiny Pies: Tiny Pies has unique flavors like chocolate cream and Texas pecan in large and mini sizes. Order before Nov. 16.
Drinks
Everything you need to be a holiday mixologist (Credit: Sourced Craft Cocktails)
You’re in Austin. No meal would be complete without a delicious drink…or more. Start your afternoon with a cocktail, transition to wine, sip a cider for a pallet cleanser and then grab a juice at the end. Your stomach will thank you come Black Friday!
Cocktails: Sourced Craft Cocktails will deliver a barrel filled with all the goodies you need, from fancy barware to local alcohol and freshly-plucked herbs. Your guests will think you’ve been taking mixology classes! Expert mixologists have crafted a five-drink menu which includes sipable masterpieces like the Texas Pecan and Golden Delicious cocktail. Best of all, no dishes! Schedule your barrel delivery and pickup on the Sourced website.
Cider: Texas Keeper Cider is taking apples to a new level of sophistication. Dry and tart bubbles are a great way to break up the rich and heavy flavors of Thanksgiving dinner. Try the Heirloom cider made with all heirloom apples. You’ll experience notes of grapefruit, pear, candied cherry and marzipan with a prosecco-like finish.
Wine: Whether your guests prefer red or white, Austin Winery has you covered. President Ross McLauchlan suggests the Violet Crown, a Tempranillo Syrah Merlot that pairs well with heavy meat dishes. The Trebbiano is a softer sip made in Texas and a general crowd pleaser, especially for those who prefer whites.
Non-alcoholic: Thanksgiving is all about indulging, but if you have a Black Friday shopping list a mile long, you don’t want your pleasant dreams of delicious feasting to be spoiled by an upset stomach. Ginger Spice Kombucha from Kosmic can please adult tummies and and the under 21 crowd. Or if you really want digestive help, head to Juice Society to pick up some beautiful bottles of green juice! I suggest Zest or The General.
Bon Appetit
There you have it, folks. If you want to rule the kitchen with quality local ingredients or leave the cooking up to the professionals, Austin and The Austinot have you covered. Pull out the stretchy pants and fine china. It’s time to be thankful you live in a foodie haven like Austin!
@theAustinot wants to know:
What’s your favorite Austin-made Thanksgiving dish?
Disclosure: I am the owner of Sweet Semanas online bakery.
