readinmom Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Our family is going through a lot of different things right now, and it will be just us (5) and my mom for Thanksgiving. I don't want to cook per se, and my mom might not be capable of going out (good days/bad days). Has anyone purchased one of those holiday dinners and heated it up at home? Looking for some ideas for those who have tried it... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 We've done it once, from Kroger. It wasn't bad. It was easy to heat (instructions on each container), but it felt a little like a waste in our house because we don't like green bean casserole or candied yams, and we prefer my own pumpkin pie recipe (made with cream instead of evaporated milk). I would do it again if I felt time crunched, though. Being older I don't feel as obligated to put the dishes on the table we don't like. 😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 (edited) We've purchased certain items before but never a whole meal. So, for ex., a Honeybaked ham. If you really want to enjoy the food, I'd pick a restaurant you really enjoy and order from there vs. a 'holiday' meal since you might not actually like the dishes. Edited November 19, 2018 by Sneezyone 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Boston Market is good. We’ve done Giant too. You still need to plot out an oven schedule to get everything hot at once, but the mess are work are greatly reduced. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 If you have a Honey Baked Ham Store near you, you can order a turkey or ham (or both). They have a ton of frozen sides and desserts too. I'm not sure if it's too late, but their hams and turkeys are really good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootsie Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 We have done this from a local bbq restaurant. The only thing we ran into was that you have to know is that the dressing was raw--so we needed to allow enough time to cook it, not just reheat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted November 19, 2018 Author Share Posted November 19, 2018 Thanks for the replies... I got a late start this year. The restaurants around us are all booked, not taking walk ins. Boston Market is out of turkey, and since that's what everyone else eats, I might do everything there but the turkey, find a small breast at the market. Home Again, totally get not wanting to put stuff out that won't get touched. Our original holiday menu is not extensive, but time consuming, and since I'm the only one cooking/cleaning, I have found myself wanting to change things up a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Readinmom, I saw on the news yesterday that Walmart is doing take home boxes this year over in their refrigerated area. I know a lot of places will put an order limit tonight or tomorrow, so that might be an option for you if you don't see anything else. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 (edited) 6 minutes ago, readinmom said: Thanks for the replies... I got a late start this year. The restaurants around us are all booked, not taking walk ins. Boston Market is out of turkey, and since that's what everyone else eats, I might do everything there but the turkey, find a small breast at the market. Home Again, totally get not wanting to put stuff out that won't get touched. Our original holiday menu is not extensive, but time consuming, and since I'm the only one cooking/cleaning, I have found myself wanting to change things up a bit. Last year in Bahrain (tiny ovens there), I hosted T-day. I used a countertop halogen oven to cook two spatchcocked game hens that I'd marinated overnight in lemon juice, olive oil, and assorted other herbs/spices. I put the birds on a rack and put the dressing in the bottom. The juices dripped down into the dressing and it was fantastic. Also, easy clean up and not a ton of leftovers. One cooking thingy with a single glass bowl to wash, one plastic bag with marinated chickens overnight and you get a free oven to re-heat store-bought sides/pies. Edited November 20, 2018 by Sneezyone 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 (edited) My sister does this for her DH, FIL, and my mom since dad & her MIL died. The store is probably regional, so I won't name it. But, they all really like doing it that way. I wouldn't feel bad about piecing it together, however, if that was what worked. [My DH cooks most of our big holiday meals. I usually just do desserts because that's what I really care about.] ETA: DH cooks a ham, but we've had a big taco feast for Thanksgiving before, too. As long as there is plenty of tasty food, my family doesn't care what it is. I'm sure future spouses will be horrified that my kids have never had turkey for Thanksgiving. Edited November 20, 2018 by RootAnn added out of the box idea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 I am not a good cook. I don't like cooking. I buy a precooked turkey from the refrigerator case. Sometimes I get a small ham too. Then I buy Stovetop cornbread stuffing because that is everyone's favorite (I use one spice packet per two packs of breadcrumbs so that its not so salty). Bizarrely, I've gotten lots of compliments on my "wonderful" stuffing. I buy the premade mashed potatoes that have the least artificial ingredients. I warm those up and add a bit of sour cream. I nuke a couple of squashes and slice them. People can add butter and brown sugar to taste. I bake crescent rolls. I buy either spinach or green beans for the veggie and nuke them. I buy a pie unless someone volunteers to make one. It's not gourmet but everyone can find something they prefer whether it be white carbs or healthier sides. It's not too much work. Everything is pretty much guaranteed to come out right. I admire people who go all out, but I know my limits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarlaB Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Yes I think the order deadlines for my stores has already passed. At this point, if you are wanting a traditional meal I would get already made mashed potatos, pumpkin pie, oven Mac and cheese and a turkey breast (already cooked) at Costco, add some stovetop or Pepperidge farm stuffing, frozencorn, jarred gravy and steam some green beans and cranberry sauce from the grocery store. Its still some work but most things are already prepared or super simple. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 We do rotisserie chickens from the grocery store with easy sides. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 haven't done it - but have bought many costco roasted chickens . . . it shouldn't be hard. not sure of everything that is included. but you can add: stove top stuffing, purchased pumpkin pie I would make cranberry sauce becasue it is so easy (best done ahead) and tastes that much better than what comes in a can. you can purchase frozen rolls you bake at home - or just purchase rolls. and whatever vegetable/side you want. lots of stuff in the freezer case or deli. good luck 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 We are doing simple this year. Dh will cook the turkey and mashed potatoes. Youngest son will put together the green bean casserole and yams casserole the night before. I will made gravy and stuffing the day of. Rolls are bought. Honestly, other than DH's mashed potatoes (which he usually gets the older boys to peel for him), it shouldn't take that long. I offered to do this: 1. frozen Stoffer's turkey to heat up. 2. Bob Evans pre-mashed potatoes to heat up. 3. pre-made rolls 4. Put together easy yams casserole And call it a day. Everyone opted to pitch in instead. Most of our local stores have pre-made dinners, although it is prob too late to order. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 I have to be at work late afternoon that day (retail). We are getting smoked turkey and green beans with bacon from a local barbeque place. DD is making sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. I am making stuffing and creamed rutabagas. We are buying rolls at the store. Done! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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