Thanksgiving can be a stressful time for many. Planning a feast, shopping for ingredients, and cooking a multi-course meal can feel overwhelming, even for experienced home chefs. For those looking to simplify their holiday prep, meal kits offer a convenient solution. These delivery services provide pre-selected ingredients and recipes, making it easier to create a complete Thanksgiving table.
Meal kits have evolved beyond simple recipes and boxed ingredients. Today’s options include everything from fully customizable feasts to curated charcuterie boards. Whether you’re short on time, new to cooking, or simply want to avoid the stress of holiday meal prep, these services can help.
🍂 What Are Thanksgiving Meal Kits?
Meal kits are delivery services that provide all the ingredients and recipes needed to prepare a complete meal. For Thanksgiving, these kits often include a range of dishes, from turkey and gravy to side salads and desserts.
The best meal kits strike a balance between convenience and home-cooked flavor. They offer premixed sauces, pre-portioned ingredients, and detailed instructions to make cooking accessible. At the same time, they still allow for personalization and a sense of accomplishment.
Meal kits vary in price, ingredients, and delivery windows. Most require ordering several weeks in advance, with delivery timed to arrive before Thanksgiving or shortly after.
🍗 Sunbasket: The Full Thanksgiving Feast
Sunbasket offers one of the most comprehensive meal kit options. For $200, their “Chef’s Table Thanksgiving” box includes seven complete dishes, enough to feed a group comfortably.
The ingredients arrive in a well-organized box, complete with recipes and instructions. The dishes include a nearly 3-pound turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry compote, roasted carrots, brussels sprouts, apple-sausage stuffing, and Gruyère black-pepper biscuits.
⏳ Prep Time and Effort
Sunbasket claims 2.5 hours of prep time, but with two people and a double oven, the actual time was closer to four hours.
- Pros : Comprehensive meal, high-quality ingredients, detailed recipes.
- Cons : Prep time can be lengthy, not ideal for beginners.
🥫 Boarderie: The Perfect Charcuterie Board
For those looking to skip the appetizer entirely, Boarderie offers mail-order charcuterie boards. These curated boards include everything needed for a sophisticated charcuterie display.
🎄 Board Details
- Components : 15 cheeses, four meats, five nuts, eight fruits, pickles, and crackers.
- Delivery : Boards ship overnight and arrive fresh.
- Price : $99 for a large board (serving 9–10).
⭐ Why It Stands Out
Boarderie’s boards are aesthetically pleasing and delicious. They’re perfect for holiday parties or as a centerpiece for Thanksgiving gatherings.
🍗 Other Thanksgiving Meal Kits
🍗 Green Chef
- Offer : Organic sides and pasture-raised turkey.
- Price : $70 for a turkey or $30–$50 for sides.
- Best For : Those prioritizing organic ingredients.
🍗 Blue Apron
- Offer : Individual dishes ordered à la carte.
- Price : $10–$20 per dish.
- Best For : Those who want to mix and match recipes.
🍗 Marley Spoon
- Offer : A wide selection of Thanksgiving dishes, including multiple pies and roasts.
- Price : $10–$30 per dish.
- Best For : Those looking for variety and flexibility.
🍗 HelloFresh
- Offer : A complete feast for eight to ten people.
- Price : $180 for the feast.
- Best For : Those wanting a full-service meal kit.
🍽️ Factor: The Fully Prepared Option
For couples who don’t want to cook Thanksgiving dinner at all, Factor offers a fully prepared meal.
- Offer : A two-person feast with sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, and dessert.
- Price : $37 for the meal.
- Best For : Those with limited time or cooking experience.
🎯 Which Meal Kit Is Right for You?
The best meal kit depends on your priorities:
- For a complete feast : Sunbasket or HelloFresh.
- For a stress-free appetizer : Boarderie.
- For organic ingredients : Green Chef.
- For flexibility : Blue Apron or Marley Spoon.
- For zero cooking : Factor.
🎁 The Takeaway
Thanksgiving meal kits offer a convenient way to enjoy a complete holiday feast. Whether you want to cook everything from scratch or simply want to avoid the stress altogether, there’s an option for everyone.
From $37 to $200, these services cover a range of budgets and cooking preferences. Planning ahead is key, as most require ordering weeks in advance.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, now is the time to consider meal kits and simplify your holiday prep
