Preparing Thanksgiving dinner can be a happy yet stressful endeavor in normal times. This year, running to the grocery store and dealing with holiday crowds may sound extra draining. No matter how you plan to celebrate the holiday, if you are the one cooking, meal kits can take some of the stress out of planning and shopping for your Thanksgiving feast. 

We Tried Mighty Macros’ All-Natural, Ready-to-Eat Meals

Hello Fresh, a popular meal kit brand, recently did a survey to find out what changes people anticipate for Thanksgiving this year. They found: 

• 56% of respondents are planning to have a video call with their family this Thanksgiving if they can’t see them in person.

• 18% of respondents will be cooking their own Thanksgiving dinners for the first time this year.

• 55% of respondents shared that the thought of running to the grocery store the day-of this year, during a global pandemic, is a point of stress for their households.

Luckily, there are meal kit companies that have done all the menu planning for you so that you can enjoy the tradition of making your Thanksgiving dinner, but get the ingredients delivered straight to your door. If you’ve never used a meal kit company before but have been considering it, now might be the right time to try it out. These brands will deliver a box full of all the fresh ingredients you need for your holiday, along with instructions for how to prepare the dishes. Check out these three options to help make your Thanksgiving easy and delicious: 

Hello Fresh Thanksgiving Dinner ($159)

Hello Fresh is offering a classic Thanksgiving dinner with all your favorite Thanksgiving foods including roast turkey with gravy and creamy mashed potatoes. The great thing about Hello Fresh’s Thanksgiving dinner is that no subscription is required.

The Hello Fresh Thanksgiving Box is currently available for preorder with delivery beginning on November 17. There are two box options that feature all the fresh ingredients, easy to follow recipes, and the in-depth meal prep instructions to help you orchestrate the ultimate holiday feast.

Turkey + Sides ($159.99 + shipping):

Serves 8-10

Main: Roast Turkey with a Garlic-Herb Butter Rub and Classic Gravy

Sides: Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Sour Cream, Smoky Maple Brussels Sprouts, Ciabatta Stuffing with Chicken Sausage and Cranberries, and Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Cinnamon  

Dessert: Apple Ginger Crisp with Cinnamon Pecan Crumble

Beef Tenderloin + Sides ($134.99 + shipping):

Serves 4-6

Main: Peppercorn-Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Sherry Thyme Jus

Sides: Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Sour Cream, Smoky Maple Brussels Sprouts, Ciabatta Stuffing with Chicken Sausage and Cranberries, and Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Cinnamon  

Dessert: Apple Ginger Crisp with Cinnamon Pecan Crumble

Blue Apron Thanksgiving Dinner ($134.99)

While you need to be a subscriber to order the Blue Apron Thanksgiving feast, now might be the perfect time to try out the service. I’ve been using Blue Apron since the start of the pandemic and have now cooked over 70 of their meal kit recipes. I am continuously impressed with the quality of their ingredients and how delicious the recipes are. Overall, I highly recommend Blue Apron, and I’m excited to try their Thanksgiving dinner this year.

Blue Apron is rolling out their Thanksgiving feast meal kit in partnership with Chef Edouardo Jordan. "This menu is a reflection of my roots, my stories, and my history,” shares Jordan. “Inspired by my Southern roots and the cuisine of the African diaspora, I created these simple recipes in collaboration with Blue Apron's culinary team to encourage home cooks to have fun in the kitchen and celebrate over a great meal. The Thanksgiving Feast is currently available to all customers and will arrive the week of Nov. 23. The Southern-style inspired offering provides everything you need for the entire holiday celebration.

The Thanksgiving Feast, ($134.99):
serves 6-8

Main: Spice Roasted Turkey Breast

Sides: Pimento Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Sage Gravy and Cranberry Relish, Roasted Carrots in Ginger Syrup, Mushroom-Braised Collard Greens,  Skillet Poblano Cornbread

Dessert: Peanut-Glazed Apple and Persimmon Crumble with Maple Syrup and Quatre Épices

The 2 Person Serving Core Menu Thanksgiving Dinner:
serves 6-8 

Main: Spice Roasted Pork Roast

Sides: Pimento Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Sage Gravy, Cranberry Relish (upcharge as part of Premium recipe offering), Roasted Carrots in Ginger Syrup & Mushroom Braised Collard Greens ($6 upcharge on the core menu, or $25.98 total price)

Dessert: Peanut-Glazed Apple & Persimmon Crumble with Maple Syrup and Quatre Epices (no upcharge)

Purple Carrot Thanksgiving Dinner ($75)

If you are a vegan or vegetarian and looking for a plant-based Thanksgiving menu, Purple Carrot is a great option for your holiday dinner. You need a subscription to Purple Carrot to order this vegan Thanksgiving dinner, which includes plant-based takes on favorite classic sides like stuffing and gravy, along with festive vegan Thanksgiving dishes for you to try. Subscribers must order by Nov. 17 at 11 p.m. EST and will receive the delicious plant-based Thanksgiving feast the week of Nov. 23. 

Vegan Thanksgiving Feast ($75)
Serves 4

Main: Hasselback Butternut Squash with Cider Glaze & Rosemary Pecan Dukkah

Sides: Rustic Ciabatta Stuffing with  Root Vegetables & Herb Sausage, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Oyster Mushrooms & Garlic Kimchi Butter, Cranberry Sauce, Classic Gravy

Dessert: Pear Cranberry Crisp with Walnut Crumble

[Images courtesy of brands]

Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy