I imagine Thanksgiving gatherings are going to look quite different in 2020. Travel is more of a hassle, intimate gatherings are preferred, and grocery shopping just isn’t the same. Still want a holiday celebration a smaller scale? Check out these tips from Thrive Market‘s Erin Mossbog for prepping a turkey (or a smaller portion) at home: [Special coupon at bottom!]

Thanksgiving Zoom background? Check.

All the Thrive Market ingredients you need for a wholesome, stress-free holiday feast—including the highest quality meats, plenty of clean wine, and better-for-you sides? Check, check and check.

Now, it’s time to get your day-of game plan ready, and that includes figuring out the timing for thawing and prepping the stars of the show: turkey, ham, or both.

Luckily, if you order your holiday meats from Thrive Market, most of the hard work is already done. That’s because Pederson’s Natural Farms Spiral-Sliced, Sugar-Free Hams come pre-cooked, and Mary’s Free-Range Whole Turkey and boneless Turkey Breast simply need to be delivered to your door, thawed, and cooked to perfection. (Pro tip: Order by November 16th to get your meats in time for Thanksgiving!)

If you’re hosting a smaller holiday gathering this year, you might want to opt for the Mary’s Turkey Breast, which feeds six to eight. Alternatively, you could get a whole turkey, because leftovers are delicious.

How to Thaw Whole Turkey

For best results, thaw your Mary’s Free-Range Whole Turkey in the refrigerator. Leave it in the original bag and place in a pan on the bottom refrigerator shelf; thaw for two to three days, or until thawed. (Good rule of thumb: Allow approximately 4 hours per pound to thaw.)

For a quick thaw, submerge the turkey in cold water in its original packaging, breast-side down. Make sure the bag is completely closed and hasn’t been punctured. Flush with cold water every 30 minutes. Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound to thaw using this method. See packaging for full details.

How to Prepare Whole Turkey

For an extra-juicy turkey, try brining it overnight after it’s completely thawed. Check out these easy instructions for how to brine your turkey.

And if you’d like to add a seasoning mix to the turkey before popping it into the oven, here’s a tried-and-true turkey seasoning recipe:

Turkey Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup Thrive Market Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp Thrive Market Organic Black Pepper, ground
2 tsp Thrive Market Organic Italian Seasoning
1 tsp Thrive Market Organic Garlic Powder
1 tsp Thrive Market Organic Paprika

Cooking Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Working over the sink, remove thawed turkey from the bag and allow liquid to drain in the sink. Place turkey in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet. Spread the seasoning mixture over the turkey. Loosely cover with aluminum foil. Cook for approximately 25 minutes per pound; using a meat thermometer, make sure the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. To prevent over-cooking the turkey, check the internal temperature throughout the roasting time. (Pro tip: Save the turkey pan drippings to make homemade gravy.)

How to Thaw Turkey Breast

For the best results, thaw your Mary’s boneless turkey breast one to three days in advance of cooking. Allow approximately 30 minutes of thawing time per pound of turkey. I recommend thawing in cold water, in the original wrapping. The cold water should be changed every 30 minutes. After your turkey breast has thawed, store it in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

How to Cook Turkey Breast

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove thawed turkey breast from the bag, rinse with cold water, and season to your liking. Place the breast in an uncovered roasting pan, then add two cups of water (or broth) to the bottom of the pan. Place roasting pan in the center of the oven. Cook as directed on packaging; use a meat thermometer inserted sideways into the center of the breast to ensure an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove turkey breast from the oven and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. Once turkey has rested, carve and serve turkey with the delicious pan juices.

Easy & Healthy Thanksgiving Sides from Thrive Market

If you’re looking for convenient, wholesome Thanksgiving sides that taste like homemade, add these to your box before checkout:

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Mix
Organic Grain-Free Stuffing Mix
Organic Whole-Grain Stuffing Mix
Organic Cranberry Sauce

Want to make your own pumpkin bread or pumpkin pie? Try smooth and rich Organic Pumpkin Puree. Each batch is made from sustainably farmed pumpkins that are vine-ripened, then puréed to perfection.

Happy holiday feasting!

WHAT IS THRIVE MARKET?

Thrive Market is an online marketplace on a mission to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone. They offer the highest quality, healthy and sustainable products available for every budget, lifestyle, and geography. You can shop for thousands of the best-selling organic foods and natural products at 25-50% below traditional retail prices.

They sell non-GMO food, snacks, vitamins, supplements, personal care products, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, safe and nontoxic beauty products, kitchen staples, homegoods, organic baby food, kids products and much more. Plus, it’s all shipped straight to your door.

You can also filter your selection by the values that matter most to you. Whether you are paleo, gluten-free, vegan, kosher, ketogenic —you can shop for 90+ values, also including non-GMO, sustainably farmed, fair-trade certified, BPA-free, and more in just one click of a button.

I have been using Thrive Market for about 2 years or so and I absolutely love it. First of all, I love the convenience of having my groceries delivered to my door (you get free shipping on orders over $50).  Second, I love the amount of savings I see! It really is amazing – so many of my favorite products in one place at prices that are lower than what I see at the grocery store.  It’s a win-win.  And it is growing so fast! They now sell wine, frozen meat and seafood … who knows what is next!

If you haven’t signed up for Thrive Market yet, use this link to get 25% off of your first order (up to $20). Start your risk-free 30-day trial membership here. After that, it’s only $59.95/year or $9.95/mo.