How would you like to serve a traditional Northwest Indiana holiday dinner that needs to be only heated in your oven for a short time, no recipes and smells and tastes like you cooked all day?

That’s the beauty of heat-and-serve holiday meals. These dinners arrive fully cooked and chilled, and the complete spread reheats in about 2-3 hours. They’re designed to take the stress out of hosting and deliver the traditional flavors everyone expects – and no one will know you ordered in.

What is a heat-and-serve holiday meal?

A heat-and-serve holiday meal is a fully cooked dinner, sold chilled, that reheats at home. Unlike hot pickup meals, which are ready to eat immediately, heat-and-serve packages give you flexibility. You can pick them up a day or two before the holiday, store them safely in your refrigerator and reheat them when it’s time to serve. Compared to cooking from scratch, they save hours of prep and cleanup.

Typical packages include:

• The centerpiece: Whole roasted turkey, oven-roasted turkey breast, glazed ham or prime rib
• Classic sides: Mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, green-bean casserole, sweet potatoes or cranberry sauce

Each package comes with reheating instructions, so you know exactly how to bring everything  to serving temperature.

How do you reheat a heat-and-serve dinner?

Reheating is straightforward, with times and temperatures provided in the box. Here’s a quick guide:

Item	Oven temp	Time	Done when
Whole turkey	350°F	Timed by weight	165°F internal temperature
Turkey breast	350°F	20 to 30 minutes	165°F internal temperature
Ham	325°F	1.5 to 2 hours	140°F internal temperature
Mashed potatoes	350°F	30 to 45 minutes	Hot and creamy
Stuffing	350°F	30 to 45 minutes	Golden on top
Casseroles	350°F	30 to 45 minutes	Bubbling and browned
Gravy	Stovetop	10 minutes	Simmering

Most sides reheat covered to retain moisture, then uncovered at the end for browning. Gravy warms quickly on the stovetop and rolls or pies need only a few minutes.

The holiday morning timeline

Planning ahead makes the day smooth. Here’s a sample schedule for a 1 p.m. dinner:

• Day before: Clear fridge space and confirm pickup
• 9 a.m.: Place turkey or ham in the oven
• 11 a.m.: Remove meat to rest; sides go in the oven
• 12 p.m.: Warm gravy on the stovetop; rolls and pie finish in the oven
• 12:30 p.m.: Set out sides in warming drawers or crock pots
• 1 p.m.: Serve dinner

This timeline ensures everything is hot and ready without crowding the oven. Staggering dishes and using warming tools keeps the meal stress-free.

Where can I find prepared holiday meals near me?

Strack & Van Til, Northwest Indiana’s grocery chain, offers holiday dinner packages and a la carte sides.

When should you order?

Order at least a week ahead for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pickup windows usually fall on the two days before the holiday, though exact cutoffs vary. Heat-and-serve meals are also available for Easter and other occasions, with everyday prepared meals offered year-round.

Strack & Van Til’s heat-and-serve holiday dinners come with clear reheating instructions and pre-order pickup at every Northwest Indiana location. Ordering early ensures availability and gives you peace of mind.

Heat-and-serve meals from Strack & Van Til

So how can you find heat-and-serve holiday meals near you? Strack & Van Til offers holiday dinner packages and a la carte sides from the deli. Beyond the holidays, everyday prepared meal options are available for busy weeknights. Ordering is simple: Visit your local Strack & Van Til Deli Department, order by phone at 219‑961‑9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering. Pickup is available across Lake and Porter Counties.

Packages include:

• Fully cooked centerpiece meats
• Classic sides
• A la carte options for customizing your menu

Each meal is designed to make hosting easier while keeping traditions intact.

How much should I order?

If you’re planning for a larger crowd, Strack & Van Til also offers helpful resources on portion planning. The party food math guide walks you through serving counts and tray sizes so you can match your heat-and-serve meal with the right extras.

Reserve the easy holiday dinner

A heat-and-serve holiday meal is fully cooked, reheats in 2 to 3 hours and only requires ordering a week in advance. Reserve yours in-person at your nearest Strack & Van Til Deli Department, by phone at 219‑961‑9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering, and enjoy a holiday dinner that feels homemade without the stress.

“Heat-and-serve holiday meals are designed to make hosting simple. Everything is fully cooked, packaged with clear instructions and ready to reheat in just a few hours. You get the flavors of a homemade holiday dinner without spending the entire day in the kitchen,” says Kristin Snow, Deli Department Director at Strack & Van Til.

Frequently asked questions about heat-and-serve holiday meals

How do heat-and-serve holiday meals work? Heat and serve Thanksgiving dinners arrive fully cooked and chilled. You store them in your refrigerator until the holiday, then reheat according to the included instructions. A complete dinner reheats in about 2 to 3 hours.

How long does it take to reheat a heat-and-serve Thanksgiving dinner? Most packages are ready in 2 to 3 hours. Large meats such as turkey or ham take the longest, while sides and desserts warm in 30 to 45 minutes.

What comes in a prepared holiday meal? Typical packages include a centerpiece such as turkey or ham and classic sides such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, green-bean casserole or cranberry sauce.

Do I need special equipment to reheat? No. A standard oven and stovetop are all you need. Crock-Pots or warming drawers can help keep sides hot once they’re reheated.

Where can I find heat-and-serve prepared holiday meals near me? Northwest Indiana’s grocery chain Strack & Van Til offers them in its Deli Departments across Lake and Porter Counties.

When should I order a prepared holiday meal? Order at least a week before Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. Pickup windows usually fall in the two days before the holiday. Reserve yours in-person at your nearest Strack & Van Til Deli Department, by phone at 219‑961‑9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering.

Can I customize my holiday meal? Yes. Strack & Van Til offers a la carte sides and bakery desserts so you can add or swap items to fit your family’s traditions.

Where can I pick up my heat-and-serve meal? Meals are available for pickup at Strack & Van Til deli counters across Lake and Porter counties.

Are heat-and-serve meals available outside the holidays? Yes. Everyday prepared meals are available year‑round for busy weeknights or special occasions.

How do I know my food is safe? All meals are prepared in Strack & Van Til’s kitchens, chilled for safe storage and reheated to USDA‑recommended internal temperatures.

Holiday hosting doesn’t have to be stressful. With Strack & Van Til’s heat-and-serve Thanksgiving dinners, you’ll enjoy a fully cooked meal that reheats in 2 to 3 hours, complete with classic sides and desserts. Order at least a week ahead in-person at your nearest Strack & Van Til Deli Department, by phone at 219‑961‑9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering. Reserve your easy holiday dinner today and spend more time celebrating with family and friends.

---

 [KB1]Need to insert cross link to party food math guide blog post here