Hosting Thanksgiving this year? It may seem early to think about it, but the holiday is just around the corner. Don’t stress – plan ahead and make your Northwest Indiana Thanksgiving extra special. Let the Deli Department at your nearest Strack & Van Til do all the work for you.

Strack & Van Til offers complete Thanksgiving dinners to go, available for pre‑order, pickup at deli counters across Lake and Porter Counties and for delivery. A dinner to go means a fully cooked holiday meal, picked up chilled and reheated at home. Grocery holiday dinners differ from restaurant takeout because they include a full menu, serve larger headcounts and come at a lower cost per person. These meals are ideal for hosts short on oven space or time, ensuring a stress‑free holiday. And, when it comes from your hometown grocer, you know it’s gotta be good.

What comes in a Thanksgiving dinner-to-go?

Strack & Van Til’s Deli Department prepares fully cooked holiday meals that you can pick up chilled and reheat at home. The lineup includes:

• Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Dinner – 3 pounds of roasted turkey breast, 2 pounds of Our Own Recipe stuffing, 5 pounds of homestyle mashed potatoes, 24 ounces of homestyle gravy and 15 ounces of cranberry relish. Perfect for serving 6 people.
• Traditional Turkey Dinner – A 10–12 pound Butterball pre‑cooked turkey, 2 pounds of Our Own Recipe stuffing, 5 pounds of homestyle mashed potatoes, 24 ounces of homestyle gravy and 15 ounces of cranberry relish. This dinner feeds 6-8 guests.
• Traditional Spiral Ham Dinner – A 9‑pound Smithfield Spiral Cut Ham, 2 pounds of Our Own green bean casserole, 5 pounds of homestyle mashed potatoes, 24 ounces of homestyle gravy and 15 ounces of cranberry relish. The ideal quantity for 6-8 people.

Beyond the full dinners, the deli offers a la carte sides such as regular or garlic mashed potatoes, collard greens and a wide variety of potato and pasta salads. Single‑serve and by‑the‑pound options of turkey breast, ham slices, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and Our Own stuffing are perfect for smaller gatherings.

Appetizer spotlight

Appetizers set the tone for the holiday meal, and Strack & Van Til’s deli trays make it easy to welcome guests. Grab and Go trays include cheese platters, Spinach Dipper Bowls, Southwest layered dip, hummus varieties, smoked salmon, vegetable dill dip, spinach dip and bruschetta. These trays are also perfect for office potlucks, church socials or game day, as well as Thanksgiving Eve gatherings across Northwest Indiana.

Want to elevate your spread? Go gourmet with the ready‑made charcuterie tray featuring Gouda, Monterey Jack, mild cheddar and Colby Jack cheeses, plus hard salami, pepperoni, pretzelized pita chips, grapes and a fruit spread. It’s a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table that looks as good as it tastes and is ideal for family reunions, neighborhood parties, celebrations and more.

Dessert showcase

Desserts are the grand finale of Thanksgiving, and your local Strack & Van Til Deli Department offers options that fit every mood:

• Pumpkin mousse – A lighter, airy dessert that balances the richness of the main meal.
• Cheesecake Delight – A creamy indulgence that feels festive and pairs well with coffee.
• Taffy apple salad – A nostalgic treat that kids and adults alike enjoy, tying back to Midwest traditions.

Visit the Strack & Van Til Bakery for scratch bakery pies — pumpkin, pecan and apple remain the classics. Many families in the Region pick up multiple pies to share at their events, ensuring everyone gets their favorite slice.

How much does a Thanksgiving dinner-to-go cost?

While Strack & Van Til’s holiday dinners are competitively priced, this blog focuses on what’s included rather than specific dollar amounts. Packages are designed to serve groups of 4 to 6, 6 to 8 and larger gatherings. Complete dinners generally cost less per person than restaurant meals and are competitive with cooking from scratch once ingredient costs and preparation time are considered.

Package	Serves	What’s Included	Order by Date
Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Dinner	6	Turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry relish	Nov. 18
Traditional Turkey Dinner	6–8	Whole turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry relish	Nov. 18
Traditional Spiral Ham Dinner	6–8	Spiral ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry relish	Nov. 18

When to order and how pickup works

You must place your Thanksgiving dinner order from the Strack & Van Til Deli Department by Wednesday, Nov. 18, and pick it up on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Delivered orders must be prepaid in full. Ready‑to‑heat and serve dinners are available for delivery from 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and require a $25 delivery fee. Orders can be placed at the deli counter, by phone at 219‑961‑9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering.

Reheating on Thanksgiving morning

Plan for 2 to 3 hours of oven time to reheat a full dinner. Turkeys should be reheated at 325°F until reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Follow the provided instructions and stagger side dishes while the turkey rests.

For smaller sides, microwaves can be used to save oven space, but reheating in the oven ensures even warmth and better texture. Cover dishes with foil to prevent drying and rotate trays halfway through cooking. Always allow meats to rest before slicing, which keeps juices locked in.

For detailed reheating times and methods, see the companion heat and serve guide.

Party food math: how much to serve

Planning portions can be tricky, but your local Strack & Van Til Deli Department makes it easier. Use these guidelines:

• Appetizers: Plan 4–6 pieces per person per hour. For 20 guests, that’s about 100 appetizers.
• Turkey: Allow 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. A 12-pound turkey serves 8–10 guests.
• Ham: Estimate ¾ pound per person. A 9-pound ham serves 12 guests comfortably.
• Sides: One quart of stuffing or mashed potatoes serves 4-6 people. Plan 3-4 sides for variety.
• Dessert: One pie from the Bakery Department offers 6-8 slices. For 20 guests, plan on 3-4 pies.

These numbers help hosts avoid running short while keeping portions manageable. For more detailed calculations, see the companion party food math guide.

Thanksgiving dinner from Strack & Van Til

Strack & Van Til’s holiday menu includes dinner packages with main course choices and the classic sides that Northwest Indiana is known for. A la carte options allow customization with extra sides, meats and desserts. Scratch bakery pies and dinner rolls are made fresh in-store at the Strack & Van Til Bakery near you. Orders can be placed at deli counters across Lake and Porter counties, by phone at 219‑961‑9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering.

Desserts from the Deli include pumpkin mousse, Cheesecake Delight and taffy apple salad — seasonal holiday treats that are easy, ready‑made options to cap off the meal.

Frequently asked questions

• Where can I order Thanksgiving dinner-to-go in Northwest Indiana?  Place your order in person at your nearest Strack & Van Til Deli Department, by phone at 219‑961‑9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering.
  
  
• What comes in a premade Thanksgiving dinner? Options include turkey or ham dinners with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry relish and sides.
  
  
• When do I need to order Thanksgiving dinner by? Orders must be placed by Wednesday, Nov. 18.
  
  
• How does pickup work? Meals are picked up chilled on Wednesday, Nov. 25, with delivery available for a $25 fee.
  
  
• Can I customize my order? Yes, with a la carte sides, meats and desserts.
  
  
• Do trays come ready to serve? Yes, all trays are portioned and covered for easy serving.
  
  
• How do I keep trays fresh before serving? Refrigerate until 30 minutes before serving and follow the two‑hour rule for leaving perishables out of the fridge.
  
  
• Can I order online and pick up in store? Yes. Orders placed through strackandvantil.com/catering can be scheduled for pickup at your nearest deli counter. Just bring your confirmation email or order number.
  
  
• Are vegetarian or gluten‑free options available? While the main packages focus on turkey and ham, the Strack & Van Til Deli Department offers a variety of deli sides and salads that can be ordered a la carte to accommodate dietary needs.
  
  
• What if I need to serve more than 20 people? Larger gatherings can be covered by ordering multiple dinner packages or supplementing your dinners with trays and sides. The deli team can help you plan quantities.
  
  
• Can I order trays for the weekend after Thanksgiving? Absolutely. Many families host football watch parties or leftovers lunches that weekend, and Strack & Van Til’s deli trays are available by pre‑order or grab‑and‑go.

Local traditions in Northwest Indiana

Thanksgiving in Northwest Indiana isn’t just about the meal — it’s about the traditions that bring families and communities together. Many households in Highland, Munster, Crown Point and Chesterton host Thanksgiving Eve gatherings, a chance to reconnect before the big day. Football is another staple, with local high school playoff games and college matchups filling the week.

“Strack & Van Til’s heat-and-serve Thanksgiving dinners, charcuterie boards and desserts from the deli fit seamlessly into these traditions, making it easy to contribute to a gathering or host without stress,” notes Deli Department Director Kristin Snow. “By tying your holiday meal to these familiar ‘Region’ customs, you’re not just serving food — you’re celebrating community.”

Office potlucks and church dinners are common across Lake and Porter Counties, giving everyone a taste of the season before the holiday itself. And in recent years, Friendsgiving has become a popular tradition in the Region. Many groups of friends host their own Thanksgiving‑style meal the weekend before the holiday, often featuring creative twists on classic dishes. Strack & Van Til’s deli trays, charcuterie boards and desserts make Friendsgiving easy to plan, ensuring the celebration feels festive without the stress of cooking from scratch.

Reserve your Thanksgiving dinner early

Strack & Van Til’s Thanksgiving dinners-to-go include centerpiece meats and sides, all ready to reheat at home. Order by the stated deadline to ensure availability, and plan for a couple of hours of oven time on Thanksgiving morning.

Make this Thanksgiving easy, delicious and deeply local. Order your dinner today at your nearest Strack & Van Til deli, 219‑961‑9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering. Whether you’re hosting family in Highland, bringing a tray to a Munster office potluck or serving pie after the Valpo football game, Strack & Van Til has you covered. Let your hometown grocer handle the cooking so you can focus on family, friends and gratitude — the traditions that make a Northwest Indiana Thanksgiving unforgettable.

By Karyn G. Zafran