What if I told you I could take most of the stress out of Thanksgiving? I’ll never forget one of the first Thanksgivings I hosted. I woke up early, put a 20-pound turkey in the oven and basted it hourly while checking the thermometer. When guests arrived and all the sides were ready, the turkey still hadn’t reached the recommended internal temperature. I finally pulled it out, sliced a few pieces, and finished them in a skillet so we’d have something to eat while the rest finished cooking. My dream of a perfectly carved turkey at the table was crushed.
After several years of hosting, I picked up a few tricks. For larger gatherings my go-to is a Fig-Spiced Turkey, which I prepare when I want a traditional whole bird with extra flavor. Lately, for smaller gatherings or when I want to simplify, my husband smokes a couple of turkey breasts outside while I focus on the sides in the kitchen. It’s a great way to divide the work and reduce oven congestion.
I recently tried a fully cooked, hickory-smoked turkey breast from Honeysuckle White. It arrived frozen at my door, so I thawed it in the refrigerator for a couple of days and then followed the simple reheating instructions. I admit I was skeptical at first — I worried a pre-cooked product might turn out dry after baking — but this smoked breast came out moist and flavorful, and it exceeded my expectations.
The convenience is the biggest selling point: you can order a professionally cured and smoked turkey breast online and have it delivered straight to your door, which eliminates the need to shop in-store for a large bird. For a small Thanksgiving or a holiday meal where you’d rather spend time with guests than manage a whole turkey in the oven, a smoked turkey breast is an excellent alternative.
To enhance the hickory-smoked flavor, I spread a thin layer of fig preserves on the turkey breast before heating. I tucked a few sprigs of fresh poultry herbs and some orange slices around the meat as it warmed in the oven; the citrus and herbs brightened the smoky notes and filled the house with a classic holiday aroma. Once warmed through, the turkey was tender, juicy, and ready to be sliced for the table.
If you’re planning a larger Thanksgiving, there are other options to consider as well: whole fresh traceable birds, bacon-wrapped turkeys, and other whole turkey products are available from several brands. But for a stress-free smaller feast, the fully cooked smoked turkey breast is a time-saving, quality option that tastes like it was prepared with care.
One of my favorite ways to showcase leftovers — or to serve an easy, elegant lunch the day after — is a smoked turkey and cranberry croissant sandwich. Thin slices of smoked turkey paired with cranberry-pomegranate sauce, tucked into a flaky, buttery croissant, make a bright, satisfying bite that highlights Thanksgiving flavors without much effort. Add a smear of fig spread for a hint of sweetness that complements the smoke.
Ordering a turkey online can simplify your holiday planning and remove one major stressor from hosting: the grocery run and the uncertainty of whether a fresh bird will be available. With delivery, you can plan timing, thawing, and reheating in advance and focus on the other dishes that make Thanksgiving special.
Smoked Turkey and Cranberry Croissant Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 thick slices Honeysuckle White fully cooked hickory-smoked bone-in turkey breast
- 2 tablespoons fig spread (optional)
- 2 croissants
- 2 tablespoons cranberry-pomegranate sauce
Instructions
- Rub fig spread over the turkey slices if using, and warm the slices according to the packaging directions.
- Slice croissants in half and arrange the warmed turkey slices on the bottom half.
- Spread cranberry-pomegranate sauce on the top half, assemble the sandwich, and serve immediately.
Notes
For a sturdier sandwich, swap the croissant for sourdough or another crusty roll. Leftovers can be wrapped and refrigerated for a quick next-day meal.
Nutrition
Calories: 284 kcal | Carbohydrates: 39 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 12 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Cholesterol: 39 mg | Sodium: 295 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 15 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
This post is in partnership with Honeysuckle White Turkey. As always, thank you for reading and for supporting the brands I partner with; your support helps me create more original content and recipes. All opinions are my own.