A Comprehensive Guide to Thanksgiving in the Hudson Valley

By Melissa Esposito | November 8, 2023

Between our abundance of local farms, family-owned natural food stores, lauded chefs, and talented restaurateurs, there’s no denying that the Hudson Valley is a foodie haven. That means that when it comes to planning a Thanksgiving or holiday dinner, we’re lucky to have plenty of options no matter what diet, taste preference, or schedule you need to accommodate.

Our comprehensive guide offers tips on where to find catered Thanksgiving meals, local grocery stores with natural products, and regional farm-fresh turkeys to ensure your holiday table is set the way you like it.

Caterers Offering Ready-Made Meals

If you love the idea of hosting family and friends for Thanksgiving but not the idea of bouncing from sink to stove for hours in a hot kitchen, fret not! Several restaurants and catering services in the Hudson Valley will cover everything but the cleanup for your holiday meal. Here’s where you can pick up a quality, ready-to-serve feast, whether hosting a large gathering or simply not kitchen savvy.

BLACK-EYED SUZIE’S | 14 Hurley Ave, Kingston | @blackeyedsuziesupstate

For more than 20 years, Black-Eyed Suzie’s has been serving farm-to-table meals as either a cafe or grab-and-go market. This Thanksgiving, they’re offering flavorful favorites to-go, like herb-roasted turkey breast; a ready-to-bake autumn lasagna with butternut squash, greens and sage bechamel; a cranberry-walnut and sage stuffing; and whipped sweet potatoes with maple butter. Don’t forget desserts like pumpkin pie with a buttery, flaky crust. Orders will be taken until November 15th at 4 pm, unless they sell out earlier, with pickup and home delivery options available.

BLUE MOUNTAIN “BISTRO TO GO” | 948 Route 28, Kingston | @bluemountain_bistrotogo

Bistro-to-Go offers seasonal, fresh, local-when-possible takeaway meals from their eatery along Rte. 28, including a vast variety of options to pick up for your Thanksgiving dinner. Warm up with starters like pumpkin cider bisque and sides like sausage and fennel stuffing, sweet potato casserole, or classic mashed potatoes. Request a side of turkey mushroom gravy for your locally sourced oven-roasted turkey, and end the night with desserts like a Hudson Valley Apple Pie. They’re accepting orders until November 13th or until they sell out.

YES FOODS WOODSTOCK | Sawkill, Woodstock | Facebook

YES FOODS Woodstock has got Thanksgiving covered, making it easy for everyone. Whether it’s a solo Thanksgiving, celebrating at home with a friend, or bringing a side dish, they’ve got you. Craving a wide variety of dessert choices? They’ve got you. Prefer to enjoy the delectable Thanksgiving sides away from the crowd? YES FOODS has got you. They have gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options. There’s something for everyone. The holiday is meant to be fun, and the food should be awesome. Get the full Thanksgiving dinner experience, complete with soup and salad, or just get your favorite sides. Their delicious, made-from-scratch dishes are prepared with love and delivered to your door. Place orders by November 18th.

TALBOTT & ARDING | 202 Allen Street, Hudson | @talbottandarding

At Talbott & Arding in Hudson, you can shop a variety of pantry staples in-store while picking up a holiday feast, as they offer a little bit of everything for Thanksgiving meals. Starters like butternut squash soup with apple and sage complement flavorful sides like herbed stuffing; Brussels sprouts with Northwind Farms crispy smoked bacon; sweet potato purée with sautéed pears, and crispy sage; and chicory salad with persimmons, pomegranates, walnuts, and sherry shallot vinaigrette. Brined and roasted Northwind Farms Heritage Turkey breast and seasonal bouquets from Cedar Farm complete your centerpiece. Don’t skimp on desserts like toasted pecan pie with Medjool dates. Pre-ordered items are available through the week of Thanksgiving.

MAIN COURSE | 175 Main St, New Paltz | @maincourse_catering

Main Course is an award-winning caterer with a dine-in restaurant on Main St. in New Paltz, and their Thanksgiving options are sure to impress. Start with appetizers like Hudson Valley Charcuterie (pickles, griddled bruschetta, mustard seed caviar) or white bean tapenade with candied garlic tomato jam and bruschetta. Enjoy sliced local boneless dark and white meat turkey or whole Murray’s Organic Free Range turkeys, gravy included. Traditional sides include mashed potatoes, roasted fall veggies, and more. A wide selection of desserts and baked goods run from traditional (apple coffee cake, pumpkin spice bread) to standouts like coconut quinoa pudding and jalapeno cheddar cornbread. Place orders by November 15th at noon.

Shop Local For Your Holiday Meal

With so many people having different dietary needs, it’s hard to plan a one-size-fits-all Thanksgiving menu. When it comes to gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or grass-fed options, big-box supermarkets might offer the convenience of a massive selection and an aisle or two of these options, but our region’s various locally owned grocers are more apt to carry local produce, organic options, and meals for a variety of needs.

SUNFLOWER MARKET | Woodstock and Rhinebeck Locations | @sunflower___market

For nearly half a century, Sunflower Market has provided fresh, natural, and often locally sourced foods and products to families from their Woodstock and Rhinebeck locations. They proudly support brands that offer foods that are non-GMO, small-batch, family-owned, and humanely raised. Find weekly sales on organic produce, and take your holiday dinner’s quality up a notch.

ADAMS FAIRACRE FARMS | Lake Katrine and Multiple Locations | @adamsfairacrefarms

With locations in Kingston, Poughkeepsie, and Newburgh, this family-owned grocer and specialty foods purveyor is conveniently located in the Mid-Hudson region. Here, you’ll find a variety of locally sourced produce and meats but also imported and hard-to-find items like gourmet cheeses, specialty olive oils, international desserts, and more.

NEW PALTZ HEALTH & NUTRITION | 15 New Paltz Plaza, New Paltz | @new_paltz_health_and_nutrition

Small but mighty, this New Paltz mainstay shares a plaza with a chain supermarket and still holds its own, thanks to its high-quality selection of organic produce, fresh meats, and several options for alternative diets and food allergies.

MOTHER EARTH’S STOREHOUSE | Kingston and Saugerties Locations | @motherearthstorehouse

With two locations in Kingston and Saugerties, Mother Earth has long been regarded as a fully stocked natural foods purveyor, with a noteworthy bulk goods section. Fill up a container with various grains, legumes, nuts, dried fruit, spices, coffee, and more for your Thanksgiving table.

Where to Find Farm-Fresh Turkey in the Hudson Valley

The turkey is often the centerpiece of Thanksgiving meals, and buying from a local farm is one way to ensure your feast is fresh. Sure, you can usually expect to pay a little more, but farm-fresh meats are typically of a better quality and flavor. Plus, to know the farm is to know the turkey’s environment, including what they’re fed and how much access they have to natural pastures. Here’s where to buy fresh farm-fresh turkey in the Hudson Valley.

NORTHWIND FARMS | 185 W Kerley Corners Rd, Tivoli | @northwindfarms

Northwind is known for its pasture-raised Heritage turkeys and other high-quality meats.

FISHKILL FARMS | 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction | @fishkillfarms

Fishkill Farms sources their turkeys from Northwind Farms in Tivoli, where they’re processed a week before Thanksgiving.

BLACK HORSE FARMS | 10094 Route 9W, Athens | Facebook | @blackhorsefarms1

Fresh, all-natural turkeys range from 12-24 pounds. Produce packages are available, too.

KARL FAMILY FARMS | 2207 Route 32, Modena | @karlfamilyfarms

Pre-order pasture-raised, organically-fed, antibiotic-free and hormone-free turkeys.

OLD FORD FARM | 1359 Old Ford Rd, New Paltz | @oldfordfarm

Pre-order natural turkeys ranging between 13-22 pounds.

QUATTRO’S FARM | 2251 Route 44, Pleasant Valley | @quattrosfarm

Free-range turkeys and other small poultry and game are available for pre-order from this small farm.

FOUR WINDS FARM | 158 Marabac Rd, Gardiner | @4windsfarm

An organic family farm where turkeys are raised outdoors and fed organic grains. Order in advance.

If you’re still unsure where to buy your bird or what size you need, you can also reach out to farmers who can guide you through the process to ensure no plate goes empty or that you don’t end up with too many leftovers. They can even guide you on best practices for roasting and maybe even offer a recipe, adding a truly farm-to-table touch to your holiday meal.

On a Final Note…

After your Thanksgiving gathering with family and friends, invite everyone to step outside and walk off that fabulous meal. We love the idea of a walk in the woods to take in the scenery that we are blessed with here in the Hudson Valley. You never know what you’ll see! Happy Thanksgiving to all!