Somebody has to wake up early and wrestle the bird, and more families every year are deciding that somebody doesn’t have to be them. Ordering the centerpiece frees you up for the parts of Thanksgiving you actually enjoy, and smoked meat brings a flavor most home ovens can’t match.
At Station One Smokehouse, we smoke turkey, brisket and more on an all-wood pit in Plainfield and Yorkville. This guide shows how to build a Thanksgiving BBQ spread for 8, 15 or 25 guests, for the holiday itself or a Friendsgiving on any weekend in November.
Two Ways to Order: Thanksgiving Day or Friendsgiving
How you order depends on the day you’re eating.
For Thanksgiving itself, we run a separate holiday pre-order menu. Our Thanksgiving special menu from last season shows how it works: a limited number of orders, cold pickups with reheating instructions the day before, hot pickups on Thanksgiving morning, and a firm ordering cutoff. Last year’s menu included a bundle built to feed up to 12, whole turkeys and turkey breasts, brisket, holiday sides by the half pan, turkey gravy by the quart, and house-made smoked pecan and pumpkin pies. The menu and dates change each year, so check the current season’s page before you plan around it, and order early because it sells out.
For Friendsgiving, a family gathering on the weekend, or an office Thanksgiving lunch, our regular catering menu is the way to go. Catering orders typically need 48 hours’ notice and must exceed $100. The menu builder below uses that catering menu, so every item is something you can order outside the holiday rush.
Thanksgiving BBQ Menu Builder
Our catering menu lists servings per pan and per pound, which makes sizing simple. A pound of smoked meat serves 2 to 3 people, a half pan serves 10 to 12, and a full pan serves 20 to 25. Sides come by the quart (4 to 6 servings) or by the pan. The spreads below lean a little generous, because Thanksgiving without leftovers doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving.
A Small Table: 8 Guests
Order meats by the pound: about 2 pounds of smoked turkey and 2 pounds of sliced brisket cover eight people with some left over for sandwiches the next day. Choose three sides by the quart, such as macaroni and cheese, green beans and tater tot casserole, with two quarts of whichever one your family fights over. Add a half pan of cornbread with honey butter, which comes as 15 pieces.
This size clears the $100 catering minimum while staying manageable in a regular fridge and oven.
A Full House: 15 Guests
Step up to half pans. A half pan of smoked turkey and a half pan of sliced brisket together cover 20 to 24 servings, which leaves room for seconds. For sides, a half pan each of macaroni and cheese (25 to 30 servings) and green beans (30 to 35 servings) handles the crowd easily, and a half pan of collard greens or elote corn rounds it out. One half pan of cornbread gives each guest a piece. Finish with a half pan of banana pudding, which serves 15 to 20.
The Big Gathering: 25 Guests
Start with a full pan of smoked turkey (20 to 25 servings) and add a half pan of sliced brisket or pulled pork so there’s a second option for guests who want one. Order half pans of four sides: macaroni and cheese, green beans, tater tot casserole and collard greens. A full pan of cornbread brings 30 pieces, and two half pans of banana pudding cover dessert.
For more detail on adjusting amounts by appetite, see our guide to BBQ catering portions per person.
Where Smoked Turkey Fits a Traditional Table
Smoked turkey takes the place of the roasted bird without changing the rest of the meal. It slices neatly, works with gravy and cranberry sauce from your own kitchen, and carries a light smokiness that pairs well with classic sides. You can also order smoked turkey by the half pound on a regular visit if you want to try it before the big day.
Brisket earns its spot, too. Plenty of families now serve a turkey and a brisket side by side, and our half pans make that easy to do without cooking two proteins at home.
Friendsgiving Ideas That Work With BBQ
Friendsgiving tends to be looser than the family meal, and that’s a good fit for a BBQ spread. Let the host cover the meats and a couple of sides from our catering menu, then have guests bring the dishes they’re known for. Set everything out buffet-style so people can graze through the evening.
A few menu items tend to get people talking at a Friendsgiving table: pork belly burnt ends, jalapeño cheddar links, and elote corn served off the cob. They make the night feel like its own thing instead of a practice run for Thursday.
Reheating and Serving
If your order comes cold, plan oven time the way you would for any make-ahead meal. Our BBQ reheating instructions walk through each item step by step, and we recommend trusting a meat thermometer since ovens vary. Refrigerated orders keep for up to three days.
Thanksgiving BBQ FAQs
Do you do Thanksgiving catering instead of cooking?
Yes. For the holiday itself, order from our Thanksgiving special menu when it’s released. For any other November gathering, our regular catering menu is available with 48 hours’ notice.
Can I use a gift card for my Thanksgiving order?
Last season, holiday special orders ran through a separate system, so Station One gift cards couldn’t be applied to them. Gift cards could still be used in the restaurant, online, and for non-holiday catering orders.
How do I order for Thanksgiving Day?
Holiday orders go through our Thanksgiving Day order form once the season’s menu opens. Orders are limited, so place yours early.
Let Us Handle the Centerpiece
Pick your headcount, build the spread from our catering menu, and spend the morning with your people instead of your oven. Questions about a large order or a special request? Reach out to our team and we’ll help you plan it.