An overhead view of a table filled with holiday dishes from Cracker Barrel
As a busy host looking for a stress-free holiday meal, I decided to try the Cracker Barrel Heat And Serve Thanksgiving Feast. With promises of a complete holiday dinner ready to heat and serve, it seemed like the perfect solution to save time and effort. After experiencing it firsthand, I’m here to give you an honest review, rating it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. While some dishes were surprisingly underwhelming, others truly shined, and the sheer volume and variety of food were undeniably impressive.
Cracker Barrel offers several take-home holiday meal options, and I opted for their Thanksgiving Heat N’ Serve Feast. The base price started at $154.99, but with taxes, an optional gratuity, and a side upgrade, my final total reached $210. According to the website, this feast is designed to serve 8-10 people and includes “two Turkey Breasts, Dressing, Gravy, Cranberry Relish, Sweet Potato Casserole, two sides, Rolls, Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie.” While the 8-10 serving estimate felt conservative, the amount of food was substantial. The entire meal comes packed cold and requires about two hours for prep and heating before you can serve it. You also have a 72-hour window from pickup to enjoy your feast, offering flexibility for holiday planning. I’ll delve deeper into the specific meal options and side dish choices later in this review.
(Curious about other pre-cooked holiday meal options? Don’t miss my comparison review of the Publix Heat and Serve Complete Turkey Thanksgiving Dinner.)
Cracker Barrel box and bag containing uncooked Thanksgiving Heat n
Refrigerator Space is Key: Prepare Accordingly
Picking up my Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve meal was a breeze. I chose in-store pickup a few days before Thanksgiving to avoid any crowds, and the process was quick and efficient. Pre-paid and with no lines, the staff even kindly carried the hefty box to my car. And heavy it was! Everything was neatly packed in a reinforced cardboard box with a lid and handles, which certainly helped, but it still managed to occupy my entire car trunk. So, a word to the wise: make sure you have ample trunk space for transport.
A kitchen table covered in packaged items from the Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving Turkey Feast pre-made holiday meal kit.
If you’re not planning to heat and serve your Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve meal immediately, prepare for a serious refrigerator takeover. To accommodate everything, you’ll need a nearly empty refrigerator. Just look at the contents of my box and bag laid out – it’s a mountain of food!
Beyond refrigerator space, you’ll also need aluminum foil and, ideally, two roasting pans – one for each turkey breast and one for the dressing. More on that as we get into the details.
A hand holding a wrapped turkey breast from Cracker Barrel
Unboxing the Feast: What’s Inside?
My Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve meal kit included two 5-pound, individually wrapped, fully cooked turkey breasts. They arrived chilled and required just over an hour to reheat.
A hand holding an aluminum pan with mashed potatoes from Cracker Barrel Holiday Heat n
The side dishes were conveniently packaged in aluminum pans with lids. Since I ordered the larger feast, I received two pans of each side dish, which is great for larger gatherings. While you can heat and serve directly from these pans, I opted to transfer them to serving dishes for a more appealing presentation. This was slightly challenging with casseroles that had toppings, but manageable.
A hand holding a package of Turkey Gravy from the Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving Holiday Meal Kit.
Everything in the Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve box was neatly packed, clearly labeled, and thankfully, nothing leaked. The Cracker Barrel staff even double-checked the box contents with me before I left, inventorying each item and asking if I had any questions. They clearly prioritize a smooth and customer-friendly experience.
A hand holding a plastic bag of single-serve butter packets from Cracker Barrel holiday Heat and Serve turkey feast.
As a thoughtful bonus, I even discovered two bags filled with individual butter packets – a small but appreciated touch. More on these butters later!
Cracker Barrel instruction book for the Heat n
The kit also included a glossy instruction booklet with detailed directions for preparing each item. Conveniently, everything cooks at the same temperature (400 degrees Fahrenheit), and I was able to fit everything needing baking into my standard-sized oven. While Cracker Barrel estimates a 2-hour prep window, the longest individual cook time is 70 minutes, indicating the 2-hour estimate includes prep tasks.
Turkey: A Standout Star
Two turkey breasts in an aluminum pan from Cracker Barrel
The turkey breasts, requiring the longest heating time at 70 minutes, were the first items I placed in the oven. Prep was minimal: unwrap the breasts, place them in your own roasting pan (disposable roasting pans work perfectly), and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
A Cracker Barrel turkey breast sitting in an aluminum roaster pan with part of the skin missing, from the Thanksgiving meal kit.
My only minor disappointment with the turkey was that the skin on one breast partially detached upon unwrapping. Luckily, it still cooked beautifully, just looking slightly less pristine.
Cooked turkey breasts from Cracker Barrel
Despite the skin issue, the turkey proved to be a highlight of the Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve feast. Being pre-cooked, the breasts didn’t shrink much, yielding a generous 10 pounds of meat even after heating – truly a substantial amount! I needed my largest turkey platter just to present both breasts.
A sliced turkey breast from Cracker Barrel holiday heat and serve family feast meal kit for thanksgiving or christmas.
The turkey sliced effortlessly, revealing tender and juicy meat inside. While the seasoning wasn’t overly bold, the turkey possessed a pleasant savory, subtly smoky flavor throughout, with a satisfying level of saltiness that should please most palates. (Being a salt enthusiast, I added a touch more for my taste). The texture was natural, not processed at all.
(Looking for another pre-cooked turkey breast option? Read my review of Costco’s Kirkland Oven Browned Turkey Breast.)
Sides: Hits and Misses
Uncooked cornbread dressing from the Cracker Barrel holiday heat and serve meal kit thanksgiving feast.
The cornbread dressing required the most minimal prep. My Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve kit included two containers of broth and two pans of dry stuffing mix. I combined these in a bowl before transferring it to my own roasting pan. Initially, the liquid-to-stuffing ratio seemed excessive, but I followed the instructions and proceeded. The dry stuffing mix contained noticeable chunks of fresh raw vegetables like celery.
A white serving dish filled with cooked cornbread dressing from the Cracker Barrel Holiday Meal Kit.
Thankfully, the cornbread dressing improved significantly after baking. I actually baked mine slightly longer than instructed as it appeared too soggy initially. It firmed up nicely after scooping it into a serving dish and letting it steam briefly. The celery retained a fresh taste and a slight crispness, avoiding sogginess. The stuffing itself was mildly seasoned – bordering on bland – but still palatable, offering a soft, fluffy texture with a comforting cornmeal undertone. Serving it with gravy and a pat of butter enhanced its richness considerably. Butter truly elevates everything!
The 1.5-quart serving dish in the photo contains only about half of the total dressing included in the kit. There’s an abundance of cornbread stuffing, enough to satisfy even the most enthusiastic stuffing lovers.
A white bowl of turkey gravy from the Holiday or Thanksgiving Meal pre-made meal by Cracker Barrel.
Speaking of gravy, the “turkey gravy” required stovetop heating as per instructions. The texture wasn’t my ideal – I prefer a creamier, darker gravy – but it wasn’t unpleasant. It had a medium thickness and a pale, almost translucent color, suggesting cornstarch as a thickener. As you can see, the gravy contained small vegetable pieces and shredded turkey bits, even before heating.
Mashed potatoes from Cracker Barrel Heat n
The mashed potatoes, intended for microwaving, were transferred to a 2-quart glass dish. No prep needed – simply scoop and heat. These are notably thick mashed potatoes, which I personally appreciate. They contain small potato lumps and bits, but I didn’t detect a strong sour cream or buttery flavor. A pinch of salt improved the taste. Like many dishes in the Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve meal, these mashed potatoes leaned towards the milder side, but were still enjoyable and tasted homemade rather than artificial.
Cracker Barrel Heat n
Opting to upgrade one side dish to the Broccoli Cheddar Casserole proved to be a major letdown. The rice was hard and chewy, almost crunchy, and the broccoli was similarly firm and tasted undercooked. Despite baking it longer than recommended, until bubbly, browned, and piping hot throughout, the texture remained stubbornly off. I sincerely hope this was an anomaly and not the typical quality. Perhaps my local Cracker Barrel store undercooked it before packaging.
Fortunately, the rice softened somewhat in leftovers the next day, making it slightly more palatable.
The cheese sauce itself was creamy and generous, and the cracker topping provided wonderful crispness and flavor. However, out of all the items, this side dish tasted the most “processed” due to the cheese sauce. I wouldn’t choose this upgrade again, especially considering the extra $10 cost.
Sweet potato casserole from Cracker Barrel holiday feast meal kit.
My second significant disappointment was the Sweet Potato Casserole. Again, I really hope this was an unusual experience. Mine was excessively watery, even after baking uncovered for longer than recommended. The sweet potatoes weren’t mashed but chopped/shredded into undercooked pieces. While intensely sweet, it had an unpleasant, slightly “off” aftertaste – hard to describe, but definitely not enjoyable.
Spice flavor was minimal, and creaminess was lacking. The pecans were crisp and tasty, and a touch of brown sugar was present, but it all seemed lost in watery sadness. I couldn’t bring myself to eat more than a couple of bites, and leftovers were equally unappealing. Unfortunately, this side is included in the standard meal, not an optional upgrade. For me, this is a significant drawback.
A hand holding a pan of square, uncooked rolls from the Thanksgiving / Holiday Meal Kit from Cracker Barrel.
Bread: Sadly Square and Strange
Seeing that the rolls were packed raw and required baking raised my hopes for fresh, delightful bread. Sadly, I was mistaken. These are peculiar, underwhelming rolls. Mine barely rose or changed shape during baking, except for browning slightly. They remained strangely flat, tiny, and unappealingly square. Despite a vaguely “sweet” taste, the texture was coarse and not particularly soft.
A hand holding a small roll from the Cracker Barrel holiday heat and serve family feast meal kit.
Did I mention these rolls are tiny? Truly minuscule. I’ve never encountered such remarkably small rolls. Fortunately, you receive a generous quantity, so everyone can have several. However, I’d vastly prefer a smaller number of larger, fluffy, yeasty rolls over these tiny, coarse squares.
A white serving bowl filled with square dinner rolls from the Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving Holiday Turkey Feast.
Predictably, these rolls deteriorated further as leftovers, becoming stale quickly. If you purchase the Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve meal, consider buying separate bake-and-serve rolls from your local grocery store instead. Just a suggestion.
Condiments: Butter and Cranberry
A white bowl filled with small lumps of butter.
The individual butter packets were a pleasant surprise. I discovered they could be easily opened with a gentle side squeeze, allowing me to collect the butter pats in a bowl. They even looked somewhat elegant, like miniature restaurant butter balls, but budget-friendly. With enough to fill a small bowl, they were easy to serve. 10/10 for presentation with free butter!
Cranberry sauce in a white bowl from the Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve holiday meal kit feast.
The cranberry sauce tasted precisely like standard canned cranberry sauce. No surprises there. As a canned cranberry sauce fan, I wasn’t disappointed, but also not particularly impressed. It was simply… fine.
Desserts: Pie Perfection
Pecan pie sitting on a glass dish, from the Cracker Barrel Heat n
The pies were the unexpected stars of the Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve meal, exceeding my expectations. My kit included Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Pie, and I added an Apple Streusel Pie for an extra $12.99. The boxes proudly proclaimed “Made from scratch.”
The Pecan Pie featured small, crispy pecans atop a creamy-smooth, flavorful, jelly-like base. The filling had a delightful deep brown-sugary taste and wasn’t overly sweet, offering surprising lightness for a pecan pie. However, it was quite soft. The crust was crisp and notably salty. It’s possibly the saltiest pie crust I’ve tasted, but I found it a fantastic contrast to the sweet filling.
Noticing the Cracker Barrel advertisement displaying the pie without the aluminum pan, I carefully attempted to remove the pie from its pan. Success! The whole pie came out intact, looking much more appealing pan-free. If you try this, ensure your pie is thoroughly chilled first to minimize crumbling.
A Cracker Barrel pumpkin pie sitting on a wooden table.
Similarly, the Pumpkin Pie was exceptionally smooth. The pumpkin filling was dense enough to be satisfying, yet light and tender. This pie was sweeter than average, and I was impressed by its rich spice profile, particularly strong cinnamon notes. This is among the most flavorful pumpkin pies I’ve enjoyed. Like the pecan pie, the crust was salty, which I appreciated. I’d also describe the crust as slightly flaky yet somehow soft, with a pleasant light taste.
Apple Streusel pie from Cracker Barrel, sitting on a Thanksgiving table.
The Apple Streusel Pie add-on ($12.99) became my personal favorite of the three. I loved that the apples retained their skins and were both crisp and soft simultaneously. The streusel topping had a wonderful buttery flavor and just the right sweetness. Surprisingly, this pie lacked significant “apple pie spice.” Also, it didn’t serve as cleanly as the other pies, with the crust tending to stick to the pan, making slices difficult to remove intact. But taste-wise, it was fantastic.
A hand holding a white plate with servings of Cracker Barrel
Final Verdict: A Good Value, With Caveats
Overall, the Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve meal offered good value. It provided generous dinners for at least 10 people, plus days of leftovers for me. The turkey was notably high-quality and plentiful. Compared to other holiday meal kits, this one offered more quantity for the price and greater variety in side and dessert options – a true “feast.” The general food quality was “good.” Despite a few disappointing dishes, it provided a satisfying holiday meal. Items were carefully packed with clear instructions.
Would I purchase a Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve holiday meal again? Likely yes, IF I could swap out the Sweet Potato Casserole and if better rolls were included. I wouldn’t upgrade to the Broccoli and Cheddar Casserole a second time.
This isn’t a meal I’d rave about, but it was enjoyable and a solid, convenient choice.
The End.
(Just kidding! Here’s more (possibly redundant) information:)
Cracker Barrel Holiday Heat n’ Serve Options and Customization
One of the best aspects of Cracker Barrel’s holiday meals is the extensive options and generous portions. I had 12 different side dish choices and 5 add-on dessert options. Some upgrades incur an extra charge. There’s no roll selection – you get the standard rolls, but can purchase additional breads like biscuits or muffins. The pickup date range was also convenient, spanning November 18th to 25th, offering flexibility before and after Thanksgiving.
Side Dish Options Include:
- Broccoli Cheddar Casserole
- Loaded Hashbrown Casserole
- Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- Carrots
- Cornbread Dressing
- Fried Apples
- Green Beans
- Hashbrown Casserole
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Mashed Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes with Turkey Gravy
- Sweet Potato Casserole
You might notice some overlap, like Sweet Potato Casserole and Cornbread Dressing, also being standard meal components. This likely caters to those wanting double portions of specific sides. I opted for different sides to maximize variety, as the standard meal already provides ample food.
Some side upgrades, like Broccoli Cheese Casserole and Loaded Hashbrown Casserole, cost an extra $10.
Options to add extra side dishes and turkey breasts are available for a significant upcharge ($26-44 depending on the item). I couldn’t imagine needing more turkey than already provided!
Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie are standard, but you can add extra desserts:
- Cinnamon Roll Pie
- Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Apple Streusel Pie
- Another Pumpkin Pie
- Another Pecan Pie
Pie add-ons are reasonably priced ($13), so I added the Apple Streusel Pie. Later, I found a button for “catered” add-ons, including Peach Cobbler. More options exist, but are pricier (cobbler at $33) and less easily found on the Cracker Barrel website. This section also offers additional breads like biscuits and beverages like iced tea or coffee.
Cracker Barrel Heat n’ Serve Meal Kit Price
The ordering process was generally straightforward and user-friendly. Options were mostly clear and easy to select. My total, including tax, gratuity, and add-ons, was $210. The base meal price was $154.99. Cracker Barrel also offers smaller meals serving 4-6.
Ingredients in Cracker Barrel Holiday Heat n’ Serve Turkey Meal Kit
Do you want to know the ingredients? Me too.
I emailed Cracker Barrel customer service requesting ingredient information. The response was completely irrelevant and unhelpful. A follow-up email received no response. Cracker Barrel online customer service gets an F in my book.
Asking store staff at pickup also yielded no ingredient information. Disappointing.
Cracker Barrel Heat n’ Serve Cooking Instructions
The provided instructions stated a 2-hour heating time. In reality, the longest cook time is 70 minutes. The 2-hour estimate likely includes transferring sides to serving dishes, mixing dressing, and table setup.
Everything cooks at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, very convenient. Sides generally bake for 25-40 minutes, rolls for 15 minutes, and mashed potatoes microwave in 9 minutes.
As mentioned, everything needing baking fit in my standard oven. I removed the turkey before baking rolls to allow the turkey to “rest.”
Essential Preparation Items:
- Aluminum foil
- Roasting pan (two recommended)
- 2-3 quart serving dishes for sides
- Ample refrigerator space!
- Someone strong to carry the box
- Willpower to resist pre-Thanksgiving feasting
Bonus Information
The instruction booklet included leftover recipes – a nice touch.
More Holiday Food Reviews You Might Enjoy (or Dislike)
Explore these other holiday food reviews I’ve recently written:
Author’s note: I have no affiliation with Cracker Barrel, and received no compensation for this review. This lengthy review was fueled by copious amounts of coffee and PIE.
