Seven ways to give your Thanksgiving meal a taste of Kentucky

Janet Patton

For many people Thanksgiving is about coming home. And that means coming to the table.

Whether you’re literally going home or just want your holiday meal to give you a taste of home, here are some ways to put Kentucky on your Thanksgiving table.

You can go big with a local turkey or ham, or stick to the sides and dessert.

There’s something for everybody but you need to place orders in advance for some items.

Elmwood Stock Farm turkey

Elmwood Stock Farm, 3520 Paris Road in Georgetown, has some of the best turkeys around. They’ve been singled out by Cooks Illustrated, Spruce Eats and Purewow.com for their quality birds. You can order heritage breeds or broad breasted turkeys, all organically raised on Kentucky pastures.

You can order online at elmwoodstockfarm.com for local pickup or shipping nationally, with delivery before Thanksgiving. But don’t wait because they do run out.

Mac Stone — with two of his Heritage turkeys, a Bourbon Red, left, and a Narragansett at Elmwood Stock Farm in Scott County — and his family have been farming in the region for six generations.
Mac Stone — with two of his Heritage turkeys, a Bourbon Red, left, and a Narragansett at Elmwood Stock Farm in Scott County — and his family have been farming in the region for six generations.

Broadbent County Ham

B and B Broadbent Farms in Kuttawa, Ky., produced many Kentucky State Fair grand champion hams, including the 2022 version that sold at auction for a record $5 million. But you can get a ham for your holiday table for far less by ordering online at broadbenthams.com. You can get uncooked hickory smoked salty versions or pre-cooked hams.

Local sweet potatoes are available at Good Foods Co-op.
Local sweet potatoes are available at Good Foods Co-op.
Cushaws and pumpkins for sale at farmers’ markets and can be used to make homemade pumpkins perfect for Thanksgiving.
Cushaws and pumpkins for sale at farmers’ markets and can be used to make homemade pumpkins perfect for Thanksgiving.

Lexington Farmers Market

If you’re looking for local flavor, check out the Lexington Farmers Market on Saturday in downtown Lexington at Tandy Park on Main Street next to the old courthouse. You’ll find many options including appetizers like beer cheese, salad and vegetables for sides, fresh baked breads, jams and jellies, and more.

Garey Farms, a vendor at the Lexington Farmers Market, has traditional jam cakes with caramel icing as well as other breads, pastries, jellies and jams for sale, perfect to add a touch of Kentucky to your holiday table.
Garey Farms, a vendor at the Lexington Farmers Market, has traditional jam cakes with caramel icing as well as other breads, pastries, jellies and jams for sale, perfect to add a touch of Kentucky to your holiday table.
Corn bread made with Weisenberger Mill plain corn meal can be the main ingredient for Thanksgiving dressing.  
Corn bread made with Weisenberger Mill plain corn meal can be the main ingredient for Thanksgiving dressing.

Good Foods Co-op

The Good Foods Co-op grocery store, 455-D Southland Dr., has lots of local options from Kentucky farmers (including Farmer Joe’s turkeys, Marksbury smoked ham, Weisenberger and much more) as well as its own holiday meal items. The co-op is closed on Thanksgiving day this year but you can pre-order items to take home (or try the grab and go section.) Place holiday orders online for single-plate full meals with turkey or vegan Celebration Roast or order side dishes by the pan. Deadline to order is Nov. 16. Goodfoods.coop

Critchfield Meats Family market

Critchfield’s store, 398 Southland Dr., has lots of Thanksgiving options, including whole cooked beef tenderloin, cooked boneless ham, cooked boneless turkey breast, full meals or pans of side dishes. And you won’t have to skip dessert: The have whole cakes and pies too. Critchfieldmeats.com

You don’t have to do it all yourself for Thanksgiving. You can order pies from Missy’s Pies, turkey or ham from Critchfield and sides from Ramsey’s, or you can eat at a restaurant. But order or make reservations now.
You don’t have to do it all yourself for Thanksgiving. You can order pies from Missy’s Pies, turkey or ham from Critchfield and sides from Ramsey’s, or you can eat at a restaurant. But order or make reservations now.

Lexington restaurants open on Thanksgiving

Check LexGo Eat’s Lexington Food & Dining News and Sharing Facebook group. Lots of area caterers and restaurants are posting menus for meals you can order in advance and for dine-in service.

Bayou Bluegrass Catering, Minton’s, Selma’s Catering, Keene Dining and Events, La Bonne Vie, DaRae & Friends Catering, Proud Mary BBQ, J. Render’s, Seasons Catering, Wallace Station, Zim’s Cafe, Midway Bakery, Missy’s Pies, Bourbon ‘n’ Toulouse, Ramsey’s, Blue Door Smokehouse, Bear and The Butcher, Azur, Dupree Catering, Old Vine Bistro, Apiary Fine Catering, Hager Hams and more are offering special carryout items to pick up beforehand.

Open on Thanksgiving: Distilled on Jefferson, Heirloom in Midway, Le Deauville, Frank & Dino’s, Texas de Brazil, Lockbox and other Lexington hotel restaurants will be open but make reservations to be sure you have a table.

Bourbon, wine, craft beer, more drinks to serve on Thanksgiving

For the ultimate Kentucky table, you can’t forget the beverages. There are lots of great options for Kentucky bourbon and wine around. And check out Lexington’s many craft breweries and cider makers for even more options.

And if you’re looking for something non-alcoholic, Kentucky’s home-grown favorite is Ale-8 One, which comes in original, cherry and orange cream, great for cocktails and alone.

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