Tired of cooking for Thanksgiving? Let these Newport County businesses do the work.

It’s easy to get lured into the fantasy of an ideal Thanksgiving. A gorgeous, roasted turkey gleefully served to a table full of loving family members. A collection of mouthwatering side dishes all meticulously prepared in a bustling, cheerful kitchen. A lineup of picture-perfect pies for a belly-busting dessert course after the dinner plates have been cleared. Sounds pretty tempting, right?

But that’s not exactly accurate. That image leaves out the reality of life in 2023. It’s just not that easy to put a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving scene together. Life is too busy and complicated. Just getting to the Thanksgiving table takes energy. If you are worried about travel, work, school, vacation, pets, cars, bills and schedules, it’s hard to squeeze in time to shop for, prep and bake a pumpkin pie, let alone a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings. This year, let yourself off the hook. Just enjoy the day and utilize your favorite restaurants to give you a most delicious assist.

Many area businesses are now offering special pre-orders for all the Thanksgiving Day meal traditions you love. Put your order in now so you can set yourself free from the holiday hassles on the 23rd. Most restaurants need to have those orders in early, so the earlier you order the better. You’ll be glad you did.

Clement’s Marketplace

A great place to start is at your local markets and Clement’s Marketplace in Portsmouth is always a winner. You have until this Monday to order their complete Thanksgiving dinner which comes with a whole roasted turkey, traditional stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, butternut squash, mashed turnips and carrots, cranberry chutney, rolls and apple or pumpkin pie. Everything is prepared fresh by the chefs at Clements – you just have to reheat when you are ready to serve. They do all the work for you, you just sit back and watch your guests revel in the joy of Turkey Day.

Foodlove Market

You can get your Thanksgiving feast from Foodlove Market in Middletown too. They are offering complete dinners for two to six people. And if you feel like you can cook your own turkey, you can order a complete package of just the sides too. Your favorite sides are all available ala carte too like Maple Walnut Roasted Carrots or a Traditional Sausage Stuffing. And don’t forget the pies too – the Caramel Apple is a fan favorite (and don’t forget to grab some ice cream while you are there to scoop on top).

Newport Vineyards

You can also let the culinary crew at Newport Vineyards cook your Thanksgiving dinner. They are taking orders now for full dinners and lots of unique and tasty additions. Turkey breast that has been brined in their very own Rhody Coyote cider is on the menu along with Sweet and Cheesy Butternut Casserole and a homemade Pumpkin Swiss Roll for dessert. The Vineyard’s bakeshop features a whole line of ready-to-serve favorites too, from the classic Pecan Pie to the standout Almond and Summer Fruit Galette. And for a showstopper that would impress Paul Hollywood, order one of their pumpkin-shaped sourdough loaves.

Our Table

If you are looking for pies, cakes, biscuits and more, the folks from Our Table in Jamestown are offering up some of their finest for pre-order. One of their Apple Pecan and Chocolate Cream pies will make a great addition to any table, as would a basket of their cheddar biscuits. Always freshly baked and crowd pleasers. They offer fresh apple cider donuts too which will make a tasty Thanksgiving breakfast treat too.

Mission of Newport

Speaking of biscuits, Mission of Newport is taking orders for their famous biscuits that you can cook at home. You’ll be amazed how fast they disappear. While you are there, stop by Utility next door for some amazing kitchenware. It’s a great place to gear up for the holidays.

Sweet Berry Farm

You’ll never go wrong with an order from Sweet Berry Farm. They have all you could want for a memorable Thanksgiving feast. Their seasoned and sliced roasted turkey will make even the pickiest of turkey connoisseurs happy, and their sides will bring cheers too. Want to offer something non-traditional? Try their Butternut Squash Lasagna with fresh rosemary. Or start your guests off with some Madras Curry Pumpkin soup. Pick up a pie too! Why do pies from orchards always taste a little fresher?

The Roasted Clove

The Roasted Clove on Aquidneck Avenue has some fantastic offerings for the holiday too. Their house-made stuffing with roasted veggies will earn praise from your satisfied guests as will their sweet and salty baked Cornbread Pudding. Consider their savory pies as an addition to your party too and order Sam's Bakery Pie Platter - a combination of 36 chourico, meat and spinach pies. Thanksgiving needs more chourico.

Dine out: Skip the cooking this Thanksgiving and book at table at these RI restaurants

Provencal Bakery and Cafe

Don’t forget Provencal Bakery and Cafe when considering your preorder options. Their pies and cakes always take centerstage like their Banana Cream Pie or the fresh made Carrot Cake. But they have got dinner covered too with full Thanksgiving Meals or mouthwatering sides like Cornbread Casserole or fresh Roasted Potatoes.

Thanksgiving can be a stressful day if you try to use all your energy to make an elaborate meal. With such great culinary talents in our restaurants and eateries, there’s no reason you can’t have them help. Place those pre-orders today so when Thanksgiving rolls around, you can sit back with family and be grateful for the bounty at your table as you wait for the tryptophan to kick in.

Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years experience in the food service industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes within the industry and remains a devoted fan of all things restaurant and hospitality related. His column appears on newportri.com and in The Daily News. Cheers!

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Prepared Thanksgiving meals in Newport County from turkey to dessert