These Texas BBQ Joints Are Serving Smoked Thanksgiving Plates Locals Can’t Stop Talking About
I’ve always loved the chaos and comfort of a homemade Thanksgiving, but let’s be honest, the stress can sometimes outweigh the stuffing. That’s why, when I first heard whispers about Texas BBQ joints serving smoked Thanksgiving plates, my ears perked up.
My friends, fellow Texans, couldn’t stop raving about the convenience and incredible flavor of smoked turkey and brisket replacing their usual roasted bird. “It’s a game-changer,” one told me, “all the flavor, none of the fuss.”
Intrigued, I delved deeper, and what I found confirmed it: these pitmasters are not just serving food, they’re serving a stress-free, unbelievably delicious holiday tradition.
1. Franklin Barbecue – Austin
Aaron Franklin’s legendary pit has earned worldwide fame for its brisket, but the holiday turkey program deserves equal praise. Each bird gets vacuum-sealed after smoking to lock in moisture and flavor for easy reheating at home.
The fully cooked turkey breasts arrive ready to impress your guests without the stress of cooking. Franklin also offers additional holiday items to round out your feast with authentic Texas smokehouse flavor.
Preorders sell out fast, so marking your calendar early is essential for snagging these coveted holiday packages. The same dedication to quality that creates those legendary brisket lines carries over to every Thanksgiving offering.
2. Pecan Lodge – Dallas
Deep Ellum’s crown jewel of barbecue transforms Thanksgiving into a smoky celebration worth traveling for. Their preorder program combines the best of both worlds with options for smoked turkey and their award-winning brisket side by side.
Traditional holiday sides get the Pecan Lodge treatment, elevating your feast beyond ordinary expectations. The convenience of picking up a complete meal means more time with family and less time stressing in the kitchen.
My cousin ordered from here last year and claims it was the best Thanksgiving decision she ever made. The combination of tender smoked meats and homestyle sides creates a uniquely Texan holiday experience everyone remembers.
3. Killen’s Barbecue – Pearland
Ronnie Killen’s Houston-area barbecue temple brings restaurant-quality smoking expertise directly to your holiday table. Holiday feast kits arrive packed with everything needed for an unforgettable Thanksgiving, including both smoked turkey and brisket options.
The Pearland pitmaster’s reputation for perfection extends beyond regular service into these special seasonal offerings. Each kit gets assembled with the same attention to detail that earned Killen’s its place among Texas barbecue royalty.
Families across the Houston metro area have made Killen’s kits a new tradition that honors Texas heritage. The ability to serve world-class barbecue without firing up your own smoker makes holiday hosting remarkably simple.
4. Heim Barbecue – Houston
Houston’s Heim Barbecue takes Thanksgiving seriously with whole smoked turkeys that rival any traditional preparation. Their preorder system offers flexibility with both full birds and turkey breast options for gatherings of any size.
The smoking process infuses each turkey with rich, complex flavors impossible to achieve in a conventional oven. Pickup is straightforward and timed perfectly so your centerpiece arrives at peak temperature and juiciness.
What started as a farmers market stand has grown into a Thanksgiving destination for Houstonians seeking something special. The same passion that built Heim’s reputation shines through in every carefully smoked holiday bird they produce.
5. Kreuz Market – Lockhart
Operating since 1900, Kreuz Market brings over a century of smoking expertise to your Thanksgiving celebration. Their slow-smoked whole turkeys honor both German and Texan traditions that define Lockhart’s barbecue heritage.
Pickup options make it convenient for Central Texas families, while shipping extends their reach to homesick Texans nationwide. The birds emerge from Kreuz’s legendary pits with crispy skin and impossibly tender meat throughout.
Last November, I watched a customer pick up three turkeys for an extended family gathering of thirty people. The shipping option means even relatives living far from Texas can taste authentic Lockhart barbecue for the holidays.
6. The Salt Lick – Driftwood
Nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, The Salt Lick has been a family tradition since 1967. Their Thanksgiving program offers smoked turkey or turkey breast available for local pickup or nationwide delivery through Goldbelly.
The iconic open pits that make The Salt Lick famous work their magic on holiday birds just like they do on daily brisket. Each turkey absorbs the distinctive flavors from the same smoking methods perfected over generations.
Hill Country residents consider themselves lucky to have this option so close to home for the holidays. The Goldbelly partnership means anyone across America can experience authentic Texas barbecue Thanksgiving without leaving their state.
7. Micklethwait Craft Meats – Austin
Tom Micklethwait’s East Austin trailer proves that exceptional barbecue does not require a massive brick-and-mortar operation. The Thanksgiving menu features whole smoked turkey or turkey breast options that showcase his craft-focused approach to traditional smoking.
Every bird receives the same meticulous attention that earned Micklethwait recognition among Austin’s competitive barbecue scene. The smaller operation allows for personal touches and quality control that larger establishments sometimes sacrifice.
Austinites appreciate the neighborhood feel combined with world-class smoking skills for their holiday celebrations. Ordering from Micklethwait feels like getting Thanksgiving dinner from a talented friend who happens to be a barbecue genius.
8. La Barbecue – Austin
La Barbecue brings serious smoking credentials to Thanksgiving with sliced turkey breast or whole smoked turkey preorder options. The East Austin favorite applies the same techniques that create their renowned brisket to holiday birds with spectacular results.
Sliced turkey breast offers convenience for smaller gatherings while whole birds serve larger family feasts beautifully. Preordering ensures you secure your spot in line without the usual wait times La Barbecue is famous for.
Friends who have ordered rave about the smoky bark and juicy interior that makes reheating almost unnecessary. The flexibility in sizing means everyone from small apartments to big family homes can enjoy authentic Austin barbecue this Thanksgiving.
9. Terry Black’s Barbecue – Multiple Locations
With locations across Texas, Terry Black’s makes exceptional Thanksgiving barbecue accessible to more families than ever before. Their preorder program covers both meats and sides, creating a complete holiday meal from a trusted name in Texas smoking.
The multi-location advantage means convenient pickup no matter which part of Texas you call home for the holidays. Each location maintains the quality standards that made the Black family name synonymous with outstanding barbecue.
The comprehensive menu takes guesswork out of holiday planning with perfectly paired sides alongside your smoked centerpiece. Thanksgiving hosting becomes remarkably stress-free when Terry Black’s handles the heavy lifting in their smokers instead of your oven.
10. Black’s Barbecue – Lockhart
Founded in 1932, Black’s holds the title of oldest continuously operating barbecue restaurant in Texas under the same family. Smoked turkey breast or whole birds carry forward nearly a century of pit expertise into your Thanksgiving celebration.
Their shipping program extends Lockhart’s legendary barbecue tradition to tables far beyond Central Texas for the holidays. The same recipes and techniques that survived the Great Depression still produce remarkably flavorful holiday turkeys today.
My grandmother swears nothing beats Black’s for authentic Texas flavor, having ordered from them for fifteen consecutive Thanksgivings. The combination of history and quality creates a meaningful connection to Texas heritage with every smoked bird they produce.
11. Louie Mueller Barbecue – Taylor
Taylor’s most famous export after football legend Jim Thorpe might just be Louie Mueller’s pit-smoked turkey breast. The James Beard Award-winning institution brings its legendary smoking prowess to Thanksgiving feasts with options perfect for holiday gatherings.
Operating since 1949, the weathered building and ancient pits produce turkeys with character and depth impossible to replicate. Their turkey breast option provides all the flavor in a convenient size for families planning intimate celebrations.
The same smoke-stained walls that witnessed decades of barbecue history now contribute to your holiday memories. Ordering from Louie Mueller connects your Thanksgiving table to an unbroken chain of Texas barbecue excellence spanning generations.
12. Lockhart Smokehouse – Lockhart And Central Texas
Lockhart Smokehouse extends the legendary barbecue town’s reputation across Central Texas with regional locations serving Thanksgiving feast options. Their program captures authentic Lockhart-style smoking while providing convenient access for families throughout the region.
Each location maintains the traditional methods that made Lockhart the Barbecue Capital of Texas for generations. The Thanksgiving feast options bundle smoked meats with complementary sides for a complete holiday experience.
Central Texas residents appreciate having Lockhart quality without the drive to the original barbecue capital every holiday season. The regional expansion means more families can claim authentic pit-smoked turkey as their new Thanksgiving tradition this year.