Thanksgiving Meals To Go: Packaging for Turkey, Sides, Gravy & Pie

1. Choose the turkey pan around the finished entrée

For sliced turkey laid out in rows, compare a Full-Size Medium Foil Pan with a Full-Size Deep Foil Pan. Pick the depth that lets the lid close without pressing on the food. For a taller entrée, compare the Extra-Deep Full-Size Heavy Foil Pan. Measure a whole bird as it will actually be packed, including height and anything beneath it. Trial the loaded pan, lid, and carrier together before committing to a whole-bird offer.

The Full-Size Foil Lids are listed for the standard full-size deep pans and sold separately. Verify the rim and height clearance on the exact model if you change the pan. Support the loaded base when lifting.

Give each side its own depth

• Half-Size Shallow Foil Pans for a side laid out in a low layer, such as roasted vegetables.
• Half-Size Medium Foil Pans for an in-between profile, such as stuffing that needs more room above the rim of a shallow pan.
• Half-Size Deep Foil Pans for bulkier portions of mashed potatoes or mac and cheese.

Order the Half-Size Foil Lids as a separate line. Compare Vented Half-Size Foil Lids when you want steam to escape from a crisp-topped dish; choose a conventional cover where vent openings are undesirable. For a smaller side, compare 1.5 lb Deep Oblong Pans. HFA 2060 Board Lids and HFA 2060 Clear Dome Lids are listed for the HFA 2060 family; confirm the exact rim on your pan before pairing.

2. Put the premium sides in Black & Gold

The gold interior frames the food and the clear cover lets customers see what they ordered. Offer these for à la carte sides and desserts that are meant to arrive in their own serving dish.

• 16 oz Black & Gold Side Dish Pans for a smaller side with a clear dome included.
• 24 oz Black & Gold Foil Pans for a shallow presentation, with clear lids included.
• 48 oz Black & Gold Foil Pans for a shared side; compare the Large Black & Gold Smoothwall Pans when a wider arrangement matters. Both listings include lids.

Test the filled dish for clearance and follow the exact pan and lid instructions for heating. A display lid and its foil base may have different use limits.

3. Pack gravy and cold dishes separately

Choose the gravy closure around the portion and the way it will be handed off. The 16 oz Kraft Paper Soup Containers With Vented Lids come as a set for soup-style service; a vented lid has openings, so check the filled pack upright in your carrier. The Solex 12 oz Heavy-Duty Deli Cup & Lid Combos are another option for sauces and sides. Confirm the exact container and lid are suitable for the temperature at which you pack and serve them.

For chilled cranberry sauce, compare the Solex 4 oz Hinged Deli Containers. For a shared cold salad, order the 160 oz Square Sugarcane Cold Catering Bowls and Matching Clear Bowl Lids as separate items. A flatter cold spread can go in a World Centric Half-Size Fiber Catering Tray with its Matching Fiber Tray Lid. Keep the packaging choice and your food storage procedures separate.

4. Give pies, cakes, and rolls their own package

Compare the pie pan’s outer rim and the finished height with the White Automatic Window Pie Boxes. For a decorated cake, measure it on its board before choosing the Solex Dual-Window White Cake Boxes; compare Gold Die-Cut Cake Circles as a separate presentation option. Use Natural Grease-Resistant Pastry Bags for rolls that fit comfortably. Put the pie or cake on its own piece of the pickup order so it cannot end up beneath a foil pan.

For a bigger dessert offering, use the Holiday Bakery Preorders Guide to plan the box, board, bag and handoff together.

5. Choose the carrier and finish the place settings

These are manufacturer-stated foil-pan layouts for The Catering Box. Test the exact filled pans with their lids; the stated fit does not establish a match for fiber trays, tall toppings, or extra-deep foil pans.

• The Catering Box — Half: one half-size deep pan or two half-size shallow pans.
• The Catering Box — Regular: one full-size shallow or medium pan, or two half-size pans.
• The Catering Box — Jumbo: one standard full-size deep pan.

Compare the Handled Corrugated Catering Trays for an open carrier and Solex Wide-Base Kraft Rope Handle Bags for separately boxed add-ons. Check the base footprint and loading clearance, rather than choosing by the bag’s height. See the Catering Boxes, Trays & Supplies Guide for the full fit chart.

Pack a Plant-Fiber Serving Spoon for scooped sides, a Plant-Fiber Serving Fork for sliced entrées, and Black Serving Tongs for rolls or greens. Offer Solex Silver Pre-Rolled Cutlery Kits, White Linen-Like Dinner Napkins, and 9-inch Sugarcane Fiber Plates if the customer needs table settings.

Three shopping lists you can build from