Christmas is around the corner, and Puebloans are gearing up for family, gift-giving, and of course, lots of food.
While most people enjoy a hearty Christmas dinner, not everyone enjoys the labor of preparing the feast, especially not for large groups.
For those looking to avoid spending all day in a kitchen before the holiday, there are a few options in Pueblo to purchase pre-made or even fully cooked meals for the holiday.
Here is a list of some of the local spots to get a Christmas feast without all the hassle.
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel in Pueblo offers several “heat n’ serve” options, with meals that can feed up to 10 people. Prices range from $125 to $185, according to Cracker Barrel’s website. The meals feature main courses like ham, turkey, and prime rib, as well as sides like cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls.
Larger meals also include desserts such as apple streusel, pumpkin, pecan, and sweet potato pies. Sides and desserts can also be ordered a la carte. Pick-up for holiday heat n’ serve meals begins for Christmas on Dec. 21 and goes through Dec. 28. Orders can be placed on Cracker Barrel’s website.
Golden Corral
Along with a holiday buffet, Golden Corral offers holiday pre-made meals for 6-8 people.
The options include whole turkey, ham, beef roast, or pork roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, one dozen yeast rolls with honey butter, your choice of homestyle side, and a whole pie.
Sides, desserts and beverages can also be ordered ala carte. Orders must be made 72 hours in advance, and can be placed on Golden Corral’s website.
Honey Baked Ham
The Honey Baked Ham Co., 1000 W. Sixth St., is offering precooked turkey and ham dinners with all the holiday fixings.
The prices range from $30.99 for a 1-pound “slices dinner” — featuring 1 pound of roasted or smoked turkey, a side dish, and a four-pack of Hawaiian rolls — to $181 for a 9-pound ham and turkey feast that serves up to 19 people. Orders can be placed through Dec. 22 on Honey baked Ham Co’s website.
King Soopers
At least one Pueblo King Soopers, located at 102 W. 29th St., is offering turkey and ham meals starting at $85 and $75 respectively, with traditional holiday sides such as homestyle stuffing, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes and gravy, among others.
While the official deadline for Christmas orders is Dec. 22, a West 29th Street King Soopers’ deli representative said “the earlier the better” as supply is limited.
Pueblo food options on Christmas Day: Here’s where you can get a bite to eat in Pueblo on Christmas
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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Where to get a pre-cooked or to-go Christmas meal in Pueblo