Thanksgiving is just four days away, so most of us have already charted a plan for getting a turkey on the table, but in case you haven’t, here are a few helpful ideas.

Smoke Your Own – If you want a simple recipe for a whole smoked bird, then Aaron Franklin’s BBQ With Franklin Thanksgiving episode is a good place to start. Just remember that many frozen turkeys are treated with a salt and phosphate solution. It will say so on the label, and if it has, then brining is a waste of time and may even make the turkey too salty.

 

Another option is to go with a competition-style injection. Malcolm Reed from HowToBBQRight details his method for a smoked bone-in turkey breast, for the white meat lovers.

Just don’t make the same mistake Malcolm makes in the slicing of that turkey breast. Here’s a step-by-step guide to carving a whole turkey.

 

Let Someone Else Cook – Greenberg smoked turkeys are a Tyler, Texas tradition that’s goes back to the 1940’s. Getting a whole bird shipped this late in the game can be dicey, but they are available for purchase at Central Market stores in Texas.

A number of barbecue joints in the state can still smoke a turkey for you. While a few of the big names like Stiles Switch, Louie Mueller, and Pecan Lodge are already sold out, here are a few options around the state. If your favorite joint isn’t listed, give them a call and see if they have capacity. Some will even let you supply the meat and they’ll do the smoking for you.

4T’s BBQ in Forney

Aaron Barbecue in Weatherford

Bet the House BBQ in Denton

Big Al’s BBQ in Dallas

Big Daddy’s Ribs & BBQ in Little Elm

El Burro & The Bull in Houston

Goode Co. BBQ in Houston

Legal Tender Brisket & Brew in La Grange. They’ll also be hosting a Thanksgiving Day buffet in the restaurant.

Opie’s BBQ in Spicewood

Pappa Charlie’s BBQ in Houston

Smokey Denmark’s in Austin

Stillwater BBQ in Abilene

Sweet Christi’s BBQ in San Antonio

The Slow Bone in Dallas. Also, see below for a free meal option.

Tin Roof BBQ in Humble

 

Spend Thanksgiving at a Barbecue Joint – The Slow Bone in Dallas is offering a free Thanksgiving meal to all comers.

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Post by The Slow Bone.
Also in Dallas, SMOKE is serving a special menu on Thanksgiving featuring prime rib, smoked turkey, and ham.
Freedmen’s Bar in Austin is also open on Thanksgiving, and will be serving their full menu plus smoked turkey breast and leg confit, sausage stuffing, giblet gravy, and bourbon cranberry sauce.