Franchise Innovation Awards 2025: Celebrating the Most Disruptive Brands

Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday. It is a celebration of gratitude, family, and of course, incredible food. Whether you are hosting for the first time or you are a seasoned entertainer, planning your Thanksgiving dinner can feel overwhelming. From picking the best Thanksgiving recipes to setting the table with care, it is all about creating an experience that brings everyone together. 

If you are searching for Thanksgiving food ideas, we have you covered with a showstopping smoked turkey recipe and a flavorful cranberry chutney that will make your meal unforgettable. 

## Thanksgiving Traditions That Never Go Out of Style 

Before diving into the cooking, take a moment to reflect on what makes Thanksgiving special. Every family has its own Thanksgiving traditions, from watching the parade to sharing what everyone is thankful for before the meal. Hosting Thanksgiving is not just about serving great food. It is about creating memories that last. 

Set the mood with soft music, a cozy table setting, and a mix of classic and new Thanksgiving side dishes to keep everyone excited for what is next. 

## The Star of the Table: Smoked Turkey Recipe 

If you have never smoked a turkey before, this year is the perfect time to try. Smoking your bird infuses it with a deep, wood fired flavor that is impossible to beat, and it frees up your oven for all those delicious sides. 

**Ingredients** 

- 1 whole turkey (12 to 14 pounds) 
- 1/2 cup olive oil or melted butter 
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt 
- 2 tablespoons black pepper 
- 2 tablespoons paprika 
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder 
- 1 tablespoon onion powder 
- Fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and sage 
- 1 lemon, halveed
- 1 onion, quartered Wood chips (apple, hickory, or pecan) 
- Wood chips (apple, hickory, or pecan) 

[![dickeys order.png](https://cms-www-dickeys-com.s3.amazonaws.com/dickeys_order_9b9e1c6427.png)](https://www.dickeys.com/quote/everyday?type=carryout)


**Instructions** 

1. Prep the turkey: Pat the turkey dry and rub it inside and out with olive oil or melted butter. 
2. Season: Mix salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and onion powder. Rub generously over the turkey, including under the skin for maximum flavor. 
3. Stuff the cavity: Add herbs, lemon halves, and onion pieces inside the bird for aromatic depth. 
4. Set up the smoker: Preheat your smoker to 250°F and add wood chips for that rich, smoky flavor. 
5. Smoke low and slow: Place the turkey breast side up on the smoker. Smoke for about 30 to 40 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh.
6. Rest before carving: Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy. 

**Pro tip:** For extra crispy skin, brush the turkey with melted butter halfway through cooking. 

This smoked turkey pairs beautifully with a tangy homemade cranberry chutney. The balance of sweet and tart flavors completes your Thanksgiving table perfectly. 

## Sweet Meets Savory: Cranberry Chutney Recipe 

Forget the canned cranberry sauce this year. This chutney brings the perfect pop of flavor to your plate. It is one of those Thanksgiving side dishes that everyone will ask for the recipe. 

**Ingredients**
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries 
- 1 apple, peeled and diced 
- 1/2 cup orange juice 
- 1/2 cup brown sugar 
- 1/4 cup honey 
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves 
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional) 
- Zest of one orange 

**Instructions** 

1. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, apple, orange juice, brown sugar, and honey. 
2. Cook over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. 
3. Add cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and orange zest. 
4. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes. 
5. Stir in pecans if using, and let cool before serving. 
6. Serve warm or chilled. It is equally delicious and keeps for up to a week in the refrigerator. 

## How to Host Thanksgiving with Ease 

Hosting Thanksgiving does not have to be stressful. Here are a few simple tips to help you create a warm and welcoming celebration. 

1. **Plan ahead:** Write out your menu early and assign dishes if guests want to help. 
2. **Mix old and new:** Pair family favorites with a few modern twists such as your smoked turkey and cranberry chutney. 
3. **Set the scene:** Candles, cozy lighting, and music make a big difference. 
4. **Give thanks:** Make space for gratitude. Have each guest share one thing they are thankful for. 
5. **Wrapping It Up:** The Best Thanksgiving Recipes Start with Heart 

The best Thanksgiving recipes are not just about the ingredients. They are about the memories you create while cooking and sharing them. Whether you are mastering your smoked turkey or perfecting your cranberry chutney, remember that Thanksgiving dinner ideas come to life when served with love. 

So this year, gather your favorite people, bring your appetite, and celebrate the season with good food and even better company.

How to Host Thanksgiving Like a Pro: Recipes, Traditions, and Tips for the Perfect Feast 

CEO Magazine: Secret Sauce: Laura Rea Dickey & Roland Dickey Jr

Roland Dickey Jr. Shares 5 Strategies for Scaling a Family Business

*Join the celebration with live radio from The Ticket, raffles, vendors and the best barbecue in town* 

 Smoke, sizzle and southern hospitality are taking over Bedford. [Dickey’s Barbecue Pit](https://franchise.dickeys.com/ideal-franchise-owner/case-studies/) is hosting an unforgettable **Grand Opening Celebration** on Saturday, **November 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 501 N. Industrial Blvd, Suite 100**, and everyone is invited. 

 

Guests can expect Texas-sized fun with a **live radio remote from The Ticket 96.7 FM,** local vendors, a caricature artist and games. Guests can also purchase $2 raffle tickets for a chance to win exciting prizes including a **75-inch TV, two smokers, a Red Bull cooler and Free Barbecue for a Year.** 

 

“Every time we have a Grand Opening celebration, we are not just firing up the pit, we are firing up the community,” said [Roland Dickey, Jr.](https://www.rolanddickeyjr.com/blog/dickeys-bbq-franchise-experience), CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group. “We are thrilled to be part of Bedford’s growing energy and cannot wait to share some amazing barbecue and even better memories.” 

 

Franchise owner **Shaun Connell** says the event captures the true spirit of Bedford. 

“We wanted this grand opening to feel like home. Full of warmth, flavor and community,” said Connell. “From the aroma of slow-smoked barbecue to the laughter around the tables, this day is about celebrating Bedford in the best way we know how. Come hungry, leave happy and be part of something special.” 

 

During the event, guests can enjoy exclusive specials such as **10 wings for $5, 25% off your total check, 5 pulled pork sandwiches for $30 and Kids Eat Free** with a $15 purchase. 

 

“Dickey’s is built on connection and good food bringing good people together,” said [Laura Rea Dickey,](https://www.rolanddickeyjr.com/blog/dickeys-bbq-franchise-experience) CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “This grand opening captures exactly that — a community coming together to celebrate over authentic Texas barbecue.” 

 

### Event Highlights

**When:** Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 
**Where:** 501 Industrial Blvd, Suite 100, Bedford, TX 

**What’s Happening: **

1. Live remote with The Ticket 96.7 FM 
2. Local vendors and caricature artist 
3. Games and family fun 
4. $2 raffles for prizes including a 75” TV, two smokers, Red Bull cooler, and Free Barbecue for a Year 
5. Specials: 10 wings for $5 | 25% off total check | Kids eat free with adult purchase | 5 Little Piggies deal (5 pulled pork sandwiches for $30 

## About Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. 

Founded in 1941 by the Dickey family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world’s largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For more than 80 years, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey’s barbecued meats are paired with a variety of Southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey’s never takes shortcuts — because real barbecue can’t be rushed. 

With more than 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey’s Barbecue Franchise and Dickey’s Restaurant Brands continue to grow under the leadership of [Roland](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2025/11/14/scaling-family-businesses-5-ways-to-balance-legacy-with-growth/) Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. 

Dickey’s has been recognized on Newsweek’s 2022 "America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nation’s Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology’s Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine. 

For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. For franchise opportunities, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com.

Roland Dickey Jr. Shares 5 Strategies for Scaling a Family Business

MORE ARTICLES