Thanksgiving is a holiday feast with its own special foods: stuffing, cranberry relish, sweet potatoes and tasty sides, often celebrated as a communal feast, and when you're entertaining others you try to think of as many of your guests' food preferences as you can. Most still prefer the traditional Thanksgiving dishes, but some family members are into more healthy eating.
For those seeking a healthier option this year, as you select your turkey keep in mind that there are dedicated Amish family farms focused on raising the healthiest turkeys possible, and that animal welfare is their priority.
Meat n' Bone, 786-633-6179, 2207 Coral Way, Miami, was founded in 2018 by three friends with a passion for food. They’ve made it their mission to bring the same quality meats found at Michelin-starred restaurants directly to your doorstep — with no middlemen and no compromises.
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“Our Amish turkeys are hatched, raised, and processed by dedicated Amish family farms in the Midwest, in Troy, Michigan,” said Gabriel Llaurado, Meat n' Bone's co-founder and chief operating officer.
Llaurado said Amish turkeys are different from others.
First, there’s diet. Their birds are fed a vegetarian (plant-based) diet composed primarily of corn and soybeans, with no animal by-products, no artificial ingredients, no coloring agents in their feed.
Next, the birds are raised entirely without added hormones or steroids. They are grown inside naturally ventilated, well-lit barns with space and fresh air. They have access to feed and water at all times, and they are not overcrowded or stressed.
The farms Meat n’ Bone partner with are small, community-oriented, caring operations. Their ethics and demeanor carry over into how they treat their livestock, which is less industrial, more stewardly.
“What sets our turkey apart is this combination: a clean, simple feed; humane, lower-density raising; no additives; and small-farm accountability,” said Llaurado. “Many large commercial turkeys are raised in high-density facilities, often under cost pressures that lead to compromised care. We do more, and you taste the difference.”
When you receive the bird, from Meat n’ Bone, it is delivered hard-chilled (not frozen), de-feathered, cleaned, and including giblets. If it happens to freeze in transit, thawing is easy, and if you're brining, it doesn’t affect the process.
In addition to supplying an ethically sourced turkey, Meat n’ Bone also offers side dishes to make hosting Thanksgiving dinner a breeze.
“We pair the turkey with high-quality, chef-crafted pre-made sides prepared by our in-house culinary team, the Wagyu Bar, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” said Llaurado.
According to Llaurado, the side dishes are fully cooked, and ready-to-heat. They’re made with quality ingredients with restaurant-level execution.
“We use recipes refined by chefs, so the sides aren’t generic mass-market versions,” said Llaurado. “They’re thoughtfully composed and seasoned.
Meat n’ Bone offers classic Thanksgiving dishes, including mashed potatoes, creamy spinach, mashed sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and cranberry sauce, but they also offer less traditional dishes, like rice and quinoa.
“By combining a premium turkey with chef-level sides, we aim to lower the friction and stress of holiday cooking while keeping flavor and quality high,” said Llaurado.
PLANNING THE FEAST
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A September report from Butterball stated that the average number of guests for Thanksgiving in 2025 is nine people. Here is what Llaurado suggests for that size feast, assuming moderate appetites, and a full holiday spread with sides, If your guests are particularly hearty eaters, or if you want generous leftovers, you might bump up the sides or go a bit bigger on the turkey.
TURKEY
Plan on 1.25 to 1.5 pounds of turkey for each person, taking into account bone loss, roasting, and leftovers. Aim for a 12 to 15 lb. turkey.
SIDE DISHES
For sides, a good benchmark is 1 lb. of sides per 2 to 3 people, since the turkey is the star. Aim for 3 to 5 pounds total of sides, distributed across several selections.
BALANCE
For a special dinner like Thanksgiving, aim for a balance of flavor, color and texture.
Mashed Potatoes: A classic staple that’s always in demand.
Creamed Spinach: Adds a green vegetable and color.
Mac and Cheese: A comfort food that’s always crowd-pleaser.
Sweet Potatoes: Adds color, variety, and a slightly sweet contrast
Cranberry Sauce: Adds texture and color to the meal complete the meal.
Swap or add rice or quinoa for lighter options.