Best Holiday Food Finds In Sacramento
Just when it feels like things couldn't get any busier, the holidays roll around. Between family visits, kids on holiday breaks, shopping, and every other daily life stress, it's a wonder anyone can find the time to cook a big holiday meal (or any meal, for that matter!). Luckily, Sacramento's restaurants and stores can help you provide delicious holiday meals without the muss and fuss. Here are the best holiday food finds in Sacramento.
Hours: Mon – Tu 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Wed – Sat 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
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Selland's Market-Café's holiday menu typically includes two options for complete meals for four people (prices start at $99). Last year's choices included a wood-roasted rib roast dinner and a honey-glazed glazed ham dinner, both complete with all the fixings. If you don't want the full shebang, you can also put together your own meal with a selection of appetizers, mains, sides and desserts. Or, you can just cut to the chase and get a traditional dessert like fresh pumpkin or apple pie.
Selland's holiday sides might include traditional sourdough stuffing with mushrooms, celery, onions and rich turkey stock; creamy mashed potatoes; Blue Lake green beans with shallot butter; fresh cranberry sauce with a touch of orange; macaroni & cheese with toasted bread crumbs; or roasted sweet potatoes with brown sugar, butter and thyme. For the main event, try the Willie Bird "free range" natural fresh turkey (uncooked) with cooking instructions 10lbs-26lbs; roasted boneless turkey breast with butter; citrus-curry marinated turkey breast; or baked ham with a glaze of honey, mustard, brown sugar and orange. Don't forget the house made turkey gravy from roast turkey pan drippings; potatoes au gratin; fresh soft rolls (white or wheat); traditional pumpkin pie, apple pie, and traditional bread pudding with raisins, walnuts and caramel topping.
Insider tip: While you can walk in to Selland's and assemble a meal, if you're looking for a holiday package, preordering is advised.
Hours: Mon – Tu 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Wed – Sat 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The deli at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-Op boasts a bevy of tasty dishes, from hot and cold main and side dishes, to pastries and desserts that will tempt and delight. Most any of their side salads would make a nice complement to your holiday meal, and the Co-Op's soups are superb. Among my favorite Co-Op deli items are the turkey and vegetable individual pot pies, which feature perfectly flaky crusts and savory pie fillings, and literally any of the salads, which are all fresh and tasty.
Hours: Mon – Tu 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Wed – Sat 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
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Hours: Mon – Sat 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Not only does Taylor's Market have a fabulous deli, but they also boast a butcher that will take the time to get you just the right cut of meat to suit your needs. From delicious sandwiches, to fresh hot and cold entrees, your dinner is covered at Taylor's. For the holidays in particular, look for Taylor's made-from-scratch cranberry sauce, which is the best I've ever tasted.
Hours: Tu 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wed – Sat 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Closed Mondays)
Last Year, Sugar Plum Vegan offered complete holiday meals, a la carte options, and, of course, desserts, all vegan and some gluten free as well. (Insider tip: Don't miss the vegan cupcakes, which are addictive). Among Sugar Plum's holiday menu options last year were baby lettuce salad with roasted beets, candied walnuts, shaved fennel and orange vinaigrette; Portobello butternut squash Wellington with fresh sage gravy; classic cornbread stuffing; farmer's market roasted root vegetables with garlic and herbs; rustic mashed potatoes with gravy; cranberry sauce with pomegranates; organic green salad with balsamic vinaigrette and toasted pumpkin seeds; Sugar Plum Tofurky with herb stuffing and gravy; green bean casserole; candied yams with Dandies marshmallows; garlic foccacia bread; butternut squash and Swiss chard lasagna with sage and nutmeg Béchamel and cashew ricotta; pumpkin cheesecake; sweet potato chai pie; pumpkin pie; apple streusel pie; double crust apple pie; pumpkin cinnamon rolls; pumpkin sticky buns; and gluten free pumpkin pecan jumbo muffins.
Insider tip: Sugar Plum Vegan gets very busy, particularly around the holidays, so you're best bet is to place an order ahead of time
for pickup.)
Hours: Mon – Fri 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Sat 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Sun 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
In addition to cakes, breads and rolls, Freeport Bakery has some of the best pies in town. When you're looking for the perfect way to top off your holiday meal, try a deep-dish apple pie (made with 4 lbs of apples!), pumpkin pie, regular apple pie, three-berry pie, peach-olallieberry pie, or pumpkin spice muffins.
Insider tip: To ensure you get what you want, you might want to call ahead to place your order.
Juliet Farmer was born and raised in Sacramento, where she resides with her husband, two cats, and rescued greyhound. She is a freelance writer who regularly writes about food, pets, health and wellness, entertainment, and more.
