If your package arrives and the food is not frozen solid, don't worry as this means you'll simply have a shorter wait for thawing. As long as the food is still partially frozen and cool to the touch it is perfectly safe. Smoked meats, in particular, are perfectly fine as long as they are cool. The smoking process cures the meat and makes it very stable from a food safety standpoint.

  If for some reason your package was damaged in shipping and the food is warm to the touch, simply let us know and we'll replace your order right away!

Meat Entrées

Brisket Entrée

   
Hickory-Smoked Beef Brisket

• About Thawing

• About Heating

• About Serving (suggestions)

• About the Sauce

Thawing

There are several methods for thawing your brisket, if it arrives frozen. The brisket should be thoroughly thawed before heating, to ensure an even temperature.

Best Thawing Method – put the brisket in the refrigerator the night before your party. Check on it the next morning, when it should be thawed or mostly thawed.

Quick Thaw Method - This requires 1 to 2 hours. Run warm water into your sink or a stock pot large enough to hold the packets of brisket. Place the sealed packets of brisket in the water. Check the water occasionally to ensure it is still warm. If not, add some hot water. If you are thawing more than one packet of brisket, then you should rotate them so that they evenly thaw.

Emergency Thawing Method – This method should only be used as a last resort, as it may affect the texture and moistness of your brisket! Puncture each package of brisket with an icepick or knife to allow steam to escape. Place the package in the microwave, set the microwave to defrost (or temperature setting 1 or 2 on an oven with 10 temperature settings), and defrost in 10 minute increments. After 10 minutes check the brisket. If it requires more thawing, defrost for another 10 minutes and check it again. Remember that microwaves vary a great deal in cooking time and temperature!

Heating

Our hickory-smoked beef brisket is thoroughly cooked in an inspected plant, so it only requires reheating. For the best results, brisket should be completely thawed before you heat it to preserve moisture and ensure an even temperature when you serve it.

Best Heating Method – This method assumes your brisket is thoroughly thawed and requires 20 to 30 minutes heating time for one 4 to 5 pound brisket:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the brisket from the package and place it in a cake pan or casserole dish in a single layer. DO NOT put one layer of brisket on top of another!
• If there is room, spread the slices apart, as much as possible.
• Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of water over the top of the brisket.
• Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and place the pan in the middle rack of the oven
• Heat the brisket for 20 to 30 minutes. To check to see if it is ready, choose a slice from the middle of the brisket and check its temperature with your finger. Be careful, as it may be hot!

Important Note: If you are cooking several dishes in your oven, e.g., a brisket and several side dishes, cooking times will need to be extended.

Emergency Heating Method – If your brisket is frozen, you may thaw and heat it in your oven. We recommend this only in dire emergencies, as this method may result in a drier brisket or uneven meat temperature. Use the same method as above, but reduce the temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and increase the cooking time to 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Have you found a different way to prepare our brisket? Let us know at info@TexasInaBox.Com.

How Should I Serve the Brisket?

There are at least four ways to serve the brisket:

• Use a nice oven-proof dish for heating your brisket and place it on your table. Have your guests pass their plates to the host or hostess, since the serving dish will be hot. Give each guest 4 to 5 slices of meat.
• If you are serving buffet-style, place your oven-proof dish on the buffet table with a meat fork or tongs.
• You may also choose to plate the food in the kitchen and serve your guests. In this case, one thing you can do is to fan 4 or 5 slices of brisket across the plate. Use a turkey baster to delicately drizzle sauce across the top of the slices. 
  click image for a larger version
• One of our favorite ways to eat smoked brisket is the day after we serve it for dinner. Brisket makes a fantastic sandwich. Heat 3 to 5 slices of brisket in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, until hot. Use a sharp knife to chop the brisket. Pile it onto the bottom half of a hamburger bun and pour sauce over the meat. Place the top half of the bun on the sandwich and enjoy!

Tell us about your favorite way to serve our brisket at info@TexasInaBox.Com.

What About The Sauce?

You should always be suspicious of barbecue or brisket that is slathered in sauce. It is usually covering up an inferior product! We recommend you serve our sauce in a bowl on the table or buffet and let your guests choose how much sauce to use.

If you are plating your guests’ food and then serving them, for a unique touch, design your own ranch brand using your family initials and "brand" your guests’ brisket with sauce and a turkey baster.

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Rib Entrée

Savory Pork Ribs

• About Thawing

• About Heating

• About Serving (suggestions)

Thawing

There are several methods for thawing your ribs, if they arrive frozen. The ribs should be thoroughly thawed before heating, to ensure an even temperature.

Best Thawing Method – put the ribs in the refrigerator the night before your party. If you have room, don’t stack the racks on top of each other – make sure they have room around each rack for even thawing. Check on them the next morning, when it should be thawed or mostly thawed.

Quick Thaw Method - This requires 1 to 2 hours. Run warm water into your sink or a tub large enough to hold the racks of ribs. Place the sealed packets of ribs in the water. Check the water occasionally to ensure it is still warm. If not, add more hot water. If you are thawing more than one rack of ribs, then you should rotate them so that they evenly thaw.

Emergency Thawing Method – This method should only be used as a last resort, as it may affect the texture and moistness of your ribs! Puncture each package of ribs with an icepick or knife to allow steam to escape. Place the package in the microwave, set the microwave to defrost (or temperature setting 1 or 2 on an oven with 10 temperature settings), and defrost in 10 minute increments. After 10 minutes check the ribs. If it requires more thawing, defrost for another 10 minutes and check it again. Remember that microwaves vary a great deal in cooking time and temperature!

Heating

Our smoked ribs are thoroughly cooked in an inspected plant, so they only require reheating. For the best results, ribs should be completely thawed before you heat them to preserve moisture and ensure an even temperature when you serve them.

Best Heating Method – This method assumes your ribs are thoroughly thawed and requires 30 to 45 minutes heating time for 5 to 6 pounds of ribs:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the ribs from their package and place them in a cake pan or casserole dish in a single layer. If you decide to layer the ribs, you’ll need to extend the heating time.
• Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of water over the top of the ribs.
• Use a basting brush to apply a light coat of Red Mud barbecue sauce over the top of the ribs.
• Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and place the pan in the middle rack of the oven
• Heat the ribs for 30 to 45 minutes. To check to see if the ribs are ready, halve a rack with a sharp knife and check the rib temperature temperature with your finger. Be careful, as it may be hot!

Important Note: If you are cooking several dishes in your oven, e.g., ribs and several side dishes, cooking times will need to be extended.

Emergency Heating Method – If your ribs are frozen, you may thaw and heat them in your oven. We recommend this only in dire emergencies, as this method may result in a drier ribs or uneven meat temperature. Use the same method as above, but reduce the temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and increase the cooking time to 1 ¼ and 1 ¾ hours.

Have you found a different way to heat our ribs? Let us know at info@TexasInaBox.Com.

How Should I Serve the Ribs?

There are several ways to serve the ribs:

Slice the ribs with a sharp knife so that each slice has two rib bones in it. This will simplify serving.

If you are serving buffet-style, place your oven-proof dish with the sliced ribs on the buffet table with a meat fork or tongs.

You may also choose to plate the food in the kitchen and serve your guests. Place one or two rib portions (2 to 4 ribs) on each plate, along with the side dishes you are serving. Baste the ribs with our sauce just before serving.

Several racks of ribs are a beautiful thing. If you are comfortable carving at the table, pile the racks of ribs on a large meat board or long serving platter. The host or hostess can then separate the ribs into portions with a sharp knife and a meat fork.

Consider providing each guest with a small individual bowl of sauce. Ribs are fantastic for dipping and individual bowls will alleviate any sanitary considerations.

You should also provide ample napkins, since ribs are messy. Finger bowls filled with water with a few drops of lemon juice are great for cleaning up juice- and sauce-stained fingers. If you are dining in a more informal environment, a roll of paper towels and moist towelettes are appropriate.

Tell us about your favorite way to serve ribs at info@TexasInaBox.Com.

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Polish Sausage Entrée

Hickory-Smoked Polish Sausage

• About Thawing

• About Heating

• About Serving (suggestions)

• Sauce and Sausage

Thawing

We suggest several methods for thawing your sausage, if it arrives frozen. The sausage should be thoroughly thawed before heating, to ensure an even temperature.

Best Thawing Method – put the sausage in the refrigerator the night before your party. Check on it the next morning, when it should be thawed or mostly thawed.

Quick Thaw Method – This requires approximately 1 hour. Run warm water into your sink or a stock pot large enough to hold the packages of sausage. Place the sealed packages in the water. Check the water occasionally to ensure it is still warm. If not, add some hot water.

Emergency Thawing Method – This method should only be used as a last resort, as it may affect the moistness of your sausage! Puncture each package of sausage with a icepick or knife to allow steam to escape. Place the package in the microwave, set the microwave to defrost (or temperature setting 1 or 2 on an oven with 10 temperature settings), and defrost in 10 minute increments. After 10 minutes check the sausage. If the sausage is starting to cook on the edges, lower the microwave oven temperature. The sausage is defrosted when it is soft when pressed. If it feels cold when you hold your finger against it for a moment, it is probably still frozen inside.

Heating

Our smoked Polish sausage is thoroughly cooked in an inspected plant, so it only requires reheating. For the best results, sausage should be completely thawed before you heat it to preserve moisture and ensure an even temperature when you serve it.

Heating Method One – This method assumes your sausage is completely thawed and requires approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the sausage from the package and place it in a cake pan or casserole dish in a single layer. DO NOT put one layer of sausage on top of another! Use two pans if you don’t have room with one layer of sausage.
• Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and place the pan in the middle rack of the oven.
• Heat the sausage for 20 to 30 minutes. Drops of moisture will form on the sausage and it will gain a richer color as it heats. Halve a sausage and check the temperature carefully with you finger. Be careful, as it may be hot!
• Important Note: If you are cooking several dishes in your oven, e.g., sausage and several side dishes, cooking times will need to be extended.

Heating Method Two – This method assumes your sausage is completely thawed and requires 10 to 15 minutes.

• Preheat your gas grill on medium heat.
• Remove the sausage from the package and place it on the hot grill. Close the cover of the grill.
• After 5 minutes, turn the sausage with tongs. DO NOT use a fork, as this will cause the sausage to split. Adjust the heat on the grill if necessary.
• Check the sausage after another 5 minutes.

Do you have a favorite way to prepare our sausage? Let us know at info@TexasInaBox.Com.

Serving our Polish Sausage

There are several ways to serve the sausage:

• If you are serving a sit-down meal, place the links of sausage on a platter and set them on your table. The host or hostess can cut 3 or 4-inch pieces at the table and then pass the platter, or you may cut the slices in the kitchen.
• If you are serving buffet-style, we recommend cutting the sausage into 3 or 4-inch pieces. Then place them into a serving dish or on a platter and set it on your buffet table.
• If you are dining in a more informal setting or at lunch, you can serve sausage sandwiches, an old Texas favorite. Holding a sharp knife at a 45-degree angle, slice the sausage into slices approximately ½ inch wide. Place several slices on a hamburger bun, or a hard submarine roll and serve with a bowl of sauce.

Do you have a favorite way to serve our sausage? Let us know at info@TexasInaBox.Com.

Sauce and Sausage

We tend to be conservative with our sauce. Don’t get the wrong message – we love our sauce. But we spend so much time and effort on getting our meat right that we don’t want to overpower it with sauce. Our recommendation is to serve our Red Mud sauce in a bowl, so that your guests can choose how much sauce to serve.

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Smoked Turkey Entrée

Smoked Turkey

• Refreezing & Refrigeration

• About Thawing

• About Heating

Refreezing and Refrigeration

If your turkey arrives unthawed, you may refreeze it since it is completely cooked. Or if you plan to serve it within 2 to 3 days, simply put it in the refrigerator.

Thawing

The turkey should be thoroughly thawed before heating, to ensure an even temperature.

Best Thawing Method Put the turkey in the refrigerator the night before you plan to cook it. Check on it the next morning, several hours before you plan to re-heat it, when it should be thawed or mostly thawed. If not, take the turkey out of the refrigerator and let it thaw on the counter.

Heating

Our smoked turkey is thoroughly cooked in an inspected plant, so it only requires reheating. For the best results, the turkey should be completely thawed before you heat it to preserve moisture and ensure an even temperature when you serve it.

Best Heating Method – This method assumes your turkey is thoroughly thawed and requires 1 to 1 ½ hour heating time for a seven- to ten-pound turkey:

• Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the turkey in a roasting pan, leaving the foil on the turkey. For quick cleanup, use a disposable foil roasting pan.
• Heat for 10 minutes per pound. Remember that the turkey is already cooked, so you are simply heating it for serving.
• Important Note: If you are cooking several dishes in your oven, e.g., a turkey and several side dishes, cooking times will need to be extended.

Have you found a different way to prepare our turkey? Let us know at info@TexasInaBox.Com.

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2

Desserts

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Cowboy Cobbler

• About Heating
• About Serving
• Pecan Cobbler difference

Heating Instructions

Note: The following instructions are for fruit cobbler. Pecan cobbler does not require cooking. Preparation Instructions for our pecan cobbler may be found at the bottom of this page.

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
• Remove cardboard lid from the cobbler.
• Place cobbler on cookie sheet (cobbler will not cook properly without the cookie sheet) and place in the center of the oven.
• Bake 60 to 75 minutes until crust is golden brown. If you are using a convection oven, bake at 325 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes.
• Remove baked cobbler from the oven on the cookie sheet. WARNING: Cobbler is very hot!

Important Note: If you are cooking several items in the oven at the same time, cooking times will need to be lengthened.

Hint: If you do not have enough oven space to cook everything at once, cook the cobbler ahead of time. Set it aside. Once you take everything out of the oven and are ready to serve the meal, set the oven temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place the cobbler in the oven on a cookie sheet to warm.

Serving the Cobbler

If you ask a real Texan, there is only one way to serve a cobbler - warm, with a big dollop of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. However, we realize that those of you living outside of the Lone Star State may not be fortunate enough to have access to Blue Bell Ice Cream. So, any premium quality vanilla ice cream will have to do.

You need to be sure that you serve the cobbler in a bowl with a spoon. Our cobblers are very juicy and they should never be served on a plate or eaten with a fork. Enjoy your cobbler!

Pecan Cobbler

The pecan cobbler is ready to eat once you thaw it. Thaw in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. You may keep it in the refrigerator for at least 4 days. For best results, reheat for 10 minutes at 350 degrees in a conventional oven or 300 degrees in a convection oven.

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Side Dishes ( casseroles, potatoes, etc. )

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• About Thawing
• About Oven Space & Pre-Cooking
• About Cooking Multiple Side Dishes
• Preparation / Cooking Instructions for:

  • Broccoli & Rice Casserole

  • Southwestern Corn Casserole

  • Green Beans Supreme

  • Seasoned Mashed Potatoes

  • Sweet Potato Casserole

  • Real Macaroni & Cheese

  • Old-Fashioned Cornbread Dressing

• General Hints and Instruction for heating side dishes

Thawing

We recommend that you thaw your side dishes ahead of time to decrease the cooking time. The best method to do this is to place them in the refrigerator overnight. You may also set them out on your kitchen counter 2 to 3 hours before you plan to cook them.

Don’t Have Enough Oven Space?

Do you find that you don’t have enough space in your oven to cook a brisket, a cobbler, and 4 two-pound side dishes? Here’s a hint: Cook your side dishes before you heat the meat (brisket, ribs or sausage). After they are done, remove them from the oven and set them aside, preferably in a warm place. You can spoon the side dishes into microwave-ready dishes and reheat them in the microwave for several minutes immediately before serving them.

Cooking More Than One Side Dish?

If you are cooking more than one 2-pound side dish, then you will need to increase your cooking time by 1/3 to ½, depending on your oven. So, if you cook one side dish 1 hour, you need to cook several for 80 to 90 minutes. Some ovens require even more time, so allow yourself plenty of time before you plan to serve your guests. See our hint about reheating side dishes.

Preparation Instructions – Broccoli & Rice Casserole

These instructions assume your casserole is completely thawed:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the plastic and lid from the foil container.
• Place the casserole on a cookie sheet
• Cook for 45 minutes (if you are cooking one 2-pound casserole)
• Cook for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours if you are cooking four 2-pound casseroles

Preparation Instructions – Corn Casserole

These instructions assume your casserole is completely thawed:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the plastic and lid from the foil container.
• Place the casserole on a cookie sheet
• Cook for 30 to 40 minutes, if you are cooking one 2-pound casserole
• Cook for 50 minutes to 1 ½ hours if you are cooking four 2-pound casseroles

Preparation Instructions – Seasoned Mashed Potatoes

These instructions assume your potatoes are completely thawed:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the plastic and lid from the foil container.
• Place the potatoes on a cookie sheet
• Cook for 50 to 55 minutes, if you are cooking one 2-pound casserole
• Cook for 1 ¼ hour to 1 ¾ hours if you are cooking four 2-pound casseroles

Preparation Instructions – Sweet Potato Casserole

These instructions assume your casserole is completely thawed:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the plastic and lid from the foil container.
• Place the casserole on a cookie sheet
• Cook for 25 to 35 minutes, if you are cooking one 2-pound casserole
• Cook for 45 minutes to 1 ¼ hours if you are cooking four 2-pound casseroles

Preparation Instructions – Green Beans Supreme

These instructions assume your casserole is completely thawed:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the plastic and lid from the foil container.
• Place the casserole on a cookie sheet
• Cook for 50 minutes, if you are cooking one 2-pound casserole
• Cook for 1 ¼ hour to 1 ¾ hours if you are cooking four 2-pound casseroles

Preparation Instructions – Real Macaroni & Cheese

These instructions assume your macaroni & cheese is completely thawed:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the plastic and lid from the foil container.
• Place the casserole on a cookie sheet
• Cook for 45 minutes, if you are cooking one 2-pound casserole
• Cook for 1 to 1 ½ hours if you are cooking four 2-pound casseroles

Preparation Instructions – Cornbread Dressing

These instructions assume your cornbread dressing is completely thawed:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the plastic and lid from the foil container.
• Place the dressing on a cookie sheet
• Cook for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours

General Hints and Instruction for heating frozen side dishes

About cooking instructions: 

Use of a metal cookie sheet is important because it is the cookie sheet which transfers much of the oven heat into the dish from the bottom. And even better, it will prevent a mess in your oven in case of spillage!

If heating several side dishes at one time, especially if doing so from a frozen state, it is very important to increase the amount of cooking time - not the cooking heat. All dishes are ready to serve when hot in the center.

Immediately upon removing side dishes from the oven, stir the ingredients well to ensure even heating. Then, allow the dish at least 10 minutes of cooling time. This time will allow the dish to thicken and properly 'setup'.

Here’s a hint for re-heating: Cook your side dishes before you heat the meat (brisket, ribs or sausage). After they are done, remove them from the oven and set them aside, preferably in a warm place. You can spoon the side dishes into microwave-ready dishes and reheat them in the microwave for several minutes immediately before serving.

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Soups ( Mills Company Soup Mixes )

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Mills Company Soup Mixes

• Spicy Cheese Enchilada Soup

• Southwestern Tortilla Soup

• Creamy Jalantro Soup

Follow the instructions on the soup mix container. Those instructions, plus other options, will be posted here soon.

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Here are some other ideas that will help you carry off the perfect dinner party:

• In our experience, oven temperatures vary drastically. Buy a good oven thermometer and check your oven temperature. Don’t assume that your dial or digital setting on your oven is accurate – they rarely are! Some ovens vary by as much as 50 degrees.
• Cook whatever you can ahead of time and reheat it just before serving. This works especially well for our side dishes and cobbler.

If you have an outdoor grill, use it to heat your meat dishes if you have limited oven space. Use your oven thermometer to set the temperature in your grill to that recommended for the type of meat you are serving. Put the meat in an oven proof dish and cover with foil and heat accordingly. Be careful, as a grill’s temperature is harder to control than your oven.

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