Thanksgiving Preparation Tips for a Stress-Free Turkey Day

Here are some of my best Thanksgiving Preparation Tips for a Stress-Free Turkey Day

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Thanksgiving preparation is a big job.

Two weeks might seem like plenty of time.

Enough time that you might consider putting off any preparation until next week or the week after.

But by doing a little bit each week leading up to the big day, you can have a smooth-sailing Thanksgiving, no last minute craziness and lots of fun family time.

I thought I would share my Thanksgiving Preparation Schedule with you today.

I’ve hosted Thanksgiving four years in a row at my house.

Though in 2010 we ate at my dad’s house, I was still the one mainly in charge of the menu, ingredient shopping, and cooking.

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How To Roast a Moist, Flavorful Turkey

Most of the items on this Thanksgiving Preparation Schedule assume that you will be hosting or at least in charge of the Thanksgiving meal.

Keep in mind that this list is not all-inclusive. I

am focusing on the food preparation aspect of Thanksgiving.

I am not including tasks such as table arrangements, place settings, etc.

General Thanksgiving Planning

Host or Guest?:

Ideally this is done months in advance.

Sort out the guest list.

Do you know who and how many are planning on attending?

Will you be hosting or will you be a guest this year?

If you will be a guest: find out if your host is planning on preparing the whole meal or requesting dishes to be brought in, potluck style.

If you haven’t already, make sure your travel arrangements are in order if you will be away from home.

Butternut Squash and Kale Quinoa Stuffing

Thanksgiving Day Menu

Menu Planning

I like to start menu planning 3 weeks ahead of time when I’m hosting Thanksgiving.

Start with sorting out the recipes for your “must haves,” and your family’s traditional dishes.

After you’ve decided on the dishes you know you will have (your favorite rolls, your family’s pecan pie, etc.), start thinking about what’s missing.

Do you need more sides? Appetizers? Drinks? Bread?

Filling in the gaps is a great opportunity to introduce a few new dishes.

Need ideas?

Check out my Thanksgiving Recipe and Planning Guide.

Test any new recipes in advance to avoid blunders on the big day.

 

Make a Thanksgiving Recipe Binder or Folder

Print off all of the recipe you plan to use.

Punch holes in the sheets and place them in a binder or folder with brackets.

Label that folder “THANKSGIVING RECIPES.”

This will make every year from here on out much easier.

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Alternatively, create a Pinterest Board titled “THANKSGIVING RECIPES.”

Then, you can easily Pin your favorite recipes there.

You can check out my Thanksgiving Pinterest Board right here and follow me on Pinterest.

There are tons of ideas!

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Take Inventory

Take stock of your freezer and pantry.

Make a list of items you are out of or running low on.

Purchase non-perishable essentials.

The earlier the better, so you can avoid sold-out merchandise, crowded grocery stores and last minute shopping trips (and insane crowds!).

Grocery Delivery Coupon Codes 

Another great way to do your Thanksgiving menu shopping is to use online grocery shopping services like InstaCart,  ClickList, or Walmart Grocery.

• If you want to try InstaCart, here is a promo code for $10 off InstaCart orders.
• You can also get FREE FIRST DELIVERY on InstaCart with Sprouts
• Or if you like Whole Foods, use this promo code for $10 off on Whole Foods InstaCart
• $10 off Walmart Grocery Delivery
• $10 off Safeway Instacart Delivery

Shop with a list to avoid overspending and purchasing unnecessary items.

Download and print the above Spice Cabinet Checklist.

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Keep a list on hand of items you are running low on or out of and shop the sales and ads leading up to Thanksgiving to get the best prices on the items you need.

2+ Weeks Before Thanksgiving

Order or purchase a turkey.

Store it in the freezer if you bring it home earlier than 4-5 days before Thanksgiving.

Make requests or assignments to your guests (if you want people to bring food).

Give them plenty of time to prepare for their dish and/or find a new recipe to share.

Plan entertainment options (or delegate this to someone else).

Do you like to plan games on Turkey Day?

Do you like to attend a movie together as a family?

Are there younger children that might need something to keep busy with while the adults prepare the food?

2 – 5 Days Before

Prepare any items that can be made in advance and stored in the freezer.

Such items might include: Pie Crusts, Toasted day old bread for stuffing, or Browned sausage for stuffing.

Thaw your turkey in the fridge if you’ve purchased a frozen turkey.

You might need a full five days depending on the size of your turkey.

Store it in a large plastic bag to catch any leaks.

If you have ordered a fresh turkey, pick it up 2-3 days prior to Thanksgiving.

Prep work is essential for a simpler Thanksgiving.

Chop onions, celery, carrots, and any small items that are part of a larger task and store them in individual containers or small Ziploc bags.

Cook or assemble anything in advance that stores well in the fridge for a day or two.

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If you like cranberry sauce better than gravy, try my recipe for  Cranberry Orange Walnut Relish or Red Wine Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce.

Classic buttery russet potato mashed potatoes are elevated thanks to the addition of plenty of browned butter and fresh grated parmesan in this Browned Butter Parmesan Mashed Potatoes.

For stuffing, try this Butternut Squash and Kale Quinoa Stuffing (which is great for the health-conscious or gluten-free crowd!).

Or a more traditional bread based stuffing with Leek + Bacon Stuffing.

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More Side Dish Recipes to Try:.

• Mascarpone Chive Mashed Potatoes
• Butternut Squash and Kale Quinoa Stuffing
• Leek and Bacon Stuffing
• Baked White Cheddar Mac n Cheese with Kale and Bacon
• Artichoke, Leek and Potato Casserole
• Apple Pecan Stuffed Squash

The Day Before

Turkey Preparation

Make sure the turkey is on its way to being defrosting.

Prepare and soak in a turkey brine if you will prepare your turkey that way.

Fresh Herb Citrus Brined Turkey combines lots of fresh herbs with a subtle hint of citrus.

Brining your turkey with this Apple Cider Sage Brined Turkey before roasting will not only infuses the meat with the delicious flavors of fresh apple cider and sage, but it will help keep the meat moist and tender.

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Brining a turkey in this Rosemary Beer Brine will tenderize the meat and infuse it with a TON of flavor for Turkey Day.

Dry brining a turkey is really simple and produces juicy, seasoned turkey meat. This recipe for Garlic Herb Peppercorn Dry Brine is full of flavor and will make your turkey shine on Thanksgiving! 

Bake Pies

Pies are great made the day before.

Pumpkin Pie stores well in the fridge.

Pecan Pies can be stored at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap. (Bring any chilled pies to room temperature before serving on Thanksgiving day.)

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Dessert Recipes to Try:

• All Butter Pie Crust: Perfect Pie Crust Recipe
• Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Deep Dish Apple Cranberry Pie with Oatmeal Pecan Crumb Topping
• Cranberry Pecan Pumpkin Tart
• Cinnamon Pear Crostata with Almond Oat Crust
• Chocolate Pecan Tart
• Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Pecan Crumble Topping

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If you’re looking for the perfect kid-friendly Thanksgiving treat, check out this Easy Pumpkin Pudding; it combines a few pantry ingredients for a perfect autumn treat and is simple enough for younger helpers to assist in preparing.

Plan Your Schedule

What time will you be eating?

Allow enough time for the turkey to roast.

Decide when you will begin what dishes that you’ve saved to prepare the day of or when items like pre-assembled casseroles will need to go in the oven to be reheated.

I find it helpful to write down a list of the items needing to be prepared or reheated  and what time that task needs to be talked to keep me calm and organized in the kitchen.

Clean Your House

It is so much easier to tackle a big day in the kitchen when it starts out clean.

Ask for help or delegate this to someone else.

Thanksgiving Day

Prepare and Roast the Turkey

The turkey is the center piece of the Thanksgiving meal and is arguably the trickiest part of the meal.

The turkey is what takes the longest.

Allow enough time for the turkey to roast and rest before dinnertime.

Need timing guidelines?

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Here are some of my Best Turkey Roasting Tips for a turkey that is full of flavor.

If you prefer to smoke your turkey, come check out my tried and true method along with my 8 pro tips for the best smoked turkey!

And don’t forget to check out my tips How to Make Gravy with No Lumps to go with your turkey!

Side Dishes

Prepare or reheat any side dishes according to your schedule.

Utilize toaster ovens and crock-pots to help reheat pre-assembled dishes to so you can free up oven space.

Bring any chilled pies to room temperature before serving them.

Save these Thanksgiving Preparation Tips for a Stress-Free Turkey Day to Pinterest!

In this recipe for Baked Sweet Potatoes with Pomegranate, sliced Sweet Potatoes are baked in a spiced orange maple glaze and sprinkled with juicy, bright pomegranate arils.

Garlic Bacon Sautéed Green Beans with Roasted Mushrooms make a great Thanksgiving side dish, loaded with flavor, and a lot more fresh tasting than the traditional green bean casserole.

Take your traditional side dish of roasted broccoli to the next level with this recipe of Lemon Roasted Broccolini with Pancetta and Breadcrumbs. 

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Make Sure Kids are Entertained

If small children are present, have something to for them to do so they don’t get in the way (ideally you should again delegate that to someone else if you are in charge of the meal preparation).

Be sure it is an activity that won’t create extra mess.

Set the Table

This is a task that is easily delegated to someone else.

Assign someone else the morning of to be in charge of setting the table when the time comes.

Clean As You Go

The mess is so much less overwhelming if you wash dishes and/or run the dishwasher throughout the day.

If you have extra hands, it is helpful if one or two people are assigned what I call “damage control duty.”

Enjoy your family!

Yes, it’s important for the food prep and meal to go well.

We all want that, but what really matters is family. Express your thankfulness and have a good time!

What tips do you have to make Thanksgiving meal prep as stress-free as possible?

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Thanksgiving Preparation Tips for a Stress-Free Turkey Day

Yield: Thanksgiving Dinner

Prep Time: 14 days

Total Time: 14 days

Difficulty: moderate

Estimated Cost: Varies

Here are some of my best Thanksgiving Preparation Tips for a Stress-Free Turkey Day.

Print

Materials

• Recipes and Necessary Ingredients
• Placemats
• Napkins
• Silverware
• Glassware
• Tablecloth
• Centerpiece
• Serving Dishes
• Adequate Seating

Tools

• Oven
• Stove
• Slow Cooker
• Kitchen Utensils
• Digital Thermometer
• Small Kitchen Appliances
• Sharp Knife for Carving

Instructions

General Planning

Host or Guest?

1. If you will be a guest: find out if your host is planning on preparing the whole meal or requesting dishes to be brought in, potluck style.
2. If you haven’t already, make sure your travel arrangements are in order if you will be away from home.

2-3+ Weeks Before Thanksgiving

Menu Planning

1. Start with your “must haves,” and your family’s traditional dishes.
2. Start thinking about what’s missing.
3. Fill in the gaps, it is a great opportunity to introduce a few new dishes.
4. Save recipes to a Thanksgiving Pinterest folder or make a binder with printouts.
5. Take stock of your freezer and pantry.
6. Note items you are running low on.
7. Create a shopping list.
8. Purchase non-perishables as early as possible to avoid crowds or low inventory.

2+ Weeks Before Thanksgiving

1. Order or purchase a turkey. Store it in the freezer if you bring it home earlier than 4-5 days before Thanksgiving.
2. Make requests or assignments to your guests (if you want people to bring food).
3. Plan entertainment options (or delegate this to someone else).

2-5 Days Before Thanksgiving

1. Prepare any items that can be made in advance and stored in the freezer.
2. Thaw your turkey in the fridge if you’ve purchased a frozen turkey.
3. If you have ordered a fresh turkey, pick it up 2-3 days prior to Thanksgiving.
4. Chop onions, celery, carrots, and any small items that are part of a larger task and store them in individual containers or small Ziploc bags.
5. Cook or assemble anything in advance that stores well in the fridge for a day or two.
6. Plan the time you are going to serve the meal.

The Day Before

1. Make sure the turkey is on its way to being defrosting.
2. Prepare and soak in a turkey brine if you will prepare your turkey that way.
3. Bake Pies
4. Decide when you will begin what dishes that you’ve saved to prepare the day of or when items like pre-assembled casseroles will need to go in the oven to be reheated.
5. Clean your house.

On Thanksgiving

1. Prepare or reheat any side dishes according to your schedule.
2. Utilize toaster ovens and crock-pots to help reheat pre-assembled dishes to so you can free up oven space.
3. Bring any chilled pies to room temperature before serving them.
4. Set the table.
5. Clean as you go.
6. Enjoy your family!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Spatula Set
• 
  Hand Mixer
• 
  Gallon Freezer Bags
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  Baking Sheet
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  Adjustable Rolling Pin with Removable Rings
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  Non-slip Silicone Pastry Mat
• 
  Potato Ricer
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  Glass Pitcher With Lid and Spout
• 
  Cutting Boards
• 
  Stainless Steel Cookware
• 
  Whisk
• 
  Knife Block Set
• 
  Pie Dish
• 
  Gravy Boat
• 
  Pastry Blender
• 
  Fat Separator
• 
  Carving Board
• 
  Wireless Remote Meat Thermometer

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