For many home cooks, Thanksgiving is the main event of the year. It’s the time to dazzle, to show off, to pull together a big meal and gather your family and friends to feast and practice gratitude. But if you’re new to hosting or even if you’ve been preparing the meal year after year, it can be intimidating. But have no fear, you can do this. As a senior editor atEatingWelland someone who has hosted her fair share of Thanksgiving dinners, I’ve learned a lot over the years about how to make the day go as smoothly as possible. I’m sharing my tips below, as well as tips from my colleagues and all of our favoriteEatingWellrecipes for the holiday.
Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
Make a Plan
Prep What You Can
Next, I look for ways to save myself time on the big day. I think about what can be made completely ahead (many desserts fall into this category) and what I can get a head start on. For instance, I know I can cut squash or shave Brussels sprouts the day before. If I’m serving a fruit or veggie platter, I can get some of that prep done as well. I’ll think about pre-mixing abatch cocktailso guests can help themselves when they arrive and I can keep cooking.
Gather Equipment
As you get ready for the big day, it’s also helpful to consider all the things you’ll use to prep the meal, such as cutting boards, knives (be sure they are sharp and ready to work), peelers,a roasting pan and rackif you’re making turkey,a meat thermometer(I like an instant-read thermometer) and sheet pans, baking dishes and prep bowls. I also check to see if I have everything I need to set the table—enough plates, placemats, silverware and glassware for everyone. And I start designating serving dishes and utensils for each dish I’m making. It’s also a good idea to have somecontainers for leftoversand containers you don’t mind parting with (at least temporarily) to send leftovers home with your guests.
26 Genius Recipe Ideas to Use Up Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
Give Yourself a Break
What to Make for Thanksgiving Dinner
Let’s Get Started
While Thanksgiving dinner is often a hearty meal, it’s nice to have some snacks for grazing before dinner while family and friends catch up. One of my go-tos isstuffed mushrooms, but cheese and crackers and crudités and a creamy dip are effortless crowd-pleasers too.
30 Healthy Appetizers You’ll Want to Make Forever19 Best-Ever Thanksgiving Hors d’Oeuvres15 Easy Last-Minute Appetizers for Thanksgiving
30 Healthy Appetizers You’ll Want to Make Forever
19 Best-Ever Thanksgiving Hors d’Oeuvres
15 Easy Last-Minute Appetizers for Thanksgiving
The Main Event
For many Thanksgiving dinners, a golden, roasted turkey is the centerpiece. My dad is a chef (now retired), and he taught me to get the turkey roasted and out of the oven first so you can free up your oven for making everything else. It’s a strategy that has always served me well, and the turkey is actually better if you let it rest so that the juices have time to redistribute for a moister bird. Plus, there areways to keep it warmor rewarm it when you’re ready to serve it.
But I know turkey is not for everyone. If you’re forgoing it this year for dietary or other reasons, there are plenty of other options for the main dish. You can just load up the table with side dishes, you could make a vegetarian entree likestuffed squash, or you could choose another meat that your family prefers. (My mother-in-law always made a turkeyanda brisket.)
Herb-Roasted TurkeyFrench Onion Galette24 Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey8 of the Biggest Turkey Mistakes to Avoid1of2
Herb-Roasted TurkeyFrench Onion Galette24 Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey8 of the Biggest Turkey Mistakes to Avoid
Herb-Roasted Turkey
French Onion Galette
24 Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey
8 of the Biggest Turkey Mistakes to Avoid
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It’s All About the Sides
At Thanksgiving, I look forward to the sides more than anything else. I love loading up my plate with vegetables, like Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes, plus a little pile of mashed potatoes for collecting gravy. Some fresh rolls are another must (thoughIna Garten disagrees with meon that point). Andmost people thinkit’s not really Thanksgiving without the stuffing.
20 Veggie Sides You’ll Want to Make Every ThanksgivingThe Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce28 Thanksgiving Casseroles Just Like Grandma Used to MakeThe Anti-Inflammatory Make-Ahead Salad You Should Add to Your Holiday Menu19 Potato Sides You’ll Want to Make Every Thanksgiving1of2
20 Veggie Sides You’ll Want to Make Every ThanksgivingThe Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce28 Thanksgiving Casseroles Just Like Grandma Used to MakeThe Anti-Inflammatory Make-Ahead Salad You Should Add to Your Holiday Menu19 Potato Sides You’ll Want to Make Every Thanksgiving
20 Veggie Sides You’ll Want to Make Every Thanksgiving
The Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce
28 Thanksgiving Casseroles Just Like Grandma Used to Make
The Anti-Inflammatory Make-Ahead Salad You Should Add to Your Holiday Menu
19 Potato Sides You’ll Want to Make Every Thanksgiving
While sides might feel easier to pull off than a roast turkey, we still have some tips to offer to help you make the best possible sides and fix any mistakes. Plus, we talked to several chefs and found outwhich potatoes you should buy to make the best mash.
6 Mistakes That Ruin Mashed Potatoes (and How to Fix Them)5 Mistakes That Ruin Green Bean Casserole (And How to Fix Them)5 Mistakes That Ruin Brussels Sprouts (and How to Fix Them)4 Mistakes That Ruin Sweet Potato Casserole (And How to Fix Them)4 Mistakes That Ruin Stuffing (and How to Fix Them)6 Mistakes That Ruin Gravy (And How to Fix Them)6 Mistakes That Ruin Dinner Rolls (And How to Fix Them)4 Mistakes That Ruin Cranberry Sauce (And How to Fix Them)1of3
6 Mistakes That Ruin Mashed Potatoes (and How to Fix Them)5 Mistakes That Ruin Green Bean Casserole (And How to Fix Them)5 Mistakes That Ruin Brussels Sprouts (and How to Fix Them)4 Mistakes That Ruin Sweet Potato Casserole (And How to Fix Them)4 Mistakes That Ruin Stuffing (and How to Fix Them)6 Mistakes That Ruin Gravy (And How to Fix Them)6 Mistakes That Ruin Dinner Rolls (And How to Fix Them)4 Mistakes That Ruin Cranberry Sauce (And How to Fix Them)
6 Mistakes That Ruin Mashed Potatoes (and How to Fix Them)
5 Mistakes That Ruin Green Bean Casserole (And How to Fix Them)
5 Mistakes That Ruin Brussels Sprouts (and How to Fix Them)
4 Mistakes That Ruin Sweet Potato Casserole (And How to Fix Them)
4 Mistakes That Ruin Stuffing (and How to Fix Them)
6 Mistakes That Ruin Gravy (And How to Fix Them)
6 Mistakes That Ruin Dinner Rolls (And How to Fix Them)
4 Mistakes That Ruin Cranberry Sauce (And How to Fix Them)
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End with Something Sweet
Thanksgiving dessert spreads usually include some kind ofpie. Apple, pumpkin, chocolate pecan … all are welcome. And while I love a slice (or two) of pie, I actually love making other desserts as well, like cakes, cookies or brownies. The key when it comes to desserts is to find something you can make ahead or ask your guests to bring along.
6 Mistakes That Ruin Pie (And How to Fix Them)Pumpkin Trifle26 Healthy Chocolate Desserts You’ll Want to Make Forever
6 Mistakes That Ruin Pie (And How to Fix Them)
Pumpkin Trifle
26 Healthy Chocolate Desserts You’ll Want to Make Forever
With these recipes and tips, your Thanksgiving is sure to go off without a hitch. Your guests will appreciate the time and effort you put in, and everyone will enjoy spending time together above all.
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