Our Thanksgiving Game Plan

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We are just one week away from Thanksgiving and the official kick-off to the holiday baking season in our home. I currently have the turkey defrosting in the garage fridge.  I have a produce drawer full of vegetables to prep for stuffing and other side dishes.  There is so much little stuff to do, and I like to write everything out so I can get the turkey in the oven on time, and enjoy the day with family.

This year, there will only be ten of us for Thanksgiving dinner, but I still cook as if there will be 15-20 people.  I love to cook, and I love being able to send my guests home with leftovers and having enough leftovers so I don’t have to cook again until Saturday or Sunday.  Yup, I’m that person.  If I do all the work one day, I need a few days off after that.

Our Thanksgiving Menu

We have a fairly traditional Thanksgiving meal, and it doesn’t vary much from year to year.  I am adding a few extra side dishes this year, but making smaller batches of them so I don’t really overdo it. Knowing how much food you really need can be a challenge, but I want to have leftovers for a few days.

Herb Roasted Turkey
Sausage Stuffing
Bread Stuffing
Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Apple Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce
Cran-Apple Relish
String Bean Casserole
Corn Casserole
Homemade French Bread Rolls
Apple Crumb Pie
Peach Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Brownies

The Game Plan

This year, I am planning to grocery shop on Monday afternoon before Scouts. It’s going to be a busy few days, but if I get the work done by Wednesday evening, I’ll get to relax and enjoy Thanksgiving with my family.

1 Week Before Thanksgiving

• Defrost the turkey in the fridge
• Confirm guest list
• Finalize the menu for Thanksgiving, but also for the days before when you know you’ll be busy.
• Cube the bread and dry it out in the oven Store it in an air-tight container until needed.
• Make the fermented cran-apple relish
• Make the citrus herb salt for the dry brine

3-4 Days Before Thanksgiving: Cleaning & Errands

• Clean the house – focus on the areas where guests will be on Thanksgiving Day
• Grocery Shop – get all of the fresh items and any pantry staples that you need to restock
• Liquor Store – purchase wine, beer, or any alcohol needed for guests.
• Buy any additional supplies that we need – candles, linens, foil pans, pie plates, etc
• Rearrange dining room furniture to accommodate additional dinner guests & put the leaf in the table or bring in an extra table.
• Launder the tablecloths and other linens

2 Days Before Thanksgiving

• Brine the turkey
• Make the compound butter
• Chill the beer/wine
• Chill the cranberry sauce
• Make the pie crust and chill

Day Before Thanksgiving: Kitchen Day

• Early morning quick trip to get fresh herbs, flowers, and anything that you forgot to pick up a few days ago. The goal is to be out and home again before 10am since many people only work half-day the day before a holiday. Get in and out before the crowds.
• Assemble and bake the pies
• Bake the brownies
• Make the sweet potatoes
• Assemble the green bean casserole
• Peel the potatoes and put them in water so they don’t brown
• Chop all the vegetables for the stuffing
• Brown the sausage for the stuffing
• Make turkey stock in the instant pot so it’s ready for the stuffing and gravy
• Have a freezer meal for dinner
• Pull out all of the serving pieces that will be needed
• Quick clean-up of all common areas
• Go to bed early so that you’ll be well rested in the morning

On Thanksgiving Morning

• Wake up early and get caffeinated
• Make both stuffings
• Stuff the turkey and rub the compound butter under the skin
• Roast the turkey – We have a 20 lbs turkey so it needs to be in the oven by 8:30am so we can eat around 1:30.
• Assemble all side dishes and bring those that are chilled to room temperature
• Keep up with the dishes
• Prepare the bread dough for the rolls

In the hour before dinner

• Set the table
• Bake the rolls
• Make or Reheat the side dishes
• Make the gravy
• Carve the turkey
• Serve dinner and enjoy the day with your family and friends

Right as you sit down for dinner, start a pot of coffee and put on the kettle so that you’ll be ready for dessert.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you enjoy your day with friends and loved ones!