Prepping for Thanksgiving: What To Do Before
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! This family-centric holiday is a wonderful time of community, love, and gratitude.
But it can also cause A TON of stress—especially if you have a BIG get-together with lots of people to feed.
Thankfully, here at CFC, we not only want to provide clean options, but also as much help and support as possible to ensure your holiday season goes smoothly so you can focus on enjoying your family, friends, and the delicious food you make.
Here are 4 tips for making this Thanksgiving your least stressful, best holiday yet!
1. Thaw Your Turkey in Advance
First and foremost, if you’re planning on roasting a turkey, ham, or other meat that comes frozen, make sure you thaw it far enough in advance!
It’s incredibly important your meat is thawed the day of, so you can cook it to your desired tenderness throughout the day while you’re making the rest of your dishes.
Some meats can take 3-5 days to thaw, depending on their size, so be sure to double-check that out early in the week. Here’s a good starting place for how long to thaw your turkey in the fridge:
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4-12 lbs → 1-3 days
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12-16 lbs → 3-4 days
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16-20 lbs → 4-4 days
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20-24 lbs → 5-6 days
2. Make Store Runs As Early As Possible
As the year comes to a close, stores will get busier and busier, especially as Thanksgiving rolls around. Plus, inclement weather can cause people to buy in bulk, leaving behind empty shelves.
Be sure to make store runs for pantry items (napkins, cups, silverware, plates, tablecloths, etc.), ingredients for all your recipes (especially things you may need a lot of – milk, eggs, flour, sugar), any non-perishable essentials (wine/liquor, spices, etc.) well in advance to the big day so you don’t run the risk of not being able to find something you need.
The last thing you want to be thinking about is leaving in the middle of the day to pick up a missed item!
3. Delegate & Use Your Resources
I know it can be hard to relinquish control, but use the resources around you!
Ask your kids to help you prep dishes the day before. Not only will it help you get things done quicker, but it’s a great way to spend time teaching your kids new recipes and how to move around the kitchen efficiently.
And on the day of, ask your partner, friends, or in-laws to help.
The football game can wait, and more likely than not, people will want to help as a show of gratitude.
Make it a big event (or even turn it into a game – who can make their dish the quickest, maybe?), and before you know it, all your dishes will be ready to go, and that turkey will be ready to carve. Time to feast!
4. Prep As Many Dishes Beforehand As Possible
Many side dishes and desserts can be prepared beforehand and then warmed/cooked the day of, leaving you more time and space to cook other things throughout the day.
Casseroles, stuffing, and salads are great options to make the day before, as they’ll hold in the fridge until the next day–then, you’ll just have to throw them in the oven on Thanksgiving day.
Here are some of our favorite side dishes to prepare ahead of time:
This creamy casserole is perfect for cooler weather and is full of yummy ingredients, including quinoa! Did you know quinoa is a superfood that contains minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc? A great additive to an already tasty dish.
Stuffing is a classic Thanksgiving dish, and we like this fun twist on it. Wild rice is SO good and nutritious, but it does take a little bit longer to cook, which is why this recipe is a great one to make the day before!
This cabbage slaw is super easy to make but doesn’t lack in flavor! Cabbage is full of nutrients like fiber, folate, and vitamins C, K, and E, making it a super healthy and fulfilling dish that’ll last you for days.
This warm side dish has gorgeous layers of tender sweet potatoes, a touch of parmesan, and sweet chili lime sauce that all come together surprisingly well! It’s vibrant, tangy, a little bit cheesy, and so VERY good!
Here’s another classic side dish for the holiday! It’s super easy to make, and the tangy cranberries and naturally sweet honey or maple syrup are a perfect combination.
Additionally, desserts like pies, bars, and tarts can also be made in advance, saving you time and energy on the big day.
Here are some of our favorite seasonal desserts:
Pumpkin pie is a classic for a reason, but we love this gluten-free version! Still as smooth and delicious as a normal pie but more accessible for guests with dietary restrictions.
If you didn’t get enough cranberries at dinner, try these cranberry crumble bars for dessert! Cranberries are tasty and nutritious – they’re good for your digestive, heart, and urinary tract health.
A twist on your classic apple pie, these bars will satisfy your craving for apples while also keeping things healthy and clean with homemade applesauce and any nut butter of your choosing.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Food, friendship, family, and laughter go a long way.
It’s a great holiday to embrace your loved ones and share stories and delicious food together.
Tell me what you’re making this Thanksgiving and how you plan to prep beforehand to make the day go smoothly.
Happy holidays, CRUSHers!
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