Are you hosting this year’s Thanksgiving meal? If you so, your love of the November holiday may quickly turn to dread just thinking about all the work that goes into preparing a Thanksgiving feast.
In hopes of decreasing your holiday worry, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite time-saving Thanksgiving tips. Give a few of these a try and let me know if you have any other suggestions for a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Plan Ahead: In addition to food, confirm your kitchen is stocked with all the necessary tools needed to create your meal. Thermometers, basters, roasting pans, baking sheets, and casserole dishes are easily overlooked during preparation and can be difficult to locate in stores if you wait until the last minute to purchase.
Order In: Don’t fall into the pressure that you have to make every dish you serve. Instead, take some stress off of your plate by ordering a few pre-prepared items from a local restaurant or bakery. Looking for some ideas? I listed a few of the best places in Atlanta to purchase pre-made Thanksgiving pies on my blog a few years ago.
Take a Few Shortcuts: Simple changes in presentation can reduce your overall holiday stress without having to sacrifice holiday tradition. For example, save on table space and cut down on serving dishes by serving the meal buffet style. Or spend less time on prep and reduce overall cook time by roasting a deconstructed turkey instead of a whole.
Get a Head Start: Anything that can be prepped ahead of time should be prepped ahead of time. Casseroles, desserts, and sauces can easily be made a day or two in advance, refrigerated, and then reheated on Thanksgiving Day. Vegetables can be washed and cut, spices and seasonings can be measured out, and dry items can be grouped by recipe to allow for a quick start on day-of recipes.
Ask for Help: Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for what we have and, more importantly, who we have to share it with. Whether it’s by bringing a dish to share, a bottle of wine, or helping with the dishes, your loved ones will be more than happy to help in the creation of a memorable Thanksgiving celebration.
