{Tips & Tricks} Preparing for Thanksgiving + Recipe Roundup - How To: Simplify (2024)

FAQs

How do you simplify Thanksgiving dinner? ›

On the fourth Thursday of November, people in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, a national holiday honoring the early settlers and Native Americans who came together to have a historic harvest feast.

Simplify the Menu

A family member or close friend can bring anything from a bottle of wine to mashed potatoes. When you make the menu, ask the whole family what they want included in the holiday menus. Then, you can divide up the menu and have everyone contribute. You will also avoid making duplicate items.

No matter where you fall, getting a head start on what can be prepared before the big day is essential. One question that always crops up: Can you make stuffing ahead of time? The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner has Turkey, stuffing (also called bread dressing), gravy, potatoes (mashed or scalloped), rolls with butter, green beans or some other cooked green like cabbage or collards, one orange thing (cooked carrots, sweet potato casserole, or squash), something cranberry flavored, and pie ( ...

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

Whether you're drizzling it over your roast turkey, mashed potatoes, or flaky biscuits, homemade gravy is an absolute must-have during the holidays. Since it's such a staple, it's gotta be perfect—THIS is the recipe you need. Get the Perfect Gravy recipe.

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has long been known as "Blackout Wednesday," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and depending on your local bar's drink specials, it might be called "Drinksgiving," "Black Wednesday," "Thanksgiving Eve," "Wacky Wednesday," "Whiskey Wednesday," or " ...

It includes all of your favorites, like macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and deviled eggs, plus mashed potatoes, cranberry chutney and more. Scroll through the gallery for mouthwatering inspiration that you can make in advance, giving you time to enjoy your Thanksgiving Day.

When should I start the mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving? ›

You can make the mashed potatoes a few hours before dinner, and then keep them warm on the stovetop. When you should start cooking: A couple hours before dinnertime.

But anywhere between about 1pm — 6pm is normal. It's kind of a late lunch/early dinner. Usually people won't eat another full meal that day, though they might have a snack earlier in the day if the meal is at 5–6, or have some leftovers in the evening if the meal is at 1 or 2.

Proper preparation is the best way to keep yourself out of the weeds on the line, but that prep-in-advance principle isn't reserved for restaurant food. You can prepare almost every single dish for your Thanksgiving feast ahead of time.

Good and gracious God, we give You thanks today, as we do all days, first and foremost for the gift of creation and the gift of life. We ask You to bless this food, that it may nourish us and sustain us, and strengthen our ability to do Your will.

But a few things are guaranteed, no matter where I am or who I'm with: There will be turkey; there will be stuffing; there will be cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, and pie.