Countdown to Thanksgiving

Tips and Recipes for the Big Turkey Day

Nov 17, 2023

Last week I shared a couple of prep ahead recipes, and today I’ve got a few more tips up my sleeve. Thanksgiving is all about preparation and also remembering it’s nothing to really stress about. The main goal is that everyone eats good food, and if it’s an hour or so late..it’s alright.

Here are some more Thanksgiving Tips for the big day:

If you plan on buying a frozen turkey, do so in the next day. The safest way to thaw turkey is to keep it in the fridge. According to the department of Agriculture, it can take one day for 4-5 lbs of frozen turkey to thaw. If you’re looking at buying a 20 lb turkey, that bad boy should be in your fridge today.
If you have a crazy crowded town like mine, consider shopping in the early mornings or evenings when it’s quieter. This will get you in a better frame of mind for shopping and less likely to forget items.
Just like Santa, make a list and check it twice. You don’t want to be running out for marshmallows for the Sweet Potato Casserole an hour before people get to your house.
Print recipe cards from your favorite websites (like mine, hehe). Scroll down to the bottom of recipe post and print so your phone isn’t covered in food on thanksgiving from your onion covered fingers.
On Monday or Tuesday, check your dressing and stuffing recipes-do you need to leave out the cornbread and bread to stale? If you’re making my cornbread dressing, you sure do!
Wednesday, make the Cranberry Sauce and this Ancient Grain Salad…two easy side dishes completely out of the way. Do you have enough table settings for everyone? Are the cloth napkins/tablecloth clean?
A big one..don’t forget about breakfast and appetizers for Thanksgiving. I share one of my favorite holiday breakfasts below. Appetizers are a must have because usually the food comes out a little later than expected and guests are getting hangry.
I like simple appetizers like these Crack Pretzels or Bacon Cream Cheese Rolls. Nothing messy and just finger foods you can keep in the living room, so it keeps people out of the kitchen (especially kids).
If you’re serving alcoholic beverages, try whipping up a crockpot full of this Apple Cider Cocktail with a bottle of bourbon on the side. That way guests can make their own and the kids can have it too without the alcohol.
Delegate! Have guests bring something. I’ve pretty much delegated all the dessert and my husband is making the Turkey.
The last tip is to make sure you enjoy the holiday. It’s so stinking easy to get caught up in all the things. Stay calm and have fun.

A Holiday Breakfast

For a simple and delicious Holiday breakfast, try these Cream Cheese Danishes on Crescent Rolls. They are so easy to make and ready in less than 45 minutes.

Crescent Roll Cheese Danish

The Video

Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This week I worked on a new Turkey breast recipe that is perfect for smaller get togethers of 4-5 people. It’s smoked on the Traeger, which means lots of room in the oven for all the side dishes.