Thanksgiving Timing Guide for a No-Stress Feast
Few things feel as nostalgic as gathering around the table for Thanksgiving dinner. But if you’ve never hosted the holiday at your place, you probably had no idea how much planning and prep work went into the big feast. If you’ve volunteered to entertain this year, don’t panic. From determining how long to cook the turkey to figuring out which tasks can be done in advance, we’ve got you covered in our Thanksgiving timing guide below.
See more: How to Host Thanksgiving: Do’s and Don’ts
Two Weeks Before
Invite your guests. You’ll probably have a good idea by now who is planning to come to dinner, but now is the time to reach out to anyone you haven’t contacted already and finalize the guest list.
Determine your menu. What do you want to make? What do you want to ask other people to bring? Decide on your menu and make sure your guests know if you’re expecting them to bring sides, desserts or drinks.
Plan your table. Do you have enough dishes, silverware and cups? Are there any decorations you need to buy in advance?
Shop for pantry and freezer items. Focus on non-perishables now rather than waiting and buying everything at once. If you wait until closer to the big day, you may run the risk of not finding what you need.
Make a playlist. Don’t be scrambling at the last minute to find the perfect music for the occasion. Make a playlist for the meal in advance, or ask a friend to create one for you.
One Week Before
Buy your turkey. Unless you plan to purchase a fresh (not frozen) bird, you want to go ahead and get your turkey now to avoid the rush. If you’re ordering a fresh turkey, try to schedule your pickup (or delivery) for no more than two days before Thanksgiving.
Make and freeze side dishes. Think casseroles, dressing and desserts. There are several delicious dishes you can make in advance and stash in the freezer to lighten the cooking load leading up to Thanksgiving Day.
Thaw your turkey. If you bought a frozen turkey, be sure to know in advance how early you’ll need to start thawing it out in the refrigerator. Thawing in the fridge is the best method, but it can take some time, especially for larger birds. According to the USDA, you should allow one day for each 4 to 5 pounds of weight. A 16-pound turkey, for example, will take about four days to thaw. Check out their complete guide on how to safely thaw a turkey for more tips.
See more: Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?
Three Days Before
Set the table. Unless you’re short on space and need the table for other things, go ahead and set the table. It will give you more margin over the next few days as you focus on preparing the food.
Buy wine, beer and spirits. Are you serving punch? Wine? Beer? Head out with your shopping list and buy what you need well in advance of the crowds.
Shop for perishables. Now is the time to fill your cart with things like salad greens, herbs and fresh fruits and vegetables. Have a few ideas in mind for alternatives (like arugula instead of spinach for the salad) in case the stores are picked over.
Prepare cranberry sauce. If you plan on serving homemade cranberry sauce, you can make it well in advance, cover it and tuck it in the fridge until the big day.
Make stuffing. Depending on the stuffing recipe, you can make this in advance and store it in the fridge until just before dinner.
Two Days Before
Prepare any snacks. Are you serving snacks? Finger foods? Things like trail mix, dips and other appetizers can be made ahead of time to lighten your meal prep load over the next two days.
Bake desserts. Most desserts can be baked two days in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer. Double-check your recipes first, and leave out any toppings that need to be added just before serving.
Make your gravy. Make-ahead gravy is one of the greatest hosting tricks in the book. Stress-free and delicious, this is a must.
Prepare your Thanksgiving morning breakfast. Making breakfast may not sound like a big deal right now, but it will feel overwhelming on a day when you’re cooking much more than usual. Have breakfast ready ahead of time. Looking for some inspiration? Try our Overnight Egg Casserole with Spinach, Sausage and Cheese or Pumpkin Oatmeal Bake.
Thaw prepared dishes you made last week. Use cookie sheets to stack them vertically in the fridge. You can also thaw certain desserts like pecan pie and Bundt cakes on the counter overnight.
Shop for any last-minute items. If you find that you need more of a particular ingredient or had to change a recipe at the last minute, now is the time to head back out to the store and get what you need.
The Night Before
Prep remaining snacks and sides. Are you serving a charcuterie board? Baking yeast rolls? Slice cheese and salami or prepare the dough for rolls and let them rise overnight.
Bake side dishes that can be easily reheated. The oven will be full of turkey on Thanksgiving morning, so go ahead and bake any side dishes the night before that can be conveniently reheated before guests arrive.
See more: How to Cook a Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving Morning
Take the turkey out of the fridge. Your turkey will cook quicker and more evenly if you let it come to room temperature before roasting.
Roast turkey. See the turkey timing guide below to determine when you need to get your bird in the oven.
Prepare salads. Toss all your salad ingredients together, minus the dressings and ingredients such as avocado that will brown if added too far in advance.
Turkey Timing Guide:
The turkey is the centerpiece of the meal, so let’s dive into turkey timings. There are two variables to consider when determining how long to cook your turkey: how much the bird weighs and whether or not you’re planning to stuff it. Food Network experts suggest the following timings:
Unstuffed:
- 4 to 8 pounds (breast only): 1.5 to 3.25 hours
- 8 to 12 pounds: 2.75 to 3 hours
- 12 to 14 pounds: 3 to 3.75 hours
- 14 to 18 pounds: 3.75 to 4.25 hours
- 18 to 20 pounds: 4.25 to 4.5 hours
- 20 to 24 pounds: 4.5 to 5 hours
Stuffed:
- 6 to 8 pounds (breast only): 2.5 to 3.5 hours
- 8 to 12 pounds: 3 to 3.25 hours
- 12 to 14 pounds: 3.5 to 4 hours
- 14 to 18 pounds: 4 to 4.25 hours
- 18 to 20 pounds: 4.25 to 4.75 hours
- 20 to 24 pounds: 4.75 to 5.25 hours
No matter which timing suits your bird, use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165 degrees F. If you’ve stuffed your turkey, the temperature of the stuffing, not just the meat, should reach this minimum temperature.
Before Guests Arrive
Set out drinks and appetizers (if serving). Have these ready to go before your guests arrive so you aren’t scrambling when they ring the doorbell.
Turn on music and light candles. Choose your music in advance and set the atmosphere for a fun and festive feast.
Take out and top any desserts that require whipped cream. Pumpkin pie is always better with whipped cream, but don’t pipe it on more than two hours before dinner.
Remove turkey and give it time to rest before carving. If you cut into the turkey too soon, it will lose moisture. Let it rest while you reheat your sides.
Warm up side dishes. Now that the turkey is out of the oven, use the space to warm up side dishes like green beans and sweet potato casserole. If you have several items that need warming, break out the slow cooker and instant pot.
Right Before the Meal
Serve up the turkey, gravy and side dishes. It’s dinner time!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner. As the host, you’ve definitely earned it.