How to Make Thanksgiving Dinner

The key to making Thanksgiving dinner is planning. If you organize your time over several weeks, that way Thanksgiving day itself will be more enjoyable. Whether you're an old hand, or a novice, this page will help you learn how to make Thanksgiving dinner without the stress. Thanksgiving dinner is a major production, whether you're cooking for 4 or 40. The secret to a successful meal is investing time upfront to plan your menu, shopping, and cooking. Do as much work as possible before the big day, and you'll be able to enjoy the meal as much as your guests.

There are many variations across the United States for Thanksgiving dinner, but in addition to the Turkey, most menus include gravy, dressing (or stuffing), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, squash, or other vegetables, and pies, . Traditionally Thanksgiving Dinner menus have centered around turkey; however, some Thanksgiving menus also include baked ham, or other meats.

Planning for Thanksgiving can begin 3 to 5 weeks ahead. Confirm how many people you'll be hosting, and begin preparing for a great Thanksgiving dinner.

Plan Your Thanksgiving Menu

1. Planning the menu may be simple, if you come from a family that uses the same recipes year after year. If not, you'll want to plan a menu that includes:
   • Turkey
   • Gravy
   • Stuffing
   • Mashed Potatoes
   • Sweet Potatoes
   • Vegetables
   • Cranberry sauce
   • Pies
2. Depending on your family's preferences, you may also want to include creamed onions, mashed turnips, or other special dishes. Some Italian families serve lasagna or ravioli before dinner.
3. Gather all the recipes, and come up with a comprehensive shopping list

Prepare And Freeze Foods Where Possible

• Some foods can be made ahead and frozen. Consider making your cranberry sauce, vegetable casseroles, and fruit pies ahead of time and freezing them. You'll be able to relax knowing that some of your Thanksgiving dinner is ready and waiting in your freezer.

Grocery Shopping

You'll be able to do most of your grocery shopping a week before the main event. Before shopping, clear out your refrigerator to make room for all the supplies you'll be bringing in. If you're buying a frozen turkey, you may need to start thawing it in the refrigerator a week ahead of time, depending on how big a bird you have.

Gather Equipment Needed

Review your recipes and serving plans to make sure you have all the equipment you need. You may need an extra large roasting pan, or a few extra crock pots to keep the side dishes warm.

Three days before Thanksgiving, you'll want to clean your house to get it ready for guests, and do any last minute shopping for perishables, or items you forgot on your big trip. If you're buying a fresh turkey, you should pick it up today.

Everything except the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes can be assembled today. you can even make gravy ahead of time. Purchase several turkey drumsticks and roast them, using the drippings to prepare your Thanksgiving gravy. You can add to the gravy on Thanksgiving, but having it prepared the day before will relief any last minute stress.

Set the table the day before as well. You'll feel festive when you wake up Thanksgiving morning to a dining room that's gleaming with your formal china, crystal, and silver.

1. Prepare stuffing, and get the turkey in the oven early. Plan on having the turkey done about an hour before you eat, so the juices will settle before its carved.
2. Peel the potatoes in the morning, and leave them in a pot of ice water to prevent discoloration.
3. About an hour and a half before dinner, retrieve all the food you prepared previously from the freezer and the refrigerator, and begin its final preparation.
4. Start the coffee pot before sitting down to dinner, and relax and enjoy the meal.