Categories: thanksgiving
Last Week of October – Start Planning
Prepare Your Guest List
Start early to get a headcount of those you want to invite. Email, text or call your guests to let them know of your Thanksgiving plans. Be sure to ask about any dietary restrictions or allergies you’ll need to consider.
Plan Your Thanksgiving Menu
To accompany your turkey, include side dishes like our One Pan Vegetables (Hyperlink). Adding these delicious veggies and other recipes will bring zest to your menu and make cooking easy with step-by-step instructions.
For dessert, we recommend giving our scrumptious Chocolate Pecan Tartlets or Pumpkin Bread Pudding a try this year. You can find these and other delicious menu ideas on C&H® Sugar’s Pinterest (Hyperlink) page.
Four Weeks Before Thanksgiving – Get Started
Prepare Your Kitchen For The Holiday
Ready your kitchen by cleaning out your fridge and freezer. You’ll need room for all the Thanksgiving groceries and leftovers. Also, make sure you have the right kitchen tools to prepare your meal. The correct utensils make meal prep less stressful and more fun. Check your equipment to make sure they are clean, organized and ready to go. A few items that you don’t want to do without are:
Meat thermometer
Racked roasting pan
Food processor
Carving board
Baking sheets
Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Containers for leftovers
A sturdy rolling pin
Plan Your Table Décor
Decorating the table (hyperlink to existing “how to set-up your table” article) for your event is more enjoyable when you begin early. Make this holiday special by mixing things up a bit. Use fall blankets in place of table cloths for a comfortable touch. Turn photos of your friends and family into place cards that can double as conversation starters. Finally, there is no longer a need to use matching china. Mix and match patterns for more interest as well as more place settings. Setting your table a few days before your guests arrive will allow you to take the time needed to make it extra special. Just cover the place settings with plastic wrap and uncover on the big day.
Two Weeks Before Thanksgiving – Maintain Your Momentum
Purchase Your Groceries Early
You’ve already prepared your guest list and holiday menu, so now you can beat the crowds and enjoy a better selection by shopping early! Remember, C&H® Sugar has a sweetness for every occasion, and now’s the perfect time to stock up. Or, just order your recipe’s perfect sugar online, C&H® Sugar is now available on Amazon.
Prep Ingredients For Your Recipes
It is not too early to begin chopping onions, garlic, nuts and other herbs or vegetables that refrigerate or freeze well. Look through your recipes and begin preparing these items to get ahead of this time-consuming chore.
You can also prepare pie crusts, dumplings and bread dough well in advance.
One Week Before Thanksgiving – Count Down!
Begin Thawing, Brining, And Cooking Your Turkey
Depending on the size and state of your turkey, you’ll need between one to seven days to be ready to serve it. Frozen turkey will take approximately one day for every four pounds to thaw (hyperlink to C&H® Sugar’s Turkey Defrosting Guide) properly.
If you are planning to brine or marinate your turkey, you will need to start the day before you cook it.
Prepare Your Make-Ahead Dishes
Get ready to impress your guests this Thanksgiving with these delightful recipes, crafted with love and a sprinkle of C&H Sugar magic!
Roasted Turkey Breast With Brown Sugar Orange Glaze
Start your Thanksgiving prep three days early by defrosting your turkey breast in the fridge. The night before the feast, whip up a flavorful rub and generously coat the turkey, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered. Two days ahead, prepare a sumptuous brown sugar orange glaze. Let it cool to room temp before stashing it in the fridge in a trusty airtight container. On the big day, warm up that glaze, mix in some turkey drippings for a flavor boost, and get ready to serve a truly unforgettable turkey breast!
Gluten-Free Corn Bread Muffins
These corn bread muffins are a breeze to make ahead! Let your freshly baked muffins cool completely before tucking them into an airtight container or zipper bag and sliding them into the freezer. On Thanksgiving Day, pop them into an oven preheated to 350°F. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with foil, and bake for 10-12 minutes until warm and delicious. For a buttery finish, brush them with melted butter before serving—they'll be a crowd-pleaser!
Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake
Treat your guests to a slice of elegance with this cheesecake, prepared a week in advance. Follow the recipe to bake your cheesecake, then let it cool completely. Wrap it snugly in plastic and freeze. The night before Thanksgiving, shift it to the fridge to thaw for at least 8 hours. Before serving, carefully remove it from the pan and add your personal decorative touch. This dessert promises to be a showstopper at your celebration!
Corn Bread Stuffing With Candied Bacon
Prepare to delight with corn bread stuffing, starting by making the candied bacon up to a week in advance. Once crispy and cool, keep it fresh in an airtight container in the fridge. The day before Thanksgiving, follow steps 2 and 3 from the recipe to cook up your veggies. Cool them down before mixing with eggs, then chill overnight. On Thanksgiving Day, bring it all together with the bacon and enjoy a hassle-free, mouth-watering side dish!
With these easy, make-ahead recipes, your Thanksgiving will be stress-free and delicious. Enjoy the company of loved ones and savor every bite!
Thanksgiving Day – You’re All Set
Relax, Enjoy Your Guests, And Give Thanks That You Started Early
Congratulations! By starting early and following through, you can now relax and enjoy making memories with the ones you care about most.
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