Thanksgiving is right around the corner and this year, I want to be smarter about how I am spending my time in the kitchen. My entire family is flying in to Wisconsin, so I want to actually sit down and spend time with my family and not be in the kitchen all day! Here’s to less stressful, more meaningful, and still absolutely delicious holiday!
If you want to skip down this post to my tips and to see MY THANKSGIVING DAY MENU, scroll down to the very end.
Last year, I had the pleasure of doing some Facebook Live videos with Go Bold With Butter and I will be doing the same thing this year. Stay tuned for Tuesday, 11/13! One year, I had made four turkeys in preparation of my videos so by the time Thanksgiving rolled around, I was all turkey’ed out!
Last year we focused on make ahead side dishes and dessert. I don’t know about you guys but Thanksgiving Day is always crazy busy so I try to do as much prep work a few days in advance, as much as possible.
If you’re interested in watching previous Facebook live videos, here’s Day 1 from last year:
and Day 2. I will also be shooting more videos this year so stay tuned!:
This year, we’ll be with friends and family and we are so excited! If you’re in Madison, Wisconsin, I ordered my turkey from Underground Butcher, here.
The Turkey
We’ll be making this turkey: Butter Roasted Turkey. I was on the fence and couldn’t decide between a dry or wet brine so we’re going with a recipe we know will yield a great, delicious and juicy turkey. I also purchased a stuffing kit from Underground Butcher as well. And the dinner rolls!
The Ham
I’m buying my ham from Fox Heritage Farms. Stay tuned for some delicious ham recipes and videos (fingers crossed) with Chef Dan Fox!
Thanksgiving Day Sides
These recipes are winners: Brussels Sprouts and Mushroom Casserole, my slow cooker mashed potatoes, these brown butter and harissa roasted carrots and a sweet potato dish. We also have to have gravy, stuffing (of course, sometimes we make two!) and a healthier green bean casserole.
These green beans are delicious if you don’t want to make a casserole. Photo above.
Our Thanksgiving would not be complete without macaroni and cheese. My daughter, Madeline, loves this one. Or, if you have a few different cheeses, I love this one.
This Potato Gratin recipe is a MUST MAKE for Thanksgiving! The recipe is here. If you make it, let me know. My family went crazy for this last year so it’s a staple.
Thanksgiving Dessert
I’m definitely making these Pecan Pie Bars again and we must have pumpkin pie and vanilla ice cream.
Make this Chocolate Pumpkin Slab Pie, or simply pick up a pumpkin pie from the grocery store!
If you’re feeling fancy, you have to give this Pumpkin Buttercream Swiss Roll cake a try! It’s so good! Wishing everyone a safe and delicious holiday! See more TIPS below!
MY TIPS AND SHORTCUTS
Think about what’s important to you and your family: the sides, the turkey, the dessert? And then, make a game plan:
- Make a spreadsheet detailing the menu: what you are making, what you are buying, your shopping list, etc.
- Make Ahead: Many casseroles and side dishes can be prepped and made a day or two in advance! Be smarter about the side dishes you pick so you’re not in the kitchen all day on Thanksgiving.
- Use appliances that will help you! Your slow cooker, your pressure cooker. . use those appliances (and look for recipes that use these counter top appliances) so you are doing less! So many Thanksgiving Day side dishes can be made in your slow cooker. You can set it and move on to the next thing!
- You don’t have to make everything homemade. Take advantage of local shops and your grocery store for some delicious pre-made sides! Make some of the sides but buy some too! This will help you spend less time in the kitchen!
- Have a schedule for the big day! Know when you’re making what and at what time.
- Have an oven schedule: know what is going in, at what time and for how long and in what order.
- Have people help you! Assign family members different tasks! Get the kids involved too.
- As you are cooking things, transfer them into crockpots to keep them warm! And if you are already using your slow cooker, you are set!
- Have family members bring some sides and dessert! You don’t have to do everything.
- We tend to eat and nibble all day long on Thanksgiving, so we have a big cheese and charcuterie board out so people have something to snack on! Don’t spend too much time making lunch for example, if you are sitting down for Thanksgiving Day dinner. Just buy some cheese, charcuterie, fruit and crackers and you are good!
