Thanksgiving Planner

When should I order my Thanksgiving turkey? What side dishes can be made ahead? Can my pies be made the day before? Here is my free downloadable guide to planning your perfect Thanksgiving meal. Plus I share the answers to your Thanksgiving dinner timeline questions with my complete list of tips plus 30 plus healthy recipes to help you plan your menu.

This post contains affiliate links. This post was originally published on November 20, 2014.

Planning Timeline- Countdown to Thanksgiving

3 Weeks to 1 Week Before Thanksgiving

*Now is the time to order your turkey if buying a fresh one.

Make Lists

Once you have downloaded your planner, use the printable to make your shopping list for non-perishible items and foods that can be purchased in advance. Plan your menu, Thanksgiving day timeline and your grocery list. I also make a detailed prep list for myself so that I don’t feel like I have to try to remember everything.

I usually have to make a few shopping lists. I’ll do one big shop the weekend before, and then sometimes a small one on Tuesday or Wednesday for the last-minute fresh items. I also know that it is rare that I can get everything at one store. So I’ll make a small list of specialty items that I know I may have to hunt for.

Buy Non-Perishables

Now is the time to make sure you have all the cooking equipment you need, and stemware etc. I recommend buying a high-quality digital thermometer (like this one.) Whether you are a seasoned pro or if you are cooking a turkey for the first time. It takes the guesswork out of cooking a perfectly roasted turkey. You’ll also want to order a heavy gauge turkey pan with a roasting rack if you do not already have one. This is the one I use.

Now is the time to buy non-perishables and the Booze, wine and beer. Have fun talking to the experts at the local wine shop about what you’ll be serving. I love to have a sparkling rose on hand and fixins for some sort of festive holiday cocktail. {in the name of research I say take these Lemon Drop Pomegranate Martini or Maple Whiskey Sour for a test run this weekend!}

Find a cool dry spot to store the liquor, beer and wine, but note that beer freezes at around 28 degrees so don’t leave it outside if it is going to be cold in your area.

I also stock up on seltzer and juices. And maybe a bottle of sparkling grape juice too for the kiddos. 

Make Plan For House guests

Since we are having out-of-town guests at our house, I will also be making lists for our other meals, and making sure that the linens are ready to go.

Bake ahead and Freeze Meals and Baked Items

If you also having house guests, I would recommend that you freeze anything for the time they are there, Stuffed Shells and Veggie Lasagna are great freeze-ahead ideas. I’m making this awesome sweet potato soup with peanuts and coconut and freezing it for the night before.

Now is also a great time to bake and freeze muffins and quickbreads. Just plan to defrost on Thanksgiving day and then rewarm in the oven to refreshen.

1 Week Before or The Weekend Before

Sunday before 1 pm: Go grocery Shopping. Saturday during the day the weekend before Thanksgiving is extremely hectic.

My recommendation is that if you can not get to the grocery very early on Saturday morning, it is better to actually wait a day, let the stores restock, and then go. As you know, it will still be more crowded than usual but Sunday morning is not nearly as bad as Saturday.

Thanksgiving Week

Sunday evening: Make pie doughs, wrap and refrigerate. Make salad dressing. Make cranberry sauce.

Monday: Pick up your fresh turkey. By the way, my guide to roasting the perfect Thanksgiving Turkey is here to answer any turkey-specific timeline questions.

Do any small prep jobs that can be done in advance, including toasting nuts, mixing dry ingredients for baking recipes. Make sure napkins are ironed. Make croutons and crostini and store them at room temp in a sealed container once completely cool and dry.

Tuesday: Make any other sauces, soups and dips. Including pesto and white bean puree for the appetizers. Make cornbread for stuffing. Pick up and arrange flowers.

Wednesday: Bake Pies and Prep stuffing. Trim green beans and brussels, peel potatoes and store them in cold water. If making vegetarian entree or casseroles that can be made ahead, you can make that now. If serving anything that needs to be roasted do it today. Buy ice. And before bed, get your turkey in the brine. It will need to be in for 10 to 16 hours.

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday: Paste your Thanksgiving Day Timeline on the kitchen wall. Then go take a moment to workout. Put on your apron, but keep your running shoes on. Roast Turkey. Make the sides, and get lots of helpers. Breathe. Make liberal use of your timers and thermometers. Have fun. Enjoy yourself.

Thanksgiving Recipes

• Drinks & Starters
• First Course
• Main Course
• Stuffing and Dressing
• Orange Vegetables
• Green Vegetables
• Mashed Potatoes and More Sides
• Thanksgiving Desserts

Thanksgiving Main Course Recipes

Here is the best Thanksgiving Turkey! It is brined and then roasted with garlic and herbs. 

Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese with Gruyere and Rosemary | This macaroni and cheese with butternut squash is a healthy make-over of classic macaroni and cheese nommed-up with whole-grain pasta, gruyere cheese, rosemary and loads and loads of butternut squash! I’m telling you, it’s the most perfect comfort food casserole ever!!

Thanksgiving Stuffing/Dressing Recipes

Sausage Cranberry Stuffing  | This is the recipe that earned me the nickname of “the Stuffing Lady.” It is that good!

Gluten-free Walnut Kale Quinoa Stuffing | You don’t have to be gluten-free to appreciate this recipe! It has classic stuffing flavors everyone will enjoy!

Cornbread Stuffing with Apples and Pecans| complete make-ahead instructions, a short-cut and a gluten-free option and a vegetarian version as well.

Whole Grain Side Salad Ideas

This Wild Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Arils or our Pumpkin Quinoa Thanksgiving Quinoa are two more vegetarian sides to consider.