My Step-By-Step Guide to Hosting Thanksgiving
Ever since we moved into our house five years ago we have been hosting Thanksgiving. I have two older brothers that live far away and it is an eight hour drive to my parents house. Since my parents are retired, and it’s a far way to drive for a long weekend, my parents started coming up here. I’ve had fun learning each year how to cook the whole meal (with the help of my mom). I’m excited to share what I’ve learned over the years!
One Week Before Thanksgiving
- If you’re buying a frozen turkey – buy it now!
- You can go ahead and make your cranberry sauce and store it in the fridge. This is the recipe I use every year! Fruit Infusion Cranberry Sauce
- Stock up on wine.
Sunday Before Thanksgiving
- Print out recipes and make a list of necessary ingredients.
- Clean out your refrigerator.
- Go shopping for the remaining items on your list.
- Put your turkey in the refrigerator to thaw.
Day Before Thanksgiving
- Cut up bread for stuffing. Season as desired and place on a cookie sheet overnight to dry.
- Chop vegetables and herbs for stuffing and store in the fridge.
- Make your pies, cover, and refrigerate.
- Prepare any make ahead side dishes and store in the fridge.
- Chill drinks.
- Set and decorate the table.
Thanksgiving Morning
- Prepare stuffing, cover and refrigerate. My mom is in charge of the stuffing and I don’t have her recipe. We don’t actually stuff the turkey with it.
- Since it’s just the four of us I make a turkey breast in the slow cooker. I use a liner for easy cleanup.
- Clean the turkey. I unwrap the turkey breast and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut off the skin with poultry shears, and discard.
- Salt and pepper the breast liberally. Plop it breast down into the slow cooker. Wash your hands thoroughly!
- Cut up an onion coarsely and push some pieces down next to the turkey and put a few in the rib cavity. Add a stick of butter on top. Pour two cups of white wine over the top. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours. Use a meat thermometer to test doneness – it should register at 170°.
Three Hours Before Dinner
- Start green beans. Again, this is my mom’s job and I don’t have her recipe!
- Make sweet potatoes. This recipe is my go to! Maple Pecan Sweet Potatoes
Two Hours Before Dinner
- Make mashed potatoes. This is how I do mine. Very Best Mashed Potatoes
30 Minutes Before Dinner
- Remove the turkey from the slow cooker onto a platter. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
- Make gravy.
- Place side dishes in serving bowls.
- Light Candles
Serve Dinner!
- Serve the wine.
- Set out a pitcher of water.
- Make sure there is salt and pepper on the table.
After Dinner
- Serve dessert.
- Everybody go Black Friday Shopping!
I hope breaking it down step by step makes hosting Thanksgiving seem a little less daunting. Don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of wine and remember that the holidays are about spending time with those you love. Cheers!
