Our ultimate Thanksgiving hosting guide is here! From planning to plating, this comprehensive list covers everything you need to know. Discover daily tasks, recipe recommendations, a portion guide, and essential tips to ensure a memorable Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a day to reflect on what you’re thankful for and to celebrate time with your loved ones. While hosting may seem stressful, we’re here to bust the myth and share our tips and tricks for a stress-free, enjoyable dinner for you and your guests. Whether you’re hosting a small family dinner or a large friendsgiving, our list will prepare you from start to finish!
Planning and Preparation
Proper planning and preparation when you host Thanksgiving dinner will result in a successful, stress-free day! In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, you need to establish the guest list, plan the menu, create a shopping list, and make a detailed timeline.
Guest List
- Create a guest list - Establish how many guests you’ll host and if they plan on bringing anything. Once you have the guest list established, you can figure out how much of each dish to make.
- Send invitations - Send out festive evites, mailed invitations, or make some phone calls to let your guests know you’re hosting this year.
- Note dietary restrictions - Invitations and RSVPs are a great way to ask about dietary restrictions and allergies, too.
Menu Planning
- Plan the menu with crowd favorites - Make a list of your favorite classic Thanksgiving dishes that everyone loves. Some of ours include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce. Once you have a list of the popular favorites, you can add some non-traditional dishes as well.
- Create a balanced menu - When planning your menu, make sure you have a good balance of protein (e.g. turkey, roast chicken, tri tip), starchy sides (e.g. stuffing, mashed potatoes, and rolls), fresh vegetables (e.g. green beans, butternut squash, salads, and cranberry sauce), and classic Thanksgiving desserts, like apple crisp and pumpkin pie.
- Keep in mind any dietary restrictions - If guests have dietary restrictions, it’s thoughtful to have a few dishes that fit their needs and can be fed to the rest of your group. For example, if you have dairy-free guests, make sure you have milk- and butter-free options, like dairy-free mashed potatoes.
Thanksgiving Portions
Here are our recommended Thanksgiving portions per person to help you plan your shopping list:
- Appetizers - 4
- Turkey - 1-1.5 LB
- Stuffing - ¾-1 cup
- Mashed potatoes - ½ cup
- Gravy - ½ cup
- Cranberry sauce - ½ cup
- Vegetables - ½-1 cup
- Rolls and sliced bread - 1-2
- Pie - 1-2 slices
- Drinks - 1-2 per hour
Shopping List
- Create a grocery list - Gather all of your recipes and make a list of the ingredients, then create a comprehensive shopping list. Don’t forget drinks!
- Efficient shopping - Make a shopping list based on the grocery store (e.g. Trader Joe’s, Costco, Sprouts, etc.) and department (i.e. dairy, produce, butcher, etc.) to make the shopping trip faster.
Time Management
- Timeline - Create a detailed timeline for the entire event, including cleaning your house, setting up the tablescape, creating a drink station, and making all of the recipes. Be as detailed as possible to help you manage your time and add plenty of buffer for any mishaps!
- Tips for efficient food preparation and cooking - Find common ingredients across multiple recipes and prep those ingredients. For instance, if you have chopped onion for stuffing and turkey, chop enough onion for both recipes and store so it’s ready as needed.
- Tips for plating - Lay out all of the serving dishes and bowls you want to use and write on painter's tape which recipes are for which serveware. This will help you stay organized when plating the finished recipes.
- Kitchen tips - Empty your dishwasher and clean as you go! This tip alone will save you time and stress.
Food Preparation Tips
Turkey
- Choose the right size turkey - Choosing the right size turkey. Plan for 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person. You can also opt for turkey roulade or a lemon roasted chicken for a smaller group.
- Defrost - Defrost the turkey in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in a microwave oven. It takes 24 hours to defrost 5 pounds of turkey. If you have a 15 pound turkey, it will take 3 days to defrost.
- Brine - Decide on a wet or dry brine. Both result in moist, tender turkey and both have their pros and cons. A wet brine infuses the flavor and moisture quickly, but the skin doesn’t get very crisp. A dry brine relies on the turkey’s natural juices and results in crispier skin. Brine the turkey for at least 8 hours in the refrigerator. We recommend Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt for an additive-free, clean salty taste.
- Truss - Truss your turkey for juicy, evenly cooked meat. Check out our step-by-step tutorial on how to truss a bird.
- Roast - Use a large enough roasting pan to accommodate the turkey and roast for 20 minutes per pound. The turkey is ready when the thigh meat reaches 165°F and the juices run clear.
- Tips - Don’t forget to baste your turkey for juicy results! Allow the turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to distribute in the meat.
Side Dishes
- Make ahead of time - Make your dishes that keep well a day or two ahead of time. Since your turkey will take up oven real estate on the day of Thanksgiving, opt to make your other baked sides a day or two ahead of time. On the day of Thanksgiving, focus on stovetop recipes, like mashed potatoes and homemade cranberry sauce, that can be prepared and cooked while the turkey roasts.
- Reheating techniques - Reheat your prepared dishes on the stovetop (our preference!) or in a microwave.
- Side dish recipe inspiration: twice-baked mashed potatoes, orange and cinnamon cranberry sauce, maple and pecan kabocha squash, pear and prosciutto arugula salad, maple brussel sprouts, miso mashed potatoes, and roasted honeynut squash.
Desserts
- Classic Thanksgiving desserts - Opt for the classics, like pumpkin pie, apple pie, and pecan pie. Add one or two fun and unexpected recipes to mix it up, like pumpkin spice tiramisu. Make these 2-3 days ahead of time to give you enough time for the savory dishes.
- Make your own whipped cream - Homemade whipped cream is so easy and delicious!
Drinks
- Variety - Have a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for your guests. The rule of thumb for wine is 1-2 bottles for every 4 guests. You can also make a batch of Fall Sangria in addition to classic wine.
Setting the Table
- Pick a color scheme and theme - Select 2-3 colors that tie back to the season.
- Rent tables, chairs, and more - If you’re hosting a large crowd, opt for renting tables, chairs, dinnerware and glassware, outdoor heaters, and more.
- Add layers - Layer different textures and materials to create visual interest! Opt for a textured linen table runner, greenery, bud vases, and candles.
- Create Ambiance - Light some candles of different heights to add a glow to your table. I love mixing tapered and votive candles.
- Create a proper tablesetting - Set the table with dinnerware, glassware, and flatware. If you’re hosting a big crowd, opt for high-quality compostable dinnerware or dessert plates to reduce cleanup.
- Add place cards - This is optional, but makes a big impact. Make personalized place cards using a paper tent or tie handwritten place cards to the stems of seasonal fruit, like pears, mini apples, or mini pumpkins.
- Crackers - Add crackers to each place setting for a fun unexpected surprise for guests.
Hosting Tips
Welcoming Guests
- Create a warm and inviting atmosphere - Play some swanky and festive holiday music, have drinks and appetizers ready, and make sure the temperature is comfortable.
Manage the Dining Room
- Efficiently serve food - Family-style at the table and buffet-style at a food station are both great options for a crowd.
- Keeping the dining room tidy - Throw away used napkins, clean and load plates into the dishwasher before serving dessert, and recycle wine and beer bottles.
- Spills and accidents - Spills and unexpected issues may arise, but don’t worry – it won’t ruin the day! Make sure you have plenty of paper towels, cleaning spray, and stain remover on hand. If you have a rug, we highly recommend this carpet and upholstery cleaner (it’s good enough for pet stains and red wine alike!).
Storing Leftovers
- Leftovers containers - Have compostable to-go containers and bags for guests to take leftovers home.
- Freezer bags and containers - For larger servings of leftovers, opt for freezing them in silicone containers. Use a label to clearly label containers with the dish and date.
- Freeze portions - Divide leftovers into appropriate portions to avoid waste or having to reheat too much at once.
Have Fun Hosting
Hosting a successful Thanksgiving dinner is a labor of love, but with careful planning and a little bit of organization, it can be a truly rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can create a memorable celebration that your guests will cherish for years to come. Remember, the most important ingredient is spending quality time with loved ones, so relax, enjoy the festivities, and let the good times roll!
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