Thanksgiving Prep Guide: Part 2

Master Thanksgiving with this comprehensive guide

Hey there! If this is the first post you're seeing please go back and read part 1 of my Thanksgiving Prep Guide.

Part 2 starts now!

It’s Thanksgiving day! Pour yourself a hot cup of coffee and get ready to start cooking! You can do this!

Bring the turkey to room temp. Remove the thawed turkey from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Remove the package of gizzards inside.

Prep the turkey. Dry the turkey well with paper towels. Rub it with the herb compound butter and season accordingly with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Place the turkey in a roasting pan on a roasting rack.

Add broth to the bottom of the roasting rack to prevent drippings from smoking. Option to add peeled carrots, onions and celery to the broth if you’re planning to use the drippings. This will add more flavor.

Cook the Turkey. The turkey will take the most time in the oven so it is best to start cooking this first. Cook the turkey according to the size.

How to cook turkey. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the turkey for 13 minutes per pound if it’s unstuffed, and 15 minutes per pound if it is stuffed. Try not to open the oven too often as this can dry out the meat. If you notice the turkey getting too brown, lightly tent it with foil and continue cooking. The juices should run clear and the internal temp should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure doneness.

For more information from the USDA click here. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.

Make side dishes. Make the other side dishes based on longest to shortest cook times. You’ll also want to consider whether it is something that can be easily heated last minute. I like to make cornbread pudding last because it is best enjoyed immediately. Where as the cranberry sauce recipe can be made ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Prep the butter for the rolls. Slice butter and place it on two separate plates to allow it to soften for easy spreading. Place one plate of butter at each end of the table. To be used for dinner rolls.

Prepare the citrus. Add sliced lemon and / or limes to a plate and place them on the table. This is a nice touch for people who like to add lemon to their water.

Prep the bar area. Have an ice bucket and cocktail napkins out. Make sure you have garnishes like sliced lemons, limes, cherries and cocktail olives available for your guests. Also set out your alcohol and corresponding mixers so guest can help themselves. And don’t forget your infused ice cubes!

Make the appetizers. Make the appetizers right before guests arrive so they are hot. Some of the apps have components that can be prepped ahead of time. Serve appetizers on small appetizer plates or cocktail napkins. It’s best to keep the apps light and easy. Mixed nuts, marinated olives or gourmet chips are all nice options too!

Entertain Like a Pro

• Make sure your guests are offered a drink upon arrival.

• Have appetizers ready to go when people arrive! Setup a kids table for littles.

• Play some light music to set the scene and have the lighting set. Soft mood lighting is nice. Candles offer soft lighting that is warm and welcoming.

• Be sure to thank everyone for joining. Have to-go boxes so friends and family can take leftovers.

Simple Yet Gourmet Appetizer Recipes

• Three Ingredient Boursin Cheese Cups

• Baked Feta with Honey and Sticky Walnuts (20 minutes)

• Roasted Artichokes and Beans over Whipped Pesto Ricotta

• Crispy Phyllo Wrapped Brie Roll-Ups (Air Fryer)

• Burrata Bruschetta Dip

• Boursin Cheese Fig Dip

Easy Yet Elevated Salad Recipes

• Celery Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

• Five Ingredient Simple Fall Salad

• Cherry Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts

• Chopped Fall Pasta Salad

Classic Side Dishes

• Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes

• The Best Southern Candied Sweet Potato Recipe

• Creamy Green Bean Mushroom Casserole

• Cornbread Pudding Recipe

• Easy Canned Cranberry Sauce

Showstopping Vegetables Side Dishes

• Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans, Cranberries and Goat Cheese

• Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts

• Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash

• Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Apples

• Crispy Oven Roasted Carrots

Sweet Endings

• The Best Pumpkin Pie

• Rainbow Sorbet Mimosa

• Cranberry Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

• Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Orange Spiced Cookies

Ways to Use Leftovers

• Stuffing and Cornbread Pudding Waffles. Leftover cornbread pudding or stiffing can be used in this recipe.

• Sweet Potato Turnovers. Leftover candied sweet potatoes can be used in this recipe.

• Copycat Gobblerito. Everything but the kitchen sink goes in this recipe!

• Leftover Stuffed Chicken Rollatini. Perfect way to use leftover sides.

Must Have Tools for Thanksgiving

Disposable To-Go Containers, Fat Separator needed for perfect gravy, Electric Knife essential for carving the turkey perfectly, Potato Ricer essential for creamy potatoes, Favorite Knives, Roasting Pan with Rack, Polishing Clothes for glassware.

Check out ALL my favorite Thanksgiving Items!

If you have any questions or want to share pictures of your thanksgiving creations, make sure you join the Hello Homemade chat!