Thanksgiving Planner and Checklist

Planning Shortcuts and Tips

1. Use shortcuts like pre-cut veggies in bags or trays, purchase cooked sweet potatoes, frozen bread dough rolls or buy them from a bakery, instant mashed potatoes, gravy from a packet or jar, refrigerated pie crust, or store-bought pies

2. Use multiple slow cookers to cook and to keep food warm (you can always transfer to bowls or platters before eating if you want all of the food on the table instead of doing buffet serving)

3. Use paper plates, plastic silverware, and disposable cups. There are so many beautiful, durable options available that can save you so much time after the meal is over.

4. Keep it simple. Pick a few favorites and skip the rest. Just because mom always served cranberry sauce doesn’t mean you have to.

5. If family or friends are joining you, ask them to bring some of the dishes. With slow cookers and insulated casserole carriers, dishes can be kept warm when driving short distances. Or they can be reheated before serving.

Two Weeks Before

If you know ahead of time that you are hosting Thanksgiving, you can make things easier by spreading everything out over the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving. But if you have less than two weeks, don’t stress! You can do the planning in an hour and make one big grocery shopping trip instead of a few smaller ones.

Finalize Menu: Figure out exactly what will be included at the Thanksgiving dinner and who will bring each item. The Thanksgiving Menu Planner includes Appetizers, Main Dishes, Casseroles, Salads, Additional Sides, Beverages, Desserts, and Condiments.

Gather/Print Recipes: Gather and print the recipes for all of the dishes you are making. If the recipes are in a cookbook, make a copy of the recipe or mark the page for easy access. Place them with your Thanksgiving planner.

Thanksgiving Shopping List

Write Shopping List: When making your shopping list, choose one item you are bringing/making at a time from the menu. Add all of the ingredients not already in your pantry to the shopping list.

Get really specific on the shopping list. Don’t forget items like coffee creamer, ice, salt, pepper, and butter. The printable Grocery Shopping List includes Produce, Meat/Deli, Dairy/Frozen, Dry/Canned Goods, Household, and Other.

Purchase Decorations: If you want some Thanksgiving or Fall decorations, it is best to purchase them ahead of time. The selection will dwindle as the holiday approaches, and it is one thing you can cross off your list. Decor items to consider are tablecloths, centerpieces, candles, mantle decor, wreaths, and porch decorations.

Stock Up On Dry Goods: This is also a good time to stock up on all of the household items such as toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, kleenex, dish soap, hand soap, paper plates, plastic cups, and disposable silverware. These items take up a lot of space in a shopping cart, so it’s better to buy them ahead of time.

Purchase Kitchenware: Figure out if you need any additional kitchenware, tools, or small appliances. This could include platters, bowls, casserole dishes, serving spoons, slow cookers, and pitchers. Purchase these items ahead of time or even order them online since you have plenty of time for delivery.

One Week Before

You’ve still got plenty of time, but there are a few things that should get done one week before Thanksgiving. The main thing is to buy the turkey ahead of time because it will need to be thawed before cooking.

Clean Out Fridge/Freezer/Pantry: Doing a cleanout/purge of the fridge, freezer and pantry will make space for all of the Thanksgiving groceries and show you if you are missing ingredients or if they are expired.

Shop For Non-Perishables: Now that there is room in the fridge, freezer, and pantry, you can shop for all of the non-perishable items on your shopping list. This includes all of the canned, boxed, and bottled items, as well as the freezer items.

Purchase A Turkey: You’ll want to purchase your turkey ahead of time so they don’t run out and because the turkey will need time to thaw. Buy about 1 pound of turkey per person unless you want leftovers or are big eaters, then increase that to 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 pounds per person.

Note When To Start Thawing The Turkey: Allow at least 24 hours of thawing time for every 4 pounds of turkey. Make a note in the planner on the day you need to put the turkey in the fridge and set a reminder in your phone as well.

Three Days Before

There’s still time to get big things done ahead of time and, therefore, make the last couple of days easier.

Deep Clean The House: Last-minute tidying up will still need to be done later, but the majority of cleaning can be done in advance. This might include things like cleaning windows, shampooing the carpet, dusting and polishing furniture, cleaning appliances, tidying the front porch, and scrubbing bathrooms. Have your spouse and kids help!

Arrange Furniture To Best Fit Guests: After cleaning, move couches for better flow or to make room for tables. Set up extra tables and chairs. If you don’t have folding tables and chairs, borrow them from friends or relatives.

Two Days Before

Grocery Shopping: Do the final grocery shopping, getting all of the ingredients and menu items on your list. Grocery stores are super busy! Go early in the morning or late at night to avoid the biggest crowds.

Set the Tables: Get the tables set ahead of time. Put on the tablecloths, table decor, plates, napkins, silverware, and glasses. Remember to leave your kitchen table open so that your family can use it tomorrow.

Figure Out How Long It Will Take To Roast The Turkey: Look at the turkey cooking times chart that is included in the Thanksgiving Planner. Figure out the roasting time by weight and stuffed/unstuffed. Add about 15 minutes of resting time. Count backward from when you want to eat, and that is when you should put the turkey in the oven. Write that time on the Thanksgiving Day planner sheet.

One Day Before

Put Baking Dishes, Recipes, and Non-Perishables On Counter: Take each Thanksgiving recipe and put it on the counter with the accompanying baking dish/pot/pan/crockpot and all of the non-perishable ingredients needed to make it. Everything will be ready for tomorrow!

Purchase Last Minute and Forgotten Items: Pulling ingredients ahead of time will let you know if there is anything you forgot to buy. Remember that most grocery stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day, so go buy them today!

Make Pies: Baking the pies ahead of time will free up a lot of time and oven space on Thanksgiving Day. Store them at room temperature or in the fridge according to the recipe instructions.

Clean and Cut Veggies: Get all of the vegetables cleaned, sliced, chopped, and diced. Store them in ziptop plastic bags in the fridge.

Final Cleanup Of House: Late in the evening or before bed, do a final cleanup of the house. This might include wiping down surfaces, putting away toys, shoes, and clothes, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming.

Thanksgiving Day

You’ve got this! You’ve prepared, and now you are ready for the big day!

Preheat The Oven: Adjust the oven racks to make space for the turkey. Preheat the oven so that it is ready when the turkey needs to go in.

Start the Slow Cooker Dishes: Some of the slow cooker dishes may take the longest to cook, so be sure to start them early.

Put Turkey In The Oven: Start the turkey with enough time to fully cook and rest for 15 minutes. If you figured this out previously, it should be written in your planner. Otherwise, check the turkey cooking times chart.

Prepare the Side Dishes: It okay if the side dishes get done ahead of time, you can warm them up right before serving.

Fill Trays, Platters, and Bowls: Put veggies on trays, bread on platters, and salads in bowls.

Make the Gravy: Or heat up the store-bought gravy.

Reheat Side Dishes: Put the side dishes in the still-warm oven after removing the turkey. They will stay warm while the turkey rests and gets carved.

Carve Turkey: Check out my guide for How To Cook a Turkey for my tips on carving.

Get our 13-page printable Thanksgiving Planner here.