Thanksgiving dinner has a reputation for being one of the biggest cooking days of the year. Between the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, pies and everything in between, it can feel like there are a hundred things to remember—and somehow, they all need to be ready at the same time.
But after making Thanksgiving dinner year after year, you learn something important: the secret to a stress-free Thanksgiving isn't doing everything on Thanksgiving Day. It's knowing what to do ahead of time.
A little planning goes a long way. Some ingredients can be bought weeks ahead, some dishes are better when they're made in advance, and some things—like the turkey and mashed potatoes—are best saved for the big day.
So consider this your tried-and-true Thanksgiving game plan, from the first grocery trip to the moment you sit down at the table.
2–3 Weeks Before Thanksgiving: Make Your Plan
Before you buy a single ingredient, decide what you're actually making.
A classic Thanksgiving menu doesn't have to be complicated. Start with the essentials:
- Roast turkey
- Classic stuffing
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Sweet potato casserole
- Green bean casserole
- Roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts
- Cranberry sauce
- Dinner rolls
- Pumpkin pie
- Pecan pie or another favorite dessert
Once your menu is set, make one master grocery list. Go through every recipe and write down everything you'll need, including ingredients you might already have in the pantry.
This is also the time to check your kitchen equipment. Make sure you have a roasting pan, meat thermometer, enough serving dishes and utensils, and plenty of refrigerator and freezer space.
Start With the Pantry
Don't wait until Thanksgiving week to discover you're out of salt, flour, butter or chicken stock.
Stock up on shelf-stable ingredients early, including flour and sugar, salt and pepper, herbs and spices, stock, canned goods, baking ingredients, nuts, cooking oils and anything else that can sit comfortably in your pantry.
This is also a great time to make sure your spice cabinet is ready for Thanksgiving. Benissimo's collection of flavored salts, peppers, herb blends and seasonings makes it easy to keep classic Thanksgiving flavors like garlic, onion, thyme and paprika on hand without buying a dozen individual spice jars.
A well-stocked pantry is one of the easiest ways to make Thanksgiving cooking feel manageable.
1–2 Weeks Before: Shop for What Can Wait
Now is the time for your first big grocery trip.
Buy the ingredients that will keep well for a week or two, especially pantry staples, canned goods, baking ingredients, onions, garlic, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, celery and other sturdy produce.
What Can You Buy Early?
Buy now:
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Onions and garlic
- Carrots and celery
- Apples and cranberries
- Canned and boxed ingredients
- Flour, sugar and baking ingredients
- Nuts
- Stock and broth
- Frozen vegetables
- Bread or rolls that can be frozen
- Cooking oils and pantry seasonings
Wait until Thanksgiving week:
- Turkey, unless frozen
- Fresh herbs
- Green beans
- Brussels sprouts
- Salad greens
- Fresh dairy
- Fresh bread, if you're not making or freezing it
Don't Forget the Freezer
Freezer space is your best friend during Thanksgiving week.
If you're buying a frozen turkey, give yourself plenty of time to thaw it safely in the refrigerator. A large turkey can take several days to thaw, so don't leave this until the last minute.
You can also freeze bread for stuffing, dinner rolls, pie dough and many prepared desserts. Homemade stock, gravy and cranberry sauce can also be made ahead and frozen, then thawed in the refrigerator before Thanksgiving.
The Days Before Thanksgiving: Get Ahead
Once Thanksgiving week arrives, look at your menu and ask yourself one question: What can I get out of the way now?
The answer is more than you might think. Desserts, cranberry sauce, pie dough, stuffing components and sweet potato casserole can all be prepared ahead of time. Chop your onions and celery, trim your vegetables, peel your potatoes and measure out your ingredients so they're ready to go. You can even assemble many casseroles the day before and simply bake them on Thanksgiving. Set the table ahead of time, pull out your serving dishes and make sure everything you need is easy to reach. The more prep you do before Thanksgiving morning, the more time you'll have to focus on the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and other dishes that are best served fresh.
A Few Flavor Shortcuts Worth Keeping Handy
Thanksgiving doesn't need complicated recipes to taste special. Sometimes the easiest way to make a familiar dish feel a little more memorable is to start with a flavorful ingredient.
Benissimo Roasted Garlic Oil
A Thanksgiving workhorse. Use Benissimo Roasted Garlic Oil for roasting the turkey, sautéing vegetables for stuffing, roasting potatoes and vegetables, or adding a savory garlic finish to just about anything on the table.
Benissimo Maple Bacon Sugar
Bring a little sweet-and-savory flavor to your Thanksgiving favorites with Benissimo Maple Bacon Sugar. Try it on sweet potatoes, use it to make candied pecans or walnuts for pre-dinner snacking, or mix it into softened butter to serve with warm dinner rolls.
Benissimo Balsamic Garlic Oil
Made with half oil and half balsamic vinegar, Benissimo Balsamic Garlic Oil is an easy way to add savory garlic flavor and a touch of balsamic sweetness. It's especially delicious on vegetables that caramelize beautifully, like roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts, but don't be afraid to drizzle it anywhere a little sweetness and acidity would complement the dish.
Don't Forget the Seasonings
A well-stocked Thanksgiving pantry should always include plenty of herbs, spices, salts and peppers. Benissimo's flavored salts, peppers and seasonings feature familiar favorites like garlic, onion, thyme, paprika and other classic flavors that can be used across your Thanksgiving menu.
Keep a few of your favorites within reach and you'll have an easy way to add flavor to everything from turkey and stuffing to vegetables and potatoes—without pulling out half the spice cabinet.
Thanksgiving Day: Keep It Simple
When Thanksgiving morning finally arrives, the goal is not to start from scratch. It's to finish what you've already started.
Get the turkey in the oven with plenty of time to spare, then work your way through the sides based on how long each one needs to cook. Save the dishes that are best fresh—like mashed potatoes, gravy and roasted vegetables—for Thanksgiving Day, while reheating or finishing the dishes you've already prepared.
And don't forget to give yourself some breathing room. The turkey needs to rest, the gravy may need a few extra minutes, and something will inevitably take longer than expected.
That's okay.
You've planned ahead.
The Best Thanksgiving Secret? Don't Do It All on Thanksgiving.
The difference between a stressful Thanksgiving and a relaxed one usually isn't how talented you are in the kitchen. It's how much you've already done before Thanksgiving morning.
Shop early. Freeze what you can. Prep your vegetables. Make your desserts. Assemble your casseroles. Set the table. Stock your pantry with dependable ingredients.
Then, when Thanksgiving Day arrives, you can focus on the things that really deserve to be made fresh—and spend less time wondering, What am I forgetting?
With flavorful, versatile pantry staples like Benissimo oils, salts, peppers and seasonings on hand, you can add big flavor without adding extra steps.
Because Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work.
It shouldn't have to be stressful.
