Hosting Thanksgiving can be a bit intimidating—after all, there’s a lot of prep work and planning involved. But with a little organization and the right approach, you can make it much simpler and more enjoyable. This guide will help take the guesswork out of Thanksgiving, breaking it down into manageable steps so you can relax and focus on enjoying the holiday.

Pre-planning:

Before diving into the kitchen, start with some essential pre-planning. These questions will help you organize everything:

• How many people are you hosting? This will determine your food quantities and seating arrangements.
• Are there any special dietary needs? Be mindful of guests with dietary restrictions so you can plan alternatives if needed.

Plan Your Menu

Thanksgiving is all about the food, so this is where your creativity shines! Here are the basics:

• Turkey! Decide how much turkey you need. Plan for about 1.5 pounds per person, more if you want leftovers.
• Sides: You’ll want a variety of starchy, vegetable, and fruit-based sides. Think mashed potatoes, stuffing, Brussel sprouts, and cranberry sauce.
• Appetizers: Light bites like cheese boards or veggies and dip keep your guests satisfied before the main event.
• Drinks: I like to make a Holiday Spice Old Fashioned for the apps and serve wine with dinner. A Chardonnay or a Riesling balances the rich flavors of turkey and stuffing.
• Dessert: Pumpkin pie is always my go to.

Essential Tools:

Here is a quick list of some of the things you’ll need that you probably don’t use day to day. Make your you have them in advance so you’re ready to go.

• Roasting Pan (for the turkey)
• Pie Pan and Pie Weights (for perfect crusts)
• Whisk (for gravies and sauces)
• Serving Bowls, Platters, and Utensils (enough to serve everything beautifully)
• Food Processor (for making compound butter or cranberry salsa)
• To-Go Leftover Containers (for sending guests home with food)

Your Thanksgiving Schedule:

Recipes From My Menu

Thanksgiving Turkey

I brine my turkey using an apple cider and citrus brine to infuse it with flavor and moisture, but I’ll also walk you through how to roast a turkey without brining. Either way, this guide will help you achieve a show-stopping centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast!

Check out this recipe

Thanksgiving Stuffing

Thanksgiving isn’t complete without a hearty, flavorful stuffing, and my go-to is a cornbread stuffing with a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors.

Check out this recipe

Potato and Cauliflower Mash

This Potato and Cauliflower Mash delivers all the creamy goodness of mashed potatoes but with a fraction of the carbs. The cauliflower blends seamlessly with the potatoes, making it a lighter option without compromising on flavor.

Check out this recipe

Cranberry Salsa

This Cranberry Salsa is the perfect combination of tart, sweet, and spicy, making it a standout dish that complements everything from turkey to appetizers.

Check out this recipe

Pumpkin Pie

No Thanksgiving is complete without a classic pumpkin pie, and this recipe is my go-to every year. With a little decorative flair and some fresh whipped cream, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Check out this recipe

Holiday Spice Old Fashioned

My favorite twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, this version is sweeter and adds those holiday flavors of cinnamon, orange, apple, and pumpkin pie spice.

Check out this recipe

Herb Compound Butter

This butter is the cornerstone of my holiday cooking, and I use it in everything—mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and to flavor the turkey itself. Made with fresh herbs, garlic, and high-quality butter, it adds a rich depth of flavor to every dish.

Check out this recipe

The Mega Shopping List

Here is a list of everything you need to make my menu