Hosting Thanksgiving? This Cooking Schedule Will Help You Plan Your Feast (2024)

Thanksgiving is more of a marathon than it is a sprint—and you can quote us on that! The day requires a little advanced planning, some make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes, and a few hours to cook, but that shouldn't discourage you from making it to the finish line! All it takes is a good Thanksgiving timeline to keep you on track. Ree Drummond says that making the day run smoothly is all about starting early: "I count backward from Thanksgiving and make a list of what has to be done the day before, two days before—all the way back to Monday," she says. That's why we've created a handy-dandy timeline for your holiday dinner.

From prepping your Thanksgiving side dishes in advance to planning out when to brine the turkey and how early you can make the holiday desserts, this timeline will guide you through all the steps for when to cook everything on your Thanksgiving menu. Not only will this Thanksgiving game plan keep you organized but it'll ensure that you have plenty of time for your other favorite Thanksgiving traditions (like watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade). "I never want to feel overwhelmed on Thanksgiving," Ree says, "To me, that defeats the purpose of the holiday, which is supposed to be about spending time with family and friends!"

Start planning early by gathering your Thanksgiving recipes and creating a menu that fits your family. You'll feel good about knowing what you're going to make in advance. Then, you can get started on a few freezer-friendly dishes. You can make and freeze turkey stock up to three months ahead (this is a good shortcut if you're enjoying a pre-Thanksgiving turkey dinner) and get your pie crust stashed in the freezer. Now is also a good time to send out your invitations, gather your Thanksgiving table decorations, and delegate any dishes you want your guests to bring.

We're getting closer! Now is the time to make your Thanksgiving shopping list. If buying a frozen turkey, you can get that now assuming you have space in the freezer. Otherwise, consider reserving a fresh turkey from the grocery store, if possible, or read further for when to buy a fresh turkey. You can also clean out your pantry and pick up any staple ingredients, like flour or spices, that you might need. If there's still space in your freezer, there are plenty of casserole dishes or Thanksgiving soups that can be made in advance and kept frozen.

Let's go shopping! You can pick up most of your ingredients the weekend before Thanksgiving. If you have a large 20-pound frozen turkey, you'll also want to put it in the refrigerator the Saturday before since it takes about 24 hours for every four to five pounds to defrost. (Note: smaller birds will take less time, so just follow our guide on how to thaw a turkey).

Ree's Thanksgiving cooking kicks off four days before the holiday. "I like the ritual of starting on Monday and prepping all week," Ree says. "When Thursday rolls around, there's still a ton to do, but I'm ready to reflect and be thankful." Four days before the big dinner, you can make your gravy in advance or even your cranberry sauce.

As you get closer to Thanksgiving, you can prep and chop your veggies and other ingredients in advance. Nuts can be toasted, turkey brine can be made, and bread cubes for stuffing can be left to dry. You can also make your salad dressing and keep it in a jar in the fridge.

Only two days left until Thanksgiving—we can practically smell the excitement! Now is when you can make Ree's creamy mashed potatoes (the whole thing can be prepped ahead, covered with foil, and stored in the fridge). You can also make your stuffing without baking it and prepare other casseroles like your sweet potato casserole (just finish with the toppings and baking on Thanksgiving Day). Some Thanksgiving desserts, like mini pumpkin cheesecakes, can also be made entirely two days ahead. And don't forget to pick up your fresh turkey one or two days before the holiday!

The day before the big day is a big day itself (say that 10 times fast!). This is when you’ll brine the bird! You'll want to submerge the turkey at least 16 hours ahead, but no longer than 24 hours before cooking. You can make your Thanksgiving pies—they’re even better when they have a chance to set up, so you'll definitely want to tackle them a day before. And prepare your big-batch beverages, like apple cider sangria. Frozen dishes can be taken out the night before to defrost in the fridge. And don't forget to set the table! That’s one less thing you have to worry about on Thanksgiving day.

At long last—Turkey Day is here! First things first, you'll want to set your alarm to get started early. Bake your breads first thing in the morning, then take the turkey out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.

Depending on the size of the turkey, it can take anywhere between three to six hours to cook. (Note: if you have a 20-pound bird, it can take four and a half hours in the oven.) While the turkey is cooking, assemble any last-minute casseroles and make any Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes.

Remove any dishes from the fridge before reheating to take the chill off. Plate your appetizers and put the finishing touches on your Thanksgiving desserts.

Allow the turkey to rest and reheat any sides, gravy, or casseroles before your guests arrive. You can use your slow cooker to keep things warm. Just before serving, toss together your salad and plate anything you want onto platters. Tidy up the kitchen, put on your Thanksgiving playlist, and get ready to eat!