What foods can I make ahead for Thanksgiving? Lots and lots! Start preparing early. The more you can make ahead, the better. Less stress!

Make a List

Before you start shopping. Make a list of all the ingredients you need for each side, turkey and dessert. Then check off what you have. From there see what is fresh and what is perishable. Shop for fresh foods for the week of.

Buy Certain Items Way in Advance

Buy pantry items ahead, such as flour, chocolate chips and nuts for desserts. Canned items and frozen items can also be purchased ahead of item. Canned items, such as vegetables and purée pumpkin, pasta for mac and cheese, are some examples.

Other things to purchase in advance are foil and disposable pans. I already purchased my turkey pan! If your hosting, disposable take home dishes are great to have on hand.

Fresh Items

Purchase fresh items the week of so it stays fresh, of course. You can always prep those items a few days before Thanksgiving. Peel the potatoes and squash and wrap them up. Same goes for onions and garlic. Marinade your turkey and let it sit in the fridge for a few days.

Desserts!

This one is great because you can make your desserts ahead of time and freeze them. Make cookie dough and freeze. If your making a pie, freeze once prepared or bake, cool and freeze. With this step all you have to do is let it thaw out. If not you can always just bake it the day of. So many options!! Chocolates and candies can be made a few days before and will stay fresh.

Leftovers

Plan what you want to make with leftovers. A lot of times it’s a thanksgiving sandwich. Buy some nice ciabatta or sourdough bread as part of your thanksgiving shopping. Make some turkey soup or enchiladas. Here some ideas on what to make with those leftovers!

What do you start making ahead for Thanksgiving?