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Whether you are hosting a big crowd for your Thanksgiving meal or the holiday will be a more intimate dinner with a small group of family and friends, planning can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be! Stick to our Thanksgiving checklist that will help you organize the shopping, prepping and cooking so that you’re not rushed or stuck in the kitchen.
1. Establish the guest list. Extend your Thanksgiving invitation to friends and family. The headcount will help determine your menu, from the size of the turkey to the number of side dishes, which you might select based on ease of preparation for the number of people you expect.
2. Order your turkey as well as any prepared sides or Order a full Thanksgiving meal prepared for you.
1. Confirm your guest list, and ask if there are food allergies or special dietary needs you should consider.
2. Set the menu. Traditional Thanksgiving fare can be delicious, but if you’re inspired to raise the bar on what to serve with the turkey, check out these suggestions for easy sides to take the holiday meal to the next level.
3. Create shopping list. Butcher Boy’s Thanksgiving Order Guide can lead the way, along with your recipes. Use it to make sure your pantry is stocked ahead of time.
4. Shop for non-perishables. A couple of weeks ahead of Thanksgiving is not too soon to buy the ingredients that won’t spoil.
5. Count your plates, platters, cookware, serving bowls and utensils to ensure you have everything you need. – rent, purchase, or borrow additional if necessary.
6. Count chairs and place settings – rent, purchase, or borrow additional if necessary. Don’t forget the kids table if you need one!
1. Decorate the house. Make it easy by using what’s available in nature – or in our produce section! You can create centerpieces with gourds of various shapes, sizes and colors.
2. Set up the bar. Check out Butcher Boy’s selection of micro-brews and wine. Set out clean glasses, pitchers and ice buckets.
3. Clear out your fridge and freezer. You’ll need to make room for your shopping bounty as well as the leftovers that come later. Purchase a supply of to-go containers, wrap and bags so that you can send your guests home with food and store the rest.
4. Pick up your turkey and shop for the rest of the items on your shopping list.
1. There is a lot you can do to prep the meal ahead of time and save yourself a full day in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day.
a. Prep the stuffing (but don’t bake it) This may involve cubing the bread and setting it out to stale a step one or if you don’t want to go through the trouble, you can order our traditional bread stuffing with Bell’s seasoning or our bread stuffing with dried apples and dried cranberries.
b. Prep the glaze for the turkey and make the gravy base (we found a great recipe for bourbon gravy for a twist on the traditional) To save time, you can also order our homemade turkey gravy.
c. Prep the cranberry sauce and any additional sides.
d. Just refrigerate and everything will be ready to go when it’s time to pull your whole meal together on Thursday.
2. Got pie? Make them now if you didn’t already put in an order to our bakery for an Apple crumb pie, pumpkin pie, cheesecake, or fruit tart.
3. Pick up any last-minute items you may need. Don’t forget the dinner rolls!
1. Chop the vegetables and refrigerate. If you don’t think you’ll have the time, you could also order vegetable dishes from our guide to include: mashed potatoes with real dairy, butternut squash, and green beans almandine.
2. Chill wine and beer.
1. Happy Thanksgiving! Consult our turkey roasting guide for notes on preparation and cooking times for your bird. Set your cooking schedule for the rest of the meal accordingly. Don’t forget the turkey should rest out of the oven for at least 20 minutes before serving, so you’ll still have time to finish preparing side dishes if necessary.
1. Heat up leftovers, make turkey sandwiches, continue to savor the flavors of Thanksgiving
Traveling or out of time? Let us help! Order freshly prepared dishes that can be heated and served as a delicious complement to any holiday table or you can order your entire Thanksgiving dinner complete with sides and dessert. All the details are available in our order guide.
We are taking Thanksgiving orders now so be sure to reserve your turkey and anything else you may need today!
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