Menu Planning: Thanksgiving Dinner

It’s that time of year that when the weather gets cooler, the food gets warmer. And, with colder weather approaching, November is the perfect time to embrace heartier meals. It’s also the time to think about your Thanksgiving dinner plans. The holidays can be stressful, but you can reduce some of that stress by planning early.

Holiday Meal Planning Tips

When planning your Thanksgiving menu, make it as detailed as you can. Plan what appetizers you’ll serve, plan for the main course, a few side dishes and desserts. Once your menu is set, make a thorough shopping list to avoid last minute trips to the store.

Early planning also gives you the opportunity to consider your guest list and any dietary restrictions they may have. While you may not be able to accommodate everyone’s specific needs, it will help you to create a menu that everyone will enjoy. Here are four tips to consider:

Plan Ahead and Delegate Tasks. From your menu list to guest list to shopping list, planning ahead of time gives you more control. Be sure to delegate a task or two as well. For example, if a guest has a specific dietary need or restriction, have them contribute to the meal.
Make and Stick to a Timeline. Creating and sticking to a cooking, baking and cleaning timeline gives you more control and ensures everything is ready on time.
Make a Realistic Menu. Trying new things is great, but don’t over-complicate your holiday menu. If you plan to try something different be sure to try them ahead of time to see how easy or difficult it is to make and if it’s worth the effort. Choose a few dishes that can be made ahead of time or see what dish can be brought by a guest.
Cook Ahead of Time. Making what you can ahead of time may help to reduce stress on Thanksgiving day. Even if the dish needs to be reheated on Thanksgiving, prepping it ahead of time helps. Don’t forget to use your crock pot or instant pot to make things easier. Consider ordering or using pre-made meal items like dinner rolls, too.

Thanksgiving Meals: Themed Menu Ideas for November

Holiday meal planning does not have to be a daunting task. With a little bit of planning and some organization, you can create a stress-free and delicious holiday feast. Here are some Thanksgiving meal suggestions to get you started – including some ideas for those leftovers, too.

Main Course

What to serve for the main course is fairly simple with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. However, other protein-based or even plant-based meals make great alternatives, too.

Side Dishes

You certainly can’t go wrong with classics when it comes to Thanksgiving side dishes. And, these are the parts of the meal that are easy to delegate to others.

Dessert

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that the most common Thanksgiving desserts incorporate pumpkin and apple in some way. However, other fall desserts are always a welcome addition to the dessert table as well.

Leftovers

Don’t let your leftovers go to waste. Any extras can be turned into a new meal for another time, so go ahead and portion out any leftovers and freeze them for future use.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. By planning ahead and following these tips, you can plan, execute and enjoy a stress-free and delicious Thanksgiving meal. Remember to enjoy the process and spend time with loved ones. And, for weekday menu inspiration, be sure to check these other themed menus and desserts to make your meal planning easier. Happy Thanksgiving!