Hands down, my most favourite meal to make, gather friends and family for, and of course, EAT!
Yes, I have single-handedly put this dinner on for family and gatherings through the years. Other times I have shared the workload. But truly, with a little planning, you too can prepare this feast, whether on your own, or with the willing hands of a few friends or family members.
Key To Success
Planning, planning, planning!
How many people will you be feeding? Is your table large enough to feed that number? Will you need an extra table? If I go beyond eight persons in my condo, I turn it into a buffet! But if your dining room is larger, then sit down is totally possible.
Plan the menu. If possible, don’t make every dish a new one to you. Practise or serve the dish a few times beforehand is always best. Or if there are dishes you just don’t like making (salad, side dish, etc) farm it out to a friend or sister to make.
Here are the dishes you should have on the table:
- turkey and gravy (duh)
- mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes (for the ones that can’t imagine the meal without the crispy exterior version)
- stuffing
- a green veggie (brussels sprouts, broccoli, green beans, you get it) It doesn’t have to mean cooking them, why not a great and easy to prep ahead Broccoli Salad?!
- salad
- cornbread or dinner rolls.
- Above that, include anything that the family insists must be there (I’m looking at you mac n cheese!)
- And these days, make sure that you have one or two dishes that contain a good amount of plant-based protein (for the ones who are trying to keep to a vegetarian diet etc)
- dessert (can be more than one)
Once you have the menu planned, determine which ones you will make, and which ones you would like others to help out with. If you are including others in the prep, and they have a favourite dish to make that fits in with your vision, ask them, they will be thrilled to showcase that dish. If they don’t have a preference, but are willing and able, then share a printed or digital copy of the recipe you were hoping to include. But don’t make it one that is a stress inducing endeavour. You want them to enjoy helping you out!
Prep, prep, prep!
So, you have the menu set. Do you have all the serving dishes? Think outside the box. You may not have a gravy boat, but do you have one or two creamer jugs that go with a coffee set? Setting two smaller ones at either end of the table works great. The platters and bowls don’t have to be from the same set. But if you have a colour theme or vibe in mind, collecting dishes in shades of those colours will all look cohesive in the end. You can never go wrong with white, cream, grey, brown, beige, mushroom, etc. These will all look great on the same table in the end.
Once you have the menu, look at the dishes you have and see if there is something for each dish of the meal. I actually pull out all the serving platters, bowls, serving cutlery etc out and label them with sticky notes, for what they will be used for. Leave them all set out on the table, and if there are outstanding sticky notes with the name of a dish on them, and no appropriate serving item, then borrow before buying!
This is the time to pull out the stemware, glasses, water jugs etc. Check for chips, whether there are water marks etc that need addressing. If you want fresh florals, get them one totwo days before. This will give them a chance to perk up and fill out. Even simple greenery like eucalyptus is quite striking on the table, and holds up well, even if you get in well in advance. In fact it dries beautifully so don’t worry about watering it!
Go ahead and actually set the table the day before. Then you won’t be rushing to set it as guests start arriving. Just keep any delicate stemware in the centre of the table, to avoid knocking into them until needed. Include salt and pepper shakers, butter dish, etc, anything that you may need but may forget where you store it if you don’t use it often. Think now, not the day of! This is a good time to plan your music, playlists etc. Have them ready to go, and then you won’t be worrying about ambiance on game day.
Prep the Meal
Groceries: Before going shopping, make sure that you have cleaned out the fridge of anything not absolutely needed. The last bit of yogurt, a half finished jar of artichoke hearts, it all adds up, and takes up valuable real estate for when planning on cooking a meal like this. So really, making a turkey dinner for a gathering starts well in advance!!
Make a grocery list, and check it twice against your recipes. Group like items together, and write down if you will need them for more than one dish. When picking up fresh herbs for cooking, pick up extra for garnishing the platters etc. Store as much out in the garage or cold cellar if possible, most root veggies will hold up quite well there. Clear off your counters of anything you will not be using to make the meal over the week.
For all the steps below, they are again laid out in detail in all my recipe posts.
Turkey: I actually like to have the turkey to work with, two days in advance. If I am preparing my Two Hour Turkey, I will debone the breasts, and thigh meat, and set them aside in the fridge with the drumsticks. Then I can take the carcass and wings (save one wing in case one person coming loves gnawing on the wing!) and making my turkey stock. Once you have made the stock, transfer it to clear containers and set it into the fridge to chill the fat. If the temps are cool (below 35F or 2C) then you can actually set the stock in the pot out in your fridge or on the balcony to set the fat. Remove the fat once solid and the stock is ready for gravy, stuffing etc. See my recipe for complete method of prepping and roasting the turkey!
Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, and Cornbread can all be made days in advance and stored appropriately.
If you are baking a cake of some sort, it can most likely be frozen before pulling out to frost. So go ahead and bake it in advance. A cranberry, apple, or fruit pie should be baked at least the day before. The same goes for pumpkin or sweet potato pie. If making something like creme brûlée, then it is best made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. Torch it in front of everyone, or let them do the work by torching their own!
On Turkey Day
Get up early. Have a coffee or tea. Turn on your favourite tunes.
Prep all the veggies and store them in bags or containers till ready to cook. Peel and cut the potatoes and put into a pot with cold water a few hours before you will cook them. They’ll be fine. Prep the salad a couple of hours ahead of time, placing the heaviest ingredients into the serving bowl, followed by the lighter ingredients, topping them with the shredded lettuces etc. Cover them with a damp paper towel and set this into the fridge. The towel will keep the veggies crisp till ready to dress and serve. There is nothing worse that having to prep a salad at the last minute.
You’ve already made the stock, so how to make the gravy in advance: Plan when to put the turkey in the oven based on the recipe you are using. I like to get it ready and roasted a good hour or two before I want to put it on the table This way you will have the drippings needed for the gravy. Go ahead and make the gravy while the turkey cools enough to slice. The turkey can then be sliced and transferred to a baking dish with gravy and covered with foil. Re-heat at 325F before serving. The gravy can be re-heated just before serving.
Mashed potatoes: I like to use a potato ricer for the smoothest, and easiest, lump free potatoes. You can boil the potatoes, drain them and keep them in the pot till ready to rice. Once riced and butter and milk have been added, place them into a stainless steel or glass bowl. Set this over a pot of simmering water. Cover the bowl with a lid or foil. The simmering water will act as a bain marie and keep the potatoes warm till ready to serve.
The final step in planning and prepping a meal like this for family and friends: Laugh!! It should be fun, a time to enjoy. So what if the potatoes have lumps, if the turkey is dry, or the brussels sprouts aren’t someone’s fave. You deserve a bottle of champagne for pulling off a time of feasting and laughing.
Here Are My Go-To Recipes for Turkey Day, the ones that can be made in Advance are Noted
Turkey
Sage Butter Two Hour Roasted Turkey with Cider Gravy This recipe contains links to fantastic potato and side dishes as well. Many can be made in advance
Rolled Turkey Breast with Wild Rice and Apple Stuffing Can be made in advance and warmed up
Sides
Mini Hasselback Potatoes Can be made in advance and warmed up
Fingerling Potato Confit with Garlic and Sage Can be made in advance and warmed up
Mini Salt Crusted Baked Potatoes Can be made in advance and warmed up
Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Cinnamon, Sumac and Pine Nuts Can be made in advance and warmed up
Sausage and Sourdough Stuffing Muffins Can be made in advance and warmed up
Tamari and Pomegranate Glazed Baby Roast Beets Can be made in advance and warmed up
Harissa Roasted Carrots Can be made in advance and warmed up
Broccoli Salad with Blueberries and Poppyseed Dressing Can be made in advance and chilled
Autumn Wild Rice, Kale and Apple Salad Can be made in advance and chilled. This dish is great for ones not eating meat, the dish is rich, filling, and has plenty of protein
Roasted Honeynut Squash Three Ways Can be made in advance and warmed up. This dish is great for ones not eating meat, the dish is rich, filling and has protein.
All Things Green and Herb Salad Can be made in advance and chilled
Squash and Chestnut Orzotto with Brown Butter Sage Can be made in advance and warmed up (just reduce the cooking time for the orzo by a couple of minutes)
Brilliant No Boil Mac and Cheese This dish is baked in the oven, no stove top required, Can be made in advance and warmed up.
Cheesy Cornbread Can be made in advance and warmed through.
Roasted Spiced Cauliflower and Chickpeas This is a great dish for vegetarian or vegan guests, can be made in advance and warmed through.
Desserts
Parsnip Cake with Vanilla Frosting
Brown Butter Honeynut Squash Cake
Spiced Apple Cake with Chai Frosting
Brûléed Apple Butter Custard Pie
Purple Sweet Potato Pie with Maple Cream
Walnut Cherry and Oatmeal Butter Tart Pie
What to Do With Leftover Turkey
Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash with Poached Eggs
If I’ve missed any recipes from the blog that you think should be included, or you have used with success for your own turkey dinners, please let me know, I’d love to hear what you include in your turkey dinner extravaganzas!
If you make any of these Autumn and Turkey Dinner dishes, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! It’s always lovely to hear from you guys, and I always do my best to respond to each comment or question. And of course, if you do make this recipe, and you post it on Instagram, don’t forget to also tag me so I can see! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is such a treat.
Love Jen
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