Can you cook Thanksgiving dinner the day before?

Whether your family demands green bean casserole or scalloped potatoes alongside their turkey, these dishes can be prepped and assembled two whole days before the big event. Make sure to cover and refrigerate them, then stick the dish in the hot oven once you’ve taken the turkey out to rest.

How far in advance can you cook Thanksgiving dinner?

1. The Turkey: Prep It for Roasting. Of course you can’t cook the turkey now, but there are a few other little tasks that you can tackle, depending on how you plan to prepare the bird. If you’re planning on brining or dry brining your turkey, that can be done anywhere between one and three days ahead of time.

Can you make Thanksgiving side dishes ahead of time?

Most can be prepped, assembled, or even totally cooked anywhere from a day to a month in advance. From mashed potatoes and stuffing, to gravy and casseroles, these are the Thanksgiving sides to make ahead.

How far in advance can you make mashed potatoes?

These creamy, glossy mashed potatoes can be made up to two days before the big night without losing their velvety texture.

How early can you make pies for Thanksgiving?

Two to Three Days Before

Bake all pies at least a day before they will be served to develop flavors and set fruit-pie juices (at room temperature) or custards (in the refrigerator).

Do you cook the turkey first or the sides?

Yes, the last thing in your oven should probably be the turkey (unless you’re grilling or deep-frying). But any turkey should rest for at least 30 minutes before carving, so take full advantage. Your oven will be free to bake a batch of biscuits, or reheat any oven-baked side dishes that need to be warm before serving.

Can you prep stuffing the day before?

While many chefs agree that the celery, onions and meat can all be cooked ahead and tossed with your bread chunks on Thanksgiving morning, Gresham says you actually can make the entire stuffing ahead of time. And freeze it. “Nobody seems to realize you can freeze your stuffing beautifully,” she says.

What time should I start cooking for Thanksgiving?

When you should start cooking: Season the turkey the night before, and start cooking it Thanksgiving morning. While it’s best to actually cook your turkey on Thanksgiving day, Holzman recommends seasoning your turkey the night before.

Why is Thanksgiving dinner so early?

Sitting down for an earlier dinner allows for guests to arrive earlier, sit down for the meal without a long intermission between arrival and dinner, and allow time for the feast to settle in their system before making their way back home. It also allots a lot of time and people for dish duty shifts.

What side dishes can I make-ahead of time?

Make-Ahead Thanksgiving & Christmas Side Dishes

• Make-Ahead Sausage Stuffing.
• Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes.
• Quick & Easy Cranberry Sauce.
• Make-Ahead Parkerhouse Rolls.
• Broccoli Cheese Bake.
• Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow & Pecan Streusel.
• Cream Cheese Frosted Cranberry Bars.

Can you make sweet potato casserole ahead of time?

To make-ahead: You can prepare sweet potato casserole 1-2 days in advance. First make the filling and smooth into your baking dish. … Then bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. This is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish to make a day or two ahead of time, to save time and stress the day of.

How do you reheat mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving?

If you are reheating them in the oven, stir in the stock and butter pieces, then spread the potatoes out in a baking dish. Reheat at 350˚F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the potatoes reach 165˚F. Another nice thing about leftover mashed potatoes is that you can use them as a blank canvas and add in other ingredients.