Participating in a Thanksgiving meal is a time-honored tradition that many Americans eagerly await. These 8 Thanksgiving hosting hacks for stress-free entertaining can help you prepare for your big gathering.
Thanksgiving Hosting Hacks for a Stress-Free Entertaining
Tips to Prepare for the Big Day
1. Split up your grocery shopping trips.
Instead of making a mad dash to the grocery store the day before Thanksgiving, split up your shopping trips. A week out from Thanksgiving, grab the non-perishables you’ll need. Then, when Thanksgiving is a few days away, you can make a shorter trip to the store to get fresh ingredients and any items you forgot on your first trip.
2. Cook and freeze items prior to Thanksgiving
Avoid being overwhelmed with cooking on Thanksgiving by cooking and freezing certain food items. For example, homemade gravy, casserole, and pie filling are great options for cooking ahead and freezing. That way, on Thanksgiving, you can simply assemble and reheat.
Cooking Tips to Make Your Life Easier
3. Revive overcooked turkey with chicken broth
If you overcooked your turkey, don’t stress! Warm chicken broth can revive an overcooked turkey and even help with reheating leftovers. Chicken broth is also a great option for loosening up gravy or adding moisture to the sides.
4. Add lemon juice to cranberry sauce to combat sweetness
Making homemade cranberry sauce is a dance of sweet and tart flavor for the perfect side. However, if your cranberry sauce is too sweet, a dash of lemon juice can help balance it.
5. The best way to thicken gravy might not be flour
Instead of thickening your gravy with flour, Chef Bryan Voltaggio advises using tapioca starch because it gives gravy a nice consistency — not too thick or thin and not gelatinous — plus it’s gluten-free!
6. Save time on peeling potatoes and garlic
Peeling vegetables can be a long process that slows down your cooking flow. To peel potatoes faster, make a small cut in the middle of the potato and boil in salted water until tender. Drain water and rinse with cool water to have the skin slip right off. To easily peel garlic, cook the bulb in your microwave for 15 seconds to steam the skin, making it easier to remove.
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