Tips and Tricks for Hosting a Fantastic Thanksgiving Dinner!

Have you been given the task of hosting the big Thanksgiving dinner this year? No problem! We’ve got you covered! Check out these amazing tips from Betty Crocker to make your Thanksgiving a huge success.

Tips and Tricks

Delegate Tasks: They key to the success of any feast is having a list you can master, so it can help to assign some side dishes and desserts to guests while you focus on the turkey, gravy, and stuffing. Don’t feel you need to stop there, though. If you want, you can add one or two other dishes if you feel confident!

Practice Makes Perfect: If you are eager, and have time to spare, try out a couple recipes on your family or friends before the main event. This will help you be more confident when Thanksgiving arrives and you will know what works and what doesn’t.

Take Shortcuts: Not everything has to be made from scratch! Save yourself some trouble by supplementing with Pillsbury Crescent rolls. Purchase all your non-perishables in the weeks before the holiday to avoid last-minute runs to the store.

Think About Crowd Control: Too many guests and not enough room at the table? Serve dinner buffet style! Another tip is to set out simple snacks right away, such as cheese and crackers and a veggie platter, so that people aren’t crowding all in one area (especially the kitchen!)

Timing is Everything

Shop Ahead: Make sure you have your grocery list fine-tuned in advance. Do most of your shopping in advance (non-perishables at least a week ahead; perishables one or two days before). That way you are not using precious time on Thanksgiving day.

Bird is the Word: Turkeys can be finicky, so schedule in an extra hour more than the recipe time to give your turkey a half our to rest and extra time in case it takes longer to cook. If it finishes ahead of time, no problem! You can keep in warm in a foil covered pan.

Start with a Clean Slate: An interesting tip is to make sure the dishwasher and sinks are cleaned out before the guests arrive and the meal starts. Thanksgiving typically uses up more dishware than any other holiday, so the more space you have in the washer, the less work space will be taken up by piles of dirty plates and bowls.

Setting the Table

Dish it Up: Set your table or buffet one or two days ahead of time to make sure you have enough supplies and space. Make sure to include serving platters and bowls, as well as any take-out containers for your guests. This will also save you time in those last minutes before dinner is served.

Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to mix up your place settings. Layered tablecloths, new flatware, Grandma’s china – the eclectic flair will make the holiday feel personal and special.

The Feast

Be Ready to Roast: Invest in a good roasting pan and rack – both are important to help the turkey cook evenly and to catch the pan juices. You will need a reliable meat thermometer to aid you in checking how it is cooking and to gauge a more accurate serving time.

For more suggestions and good Thanksgiving tips, check out www.bettycrocker.com! And have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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