Our Ultimate Thanksgiving Survival Guide
From how long to cook the turkey to the right way to set the table, we have all your questions covered in this Thanksgiving guide.
Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture.
Published on November 1, 2023
Sponsored by Shipt
November has officially begun, which means it’s time to start preparing for your Thanksgiving feast. Since hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is almost always a daunting task that requires plenty of planning and preparation, we’re here to guide you through the process, so you can have a stress-free holiday that you might even enjoy. As you’ll see, a little extra effort before the fourth Thursday in November is the key to hosting a smooth, delightful Thanksgiving celebration that won’t break the bank.
In this handy holiday survival guide, you can find everything you’ll need to know about planning and serving an unforgettable (yet affordable) meal for your friends and loved ones. We’ve got it all covered—from when to buy your bird to what to do if your gravy is just a tad too salty—as well as every small-but-important detail in between. And the best part: our guidance and tips are designed so that you can rejoice in the holiday as well. Here’s what you need to know in order to survive (and thrive!) this Thanksgiving.
Turkey Talk
Like it or not, turkey is Thanksgiving’s undisputed star. Sure, it might not be everyone’s favorite item on the menu, but no Turkey Day spread is truly complete without, well, turkey. And while cooking a picture-perfect turkey certainly isn’t impossible, even a seasoned pro will tell you that it requires foresight and effort. For example, in order to figure out the best time to buy your turkey, you must first decide if you’re in the market for a fresh or frozen bird. If you’re going the frozen route (which is the more popular choice), you can purchase your turkey up to a year in advance and store it in your freezer. If fresh turkey is on the menu, plan to procure the main course a day or two before you intend to serve it.
Once you’ve bought your turkey, it’s all about properly thawing and cooking the bird so you actually have something juicy and delicious to eat on Thanksgiving Day. When deciding how long to cook your turkey, the most important factor to consider is the weight of your bird, along with whether it’s fully thawed or not. The temperature at which you cook your turkey, however, is more dependent on the cooking method you use. While 425 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal starting temperature for an oven-roasted turkey, a smoked turkey should be cooked at a slightly lower temperature, between 325 and 350 degrees. And while there are countless turkey recipes to follow, we’re partial to this easy, classic Thanksgiving turkey recipe.
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