Turkeys at Greenacres Farm, Indian Hill, Ohio
I love a homemade Thanksgiving dinner, but I have absolutely no problem taking a few shortcuts. Some things are worth making from scratch. Others? Not so much.
The trick is knowing where you can save time without sacrificing flavor. A good purchased ingredient, a dish made a day or two ahead, or a little help from your favorite bakery can make Thanksgiving a whole lot more enjoyable.
Here are some of my favorite ways to make the holiday easier.
Smart Shortcuts That Really Work
Turkey Stock & Gravy
Don't feel obligated to make homemade turkey stock. Good-quality purchased turkey or chicken stock makes excellent gravy, especially when you add the flavorful drippings from your roasting pan.
Choose unsalted or low-sodium stock so you can control the seasoning. For extra flavor, simmer it for 20 minutes with onion, celery, thyme and a bay leaf, then strain.
I prefer thickening gravy with cornstarch, which makes it smooth and glossy. It takes just a few minutes, and you don't have to make a roux.
Pie Crust
A good refrigerated pie dough or frozen pie shell can be a lifesaver. Transfer refrigerated dough to your own pie plate, crimp the edges and add a few pastry-leaf decorations if you're feeling ambitious. Nobody needs to know you didn't make the dough yourself. And if they ask, tell them!
Stuffing
Use good-quality seasoned bread cubes or herbed croutons instead of cutting and drying your own bread. Add sautéed onions, celery, fresh herbs, sausage and pecans, and you've got a delicious homemade stuffing with considerably less work.
Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce is so easy that I usually recommend making it yourself. But if you're short on time, start with a good-quality purchased whole-berry sauce.
Stir in orange zest, a pinch of cinnamon and a splash of red wine or orange juice. Warm it gently, then refrigerate until serving.
Sweet Potatoes
Microwave sweet potatoes instead of roasting them when you're making mashed sweet potatoes or twice-baked sweet potatoes. You'll save oven space and cooking time.
You can also buy peeled, cubed sweet potatoes. They're handy when you're cooking for a crowd.
Green Bean Casserole
Buy trimmed fresh green beans or use frozen whole green beans. Frozen beans can go directly into boiling water for a quick blanch before you assemble the casserole.
And those crispy French-fried onions from a can? They're a classic for a reason.
Pumpkin Pie
Use canned pure pumpkin. It's consistent, convenient and makes a terrific pie. But be sure you're buying pure pumpkin rather than prepared pumpkin pie filling.
Dinner Rolls
Buy them! There are wonderful bakeries throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky making excellent rolls and breads.
Warm them briefly before serving with good butter. They'll be delicious.
Whipped Cream
Freshly whipped cream is wonderful and I never skip it, but a good-quality purchased whipped cream works when you're pressed for time.
(For my Spicy Pumpkin Pie with Bourbon Cream, I do recommend whipping your own cream if you can. It's worth the few extra minutes)
Make It Ahead
One of the best Thanksgiving shortcuts doesn't involve buying anything. It's just getting things done before Thanksgiving Day.
Up to a week ahead
Make cranberry sauce and refrigerate.
Prepare and freeze pie dough.
Bake Grammy's Date Nut Bread and freeze it.
Make cocktail syrup.
Check serving pieces, utensils and linens.
Two to three days ahead
Make the apple cranberry chutney.
Prepare mashed maple sweet potatoes and refrigerate.
Bake pumpkin and pecan pies, following appropriate refrigeration guidance.
Make turkey stock, or purchase stock and have it ready.
Toast nuts and prepare other dry ingredients for recipes.
The day before
Assemble the green bean casserole, leaving off the crispy onion topping until baking.
Cook the sausage and vegetables for stuffing and refrigerate. Keep the bread separate until you're ready to assemble and bake.
Prepare the Autumn Pinecone Cheeseball.
Set the table and label each serving piece with the dish it will hold.
Chill wine and other beverages.
Make sure your gravy ingredients are measured and ready.
Let Someone Else Do Some of the Cooking
There is nothing wrong with ordering a few dishes or even the entire Thanksgiving dinner.
Maybe you love making turkey but hate baking pies. Order the pies.
Maybe your family insists on your homemade stuffing, but you're happy to buy the turkey and sides. Do it.
And if you'd rather make a reservation and have someone else handle the cooking and cleanup, that sounds pretty wonderful, too.
Check out my Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Thanksgiving Guide for local bakeries, farm-fresh turkeys, catered holiday meals and restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner.
My Favorite Thanksgiving Time-Saver
A few days before Thanksgiving, take out every platter, bowl, casserole dish and serving utensil you'll need.
Put a sticky note on each serving piece identifying what goes in it. Then arrange everything where you'll serve dinner.
You'll know whether you have enough serving pieces, and anyone helping in the kitchen can put things where they belong without asking you a dozen questions.
It's such a simple trick, and it makes Thanksgiving Day run much more smoothly.
One Last Thought
Make the dishes you love making. Buy the things you'd rather not. Accept help when it's offered.
And remember, your guests are coming to spend Thanksgiving with you. They aren't coming to inspect your pie crust.
A wonderful Thanksgiving doesn't have to be a lot of work. And for that, I’m grateful!
