Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas in Houston
Thanksgiving is the official kickoff of the holiday period! And this means planning a fantastic Thanksgiving Day dinner that includes the timeless turkey and all the trimmings. But Thanksgiving will still feel different this year. Huge gatherings may not be encouraged, but individual families can still meet for more intimate celebrations. Are you wondering how to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu? Here is a list of Thanksgiving dinner ideas in Houston.
Thanksgiving Turkey
The turkey is the main event for the Thanksgiving holiday, but it is not easy to prepare. If you devote some time to learning a few bird basics, you’re a lot more likely to have a less difficult time with the main event on Thanksgiving Day. However, you plan on seasoning your turkey; just know, a 20-pound turkey can take up to five days to thaw in the refrigerator (one day per 4 pounds). If you are using a brine, be sure that that the bird has 12 hours to marinate.
Thanksgiving Soup
Soups are perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, and fortunately, fall soups can be made a week or so in advance. Make a big batch of your favorite and freeze it.
On the morning of Thanksgiving, you can take it out from the freezer so that it’s ready to be reheated just before serving.
Thanksgiving Gravy
There are many gravy recipes available online; some call for drippings from the turkey or the turkey giblets, and others can be made without any of that if you have a vegetarian guest. But if you want to use parts from the actual bird to enhance the flavor, make the gravy two days in advance, and refrigerate it, then reheat so it’s all set for pouring over your sliced turkey.
Thanksgiving Stuffing
Stuffing mixture bought in stores comes together quickly and can be enhanced by adding fresh veggies like celery and onions, but homemade stuffing can take a little longer to prepare. If you plan to serve homemade stuffing for Thanksgiving, prepare it a day ahead and refrigerate it till you’re ready to bake, this will help cut down cooking time the day of.
Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes
Peel your potatoes a day before and store them, covered in cold water, in the fridge. Then all you will need to do is boil and mash them as the turkey is resting. Make sure you don’t forget plenty of butter and consider adding mix-ins for a tasty mashed potato dish.
Thanksgiving Casseroles
Casserole dishes can be prepared two whole days before the special day. Be sure to cover and refrigerate them, then stick the dish in the hot stove once you’ve taken the turkey out to rest.
Thanksgiving Salads & Cold Side Dishes
You can prepare some lettuce and veggies for autumn salads two days ahead for easy setup on Thanksgiving morning. While you’re at it, slice all the herbs needed for garnishes and other recipes, this will help cut prepping time the day of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce
There are two types of people who love canned cranberry sauce and those who don’t. Either way, having cranberry sauce at your Thanksgiving dinner is a must. There are many recipes for fresh cranberry sauce available, but most people will be happy just with the canned stuff. Either way, serve it chilled or at room temperature.
Thanksgiving Desserts
Baking is way too time-consuming to bother with when your extended family is around, and most desserts can almost always be made in advance. Make things less complicated on yourself by making pie dough one week before Thanksgiving day, then portion it into disks and freeze. Two days before, move the dough to the refrigerator to defrost so you can bake up on Thanksgiving Eve.
Pumpkin and custard pies can be chilled overnight, while pecan and apple pies do best whenever kept at room temperature.
Thanksgiving Drinks
Last but not least are the beverages; there are many festive Thanksgiving drink recipes for all ages. From ginger-cranberry sparklers to Thanksgiving punch, there are many drinks to please the crowd. Many of these drinks can be made ahead of time, chilled, and be ready for Thanksgiving day.
