Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, football, and giving thanks, but preparing a holiday meal can feel overwhelming when everything needs to be ready all at once. With a little planning and a realistic timeline, you can spend less time rushing around the kitchen and more time enjoying the day with family and friends.

Start Planning Early

In the early weeks of November, create your guest list and menu for family and friends. Check that you have all the cooking and serving dishes, even the ones that mysteriously never made it home after last year’s dinner. And be sure to clean the oven. The week before Thanksgiving, finalize your grocery list, assign dishes to family members if necessary, and start thawing the frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Allow approximately three days to thaw a 12-pound turkey and six days for a 24-pound turkey.

Prepare Ahead

Use the days leading up to Thanksgiving to complete as much preparation as possible. On Monday, finish shopping and prepare items that can be frozen. On Tuesday, make cranberry sauce, prepare vegetables, bake cornbread for dressing, and set the table. Wednesday is a great time to bake pies, prepare roll dough, and peel potatoes for the next day. Remember to refrigerate foods that require cold storage, including pumpkin pie and other custard-based desserts.

Create a Thanksgiving Day Timeline

If you plan to serve Thanksgiving dinner at noon, work backward from that serving time. The following schedule provides a general guide, although preparation and cooking times may vary depending on your oven, recipes, and turkey size.

• 7:00 a.m. Preheat the oven and begin roasting the turkey.
• 8:00 a.m. Finish preparing the salad and refrigerate.
• 9:00 a.m. Shape refrigerated roll dough and allow it to rise. Or skip this step for pre-purchased rolls and take a 30-minute coffee break.
• 9:30 a.m. Prepare sweet potatoes for baking.
• 10:00 a.m. Assemble the dressing.
• 10:45 a.m. Assemble the green bean casserole.
• 11:00 a.m. Check the turkey’s internal temperature. The turkey must reach 165°F in the thickest parts of the breast and the innermost parts of the thigh and wing.
• 11:10 a.m. Prepare mashed potatoes and gravy while side dishes bake.
• 11:30 a.m. Check side dishes and bake the rolls as oven space becomes available.
• 11:50 a.m. Arrange food on serving dishes and bring everything to the table.
• 12:00 p.m. Gather around the table, give thanks, and enjoy the meal!

Keep Food Safety in Mind

Timing matters, but food safety matters more. Keep perishable foods refrigerated at 40°F or below until preparing or serving. Keep hot foods at 140°F or above and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Never rely on appearance alone to determine whether turkey or casseroles are fully cooked; use a food thermometer.

With a little preparation and a well-planned schedule, Thanksgiving dinner can be, with fingers crossed, a little less stressful and more enjoyable. Remember, the goal is not a perfect meal; even if it’s burnt, it’s about making memories with the people gathered around your table.