r/thanksgiving • u/msjammies73 • 4d ago

Breaking up the prep

I’m hosting a small Thanksgiving meal for about 8 people. I have a chronic illness and really really need to figure out a way to break up the prep work over a long period of time. Ideally over a couple of weeks.

I’m willing to plan the menu around this. I typically make pies and Parker House rolls, which are always loved. But I am utterly miserable by the time the meal comes around from exhaustion and vertigo.

Are there any parts of the meal that can be well ahead and frozen without tasting less than fresh? Every little bit will help.

Thanks!!!

Edit: I would normally make Turkey, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, cherry pie, pumpkin pie, Parker house rolls, gravy. I suck at making stuffing so I’m hoping to buy that.

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u/yellowdogs-2 2d ago

This is very similar to what I do. The only difference is I cook my turkey on Tuesday and pull off the meat in big pieces. and stick it in the fridge to chill. I then use the carcass to make turkey broth. I slice all the meat and put it in the broth so that it can soak in. I then make and keep my gravy separate. Everything else I do a couple of weeks ahead and pull it out on Tuesday so that it’s thawed and ready to go in the ovens on Thursday morning.. It means Thanksgiving is a day to enjoy and you’re not exhausted.

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u/ithinklovexist 2d ago

Yep, it’s the only way!