Thanksgiving
The table, from two weeks out to the day.
46 days until Thanksgiving
Open the Thanksgiving menu
Thanksgiving Day showdown: Detroit vs. Dallas kitchens
Photos: PureMichiganChip and Johnsparks75, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Thanksgiving menu for November 26: a dry-brined turkey, the sides around it, and a make-ahead plan from two weeks out to the day of the meal.
The calendar
Make-ahead, from two weeks out
Each step is a recipe already on the site. The clock starts with the thaw and ends while the turkey rests.
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Two weeks out
Thaw the turkey in the fridge. A 12 to 14 pound bird needs several days, and the brine needs a day of its own on the calendar.
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Three days out
Mix the salt, sugar, pepper and thyme, rub it over and inside the turkey, and leave the bird uncovered on a rack.
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Two days out
Roast the wings and build the gravy. It keeps in the fridge for three days. The morning of the meal only has to finish it with the drippings.
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The day before
Cut the stuffing bread into cubes and leave it out to dry overnight, so it soaks up the broth without turning to paste.
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Morning of
The turkey starts at 425°F, then drops to 325°F. Boil and mash the sweet potatoes while it roasts. The carrots roast hot, and the maple goes on only at the end.
Dry-brined roast turkey with herb butterBrown butter mashed sweet potatoesMaple-roasted carrots and parsnips
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While the turkey rests
Give the bird at least 30 minutes. Deglaze the pan into the gravy, bake the stuffing until the top is crisp, and put the apple crisp in for 40 to 45 minutes.
Make-ahead turkey pan gravySage and sausage stuffingApple crisp with brown sugar oat topping
Before the bird
Appetizers
A pumpkin bisque, cranberry crostini, deviled eggs, and sweet potato rounds.
Turkeys
Mains
A dry-brined turkey, a glazed ham, and a cranberry pork tenderloin when the table is smaller.
The other centerpiece
Vegetarian
A mushroom wellington, a stuffed squash, and a lentil loaf with cranberry glaze.
The platter
Sides
Carrots, brussels sprouts, green beans, cauliflower, farro, and a rutabaga mash.
The mash
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes mashed with brown butter, orange zest, and a little spice.
The pan
Stuffings and gravies
Sage and sausage stuffing, herb stuffing muffins, a make-ahead stock, and a gravy started from wings.
The basket
Breads
Overnight cinnamon rolls for the morning, and sweet potato rolls for supper.
The glass
Drinks
Spiced cranberry cider, a pumpkin spice latte, and a maple bourbon old fashioned.
Pies and cakes
Desserts
Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple crisp, and the cakes, tart, and bars for the rest of the table.
Friday
Leftovers
The next pot starts with what is left of the bird, the stuffing, and a spoon of gravy.
A smaller table
Thanksgiving for two
A stuffed turkey roulade and two small pumpkin pies.
Before Thursday
Make-ahead
The brine, the gravy base, the stock, and the stuffing muffins. Everything that can leave the stove before the morning of the meal.
The full table
Every Thanksgiving recipe
Every dish tagged for Thanksgiving, including the holiday menu from earlier batches. 72 recipes.
