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Homebody Eats » Entertaining

Printable Thanksgiving Checklist (Free Planner PDF)

Published: Mar 8, 2021 · Modified: Feb 28, 2022 by Jessica Mode · This content may include affiliate links.

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Need help planning Thanksgiving dinner? Grab this printable Thanksgiving checklist and get to planning! The timeline checklist covers everything from what you need to prep ahead of time, to your timeline for cooking. This is the perfect checklist to ensure your food and house are ready for Thanksgiving hosting.

cheese board with wine glasses and bread.

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Let me guess...you're here because you're the one who volunteered to cook Thanksgiving dinner!

Well, you've come to the right place. I've got the best tips for preparing for the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner with ease.

No need to worry that you forgot something or that you won't be prepared. This printable Thanksgiving planner covers it all! It will give you an exact to-do list with all of the planning items you'll need to successfully host Thanksgiving dinner.

Jump to:
  • How Does The Thanksgiving Checklist Work?
  • Thanksgiving Timeline Checklist
  • Thanksgiving Prep Timeline
  • What's Included in Thanksgiving Dinner
  • How Much Food Should I Make For Thanksgiving?
  • 8 Important Cooking Tools You'll Need

How Does The Thanksgiving Checklist Work?

Whether this is your first time planning Thanksgiving or you're a seasoned pro, you probably understand that Thanksgiving dinner requires a lot of work. That's why I've built a Thanksgiving hosting checklist (it's even printable) so you won't forget any details.

Plus, it'll help you plan out the perfect timeline so you're not overwhelmed and can enjoy Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

Here's how the printable Thanksgiving checklist works:

  1. Sign up to receive the Thanksgiving planning checklist directly in your email inbox.
  2. Sit down and read through the checklist to have an idea of what you need to do.
  3. Mark deadlines/upcoming prep in your calendar so you won't forget a thing.

Thanksgiving Timeline Checklist

This Thanksgiving timeline will walk you through everything you need to do so you are able to enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner with your family & friends!

    ​

    Thanksgiving Prep Timeline

    Wondering how to get ready for Thanksgiving? Here's the exact hosting checklist you'll need to follow.

    The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner Schedule to Keep You Organized - Homebody Eats

    One Month Out

    • Create a guest list.
    • Invite your guests and tell them what time you're eating. Ask guests about any food allergies. If necessary, ask them to bring a dish.
    • Confirm you have all the necessary cookware and serving dishes. You can see my favorite Thanksgiving cooking items below.
    • Purchase a frozen turkey, or reserve a fresh one from your local grocery store.

    Two Weeks Out

    • Confirm your Thanksgiving menu. I've got many ideas below about what dishes to include on your menu.
    • Print out all the recipes you'll be using. Read through them and make any necessary notes.
    • Write out a grocery shopping list. Take note of items already in your pantry, and items that still need to be purchased.
    • If you're planning on any special touches such as table decor, gather those items.
    • Find the perfect playlist for your party.

    One Week Out

    • Check in with guests to make sure they are still coming.
    • Go grocery shopping. I like to screenshot the recipes on my phone just in case I need to peek at them while I'm shopping.
    • Purchase some extra bags of ice for your drinks.
    • Deep clean your house. Clean the things that haven't been cleaned in a while, but won't get dirty in the next week. Only leave last-minute tidying for the day before. Make sure to hit your bathroom, living room, and any other areas your guests will be using.
    • Begin cleaning out the refrigerator so there’s enough room for Thanksgiving food. If you bought a frozen turkey, put it in the fridge to start thawing. Allow 24 hours of thawing time per 4 or 5 pounds of turkey, as the USDA advises. Place it on a tray to catch any liquid.

    Tuesday (2 Days Before Thanksgiving)

    • Get out serving platters and tableware. Label each serving platter or bowl with a sticky note to denote which dish will be served in it. Don’t forget to find the proper serving utensils for each item on the menu.
    • If possible, pre-set the table or buffet area.
    • Run to the grocery store one more time for any last-minute items you forgot.
    • Brine the turkey. This can be done 1-3 days ahead of time.
    • Start making some of the dishes that can be prepped ahead of time like cranberry sauce, pies, desserts, and salad dressings.
    two wine glasses filled with red wine sangria.

    Wednesday (1 Day Before Thanksgiving)

    • Set up your drink station. Get out any pitchers and glasses for water and cocktails. If you have a beverage tub, you can set that out for any soda, wine, and beer you want to keep cold.
    • Chill your drinks.
    • Last-minute cleaning and tidying. Make sure your counters & tables are cleaned off.
    • Clean and trim your vegetables.
    • Start on any homemade dough so they have time to proof.
    • Begin prepping elements of the dish like chopping up veggies, measuring out spices, or preparing the items for appetizers.
    • Consider making stuffing or casseroles that can easily be reheated.
    • Write out a game plan schedule for tomorrow. What time do dishes need to go in the oven or start reheating?
    • Wash and empty the dishwasher one more time before you go to bed.

    Thanksgiving Morning

    • Prepare the turkey for roasting.
    • Place your turkey in the oven to start cooking.
    • Work on the side dishes (preparing/reheating as necessary). Remember to use a crockpot to warm dishes where possible.
    • Prep any cocktails.

    Hours Before Guests Arrive

    • Take out the trash.
    • Run the dishwasher one last time.
    • Take premade foods out of the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature before reheating.
    • Begin heating up side dishes in the oven and on the stove.
    • Plate up your appetizers.
    • Set your drink station up 30 minutes before your guests arrive. Always make sure you have a pitcher of water.
    • Start some music.

    30 Minutes Before You're Ready To Eat

    • Carve the turkey. Make sure it has had time to rest.
    • Make the gravy (if using turkey drippings).
    • Finish re-heating any last-minute dishes.
    • Clean up the kitchen as much as you can.
    • Plate up all the dishes.
    roasted and golden brown crispy potatoes on a blue plate.

    What's Included in Thanksgiving Dinner

    To plan for your Thanksgiving dinner, you'll want to make a menu. Here is a list of many popular Thanksgiving food ideas.

    Mix and match to choose the ones that make sense for you. The dishes will vary depending on how many people you're hosting, family traditions, guests' food allergies, and guests' likes/dislikes:

    Appetizers:

    • Cheese board
    • Deviled eggs
    • Dip and crackers
    • Crostini
    • Mini appetizer bites

    Drinks:

    • Beer
    • Cocktails
    • Mocktail (non-drinker/kid-friendly)
    • Water
    • Wine or sangria

    Main Dish:

    • Ham
    • Turkey
    • Vegetarian/Vegan-friendly main (like lasagna)

    Side Dish:

    • Baked potatoes
    • Brussel sprouts
    • Carrots
    • Collard greens
    • Corn
    • Cornbread
    • Cranberry sauce
    • Gravy
    • Green beans
    • Macaroni and cheese
    • Mashed potatoes
    • Rolls
    • Salad
    • Stuffing
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Yams

    Dessert:

    • Apple pie or apple crisp
    • Cookies
    • Ice cream
    • Pecan pie
    • Pumpkin pie
    • Sweet potato pie
    fall charcuterie board.

    How Much Food Should I Make For Thanksgiving?

    In order to figure out how much food you need to prepare for Thanksgiving, use these suggested serving sizes as a jumping-off point. You know best how much your family and friends typically eat, so be sure to prepare according to their normal appetite.

    FOOD ITEMAMOUNT PER PERSONFOR 10FOR 20
    Appetizers (cheese/ charcuterie board)2 - 3 ounces of cheese
    4 - 6 slices of meat per person
    20 - 30 ounces of cheese
    40 - 60 slices of meat 
    50 - 75 ounces of cheese
    100 - 150 slices of meat
    Appetizers (dip)3 ounces per person30 ounces75 ounces
    Appetizers (individual bites i.e. deviled eggs or puff pastry bites)6 bites per person60 bites150 bites
    Ham (boneless)⅓ pound per person3 ⅓ lbs8 ⅓ lbs
    Lasagna/ Mac and Cheese1 cup per person10 cups25 cups
    Pie1 - 2 slices per person10 - 20 slices25 - 50 slices
    Rolls1 - 2 per person10 - 20 25 - 50
    Salad1 cup per person10 cups (2.36 kilos)25 cups
    Side dishes (grains)½ - 1 cup per person5 - 10 cups18 cups
    Side dishes (pasta)½ - 1 cup per person5 - 10 cups18 cups
    Side dishes (vegetables)1 cup per person10 cups25 cups
    Soup1 cup10 cups25 cups
    Turkey1½ - 2 lbs of meat per person15 - 20 lbs of meat per person 40 lbs of meat per person
    stuffed butternut squash on a dinner plate.

    8 Important Cooking Tools You'll Need

    To assist you with cooking Thanksgiving dinner, there are a few tools that will be helpful. Remember to purchase these tools early enough so they're not sold out.

    1. Roasting pan with rack: This is a must if you're roasting a turkey at home.
    2. Meat thermometer: Another necessary cooking tool to test the temperature of your meat - no dry, overcooked turkey over here!
    3. Chef's Knife: A good quality chef's knife is important for all the prep work and cutting you'll be doing.
    4. Baking sheets: You'll need a few different baking sheets so you can flip-flop different dishes as they need to bake in the oven.
    5. Casserole dish: This is one of my favorite tools. You can bake your macaroni, casseroles, or veggies in it.
    6. Slow cooker: A great tool to keep dishes warm so you can prep them early in the day.
    7. Pie pan: A must if you're making homemade pies.
    8. Storage containers: You can't forget storage containers to save all the leftovers.

    Love this guide? Please leave a comment below. Don't forget to follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest for more recipes.

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