Thanksgiving Master List For 20 People

I wanted to post this so I don't have to do the leg work year after year.  lol!  Hopefully this helps someone else out too.   Please note I do not have pies, or rolls listed.  That's because they will be brought by a family member.  Adjust accordingly.

Don't be too shy to ask guests to bring something to contribute to the meal.  Keep in mind that out of town guests should bring things that don't need refrigeration.  Items could include pies, rolls, drinks, paper products (plates, cups, napkins), canned or bottled beverages, etc...

I like having a master list ready so I can slowly start buying non-perishable items starting a month before so the financial hit doesn't seem as bad.  That way I can also pick things up as they go on sale. Make sure to keep your list with you when you go shopping.  I have not added a shopping list here because I've already purchased several items.  Maybe I can update that later ;)  I also like to use as many paper products as possible so the clean-up is much easier and I get to enjoy more time with my family vs in the kitchen.  One must have for me are Chinet White Platters.  They come in a 24 pack, are super heavy duty and large!  This is perfect for the one huge meal out of the year - Thanksgiving! I do use real silverware.  Sams Club is a great place to get replacements as ours seem to disappear on a regular basis.  Must be those fairies!

Enjoy!

Set Up:

Coffee/tea station with everything needed (powdered cream, sugar, kcups, teas, hot cocoas disposable coffee cups.)

Appetizers on the main table along with cold beverages.

Main food on counter by sink.  

Pies/desserts on counter in front of sink.

Noon Appetizer/Snacks:

Cheese cubes, salami - platter

Crackers, pretzels - platter/bowls

Chex mix - small bowls

Veggie and dip tray - tray

Candycorn in candy dishes

Deviled eggs

3:00pm main meal:

Roasted and smoked turkeys 18-20lbs each (we like to have leftovers)

Mashed potatoes (18 cups)

Gravy (2 quarts)

Sweet potato casserole - make 2 1/2 recipes

Mini bundt stuffing - Matt makes the stuffing.

Green bean casserole (3 recipes)

Cream cheese corn

Rolls and jam

Cranberry sauce

Pumpkin pie 3-4 pies

Spice cupcakes - 24 cupcakes (that's one cake mix)

Pepsi, Canada Dry, Lipton or Arizona Tea, and bottled water.

Pan sizes:

9x13 = 15 cups

9x5 loaf = 8 cups

9x9x2 = 8 cups

9’ round = 6 cups

Thanksgiving Timetable:

5 days before:

Purchase turkeys

Day before:

Double check toilet paper, paper products, trash bags and food items.  If you're missing something, go and get it;) 

Cut all possible veggies for appetizers, and stuffing. Cut cheese into cubes and salami.  Platter the cheese and salami.

Cook sweet potatoes in the crockpot, mash and refrigerate.

Set up drink station

Place cranberry sauce in serving dish, cover and put in fridge.

Make cupcakes 

Set out all dishes and serving utensils for the next day.

Pick up ice.

Sit out all canned food, and spices on the counter.

Make seasoned butter for turkey. *See turkey tips below.

Day of:

9:00am - cut bread cubes and toast.  Set aside till later. place cold drinks outside.  Mix up frosting (canned frosting, powdered sugar and cream cheese) and ice cupcakes.

9:45am set turkey out to come to room temp if 20 pounds

10:15 - start prepping turkey

10:30 - place turkey in oven.

11:30 - set out appetizers, and plates/napkins, get cold drinks from outside.

2:00pm - take turkey out and set aside drippings.  to cover or not to cover?  that is the question.  Tenting with foil can cause soggy skin. Put stuffing in oven.

2:15pm - make gravy, start mashed potatoes  

2:30pm - start cream cheese corn, and put sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole in the oven. 

3:00pm - Get everything on the oven and carve the turkeys.

Now my friend is the time to eat your fantastic meal!

My Turkey Tips!!!!

The night before mix together thyme, rosemary, parsley, salt and pepper with about 3/4 cup room temperature butter.  Put in a freezer bag and refrigerate.

On the day of remove turkey out of it’s package.  Remove giblets and neck.  Rinse under cold water then use paper towels to dry inside and out.  Also take out seasoned butter and place on counter.

Place in roasting tray on rack and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes and preheat oven to 475 degrees.  

After the 30 minutes is up, rub your fingers under the skin to loosen from the flesh.  Pipe in the butter mixer and move around till all the inside of the chicken is covered.

On the outside of the chicken brush olive oil  on the skin and salt.  

Place in oven and back at 475 degrees for 1/2 hour.  Then turn down oven to 350 degrees and roast till thermometer reads 155 degrees.  The turkey will continue to cook as it sets and should get up to 165 degrees.  Make sure to double check before serving. This usually equals to 1 hour sooner than the standard cooking time.

Some people say don’t tent with foil because the skin will no longer be crispy.