25 Time-Saving, Memory-Making Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Thanksgiving

Get ready to rock your Thanksgiving feast with a brining bag full of 25 tricks, hacks, and tips that will make your Thanksgiving dinner party a little easier this year – and one your guests will remember. From food prep shortcuts to creative serving and entertaining ideas, we’ve got the lowdown on how to make Thanksgiving a breeze. Let’s trade the traditional holiday hustle for a new vibe – less stress, more smiles, and a Thanksgiving feast that’s all about fun, flavor and a little dash of holiday magic!

In the Kitchen

For extra fluffy mashed potatoes, just add baking powder. Learn how to do it (and why) in this post from Tasting Table.
Herb Bouquet: Bundle your favorite herbs together (rosemary, thyme, sage) with kitchen twine and use the bouquet as a basting brush for the turkey. The herbs will infuse flavor as you baste.
This hack from All Recipes suggests cooking your stuffing in muffin tins to make sure guests get individual servings with as much of that yummy crispy topping as possible!
Simplify Thanksgiving Day morning by preparing an overnight slow cooker oatmeal with fall spices and dried fruits so you can wake up to a warm, fragrant, ready-to-eat breakfast. Try this recipe for overnight cinnamon apple oatmeal from The Recipe Critic.
Check out these three simple steps from The Kitchn to ensure you get perfectly crispy turkey skin!
Roast vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, and parsnips, on a sheet pan. It’s a great way to cook multiple side dishes at once.
Boil potatoes whole and skin-on for an easy, time-saving method that will help you peel those spuds in a snap. This post from Better Homes & Gardens shows you how.
Use disposable aluminum pans for your side dishes to minimize cleanup!
Line trash cans with multiple bags in advance. When one is full, you can quickly replace it without searching for a new bag.

Kitchen Tool Hacks

If you can’t find your roasting rack (after all, it’s only used once or twice a year), make your own! It’s easy, disposable, and costs next to nothing to make! Check out this super easy homemade roasting rack from Living Well Kitchen.
If you don’t have a fat separator, don’t worry. The Spruce Eats shows you what you can use instead. You can also pour the liquid in a measuring cup and pop it in the freezer for a few minutes. Fat will float to the top and solidify so it’s easy to scoop off.
No Pie Weights? No problem. You can line your pie with parchment paper and fill it with dried beans, dried rice, or even pennies (but don’t consume the beans after you use them as pie weights)!
If you can’t find your biscuit cutter (or you don’t have one), check out these substitutes from Kitchen Feeds that you can use instead!

Sweet Ideas

If you want smaller desserts so guests can try a variety, cut small rounds from a pre-made pie crust and press them into a mini muffin tin. Fill each with pumpkin pie filling and bake for bite-sized mini pies. You can also fill with fruit filling. For bite-sized fruit pies, be sure to top with more pie crust and cut a slit for steam to escape. McCormick has a quick, easy-to-follow recipe for mini pumpkin pies with store-bought crusts. Tablespoon has an easy recipe using store-bought crust and ready-made fruit filling (you can also make your own fruit filling).
Make use of tiered serving trays to display appetizers and desserts vertically, saving valuable table space while adding an elegant touch to the presentation.
Set up a DIY hot chocolate station with various toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and flavored syrups. Get some inspiration right here from 100 Days of Real Food!
Set up a dessert station with various toppings for pies and desserts. Guests can customize their sweet treats with whipped cream, nuts, and sauces.

Creative Entertaining

Worried you’ll run out of ice? Pop a bag of grapes or fresh cranberries in the freezer. They’re a great (and flavorful) replacement for ice!
Create edible centerpieces using fruits, nuts, and herbs. A decorative bowl filled with pomegranates, apples, and cinnamon sticks isn’t just edible, it’s beautiful too!
For a posh upgrade to your dinner party, whip up a mashed potato martini bar. Serve mashed potatoes in martini glasses and set out toppings so guests can top those spuds with whatever they choose!
Freeze cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs in a ring mold. Float the frozen mold in a punch bowl for a visually appealing cranberry ice ring.

For the Kids

Set up a kids’ table with Autumn-themed activity packs, including coloring books, crayons, and small games to keep little ones entertained.
Another way to keep kids entertained – bake turkey-shaped cookies and set up a decorating station with various icings, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Put a teenager (or an adult who prefers to stay out of the kitchen ) in charge of this activity.

Giving Thanks

Lay out a large roll of butcher paper as a tablecloth and provide colorful pens and markers. Encourage guests, both young and old, to doodle, write thankful messages, and create a communal work of art throughout the meal.
Place a gratitude jar on the dining table with slips of paper and pens. Encourage guests to write down what they’re thankful for and share during or after the meal. Or, set up a small tree branch in a vase and provide paper leaves and pens. Encourage guests to write what they’re thankful for on the leaves and hang them on the tree.