Thanksgiving Day Timeline

A general planning timeline for a mid-afternoon dinner. Your exact times depend on your turkey size and guest count — the calculator below works it out for you.

1-2 weeks before

• Decide who's hosting what, and send out any potluck sign-ups
• Buy your turkey if it's frozen — they sell out close to the holiday
• Plan your menu and check for dietary needs and allergies among your guests
• Make a shopping list and note what can be bought ahead vs. fresh

2-6 days before (depending on turkey size)

• Start thawing the turkey in the refrigerator — see the thaw time chart for your weight
• Do your main grocery shop
• Make any dishes that hold well in the fridge or freezer

The day before

• Prep vegetables and anything that can be chopped ahead
• Set the table, pull out serving dishes
• Chill drinks
• Double-check your oven schedule — if the turkey and multiple sides all need the oven at once, work out the order now, not on the day

The day of, working backward from serving

• ~5-6 hours before: take the turkey out to come toward room temperature briefly, then prep it for the oven
• ~4-5 hours before: preheat the oven, turkey goes in
• ~45 min before: turkey comes out to rest; use the freed-up oven for sides
• ~15-20 min before: carve, plate sides, set out food
• Serve!

Exact timing depends heavily on turkey size — an 8-pound bird and a 20-pound bird need very different schedules. Use the calculator for your specific numbers.

After dinner

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
• Use refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days, or freeze for 2-6 months