How to Avoid Common Thanksgiving Mistakes

‘Tis the season for togetherness and gratitude! During the hustle and flow of the holiday season, several items can easily be overlooked. Know how to avoid these common Thanksgiving mistakes and make dinner even more impressive.

Thanksgiving Timeline

If you’ve ever posed the question: How long does it take to cook and prep a Thanksgiving dinner? Your answers would vary anywhere from 2 weeks, 3 days, to 8 hours. Remember, turkeys are recommended to thaw in the refrigerator several days before cooking and even more so, several items require prepping usually a couple of days in advance. Create your game plan and keep in mind the amount of time it takes to cook certain dishes.

Thanksgiving Stress

When cooking for a larger family, between having to set the table, to preparing meals and making sure everything will be ready for when guests arrive, Thanksgiving can seem a bit overwhelming. Ask for help where help is needed. (Being the host does not mean that you have to do it all alone!) Feel free to outsource any additional side dishes; after all, the more the merrier!

Stuffing the Bird

If you plan on cooking the stuffing inside your turkey, it’s important to note that the internal temperature inside the cavity takes a little longer to heat up; by the time your stuffing is ready to eat, you risk your turkey being dry and overcooked. Trying to cook two items together is a very meticulous skill. Instead, cook your stuffing separate from your turkey and consider adding herbs and aromatic fruits like lemons, apples, or orange slices into your turkey cavity for some savory flavors.

Let the Turkey Rest

Once the aroma of the turkey begins to fill the air, eager stomachs will want to immediately begin digging in. However, letting the turkey rest for a couple of minutes before you begin to carve, allows for maximum flavor and juiciness to settle in. Luckily, the turkey will continue cooking even while it is resting.

All-day Leftovers

After a hearty meal, it can be quite tempting to leave the turkey and side dishes out to enjoy all throughout the rest of the day. However, cooked food sitting at room temperature is what the USDA likes to call the “Danger Zone.” Keep in mind that bacteria can grow rapidly in temperatures between 40 – 140 degrees Fahrenheit if left out for more than two hours. Once the feast is over, make sure to wrap up the leftovers and store them away in the refrigerator for later!

Don’t be afraid to make new traditions this year. Your friends at A-MAX Auto Insurance want to wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving!