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Hosting the Easiest Thanksgiving Get-Together

amazon thanksgiving

The cold, crisp air can only mean that Thanksgiving is around the corner and with it comes all the fixings–a Thanksgiving feast for the masses. If you’re lucky enough to be invited as a guest for a delicious meal with your nearest and dearest then all you have to do is show up with a host gift and eat. If not there is still time to have a delicious meal come out of your own kitchen and have it be easy as pie–hopefully pumpkin

Stop Doing the Turkey Wrong

A turkey is only as good as the person making it. Some people got it and some  don’t, although it doesn’t have to be that way. Turkey is something that takes a lot of thought before-hand and a lot less cooking time than most people think. 

I always believed that a good bird required lots of basting and was stuffed full of delicious stuffing. It was the main attraction at any Thanksgiving table and although I would never turn down a turkey dinner I know there was better, juicier bird out there. 

And then I was introduce to Alton Brown’s method of turkey that tells you there is absolutely no need to baste your turkey. You heard me–stop opening the oven door and for the love off all things gobble-gobble stop putting the stuffing in the bird. It increases the risks of salmonella and leaves your wonderful bird super dry. Plus the constant opening of the oven door decreases the heat inside bringing up the cooking time and making dinner time further and further away. 

The Amazing Alton Brown Method

Alton believes that a turkey need to be brined and after doing it myself I am a firm believer of the method. Brining is soaking the bird in a salt solution with aromatics for about 24 hours prior to cooking the bird. It infuses the bird with flavour and makes basting no longer needed. You can get a lot of recipes online by searching ‘turkey brine recipe’. I find the easiest way to brine a turkey is by using special turkey brining bags you can buy right on Amazon or your local grocers.

amazon thanksgiving

Once you have brined, rinsed and are ready to roast yo’ bird you gotta do it a solid and prep it for the hot, hot, HOT oven. We’re talking 500 degrees for 30 minutes and than 2-2.5 hours at 350 without opening up the oven door at all. The secret is getting a great roasting pan like this CUISINART Non-Stick Roasting Pan with V-Rack to ensure that your bird cooks all around and doesn’t sit in a puddle of juices getting a wet and mushy bottom. My house can’t be the only one that fights over crispy skin.

amazon thanksgivingYour also going to want to grab a meat thermometer that you can leave on the bird while it cooks to 161 degrees at which time you will promptly remove from the oven and cover with some aluminum foil to let it rest. This MeasuPro Instant Read Internal Meat Thermometer has a large LCD display and beeps to let you know when dinner is almost ready, so you can focus on making sure the guests are happy and the wine is pouring freely. amazon thanksgiving

I am blessed with family that always helps out by bringing sides. If you can delegate side dishes to your guest, do it. If your Aunt Fran makes the best mashed potatoes on this side of the continent you let her know you’re expecting her to bring them to dinner.

The Party

Now it’s time to get back to the party while the turkey rests and gets its juices back in the right places. Why don’t you pick up a set of Thanksgiving photo props like these and set up a designated hashtag so your guests can share all of the fun times they’re having on social. #blessedamazon thanksgiving

If you have an older crowd make sure you get yourself a fun game to play like What Do You Meme?  It is a best seller on Amazon for a reason and the laughs are well worth the price tag!amazon thanksgiving

Now when you all gather round the table to give thanks to all you have do yourself a favour and get yourself some fancy plastic plates. These Party Essentials Hard Plastic Disposable China Salad/Dessert Plates with Lace Rim not only looks fancy but will make dinner clean-up a breeze. You’ll thank me when you’re full to the brim with turkey and Aunt Fran’s famous mash potatoes. 

amazon thanksgivingNow tell me your best tips and tricks to make a Thanksgiving get-together go off without a hitch

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Aneta Alaei
Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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17 Comments

  1. Julie
    October 2, 2017 / 10:20 am

    I have never used this method of cooking a turkey but I am anxious to try it out!

  2. AD
    October 2, 2017 / 12:43 pm

    Great tips; I use the brining too and use a spicy rub on the skin to crisp it up. My best tip, especially if you have lots of family and friends (and friends and friends), serve buffet style for ease.

  3. kathy downey
    October 2, 2017 / 1:50 pm

    I like the sounds of this game called What Do You Meme? ,would be a nice one for game night !

  4. Elizabeth Matthiesen
    October 2, 2017 / 10:10 pm

    Brining the turkey is exactly what my son and daughter started doing for their families a few years back and I must say they always turn out nice and juicy and taste delicious.

  5. Kristi F
    October 2, 2017 / 10:18 pm

    We tried brining the last time and it really does make a difference. We’ve also taken the tip of letting the bird rest for a long period after cooking covering in foil, at least an hour and up to 2 hours. It really does help make the turkey more tender.

  6. Elizabeth Matthiesen
    October 3, 2017 / 9:33 pm

    Turkey is one of my favourite meals, with all the trimmings of course. The only thing that I miss are brussel sprouts, no one but me likes them here. 🙁

  7. Debbie White Beattie
    October 9, 2017 / 9:26 pm

    My mother is the one who always hosts the holiday meals and does a fabulous job, I might add. But she’s 75 so we decided that this year we would do pot luck so she wouldn’t have to do to much and it still turned out great.

  8. Donna L.
    October 16, 2017 / 2:09 am

    Great tips, thanks

  9. Judy Cowan
    October 25, 2017 / 2:01 pm

    I really need to try brining the turkey next time I do one. Thanksgiving for us usually means camping so everything is kept very casual and simple.

  10. Donna L.
    November 2, 2017 / 2:45 am

    Pot luck dinners reduce the hostess’ stress level.

  11. Sarah alexis
    November 25, 2017 / 1:59 pm

    I love the gold theme for decor – and I think it’s helpful to suggest each guest brings a dish – less stress over prepping!

  12. Calvin F.
    November 27, 2017 / 3:30 pm

    Great tips to make an awesome thanksgiving that is memorable.

  13. loucheryl
    November 28, 2017 / 8:38 pm

    I love the game idea and the Thanksgiving props for photos idea. My boys love Christmas Crackers so I put them out at Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner.

  14. Alison Braidwood
    November 30, 2017 / 5:36 pm

    I think the fancy disposable plates are a genius idea.

  15. lori galbraith
    December 1, 2017 / 6:33 am

    I really love the decor theme as well. I like to try and keep things simple.

  16. Darlene Schuller
    December 12, 2017 / 7:51 am

    I find it much less stressful to just ask everyone to contribute something.

  17. kathy downey
    May 13, 2018 / 2:47 pm

    Thanks for the tips,will try them next week when I cook my Turkey