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Ultimate Holiday Help List for Cooks (+ FREE Checklists!)

On by Mindy

It is bound to happen.

It’s T minus six hours to turkey time, and you realize, “I forgot the _____!” And cue facepalm.

But then you start thinking,

“Maybe I can make it myself or find some kind of substitute?” Or maybe you’re the next in line for the Throne of Procrastination (behind me of course!).

It is a few days before you big Holiday dinner, and you’re still trying to decide what to serve, what to buy, what to make, the decorations, and so much more.

Our ultimate holiday help list is here to get you through those harrowing moments!

This help list includes tons of free checklists with everything from:

Don’t waste a minute, and let’s get started!!

The 5 key secrets to successfully get through any holiday gathering as the host.

(Because let’s be honest, it’s s-t-r-e-s-s-f-u-l!!!) So here it goes…

Our 5 Time Cheats When You’re Cooking for A Crowd

#1 – Keep Your Menu Simple

Yes, keep your chosen recipes for family uncomplicated, tried-n-true, and with a reasonable amount of ingredients. Don’t overcommit yourself!

#2 – Do the “Half and Half Ratio”

Only commit to making half your meal from scratch and the other half pre-made. Yes, you heard that right. Spend time making the things you love, and let those gourmets at the grocery store help you out.

#3 – Use Grocery Pickup or Delivery

This may seem like a given for some, but for many, you still haven’t tried it! So use it to your advantage. If you’re an old pro, just remember to make your list and check it twice… literally. We all hate when they make a “bad” substitution or get the quantities wrong. Also, be sure to shop early to make sure you get everything you want before your holiday dinner.

#4 – Use “Hands Off” Cooking Methods

Walk away while items are in your slow cooker, Instant Pot, Air Fryer, or even oven so you can spend your precious time on other things, or with other people, and not cooking.

#5 – Freeze Ahead! (Yes, you knew it was coming)

Choose a few main dish meals, appetizers, sides, or more, and try to prepare them ahead of time. Try a breakfast casserole, baked pasta dish, a slow cooker soup or stew, and beyond to make your life that much easier when the day gets busy!

P.S. If freezing food is something that has always intimidated you, have no fear! We’re here to help! You can get more information about how to freeze meals here!

 

We’ve all been there. Time is short, but the crowd is big, and you’re in a mad dash to get everything ready for dinner

You’re hurrying around, doing your best to take the heat, but the question still stands in your mind,

“What can I sacrifice or cut around, but still create a delicious meal that stands to even the toughest of critics?”

Have no fear, because here are our

9 Ways to Cut Corners When Meal Prepping For A Crowd

1. Don’t Overcomplicate It

Shop smart, think simple, and check your math twice. This will make everything else you do THAT much easier.

2. Buy Pre Chopped Items

Yep, you know this helps. Our favorites include frozen diced onions, green peppers, and spinach, tubed ginger, garlic, or cilantro.

3. Use a Food Processor

Use a food processor or chopper instead of dicing anything by hand. This is especially helpful when you have LOTS of onion to chop!

4. Run Out of Seasoning? Make Your Own!

Items like Pumpkin Pie Spice and Taco Seasoning are easily made with the other spices you already have in your cabinet!

5. No Time for Stock? Do Bullion Cubes!

These little squares pack a punch! They are quick and make for super flavorful stock!

6. Don’t Peel, Just Boil

Instead of peeling hundreds of russet or sweet potatoes for your casseroles and beyond, simply boil them and the skin will slip right off. This is especially helpful for mashed potatoes! *Or cheat even more and do instant or freezer aisle Mashed Potatoes. Just add some extra butter and milk, and no one will know they aren’t from scratch!

7. Pressure Cook Your Eggs

Instead of boiling your eggs batch by batch and standing over a stove, use your pressure cooker! This will make large batch recipes like Cobb salad, deviled eggs, potato or egg salad even easier.

8. Buy Frozen Dinner Rolls

No time for homemade? No problem! Frozen dinner rolls are a lifesaver that tastes as close to the real thing as you can get! Whether you try pre-cooked or frozen dough balls, this time cheat is always worth it.

9. Last, But Not Least – Don’t Procrastinate!

The best cheat is to plan ahead! This will make it even easier when you do have those few “game time” decisions to make.

Comment below and let us know which one you’re ready to add to your apron this upcoming holiday dinner!

In the midst of holiday seasons you’re either feeling ready with your plan in place or already 10 steps behind, right?

Let us help take a little bit of the pressure off and use this list to help you maximize your time and money! Let’s get started.

What Can You Freeze Ahead of Time for Your Holiday Dinner?

Homemade Stock

Your chicken, beef, turkey, or veggie broth is ideal for making and freezing ahead of time. You can do this days, weeks, or even months in advance. Freeze in large containers, or muffins tins depending on how you need to use it.

Stuffing

Because stuffing can be SO time-consuming, it’s a perfect dish to precook. Once cooked in your casserole dish, it’s very easy to freeze, and then reheat.

Turkey

Yes, you can freeze your turkey ahead of time! You can buy a turkey months or weeks in advance if you find a really good deal. But remember, you just have to make sure you take it out to thaw about a week before cooking it.

Gravy

This allows the flavors to settle and reheats beautifully. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat over low heat, and whisk until smooth.

Mashed Potatoes

Yes, trust us! All the added dairy actually protects the potato! (AKA don’t skimp on the butter!). Defrost in the fridge ahead of time, then reheat on the stove or slow cooker. If it’s slightly watery, add a few spoonfuls of sour cream or cheese.

Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, or Squash

Simply cook, mash or puree and then freeze in bags or other containers for your pies and side dishes. They can be defrosted and warmed like mashed potatoes.

Bread & Rolls

Almost any pre-made loaf or bowl of bread always freezes well! But what about fresh dinner rolls? Your goal? Just get them ready for baking. Yes, freeze your rolls and dough unbaked. Essentially stop right before you put them in the oven and then place them in the freezer. They will taste as fresh as if you made them that day!

Casseroles

Let’s be honest, pretty much anything labeled casserole should be made in advance because they reheat so well without losing flavor. For instance, green bean casserole is perfect for prepping the beans and cream of mushroom ahead. Then on serving day, cover it with your crispy onions and bake.

Homemade Pie Crust (or the Pie!)

You can do 1 of 3 things: 1) Freeze your homemade pie crusts in discs, 2) Freeze your crust rolled out in the dish, ready for filling, or 3) Freeze the whole pie!

Dessert

Almost ALL dessert recipes can be made in advance!

P.S. If you’d like more, check out this “What you Can and Cannot Freeze List” so you can learn about all the things you CAN freeze. And for everything you need to get started with freezer cooking, check out Once A Month Meals membership!

Our Go-To Holiday Recipes

All the Fixin’s

Our favorite freezer friendly holiday recipes! Click into any of these recipes and get the “how to freeze this” instructions so you can save more time on the big day!

Dessert!

These make-ahead and freeze desserts are perfect for your upcoming gathering. The pies and cookies are our personal favorites to freeze, and no one will notice they aren’t “fresh”!

And the dreaded “Honey, I forgot the…”

Aka a few made from scratch and with love recipes when you forgot to buy it at the store.

Lovely Leftovers

Because there are always leftovers, right?

Must-Have Holiday Resources

Best wishes for a successful holiday meal from all of us at Once A Month Meals!

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