What You Can Freeze Before Thanksgiving Dinner

On November 1, 2022 by Mindy

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, 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 you this Thanksgiving and use this list to help you maximize your time and money! Let’s get started.

What You Can Freeze Ahead of Time for Thanksgiving Dinner:

Homemade Chicken Stock freezer meal recipeHomemade 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 muffin tins depending on how you need to use it!

This is our go-to recipe for making and freezing homemade chicken stock.

P.S. If you want to make turkey stock after the Thanksgiving holiday, simply swap the chicken carcass for your turkey carcass! 

GFDF Sausage and Cranberry StuffingStuffing

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!

Freezable Stuffing Recipes:

Here’s our favorite Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Stuffing. This is a perfect recipe if your oven will already be occupied. If someone has Celiacs or is avoiding gluten in your life, try this Gluten-Free Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing. It’s delicious and is so good that no one will know it’s gluten-free!

If you like dressing versus stuffing, try this Freezable Italian Sausage Dressing that reheats beautifully.

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 have to make sure you take it out to thaw about a week in advance. 

Yes, we’re not kidding. If you’ve had it frozen and would like to “slow thaw it” (aka safely in your refrigerator because you don’t want to leave your bird out in the elements too long) it will usually take 3-6 days depending on the size and weight of your turkey.

If you need a refresh on How to Roast a Turkey, we’ve got you covered!

Gravy

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

We love this Instant Pot Turkey Gravy by Wondermom Wannabe and how you can easily freeze it.

Freezer mashed potato recipe- lunch recipeMashed 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!

Here are a few of our favorite freezable mashed potato recipes:

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.

Freezable Recipes:

Homemade Crescent Rolls- freezer meal recipeBread & 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!

Now for baking… The day before you want to bake the rolls, remove the rolls from the freezer and arrange them in your greased baking pan. Cover and let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator. (Aka a slow thaw!) When you’re ready to bake them, remove the pan from the refrigerator and let them finish proofing and rising at room temperature. This will take a little longer than usual, probably around an hour. The rolls may still be cool to the touch, but when they have obviously poofed, they’re ok to bake. Bake as usual from there!

Freezable Bread Recipes:

Cornbread Corn CasseroleCasseroles

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 Thanksgiving day, cover it with your crispy onions and bake!

Freezer Friendly Casserole Recipes:

Candy Cane Brownie PieHomemade Pie Crust (or the Pie!)

You can do 1 of 3 things:

  1. Freeze your homemade pie crusts in discs
    P.S. Here’s our Freezable Foolproof Pie Crust
  2. Freeze your crust rolled out in the dish, ready for filling
  3. Freeze the whole pie!

Our Favorite Freezer-Friendly Pies:

Catie's Pumpkin Roll- freezer meal recipeDessert

Almost ALL dessert recipes can be made in advance! Seriously, all you have to do is:

  1. Bake your goodies.
  2. Cool them completely.
    Pro Tip: Steam creates freezer burn, so DO NOT freeze your sweets warm!
  3. Freeze them for later.
    Flash freeze on a baking sheet if you have items you want to be kept individually, or freeze in a Ziplock freezer bag, glass, plastic, or another freezer-friendly container. 
  4. Eat them when you want!
    Pro Tip: Reheat in your microwave from frozen or dethawed for 30 seconds (give or take) at a time with a bowl of water to help moisten your dessert back up!

Our Favorite Freezer-Friendly Holiday Desserts:

Must-Have Holiday Resources

   

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

2 Comments

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    1. Make sure your turkey is thawed. Rinse and dry your turkey, then you can place the turkey into your desired brining substance (after removing the innards) and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Proceed as you would with cooking your turkey – removing any excess brine before cooking. If you haven’t brined a turkey before keep in mind that they will cook a little bit faster.

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