How to Prepare Your Refrigerator for Holiday Cooking Season

by Alison P.

It’s the centerpiece of your kitchen and arguably the most important appliance in your entire home. When the holidays roll around, it absolutely must be in tip-top condition! Getting your refrigerator ready for the holidays is imperative for being prepared for every culinary endeavor that the season throws at you. We’re here to guide you through each step in preparing this MVP appliance for the most hectic-yet-wonderful time of year!

Clear It Out

First things first: Grab a trash bag (or two) and get rid of all the inedible stuff that’s serving no purpose other than taking up valuable real estate. Dump the old takeout containers, the expired sauces, the mushy forgotten vegetables, and anything else unsalvageable. Starting with a clean slate will simplify every step that follows!

Clean It Off

The dead weight has been properly disposed of, so now you’ve got space to make the entire unit sparkle. Shift all remaining contents to one surface in your fridge, then remove the surrounding shelves and door bins and give them a good washing with warm sudsy water. If the pieces are dishwasher safe, load them into the machine and put them through a wash cycle. Just be sure to err on the side of caution and air dry them instead of using the heat-dry setting.

While you’re locked into Fridge-Cleaning Mode, apply your cleaning gusto to the exterior of the refrigerator too. Grabbing a vacuum and ridding the coils of dust will allow your fridge to operate at peak efficiency, and cleaning the exterior will give it the presentation it deserves!

Organize It

Now that you know everything in your fridge is actually useful, it’s time to sort it all out. Take an inventory of the ingredients you’re going to need to keep within easy reach for your upcoming cooking session, and make sure they’re in the front. You’re not going to want to be digging around for an ingredient when it’s a critical time to whisk it into a roux or fold it into batter. Putting the important stuff front-and-center will also make it clear if you’re running low on anything vital, allowing you to add some items to your grocery list well before the situation becomes an emergency!

Reconfigure It

Will you need to defrost and/or brine a turkey? Are you planning on making cookies that need refrigeration before baking? Will you be prepping holiday meals in advance? You’ll need to figure out the right amount of empty fridge space necessary to accommodate them. Take whatever baking dishes, cookie sheets, or other accoutrements you plan on storing in the fridge, and test out their placement inside to ensure you’ve got room. Clearing off surface area is only the beginning; make it a point to adjust shelves to create the height you’ll need as well. Don’t forget to make sure the refrigerator door closes all the way!

When you’ve got a properly-prepped fridge, you’ll have the confidence you need to know you’ll be ready for every holiday cooking endeavor standing before you. Best of luck with every dish, and enjoy the holidays!