Prepping Holiday Meals in Advance

by Alison P.

Getting ready to host a big holiday dinner? Even if you’ve never hosted before, you probably know how incredibly hectic the day of the event can be. Wouldn’t it be great if you could save a ton of time by making a bunch of the dishes in advance? Great news: You can! Here is a handy guide of all the holiday favorites that you can at least start well ahead of time, as well as a list of all the foods you absolutely shouldn’t.

Make-Ahead Dishes

We’ll start with the fare you can prep on the night before or even further in advance. You’ll maximize time spent socializing with loved ones without sacrificing the scrumptious homemade tastes of the season!

Stuffing

You will need to actually bake it the day of the event, but assembling your stuffing the night before is an excellent time-saver. Follow every step except for the baking, then cover the top in foil and store it in the refrigerator. If you’re using a packaged stuffing mix, the instructions usually include baking instructions for the make-ahead approach. Even better, storing the stuffing overnight allows the flavors to meld together, making the finished product taste even more delicious!

Gravy

Homemade gravy can be made a few days in advance, stored in the refrigerator, then reheated in a pot on the stovetop. Premade gravy offers another excellent opportunity to allow the flavors some extra time to meld together and reach their full potential!

Casseroles

Similar to the procedure with the stuffing, casseroles can be assembled ahead of time, covered with foil, and stored in the fridge until it’s time to go into the oven. For added versatility, you can bake it on the day of the festivities or bake it beforehand and reheat.

Brussels Spouts

It’s not a great idea to actually cook them in advance, but preparing your sprouts the night before by halving and refrigerating them will save a ton of time on the day of the meal. Be sure to store them in the fridge in a resealable bag or an airtight plastic food container.

Desserts

Pies, cakes, and cookies are ideal for preparing in advance. They will keep very well overnight, and some pies like cream-based or custard actually require refrigeration before serving. For an even better timesaver, why not completely absolve yourself of any dessert responsibility by designating it as the “What Can I Bring?” course for your guests!

Day-Of Dishes

While you may be enjoying a surge of momentum from all these foods that can be prepared beforehand, it’s important to not get carried away! Here are a few dishes that absolutely must be made on the day of the feast.

Turkey or Ham

Any necessary defrosting and brining should be taken care of in advance, but when it comes to cooking, there are no shortcuts for the main course! The centerpiece of your holiday meal should definitely be cooked on the day-of in order to make it as succulent and flavorful as possible.

Mashed Potatoes

One of the most popular holiday dishes of all, mashed potatoes are another course that must be made close to dinner service for maximum deliciousness. Some cooks peel and cut their potatoes the night before, immediately submerge them in a pot of cold water to prevent browning, and store them in the fridge overnight to save a little time. However, the actual cooking and mashing should be done when dinnertime is nigh.

Dinner Rolls

There’s nothing quite like dinner rolls still warm from the oven, which is why we strongly recommend baking them on the day-of. Keeping a ready-made batch overnight may result in them becoming hard and stale, and reheating them just won’t be the same.

Salads

Romaine, kale, fennel, dandelion – whatever your base, salad is a no-go for the make-ahead list! Any course involving fresh greens must be made as close to the meal service as possible to prevent wilting and mushiness.

Maybe you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving or Christmas, or maybe you’re a seasoned holiday dinner pro who’s just looking for some ways to better manage your time. Wherever you fall on the holiday-hosting spectrum, take these suggestions with you and make the most of every minute this holiday season!