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Thanksgiving is likely to be your largest food shopping trip of the year. So, what’s the best way to make it as seamless as possible? My helpful planning, organizing, shopping, and storage suggestions will help you survive the stress of the day before Thanksgiving. You know, when you realize you didn’t buy enough bread for stuffing, or that the green beans you bought a week ago have gone bad.
Organize a Thanksgiving Food Shopping Game Plan
To make your shopping trip go smoothly, plan out what has to happen when, such as reserving the turkey, purchasing groceries, and preparing items.
Because some stores are short on supplies this year you may need to shop a little differently to make sure you get everything you need without wasting time and energy (not to mention your gas) going to several stores to try and track stuff down.
One nice holdover from the pandemic is the big rise in the number of grocery stores offering curbside pickup. This will allow you to shop grocery stores online, find what you need -and make sure it’s in stock – then simply make a single stop to pick it up. This will, of course, also save you tons of time as you’ll avoid all those crowded grocery store aisles (and any battles over the last of something.)
If you will be entertaining guests, this is also a good time to send a quick email/text asking about any dietary restrictions. If you haven’t seen your cousin in a year, they may have gone vegetarian in the interim, or a young niece or nephew may have developed food allergies. It’s better to know about – and plan for – these little details now than have them derail your careful Thanksgiving organization on the big day itself (or leave someone hungry.)
Shop Your Home for Thanksgiving Essentials
Before you make that grocery list, shop your home – your pantry, your fridge, your cupboards – to check what you might already have on hand. Check the backs and cupboards and rarely used top shelves, staples you need – like flour, spices and sugars – may be hiding there. Just also take a minute to check the expiration dates, as while out of date staples may still be edible they are likely to have lost their flavor and potency, something that is especially true of spices.
Don’t put these things back though (yes, people do that), trash them right away. Doing this will also help free up space in cluttered storage areas, so you’ll be able to find what you need faster when the cooking begins in earnest.
Organize and Store Your Thanksgiving Groceries Properly
One important aspect of a good Thanksgiving meal is properly preserving your ingredients. To get the most out of your groceries, follow these guidelines.
- Get organized. Thanksgiving supplies, especially turkey, can take up a lot of space in the kitchen. Before you go shopping, organize your refrigerator, pantry, and countertops to ensure that everything you buy has a place to go. If you need help, Just Organized by Taya does offer ’emergency’ kitchen organization services if you just don’t have time to do it yourself.
- Use the produce drawers to your advantage. This often-overlooked area has a different humidity level than the rest of your refrigerator, which will help keep your green beans, Brussels sprouts, apples, and salad greens fresh.
- Greens should be handled with caution. Don’t wash your salad greens ahead of time to keep them crisp. Refrigerate in an open plastic bag with a few paper towels to soak up any excess moisture until you are ready to use them.
- Contrary to popular myth, at room temperature, butter is safe for a few days. Yes, butter keeps better in the refrigerator, but it can also be kept at room temperature for 1–2 days. When it comes to preparing pastries or serving rolls, having softened butter on hand can make all the difference.
- Some ingredients are best when they’re stored in the pantry. Refrigeration is not required for sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, or winter squash. These ingredients can last several weeks if kept in a cool, dark place like your pantry.
- Considering purchasing a fresh turkey? Remember the following: To keep a layer of ice on the surface, most grocery store fresh turkeys are stored in a deep chill. This allows you to store your turkey safely at home until you’re ready to prepare it. Keep the turkey deep-chilled (35°F) in the coldest part of your fridge, turned down as low as possible, or in a separate refrigerator. The ice will thaw over time, and your turkey will be deliciously fresh and ready to cook by Thanksgiving.
Know How Long Food Can be Stored
To ensure your meal is as delicious as possible, it’s helpful to know how long holiday favorites like green beans, apples and more can actually hang around in your fridge I advise following guidance for quality and freshness from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). See this chart to find the answers to your Thanksgiving food storage questions — some might surprise you.
Food Type Fridge Freezer
| Brussels sprouts | 3 – 5 days | 10 – 12 months |
| Green beans | 3 – 5 days | 8 months |
| Mushrooms | 3 – 7 days | 10 – 12 months |
| Carrots | 2 – 3 weeks | 10 – 12 months |
| Celery | 1 – 2 weeks | 10 – 12 months |
| Salad greens | 3 – 5 days | Not recommended |
| Fresh herbs | 7 – 10 days | 1 – 2 months |
| Cranberries | 2 months | 12 months |
| Apples | 4 – 6 weeks | 8 months |
| Bacon (uncured) | 4 – 7 days | 3 – 4 weeks |
| Sausage (bulk) | 1 – 2 days | 1 – 2 months |
| Butter | 1 – 2 months | 6 – 9 months |
| Eggs | 3 – 5 weeks | Not recommended |
| Cream cheese | 2 weeks | Not recommended |
| Heavy cream | 10 days | 3 – 4 months |
| Pumpkin pie | 3 – 4 days | 1 – 2 months |
Plan to Enlist Help
One of the most stressful things about Thanksgiving is feeling like you are chained to the kitchen while everyone else has fun. To avoid holiday burnout, organize a rota now so that everyone pitches in a bit. There’s no reason why someone else can’t help you prep ingredients, and with a little guidance, kids love to help. Don’t be shy about roping out of household guests in, too.
Most people will ask if you need help when they arrive, and this year, instead of waving them away because you want to be a graceful host give them a few chores, as you have as much right to a great Thanksgiving as everyone else!
Need help with kitchen organization, or holiday organization in general? Let’s chat about it. Book a free 15-minute Zoom call here, and we’ll discuss how Just Organized by Taya can help you! Already know what needs to be done? Book an appointment right away here.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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