Thanksgiving Success: Planning your best-ever menu

Guidelines for turkey servings, go-to colorful sides, top electric knife... [America's Test Kitchen - 25 Years] [View in a browser]( [Thanksgiving Success Series: The Joyous Host. 4 weeks until Thanksgiving.]( [Thanksgiving Success Series: The Joyous Host. 4 weeks until Thanksgiving.]( No. 1 Planning YOUR Perfect Thanksgiving Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first time or the 50th; having a formal family affair or a low-key Friendsgiving; preparing a holiday meal can be stressful. After all, cooking a turkey to perfection and getting it to finish just in time for dinner is no easy feat, and there are side dishes and desserts to think about too. The key to success on Thanksgiving is planning and preparing ahead. Then on the big day you’ll find joy in cooking and sharing delicious meals with your loved ones. This week, set your menu, take stock of your equipment, and make a shopping list. Get ALL our reliable holiday recipes, trusted product reviews & how-to videos! Try a digital membership just in time for holiday planning. Discover new recipes and clever cooking tips with 14 days of free access and know your food will turn out exactly as promised. [Get instant access to perfect holiday recipes →]( Set Your Menu How much turkey? (Maybe your answer is no turkey at all) It can be tough to know how much turkey you’ll need to feed your guests (and leave enough for leftovers, of course). If you want lots of leftovers, aim for 1½ pounds per person. Here are guidelines that help you decide based on the number of servings you need and the type of turkey you’re serving. Whole Turkey: 12–15 pounds = 10–12 servings 15–18 pounds = 14–16 servings 18–22 pounds = 20–22 servings Bone-In Breast: 6–7 pounds = 8–10 servings A regular or “true” cut turkey breast includes the whole front of the bird: two breast halves separated by the breastbone; the ribs; a portion of the wing meat; and a portion of the back and neck skin. Boneless Breast: 3–4 pounds = 6–8 servings A boneless turkey breast can be perfect for a smaller gathering. [[One-Pan Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce] One-Pan Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce Get the recipe]( Quick tip! For an heirloom or special farm turkey, order now. This is also the time to place any advance orders at your local market. And if you’re skipping the turkey this year? [One-Pan Roasted Chicken Breasts]( will satisfy guests craving crispy skin and juicy meat. Alternatively, [Vegan Shepherd’s Pie]( has become more and more popular during the chillier months, and you can make this hearty [Mushroom Bourguignon]( ahead of time. Selecting sides A Thanksgiving plate should contain a variety of colors and textures. Imagine the composed dinner plate in your head. Is there something green? Something with crunch or texture? Are the flavors balanced? One spicy side is a good idea, but three or four spicy sides are going to compete with each other and overwhelm the main course. For more inspiration, explore our recipe collection, [25 fresh and colorful side dishes to brighten up your holiday spread](. [[Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole - Gluten Free] Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole Get the recipe]( [[Green Bean Salad with Creamy Lemon Sauce and Crispy Capers ] Green Bean Salad with Creamy Lemon Sauce and Crispy Capers Get the recipe]( [“] I made this for the first time . . . to accompany our leftover-turkey sandwiches. It was a big hit, so much so that I’m including it on my New Year’s Day menu. –Kay D., Member [”] [[Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apple-Cherry Vinaigrette] Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apple-Cherry Vinaigrette Get the recipe]( [[Christie's Pick! Butternut Squash Gratin] Butternut Squash Gratin Get the recipe]( [[Lawman's Pick! Oatmeal Dinner Rolls] Oatmeal Dinner Rolls Get the recipe]( [Save 37% on Digital Access! Join for more holiday classics, expert cooking tips & the app. Get Instant Access >]( Check Your Equipment Our top tools for Thanksgiving success. When great recipes meet well-made equipment, cooking joy is pretty much guaranteed. Our ATK Reviews team tests equipment, cookware, and cleaning products to help you get the best value for your money. A Carving Board [Our winning carving board]( First, the centerpiece of the meal is the turkey. Ensure you can neatly carve your perfectly cooked masterpiece. Our [longtime favorite carving board]( makes this easy by steadying the turkey without obstructing your knife. Each of its reversible sides can easily accommodate more than a half-cup of liquid. Midweight and moderately sized, it’s easy to handle. [Read our review →]( An Electric Knife [Our winning electric knife]( Our Reviews team was amazed at how easily [The Black + Decker ComfortGrip 9" Electric Knife]( carved and sliced a huge holiday turkey without shredding the meat or the skin—many found it much easier to use than our favorite chef’s knife. This knife is quiet, has a comfortable rounded handle, and its low price makes it a worthwhile investment, even if only used once or twice a year. [Read our review →]( [Explore more tools we recommend for a flawless Thanksgiving →]( Make a Checklist of Ingredients No one wants to run out to the store at the last minute. Stay organized by making a checklist, or rely on our exclusive members’ app to build a shopping list for you! Once you’ve picked a recipe for your menu, simply click “add all items to list.” Under “My Stuff,” find your personal grocery list, organized by store category (produce, dairy, pantry, etc.) and by individual recipe, so you can toggle between views. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, feel reassured you have everything you need. [Animation of the ATK app]( Quick tip! Now is also a good time to check your spices. If anything is older than one year, or you can’t detect any aroma from the open jar, replace it. Curious how to keep your spices fresh longer? [Check out more tips now →]( Our Guide to Your Perfect Thanksgiving Each year, editors for America’s Test Kitchen, Cook’s Illustrated, and Cook’s Country assembled our best-ever turkey recipes, alternate mains, [go-to vegetable sides]( pies, breads, and appetizers plus handy what, why, when, and how videos, tips, and articles into the Thanksgiving Guide. How can you prevent your turkey from drying out? What's the secret to a truly flavorful pumpkin pie? [Why does the type of potato matter to achieve perfect mashed potatoes?]( We’ll fill you in. A digital membership gives you full access to all of it. [Screenshot of the Thanksgiving Guide]( [View the web version]( of this email. 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