Now that fall has arrived, it’s time to plan for Thanksgiving—the favorite holiday for many food lovers. I love Thanksgiving and aim to serve a memorable meal for family and friends, but preparing turkey or ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, side dishes and desserts entirely from scratch isn’t always realistic. Over the years I’ve developed a handful of reliable Thanksgiving shortcuts that save time and reduce stress while keeping the meal delicious. You don’t need to use them all; even adopting a few can make the day more manageable and enjoyable.

1. Get everyone to pitch in

Guests are often happy to bring a dish to share. Ask friends and family to contribute vegetables, appetizers, sides, or desserts. I like creating a private event on social media to coordinate who brings what. Invite one or two people to arrive an hour early to help with finishing touches, and don’t hesitate to request help with cleanup when the meal is over. Sharing tasks keeps the host from becoming overwhelmed and makes the day more relaxed for everyone.

2. Consider an electric turkey roaster

An electric roaster is a practical way to cook the turkey and free up oven space for sides, rolls, or desserts. It functions like an inexpensive second oven and reliably cooks large birds without tying up your main oven. The trade-off is storage space when you’re not using it, but for many hosts the extra capacity is worth it.

3. Use store-bought pie crust

While homemade pie crust is exceptional, ready-made crusts can be a very good alternative, especially when time is tight. Once a pie is filled and baked, most guests won’t notice a big difference. Try a couple of brands before the holiday to find one you like and use store-bought crust for some pies while saving scratch-made crusts for ones you want to perfect.

4. Use whipped cream from a can

After a long day in the kitchen, making fresh whipped cream may be the last thing you want to do. Canned spray whipped cream is quick, familiar to guests, and close enough to homemade for most desserts. If you prefer a homemade option that holds up better over time, stabilized whipped cream (for example using gelatin) can be prepared a day ahead and stays fluffy through serving time.

5. Rely on stuffing mix

Pre-seasoned stuffing mix saves the effort of cubing, drying, and seasoning your own bread. Follow the package directions, or customize the mix by adding sausage, dried fruit, nuts, or fresh herbs to suit your family’s taste. Using a boxed mix is a dependable shortcut that still delivers comforting flavor and texture.

6. “Stock up” on boxed chicken broth

Although I often make my own stock, boxed chicken broth is a time-saving staple for Thanksgiving. It’s convenient, consistent in flavor, and handy for gravies, stuffing, and braises. Buying a case ahead of time ensures you won’t run short and lets you focus on other last-minute tasks.

7. Create a simple homemade cranberry sauce

Skip the canned variety and make homemade cranberry sauce—it’s quick and can be made several days in advance. Fresh cranberries, sugar, and water are all you need for a basic sauce, and adding a touch of orange juice and zest brightens the flavor. Making cranberry sauce ahead removes one task from Thanksgiving Day and delivers a fresh, vibrant side.

8. Decide what you want to focus on

Before you start cooking, decide which elements of the meal are most important to you. Maybe you’ll focus on perfecting a beloved roll recipe, mastering a signature pie, or creating a beautiful table setting. Make those items from scratch if they matter most to you, and use shortcuts elsewhere. That balance helps you enjoy the process without feeling overwhelmed.

I hope you and your loved ones enjoy a warm and happy Thanksgiving. If you have favorite shortcuts or tips, consider sharing them with your guests or jotting them down for next year—small changes can make a big difference in how smoothly the day runs.

Disclosure: The author was not compensated for this content. The post may contain affiliate links; purchases made through those links may provide a small commission that helps support publishing recipes and content.

Photos by Marsha Maxwell, Brent Hofacker, Elena Veselova, Liudmyla Chuhunova, Olga Miltsova, and Irina Meliukh.