Quick Cooking: How to Make Thanksgiving Dinner in 3 Hours

New York Apartment: One burner (if you’re lucky), about a square foot of counter space, and an oven that often doesn’t fit half a sheet tray. It’s hard to think about cooking dinner, let alone Thanksgiving! In fact, according to a survey by Pillsbury, more than half (66%) of the Latinos surveyed think Thanksgiving dinner is the most stressful meal to prepare and 7 out of 10 people are looking for tips and tricks to prep the meal quicker. 

So it’s no wonder that as the last Thursday in November approaches, the idea of substituting stuffing for Chinese take-out or heirloom recipes for restaurant reservations sounds more and more appealing. But you don’t have to order in or take out if you don’t want to. Here’s your solution: Thanksgiving in 3 hours! We’ve put together a whole menu (including dessert!) with smart time saving tips to help you get a fabulous and delicious home cooked meal on the table before the first football game is over. You can mix and match with recipes that suit your tastebuds, of course, but here are our tips on how to streamline the year’s most complicated meal without sacrificing on flavor.[pagebreak]

The Game Plan:

• Scale down, don’t try to make everything! Your friends and family want to help (yes, really!) so have them bring personal favorites.
• Provide the main dish (a protein), one grain (stuffing/dressing), one vegetable, and one dessert — all the major food groups.
• Guests can fill in the rest with appetizers, salads, cocktails, and sides. Bonus: this plan also keeps the budget under control.

Now, let’s get started.

Next up, conquer the turkey, sides, stuffing, and dessert! [pagebreak]

Task One: Turkey (Estimated Time, 1.5 hours, begin with the bird)

Tip: Cut down on ingredients or use repeats in dishes.

Try Marcela Valladoild’s California Chile, Tequila and Apricot Turkey. A spicy and exciting take on the traditional bird but in this recipe the tequila and chili can be used for a signature cocktail. If the turkey simply won’t fit in the oven (no matter how hard you push), cut all ingredients in half and cook a turkey breast instead. It’s a faster cooking time, a lower price point, and it will fit in that tiny thing your landlord insists is an oven. If you can’t stomach a Thanksgiving without carving into… something, try Tamal Stuff Cornish Game Hens. Smaller, cheaper, and doesn’t break from tradition. 

Signature Cocktail: Take 1 apricot and slice in half. Remove pit and muddle at the bottom of a Collins glass. Slice chili and add to the muddle with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Pour 3 ounces of tequila, top with sparking water and stir. [pagebreak]

Task Two: Vegetable Side (Estimated Time, 20 minutes total, this can be done while the bird is cooking)

Once the turkey is in the oven, avoid opening the door. It will only prolong the cooking time and heat up your small space. Pick out vegetable sides that use the stove top. 

Try Acelgas en Crème (Creamed Swiss Chard), a great twist on the classic creamed spinach. Fresh from the farmer’s market, Swiss Chard comes in a rainbow of colors, perfect for the Thanksgiving table. This recipe takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, and better yet, can be served at room temperature.

Tip: Buy more bunches than you’d think, Swiss chard is similar to kale, it wilts to a quarter of its size! Estimate one bunch per two people. Don’t fret when you see a huge pile of leafy greens on your cutting board, it will disappear as it steams. [pagebreak]

Task 3: Starch Side (Estimated Time, 30 minutes, put in oven when the bird comes out and is resting)

Keep your stuffing simple or we should say dressing. Stuffing is usually cooked in the bird, dressing is cooked outside of the bird. Stick with dressing, it not only cooks faster but it’s less prone to cross contamination.

Try this simple Sweet and Spicy Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe. Use day-old bread for the best effect.

Tip: This recipe can be made a day in advance and can be heated prior to serving. When the turkey comes out of the oven, put in stuffing in the oven covered in tin foil. Heat until warmed through. [pagebreak]

Task 4: Dessert (Estimated Time, 90 minutes, can be made the day ahead)

Though you may be tempted to buy dessert, it’s actually easy to make and make ahead. Your guests will appreciate the touch and the holiday aromas will fill your home as you back! 

Try Abuela’s Apple Pie. Apple pie says “Thanksgiving” better than any other pie, it’s classic! Set out the pie with some dulce de leche ice cream and celebrate a meal well done.  

Tip: Make the pie dough when you have time and then freeze it, it’ll be ready when you need it. The day of your meal, allow the pie to chill in the fridge and when you sit down to dinner, place in the oven for a fresh-from-the-oven smell and taste.

Start to finish the menu requires less than 3 hours of cooking and prep. Simple steps in preparation help make the day-of seamless and fun. Pop the bubbly and enjoy!