In typical 2020 fashion, Thanksgiving is not looking like your typical holiday. I’m in NJ where we’re allowed to have 10 people in our home. (Who could have predicted this would ever be a thing?!) Some states are suggesting less people, with mandates to eat outside and not to invite Grandma. Some leaders are saying not to travel. If your plans have changed and you’re not sure how to pull off a Thanksgiving meal, I can help.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s everything I love in one day – decorating, meal planning, cooking, entertaining and being with my family. I know not everyone enjoys these things so let me help you create a simple Thanksgiving dinner to share with who you can with ease.
My best advice is to keep it simple. This will not be a post with picture perfect, make it all from scratch dishes. This is a “yikes, I have to cook for Thanksgiving and I don’t know what to do” kind of post.
Did you know you can make a 3 pound boneless, skinless turkey breast in a slow cooker? Check out the recipe here. If you have a bigger group, add 1 or 2 more breasts to the slow cooker. If you get the Butterball Turkey it comes with a gravy mix – another thing checked off your list.
Pick up already made mashed potatoes in the refrigerator section of your supermarket. If your family likes cranberries – get the can or pick up a bag of fresh cranberries and make the recipe on the bag. I do recommend making my simple sausage stuffing. It’s easy and delicious. I show the process in a highlight on my Instagram page. You can check it out here.
I also recommend my family’s sweet potatoes recipe. This is not the typical sweet potato recipe with marshmallows and sugar. They are creamy and crispy and I don’t think you’ll miss the extra sweetness. You can check out the recipe here. For some greens, roast some Brussels sprouts in the oven (drizzled with olive oil and your favorite seasonings) or microwave a bag of green beans.
And if all that sounds like too much, find a local restaurant you can pick up take out from. Make Thanksgiving a time to take a break from 2020 and spend quality time with some people you love. Do what works for you.
Some states are suggesting we eat outside. I hosted some friends for Halloween and we did just that. We set up a folding table on the back deck. I brought out the chairs from the kitchen. You could also set up in your garage and keep the doors open.
Make it special with a festive tablecloth and some simple decorations like candles and seasonal vegetables. Make a simple flower arrangement with bouquets you can pick up at the grocery store. I love Trader Joe’s for this. I like to pick up 3 bouquets and combine them – here I used a pitcher instead of a vase.
I hope I’ve given you some ideas to create your 2020 Thanksgiving. I’d love to hear what you are doing this year. Please share in the comments. Happy Thanksgiving!
