Nobody wants to get to Thanksgiving Day and be running around without the proper tools or food. Use the Thanksgiving Checklist below to help make sure you have everything ready to go when the big day comes!
The Equipment
 | The Granite Ware 19-Inch Covered Oval Roaster is a great roaster and can hold up to an 18 lb. turkey and is also great for cooking the perfect roast chicken. This pan evenly distributes heat while cooking and will help guarantee you get a moist turkey with crispy skin. If well taken care of this will last you years and years. |
 | A digital cooking thermometer is perfect to help ensure your turkey is cooked to the right temperature. All you have to do is insert the probe, close the oven door set the temperature and the alarm will go off when it's done. It works great for all types of meats so you will use it long after Thanksgiving is over. |
 | Unless your turkey comes already trussed, you will probably need some sturdy twine to tie the legs together before roasting. The HIC Librett Cotton Butchers Twine is a great choice and can be used for other things such as tying roasts or bundling herbs for flavoring soups and stews. On top of that is is biodegradable and earth-friendly! |
 | A good carving set is a must have for Thanksgiving. A sturdy carving set with a sharp knife and pronged fork will allow you to hold meat still while you slice it. The Ginsu Chikara Stainless Steel Carving Set is a great option. It is rust resistant and the handles are made of heat and water resistant resin. The set comes in a nice storage box to keep your equipment safe until you are ready to use it. This is a great set for a great price. |
 | A whisk is essential to make a smooth, delicious gravy. Look for one with a flexible wire head and comfortable handle such as the OXO 11-inch Balloon Whisk. This whisk is great for heavy sauces such as gravy and is dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. This another item you will be able to use frequently even after Thanksgiving. |
 | The Trudeau Gravy/Fat Separator allows you to separate excess fat and gristle from the pan juices. All you need to do is pour in the juices and wait a minute for the fat to rise to the top. The spout allows you to pour off the liquid, leaving the fat behind. The removable strainer helps to keep any chunky drippings out which ensures a smooth gravy. |
 | A heavy-duty ceramic pie plate is the best choiceto help ensure an evenly cooked crust. The Emile Henry Coulers Pie Dish is perfect for pie baking and pretty enough to bring directly to the table. This will work with any recipe that calls for a standard size 9 inch pie dish . |
 | Brushing a crust with a beaten egg is an important step in browning. It is good to keep more than one on hand in case you want to use one for savory dishes and one for sweet. This set of 3 Silicone Basting Brushes is perfect to ensure you have a few different brushes on hand (and for a great price!). |
 | Baking sheets have all sorts of uses on Thanksgiving, and this Nordic Ware Naturals Baking Pan is perfect for just about any job. The pans support even baking and browning and the oversized edge also makes getting these pans in and out of the oven a cinch |
 | If you plan on doing any baking during the Holiday's then these Artisan Baking Mats are a must-have. They eliminate the need for cooking sprays, oils, butter or parchment paper and are easy to clean. These are made from FDA approved material and are oven, microwave, and freezer safe. |
 | You can run into some odd measurement requirements when cooking for the Holidays. The Progressive GT-3520 International 19-Piece Measuring Cup and Spoon Set is perfect because it has some of the hard to find measurements such as 1/8 cup and 1/16 tsp. Plus they stack together for easy storage! All pieces are dishwasher safe and you will use these every day in your baking and cooking! |
 | And last but not least - the serving items! Don't forget to make sure you have the following essentials: |
The Menu
A Paleo Thanksgiving is possible and there are so many great recipes available. Below are some ideas for dishes you can include on your menu as well as a link to the recipe.
Breakfast/Brunch Ideas
Drink Ideas
Appetizers Ideas
Soup Ideas
Main Dish Ideas
Side Dish Ideas
Dessert Ideas
Breakfast/Brunch Ideas
- Blueberry Muffins - paleocupboard.com
- Breakfast Skillet - paleocupboard.com
- Cinnamon Rolls - paleocupboard.com
- Maple Walnut Scotch Eggs - popularpaleo.com
- Sweet Potato Hash - paleocupboard.com
Drink Ideas
- Coconut Milk Latte - stupideasypaleo.com
- Apple Cider - paleocupboard.com
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate - elanaspantry.com
- Prosecco Bellini Cocktail - eatdrinkpaleo.com
- Green Apple Ginger Martini - gourmandeinthekitchen.com
Appetizers Ideas
- Shrimp Cocktail - paleocupboard.com
- Jalapeno Crap Dip - stupideasypaleo.com
- Melon and Prosciutto - primalpalate.com
- Spicy Salmon Cucumber Bites - nomnompaleo.com
- Deviled Eggs - paleocupboard.com
- Tomato and Basil Salad - nomnompaleo.com
- Vegetable Platter with Ranch Dip - meatified.com
Soup Ideas
- Butternut Squash Soup - paleocupboard.com
- Cream of Tomato Soup - nomnompaleo.com
- Gazpacho - eatdrinkpaleo.com
- Savory Pumpkin Soup - grassfedgirl.com
Main Dish Ideas
- Smoked Turkey - thedomesticman.com
- Dry Brined Roasted Turkey - food52.com
- Baked Ham - thepaleomom.com
- Roast Duck - eatlivepaleo.com
- Roasted Stuffed Pork Tenderloin - paleocupboard.com
- Walnut Crusted Salmon - amazingpaleo.com
Side Dish Ideas
- Stuffing - paleomg.com
- Gravy - nomnompaleo.com
- Cranberry Sauce - paleoeffect.com
- Baked Butternut Squash - paleocupboard.com
- Crispy Brussel Sprouts - paleocupboard.com
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes in Orange Cups - paleocupboard.com
- Balsamic Mushrooms - paleocupboard.com
- Apple, Beet and Arugula Salad - paleocupboard.com
- Garlic Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes" - nomnompaleo.com
- Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Cream Sauce - paleocupboard.com
- Rainbow Chard with Hazelnuts - popularpaleo.com
- Paleo Pasta - paleocupboard.com
- Dinner Rolls - paleocupboard.com
Dessert Ideas
- Pumpkin Pie - paleocupboard.com
- Chewy Pecan Brittle - paleomg.com
- Pumpkin Bars - paleocupboard.com
- Pecan Pie Tart - paleospirit.com
- Lemon Bars - paleocupboard.com
Other Considerations
- Make sure to tell your guests well in advance of the location and time. Let them know if you need or want them to bring anything.
- Create a list of everything you’ll need. Include ingredients for all of your dishes plus any cooking and serving equipment, as well as any decorations you want to have. Flowers, pumpkins and gourds make great centerpiece ideas.
- Make sure you have enough seating for everyone. If not, ask to borrow some tables and chairs from friends or family. These can be easily dressed up with tablecloths and chair covers if needed.
- Determine what you can make a day or two ahead so you don't run the risk of not having everything done on time.
- Make room in our your fridge, freezer and pantry in advance of shopping so you have space for everything. This is a good time to use up any extra items that have been lingering for a while.
- Don't forget to have plenty of leftover containers around so you don't have folks leaving with your expensive Tupperware (I love these).
And a little bit of fun!
Since everyone loved my little meme so much last year, I am adding it to this years Thanksgiving Checklist!
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