Grocery shopping right before Thanksgiving can be chaotic, with crowded aisles and sought-after items sold out. To execute a successful holiday meal, plan ahead and give yourself time to get essential food and supplies.
To determine your essential Thanksgiving shopping list, 24/7 Tempo used editorial discretion and compiled the most common items needed for traditional holiday dishes including food and kitchen supplies. Check your kitchen first and cross off what you already have.
Buy groceries at least five days in advance, as key items like dairy may be gone closer to Thanksgiving. Don’t let necessities like containers or vanilla slip your mind at the last minute. Use this list to shop early and avoid rushing to the store with the turkey in the oven. You can also save time by purchasing pies from a local bakery. (Here is the best pie shop in every state.)
Scroll to see your essential Thanksgiving shopping list:
Onions, celery, and carrots
This trifecta is the perfect stuffing base and may also be used in casseroles or to flavor the turkey.
Fresh citrus
A few oranges and lemons are always good to have on hand. Many dessert and cranberry sauce recipes will call for fresh juice and/or zest.
Apples
Selecting a bag of crisp baking apples like granny smiths, braeburns, or golden delicious will ensure that your pie filling holds its shape and doesn’t turn to mush.
Garlic
Besides the rolls and sweets, are there really any dishes that won’t call for garlic?
Green beans
Whether sauteed fresh or canned and featured in a casserole, green beans are a classic vegetable side.
Fresh herbs
Skip the dried herbs. Fresh will go a long way to add extra flavor to many dishes. Stuff rosemary and sage into the turkey, add thyme and parsley to the stuffing, and sprinkle chives on mashed potatoes.
Potatoes
Dense, starchy potato varieties like russets or yukon golds are a great choice for mashed potatoes.
Sweet potatoes
Fresh or canned sweet potatoes are essential for a traditional sweet potato casserole. Whether to use marshmallows on top is up to you.
Cranberries
Fresh cranberries can be used to make a quick relish, but many people prefer the texture of canned sauce. Either way, don’t skip this tart condiment.
Bread
Buy a fresh loaf and cut it up or save time with a bag of pre-cubed bread to make the most important side dish: the stuffing.
Flour
From fresh rolls to pie crusts to gravy thickener, you’re going to be using a lot of flour, so grab a five pound bag.
Sugar
Brown and white sugar will be essential for pies, cakes, pumpkin rolls, and any other dessert that traditionally lands on your family’s buffet.
Corn syrup
If you’re making pecan pie, don’t forget to pick up a bottle of corn syrup – and choose dark for a richer flavor.
Vanilla extract
It would be a shame to run out of vanilla at a time like this.
Yeast
Those old yeast packets in the pantry may be expired, so pick up a fresh pack to ensure that the rolls rise.
Warm spices
Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger will add pizzazz to apple and pumpkin pies, mulled cider, and festive cookies.
Nuts
Roasted nuts are an easy snack to place on end tables. In addition, pecans can be used for pie, slivered almonds can top casseroles, and hazelnuts may add a nutty bite to stuffing.
Heavy cream
Some dessert recipes will call for heavy cream. It can also add depth to mashed potatoes and be whipped to top the pies.
Eggs and milk
From pies to cakes to casseroles, many dishes will require eggs and milk so be sure to have plenty of both on hand.
Butter
Baked goods like pies will use quite a bit of unsalted butter, so picking up two pounds is a good idea – and don’t forget salted butter for the rolls.
Canned pumpkin
Pumpkin pie is a necessity, and most home cooks opt for using canned pumpkin. Be sure to get pure pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling, so that you can control the sugar and spice levels.
Chicken or turkey broth
When making stuffing outside of the bird, you’ll need broth on hand to ensure a savory flavor. Extra broth can also help fill out the gravy so there’s more than enough for everyone.
Dinner rolls
Many cooks opt to skip the homemade rolls and buy a pack instead. Brown and serve rolls can be popped in the oven for a few minutes to mimic that fresh baked flavor.
Turkey
Choose a fresh turkey and remember that a good rule of thumb is one and a half pounds of bird per person – or a bit more if you are hoping to have ample leftovers.
Meat thermometer
Save the last minute scramble through all the drawers and make sure you’ve got a working meat thermometer. Nobody wants an underdone turkey.
Roasting pan
Many people don’t have a roasting pan big enough for a holiday turkey. Invest in one or grab a disposable one, and make sure it’s big enough to fit your bird.
Leftover containers
Pick up some reusable containers if you plan on letting guests take some leftovers home.
Turkey baster
Although some cooks prefer not to baste a turkey, to ensure that the skin stays crisp, others swear that basting helps the meat stay moist throughout the cooking process. If you fall into the latter camp, then be sure you’ve got a turkey baster.
Aluminum foil
It’s smart to keep foil around, both to keep everything hot before serving, and to cover leftovers after dinner.
Beverages
Whether it’s soft drinks, beer, wine, sparkling cider, or all of the above, your guests will go through a few drinks a piece throughout the night, so have a few cases on hand.