Thanksgiving Recipes and Leftovers

Easy recipes for leftover turkey, how to store your leftovers, and how long your cranberries will really last.

Essential Tools

11 Trusty Tools for Thanksgiving Dinner
Real Simple’s food editors share their go-to equipment for holiday cooking.

Wine and Beer Picks
Toast Thanksgiving with one of these options for any budget.

Menu Ideas

Streamlined Thanksgiving Menu
Don't think of it as Thanksgiving. Think of it as an extra-large Thursday-night dinner. Here's how to deconstruct (and de-stress) the whole event.

Your Fastest, Easiest Thanksgiving Ever
Prepare a full spread―dessert included―in just a few hours. 

Refrigerator and Freezer Cleaning Checklist

You may think you have the technique down cold, but keeping the refrigerator clean requires more than a box of baking soda. Think of this checklist as a refresher course.

• Remove food. Store the frozen items in coolers. Refrigerated, perishable foods generally won’t spoil during the cleaning process if left at room temperature for under 2 hours.
• Clean crispers and ice-maker bins. Place in warm water with dish soap and scrub. Empty ice maker (ice can absorb odors).
• Clean doors, shelves, and walls. Vacuum food crumbs. Wipe with a solution of two tablespoons baking soda and one quart warm water.

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