No-Stress Thanksgiving Menus

The Less-Stress, Less-Mess Thanksgiving Menu

Kitchen chaos is one Thanksgiving tradition to let go of. This holiday menu cuts down on the work with fewer pots and more make-ahead suggestions

The Less-Stress, Less-Mess Thanksgiving Menu
Jim Franco
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The Turkey
Roast Turkey with Sage and Orange Gravy
hands-on time: 45 minutes
total time: 5 hours
makes: 10 servings, with leftovers

Equipment
  • Chef's knife
  • Butcher's twine
  • Roasting pan
  • Shallow baking pan
  • Measuring spoons
  • 4-cup glass measuring cup
  • Whisk
  • Large spoon
  • Medium saucepan


  • Time-Savers
  • Roast the turkey unstuffed — it shaves about 30 minutes off the cooking time.
  • Use a bed of carrots and leeks instead of a roasting rack. The vegetables flavor the drippings, and there's no rack to scour.
  • Spread garlic-herb cheese under the turkey skin instead of butter and herbs. It eliminates extra chopping and dirty mixing bowls.


  • Make-Ahead Suggestion
    The turkey and other ingredients can be prepped and arranged in the roasting pan up to 1 day ahead. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

    The Recipe
    Roast Turkey with Sage and Orange Gravy



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