Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule
Written by Mustapha B. · Updated August 13, 2026
Tell us your dinner time, turkey size and dishes, get a working-backward timeline so everything’s ready at once. Print it for the fridge.
Your cooking timeline
How to plan your Thanksgiving cooking schedule
The secret to a calm Thanksgiving is working backward from when you want to eat. Set your dinner time and turkey weight, choose your dishes, and this tool builds a minute-by-minute timeline so everything lands on the table hot, and you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
Tips
- Oven space is the real bottleneck, bake sides before the turkey or while it rests.
- The turkey needs a 20–30 minute rest; it stays hot and frees the oven for sides.
- Make what you can a day ahead: cranberry sauce, pie, and even mashed potatoes reheat well.
Frequently asked questions
What time should I put the turkey in?
Work backward from dinner: a 14 lb turkey needs about 3 hours plus a 20–30 minute rest, so it goes in roughly 3.5 hours before you eat. This tool builds the full timeline for you.