A Freeze Dried Thanksgiving Feast Planner: A Step-by-Step Guide to Prepare the Perfect Holiday Meal
/
Thanksgiving is more than just a meal; it’s a time to pause, share with family, and reflect on the things in life we are truly grateful for. Despite our busy lives, Thanksgiving encourages us to come together, focusing on gratitude and cherishing moments with loved ones.
While practices like gratitude journals and mindfulness are now part of many of our daily lives, Thanksgiving remains a special moment to unite with family and friends, recognizing the blessings we share as a group. One of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions is our “Gratitude Jar.” Granted, most of our notes get written right after last Thanksgiving or in the weeks leading up to the holiday when it’s fresh in our minds. But a few make it in throughout the year, capturing moments we’re thankful for as they happen. On Thanksgiving, we pull out the notes and read them aloud, sharing laughs and reflecting on the year’s special moments together.
But, as many of us know, it can be tough to fully embrace the meaning of Thanksgiving when you’re juggling last-minute prep in the kitchen and struggling to have every dish ready at the same time. Coordinating a large meal is challenging, especially with the timing of multiple dishes, the oven space, and the desire for everything to be served hot.
That’s where freeze drying has been a game-changer, allowing us to prepare ingredients weeks or even months in advance. With freeze dried ingredients ready to go, we can cut down on the cooking stress and truly get back to what matters: spending meaningful time with family and celebrating the holiday without a rush.
With this plan, we’ll go week-by-week, breaking down exactly how to use your freeze dryer to make Thanksgiving cooking easier. Steal some of these recipes or feel free to follow your own favorite recipes, but incorporate these tips to get the most out of advance prep.
Week 1: Plan and Start Freeze Drying Staples
Step 1: Make Your Menu
Choose the traditional dishes you want to serve. Identify which ingredients you can freeze dry ahead, such as vegetables, stock, and pie fillings.
Step 2: Freeze Dry Vegetables
- Onions, Celery, and Carrots: Chop and freeze dry these for stuffing, soups, and sauces.
- Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes: Cook and mash if you plan to use them in casseroles or mashed potatoes.
- Green Beans: Blanch green beans and freeze dry to add to casseroles or as a steamed side.
Step 3: Prep and Freeze Dry Herbs
- Herbs like thyme, sage, rosemary, and parsley can be freeze dried and stored in airtight containers. This way, you’ll have fresh-tasting herbs ready for the feast.
Step 4: Prepare Bread Cubes for Stuffing (Dressing)
- Slice and Cube the Bread: Start with a loaf of your favorite bread—white, sourdough, or even cornbread. Slice into 1-inch cubes for the perfect stuffing texture.
- Freeze Dry the Cubes: Lay the cubes in a single layer on your freeze dryer trays. Run the freeze dryer until completely dry. This will preserve the cubes without any moisture, ensuring they won’t mold or spoil.
Kate’s Pro Tip:
Since many of these ingredients will be used in multiple recipes, pre-portion each one into separate, labeled bags for each dish. This way, you can easily grab what you need without any confusion.
Week 2: Sauces, Stocks, and More
Step 1: Prepare and Freeze Dry Broth or Stock
Make a large batch of chicken or turkey stock. Freeze dry it in portions for gravies, stuffing, or any dish that requires broth.
Step 2: Cranberry Sauce
Prepare cranberry sauce using your preferred recipe, then freeze dry it in small portions. When rehydrated, it will taste just as fresh and vibrant.
Step 3: Freeze Dry Pie Fillings
Prepare pumpkin and apple pie filling and freeze dry each in preportioned sections. This will save time during rehydration and keep the flavors intact.
Week 3: Prepare Side Dishes and Gravy Base
Step 1: Make Gravy Base
Prepare the base for your gravy with freeze dried stock, flour, and seasonings. Keep it in a jar, ready to rehydrate and thicken on the stove on Thanksgiving Day.
Step 2: Freeze Dry Side Dishes (Optional)
If you have other side dishes that can be partially prepped, go ahead and freeze dry those ingredients too. One of my favorites is Cauliflower Mac and Cheese—a delicious addition to any Thanksgiving spread. By preparing the ingredients cauliflower (chopping/cooking/pureeing) and cheese (shredding and cooking in a roux) then freeze drying as a finished sauce in advance, you can simply toss them straight into the Instant Pot without rehydrating. It’s an easy side dish that practically makes itself, saving you time and effort on the big day.
Step 3: Prepare a Roll Mix with Freeze Dried Ingredients Create a quick roll mix by using freeze dried eggs and milk powder. Simply pre-mix the dry ingredients of your favorite recipe —flour, sugar, salt, and yeast—using powdered freeze dried eggs and milk. Store the mix in an airtight container with a label for easy reference. On Thanksgiving Day, just add warm water, mix, let rise, and bake for fresh, homemade rolls without any extra prep.
Thanksgiving Week: Rehydrate and Assemble
With everything prepped and freeze dried, all that’s left is to rehydrate then assemble and cook on Thanksgiving! Just remember to defrost and brine your turkey—your freeze dried prep means you can fully focus on the bird. Here’s a quick timeline:
2-3 Days Before Thanksgiving
- Rehydrate: Start rehydrating vegetables, pie fillings, and any other ingredients for main courses.
- Assemble Stuffing: Combine freeze dried bread cubes with rehydrated onions, celery, and herbs. Place in a baking dish, ready to bake.
- Defrost and brine your turkey.
1 Day Before Thanksgiving
- Prepare Pies: Make pie crusts. Rehydrate your pie fillings and spoon them into the crusts.
- Make Casseroles: Rehydrate your green beans, sweet potatoes, and other casserole ingredients, then assemble each dish in baking pans.
You can either cover and refrigerate the unbaked dishes or bake them in advance, let them cool, cover, and refrigerate until Thanksgiving. Keep your oven space in mind when planning what to bake ahead and what to cook fresh on the big day.
Thanksgiving Morning
- Cook the Turkey.
- Make Rolls: Mix, shape and let rolls rise then bake.
- Make Gravy: Rehydrate stock and add your gravy base. Heat on the stove until thickened.
- Final Cooking: Bake or reheat casseroles, stuffing, and pies and warm up cranberry sauce.
- Set Out Desserts and Toppings: Rehydrate any freeze dried toppings and set out dessert trays.
With freeze dried prep, you’ll have minimal last-minute kitchen time and more moments to enjoy the holiday with friends and family!
The Benefits of Using Freeze Dried Ingredients for Thanksgiving
Freeze drying allows you to preserve each ingredient’s nutrients and flavors, ensuring everything tastes fresh on Thanksgiving. It also means you can buy ingredients when they’re less expensive and store them without worrying about spoilage. Plus, the time saved in chopping, boiling, and prepping is invaluable when hosting!
By following this guide, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth Thanksgiving prep experience, with everything organized and ready for the big day. Enjoy a memorable meal without the stress, thanks to the convenience of freeze dried Thanksgiving ingredients!
