Timing Your Holiday Cooking- No More Cold Side Dishes

We’ve all been there – the turkey’s piping hot, but the mashed potatoes are cold, and the green beans lost their steam an hour ago. The key to a perfectly timed holiday dinner isn’t just in the ingredients but in how you manage your kitchen space and cooking times! Here’s a foolproof approach from Acme Salt Co. to keep your entire feast warm and ready to serve at once, so you can Keep Cooking Simple. Read the full tip to get a sample timeline for your holiday dinners!

Timing is Everything

When it comes to cooking holiday meals, timing can make or break your dinner. Juggling multiple dishes in a limited oven and stove top space is tricky, but with a little planning, you can serve a perfect, piping-hot (and delicious) spread. Here’s how to time your holiday dishes to ensure they’re all ready at the same time—no more cold sides or stressed-out cooks because the holidays are for enjoyment, not added pressure.

Make a Master Timeline

Start by deciding when you want to serve dinner. Work backwards from there, figuring out when each dish needs to start cooking or reheating. This will give you a clear sense of what needs to go in the oven, onto the stove, or into the microwave—and when.

Prioritize Long-Cooking Dishes

Start with the star of the show—your turkey, ham, or roast. Since proteins take the longest to cook, get them in the oven early. Once they’re done, you can let them rest for about 30 minutes before carving. This resting time is the perfect window to bake or reheat sides.

Use the resting time to your advantage. After your turkey or ham comes out of the oven, use that freed-up oven space to heat your casseroles, stuffing, or roasted vegetables.

Batch Your Side Dishes by Cooking Method

Group dishes that need similar oven temperatures and bake them at the same time. For example, side dishes like green bean casserole, stuffing, and roasted veggies typically cook at similar temperatures (325°F to 375°F). Even if they have slightly different cooking times, you can adjust by cooking at a moderate 350°F, adjusting the time slightly as needed. This is helpful in a time crunch.

Example
If your green bean casserole takes 30 minutes at 350°F and your stuffing takes 45 minutes at 375°F, cook both at 350°F. Leave the stuffing in a little longer and pull the casserole out when it’s done.

If oven space is limited, consider using a slow cooker, air fryer, or grill for some of your side dishes.

Plan Stovetop Dishes for Last

Dishes like mashed potatoes, gravy, or sautéed veggies can be prepared last since they come together quickly. Start these about 30-45 minutes before dinner. This way, they’ll be hot and fresh when you’re ready to serve.

Pro Tip: If you have space, make your mashed potatoes earlier in the day and keep them warm in a slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting. You can also do this with gravy or sauces.Be sure to check the items in the slow cooker periodically and stir, to be sure that they are not over cooking. Turn the cooker off if needed.

Reheat Prepped Dishes

To make the day-of cooking easier, some dishes can be prepped ahead of time. Cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and casseroles can be made in advance and reheated on the stovetop, in the oven, or even in the microwave just before dinner.

Don’t underestimate the microwave—it’s perfect for reheating prepared sides like mashed potatoes or stuffing. Just reheat at 50% power to avoid uneven cooking and stir often for even heat distribution. We can’t lie, there are some holiday’s where the microwave is our best friend for reheating mashed potatoes- we promise they are uncompromised in fluffiness and taste.

Use Rest Time Wisely

Remember, large proteins like turkey need to rest for about 30 minutes after cooking. Cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm while it rests. During this time, use your oven to finish off any sides, bake your rolls, or roast veggies- and don’t forget to ask for some kitchen help.

Pro Mini Tip
Keep a list of all the dishes you’re making, including cooking times and temperatures. Check off each dish as it finishes to stay organized and avoid any last-minute surprises.

Sample Timeline for a 5:00 PM Dinner

7:00 AM: Prep turkey, let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes. If you’ve used Acme Salt Co’s turkey brine, this would be the time to take the turkey out of the bag to let it rest.
12:30 PM: Preheat the oven for the turkey.
1:00 PM: Turkey goes into the oven.
2:00 PM: Begin prepping side dishes (wash, chop, assemble casseroles, etc.).
3:30 PM: Turkey reaches desired temperature; remove and let rest. Put casseroles, stuffing, and if your rolls are raw dough, put them in the oven.
4:00 PM: Start stovetop dishes like mashed potatoes and gravy.
4:30 PM: Reheat pre-made items like cranberry sauce and any chilled sides.
4:45 PM: Finish stovetop items, pull side dishes from the oven, and start carving turkey. If your rolls are precooked, this would be a great time to pop them in the oven if they need to be warmed.
5:00 PM: Serve everything hot and fresh!

By planning and sticking to a cooking schedule, you’ll enjoy a stress-free holiday meal where everything hits the table hot and delicious. With this strategy, every dish—whether it’s turkey, stuffing, or green beans—will be ready at the right time for a meal that’s sure to impress your guests!