How to order Thanksgiving dinner
Order early and check the deadline
Thanksgiving is the busiest food week of the year, and every kitchen can only cook so many dinners. Most places post a menu, an order deadline and pickup or delivery times, and some stop taking orders early when they fill up. Order as soon as you know your count. Adding a side later is usually easier than adding a turkey after the cutoff.
How much to order
A common guideline is 1 to 1.5 pounds of whole, bone-in turkey per guest, which leaves some leftovers. For carved or boneless turkey, plan on about half a pound per guest. With four or more sides, half a cup to three quarters of a cup of each side per guest is plenty. A pie cuts into about eight slices, and one pie for every six to eight guests is typical.
Reheating without drying anything out
Follow the reheating instructions that come with your order first. In general, reheat covered at about 325 to 350°F, and add a splash of stock to turkey and stuffing before covering with foil. Reheat cooked dishes to an internal temperature of 165°F. Gravy does best on the stovetop, and mashed potatoes like a splash of milk or cream.
With one oven, reheat the turkey first and let it rest under foil while the sides go in. Write the oven plan down the night before. It is the single most useful thing you can do for the day.
Pickup, delivery and fridge space
Check whether your order is pickup only or can be delivered, and what day it arrives. Many holiday meals come chilled a day or two early, so clear a fridge shelf before you collect it. For 20 or more guests, add extra sides so the table does not run short of the popular dishes.