Martha Stewart's very best Thanksgiving cooking tips

Martha's top Thanksgiving tips

She's the queen of home cooking and hosting, so who better to turn to for Thanksgiving cooking tips and tricks than the legendary Martha Stewart? From suggestions for cooking the perfect turkey to advice on prepping ahead and notes on how to make your sides shine, here’s how to ace Thanksgiving according to the doyenne of domesticity.

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29. Make relish more exciting

Yes, the idea of a relish tray might be old-school, but there are ways to bring it back with a modern twist. Follow Stewart's lead and add kimchi for a bit of heat or capers for a salty kick. For a quick pickle, heat 17fl oz water and 34fl oz white wine vinegar in a pan with 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 3 tbsp fine salt, and 2 tbsp sugar. Bring to the boil, then simmer until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat, leave to cool, and use to pickle everything from cucumbers and cauliflower to carrot strips and radishes.

28. Make your own cranberry sauce

Thanksgiving just wouldn't be the same without a tangy cranberry sauce. Stewart's classic sauce pairs whole berries with cinnamon, orange juice, and zest, and only takes 25 minutes to make. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan (you'll need a cup of orange juice for every 6 cups of cranberries), add sugar, salt, and cinnamon to taste, and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the berries begin to burst and the sauce thickens. 

27. Pay your pie crust some attention

If you want to upgrade your pie crust and make it look picture-perfect, there are a few quick and easy tricks to try. Use a fork to create crosshatch marks or simply flatten the fork along the crust, mark twice with an inverted spoon, or just pinch to crimp. For a more elaborate design, braid thin strips of dough and attach with egg wash. When making your pie base, Stewart highlights the importance of taking the pastry ingredients out of the refrigerator at least half an hour in advance. This will allow the ingredients to come to room temperature and ensure a perfectly flaky crust.

26. Defrost the turkey in the refrigerator

Defrosting a turkey can be a long process, but it’s a vital step to avoid disaster later (both for your feast and your health). Stewart advises putting the frozen bird, still in its original packaging, breast side up on a rimmed baking sheet and placing it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Allow a full day of defrosting for every 4lb of turkey and remember to disinfect the shelf once the turkey is removed.

25. Make sure you brine the bird

The easiest way to prep your bird ahead of time for maximum flavor and moist meat is using a dry brine, which is also quicker (and requires less cleanup) than a wet brine. Follow Stewart's example: rub your turkey with around 6 tbsp of kosher salt, let it sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours, then rinse before cooking.

24. Be inventive with leftover turkey

Stewart has numerous ideas for making the most of leftover turkey, which is best eaten a day or two after cooking. Add the meat to Mexican-inspired quesadillas, bake it into a savory leftovers pie with stuffing and cranberry sauce, shred for breakfast tacos, or turn it into a spicy and fragrant curry that also incorporates any leftover squash.

23. Decide between stuffing and dressing

According to Stewart, the only difference between stuffing and dressing is in the presentation and cooking method. Stuffing is cooked inside the bird, while dressing is baked in a dish and served alongside the turkey. Traditionalists will love a simple sausage and pear stuffing, while a dried fruit and nut cornbread dressing can also be enjoyed by any guests who don't eat meat.

22. Stick to classic sides

Side dishes are just as important as the turkey, and you'll have plenty of time to prep a few options while the bird is cooking. Stewart is an advocate of keeping things simple and sticking to the classics; think creamy mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, sautéed greens, and other easy veg options that can be jazzed up with a béchamel sauce, brown butter, or a simple vinaigrette.

21. Get your timings right

The total cooking time depends on the size of the turkey, but Stewart suggests first roasting the bird for 30 minutes in a 425°F oven, so the skin turns a lovely golden brown. After that, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and cook for around two- to two-and-a-half hours for a 15-20lb bird. When a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F, it's ready.

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20. Leave turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes

Always rest your turkey for at least 30 minutes before carving it. Put the cooked bird in a warm place and cover with foil; this will allow the meat to relax and ensure it stays moist, as well as making it easier to carve. If you slice it straight from the oven, the juices will run out and you'll end up with a dry turkey, despite all your hard work.

19. Add some color to your dishes

With several roasted dishes and the turkey as the centerpiece, the Thanksgiving table can often end up looking rather beige. To add a pop of color, Stewart suggests serving an array of vibrant vegetables such as roasted radishes, braised celery, and rainbow carrots and parsnips with a mint-yogurt sauce.

18. Make sure your apples are firm

Apple and pecan are among the most popular Thanksgiving pies (apart from pumpkin, of course), and whether you decide to stick to the classics or try new flavor combinations, Stewart has a top tip up her sleeve. For apple pies, go for firm apple varieties – these won't turn to mush when cooked and will give your pie a more intense apple flavor. You could also add blueberries to the filling or make your pecan pie even more indulgent with the addition of dates.

17. Freeze your leftover gravy

Stewart recommends pouring any leftover gravy into muffin tins or ice cube trays and freezing. Once frozen, the cubes can be removed from the molds, popped into a bag, and returned to the freezer, ready for whenever your roasted chicken or open-faced sandwich needs a bit of extra flavor. The same goes for cranberry sauce, which can be used to lift other cooked meats, both hot and cold.

16. Repurpose cooked veg into new dishes

Stewart notes that pretty much all roasted vegetables and vegetable dishes lose their appeal once frozen, so it's best to quickly repurpose the cooked veg into other dishes. One of the best ways to use up leftover vegetables is incorporating them into a cheesy pastry tart – use store-bought pastry, pile in the vegetables, and top with plenty of grated cheese.

15. Make veggies more exciting

Stewart often uses big, bold flavors to lift sautéed or roasted greens that can otherwise be a bit bland and boring. Some of her favorite tricks include glazing Brussels sprouts in brown sugar and bacon, adding umami-rich shiitake mushrooms to a warm spinach salad, and combining crispy shallots and punchy lemon with buttered green beans. You could also try infusing creamy roasted broccoli with garlic, chilies, and anchovies.

14. Learn how to professionally carve the turkey

When it comes to carving your turkey, first pull each leg away from the body and slice between the breast and the drumstick; bend it back until the bone pops out of the socket and then cut through the joint completely. Cut between the joint to separate the thigh from the drumstick and then slice the wings off at the joint. Remove each breast with one deep slice down both sides, then place both on a cutting board and slice against the grain. This will not only look professional, but will ensure the meat stays moist. 

13. Prep your pie correctly

Stewart has several tips for achieving pie perfection. She says that double crust pies will benefit from being generously brushed with a beaten egg to add a gorgeous shine, while a sprinkling of coarse sugar is the secret to a crunchy upper crust. For single crust pies, make sure to blind bake the shell, as this will eliminate the possibility of a soggy base. Don't forget to pierce the surface of the pastry with a fork, to prevent it from puffing up in the oven.

12. Make stock with the turkey carcass

Do not put the turkey carcass in the trash. Instead, Stewart suggests saving the bones after you've carved your bird and using them to make a simple stock. Add carrots, onions, celery, and seasoning, and cook as you would any chicken stock. You can then freeze it for up to six months, ready to use in sauces, risottos, gravies, and soups.

11. Use pumpkin seeds in your pastry

If you really want to take your pumpkin pie to the next level, and gift the dessert a more pronounced pumpkin flavor along the way, Stewart says you need to try swapping out some of the flour in the pastry mix for toasted, ground pumpkin seeds. This will also ensure the pie crust has a lovely crunchy texture.

10. Blowtorch your pumpkin pie

Borrow a trick from classic crème brûlée preparation and top your pumpkin pie with a crunchy caramelized sugar layer. You'll need a small kitchen blowtorch for this, and it'll add a wonderful showstopping element to the dessert. Sift a couple of tablespoons of fine sugar evenly over the top of the pie, use a blow torch to caramelize the sugar (ensuring it doesn't burn), and then repeat with a couple more tablespoons of sugar. If your caramelized top is starting to look too dark, move the blowtorch further away. 

9. Roast your bird upside down

An experienced cook like Stewart knows that ensuring the meat is moist throughout is the hardest thing about cooking a turkey – by the time the legs are cooked, it’s all too easy for the breast meat to have dried out. Stewart’s genius suggestion is to roast your bird upside down, resting on a buttered loaf of ciabatta, which helps the meat to cook evenly.

8. Use the correct potatoes for perfect mashed potatoes

Whether you decide to use a masher, a ricer, or a stand mixer, Stewart recommends using Russet, Yukon gold, or long white potatoes to make mashed potatoes. To ensure they aren't bland, season with plenty of black pepper, salt, and nutmeg – the latter will add a rich, luxurious flavor. For a silky-smooth finish, incorporate plenty of butter.

7. Make pie crusts a week in advance

It’s a great idea to make your pies ahead of time (and avoid a floury mess among the turkey chaos). Stewart suggests baking and freezing your crusts up to a week in advance and fully baking the pies at least a day before serving. This will let the flavors develop and help set fruit pie juices or custards. She also advises freezing the complete pies for up to an hour before baking, as this will help single crust pies keep their shape and prevent double crust pies from collapsing.

6. Buy a bigger bird than you think you need

When choosing a Thanksgiving turkey, you want to ensure there's enough meat to serve everyone – it's better to have leftovers than to run out. Stewart suggests working on the basis of around 1.5lb per person, so if you're serving 10 people, you'll need a bird that's around 15-20lb. Remember that smaller birds have a smaller meat-to-bone ratio, so if your bird is less than 12lb, you'll need to factor in around 2lb of meat per person.

5. Make mashed potatoes the day before

Stewart says it’s fine to make your mashed potatoes a day or so ahead of time, keeping them in the refrigerator. To reheat, place them in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water and simply stir until the potatoes have warmed through. If needed, add a splash of milk to achieve the smooth and creamy texture you want.

4. Buy turkey wings to make stock in advance

There's no need to wait until you get your bird to make the turkey stock. Buy turkey wings or legs in advance and turn them into a flavorsome broth that can then be transformed into gravy on the day. Stewart says the stock can be made a couple of days ahead and kept in the refrigerator, or frozen for up to three months.

3. Sieve lumpy gravy

Even if your gravy looks and tastes like it can’t be rescued, Stewart says there’s no need to despair. To fix lumpy gravy, pass it through a fine sieve. If it's too thick, gradually whisk in a little stock to loosen. Simmer thin gravy over a medium-high heat until it thickens or whisk in a mixture of equal parts flour and butter. A splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, a scoop of store-bought demi-glace (French brown sauce), or a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper will add depth of flavor to a bland gravy, while a greasy gravy can be remedied by skimming off as much fat as possible with a ladle.

2. Don't bother peeling veg

A Thanksgiving feast usually calls for butternut squash (or similar), but getting the skin off the vegetable is time consuming – so do as Stewart does and roast your squash with the skin on. There's a lot of flavor and vitamins in the skin, and plenty of squash varieties can be eaten unpeeled. Plus, it will look beautiful when served. You could also do this with roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, and even beets. 

1. Choose canned pumpkin for the best pie filling

Stewart swears by using convenient canned pumpkin for the pie filling. After having tried roasted, steamed, mashed, puréed, and even reduced pumpkin in her pie fillings, she says nothing compares to the smooth, dense purée from a can – and who are we to argue?

Now discover these historic photos of Thanksgiving dinner over the decades

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Last updated by Dominique Ayling.