Get your kitchen ready for Thanksgiving with these easy organization tips. From decluttering counters to prepping ingredients, we’ll help you enjoy a stress-free holiday.
Let’s face it—hosting Thanksgiving can be a bit overwhelming.
Between planning the menu, coordinating with family members, and tackling the grocery shopping, it’s easy to feel stressed out before the big day even arrives.
But having an organized kitchen can make a world of difference.
When your kitchen is in order, you’ll find it easier to prepare meals, minimize chaos, and most importantly, enjoy the holiday!
If you’ve ever found yourself frantically searching for a mixing bowl or an extra pair of tongs while the turkey is in the oven, then this post is for you.
I’ve gathered some of my top kitchen organization tips to help you prepare for Thanksgiving, so that when the holiday arrives, you can focus on making memories instead of managing a kitchen meltdown.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. For more information, see my disclosures here.
Cluttered countertops are one of the biggest contributors to holiday kitchen chaos.
SHOP
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Before you even think about cooking your Thanksgiving feast, take some time to clear off your countertops.
Pro tip: If you’re short on space, invest in a rolling cart or small table that you can use for additional prep space or to store ingredients you’ll be using frequently throughout the day.
Nothing is more frustrating than needing a whisk or measuring cups and not being able to find them!
Read: DIY Custom Wooden Drawer Organizers
Make sure all your essential cooking tools are within easy reach and organized in a way that makes sense for how you’ll use them.
Related: 7 Things You Need to Get Rid of in Your Kitchen
Pro tip: If you don’t have drawer space, consider using a wall-mounted rack or magnetic strip to hang frequently used utensils and keep your counters clear.
An organized pantry will make cooking Thanksgiving dinner so much easier, especially when it comes to tracking ingredients and ensuring you have everything you need.
SHOP
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Pro tip: If you’re tight on pantry space, use a door organizer or tiered shelves to maximize your storage and create more room for Thanksgiving ingredients.
Shop: Pantry Organizing Favorites
A clean and organized fridge is crucial for Thanksgiving, especially when you’ll need space for storing prepped dishes, leftovers, and that giant turkey!
Read: How to Organize your Fridge
Pro tip: If you’re short on fridge space, consider using a cooler with ice packs to store drinks, condiments, or less-perishable items. This will leave more room in the fridge for your Thanksgiving dishes.
Serving and storing Thanksgiving leftovers can often be an afterthought, but planning ahead will make a big difference in keeping your kitchen organized.
SHOP
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Pro tip: Label containers with a dry-erase marker or tape to keep track of what’s inside—this will save you from playing the “what’s in this container?” guessing game later on.
One of the best ways to stay organized (and sane!) on Thanksgiving Day is to prep as much as you can in advance.
SHOP
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Pro tip: Set aside an hour or two the day before Thanksgiving to do all your prep work. It might seem like extra effort upfront, but it will save you so much time and stress on the day of the feast.
By organizing your kitchen ahead of time, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother, more enjoyable Thanksgiving.
With decluttered countertops, an organized pantry, and a clean fridge, you’ll have the space and peace of mind to focus on what really matters—spending time with loved ones and enjoying the holiday together.
With a little bit of preparation, your kitchen can become a well-oiled machine, ready to handle anything Thanksgiving throws your way.
So, take a deep breath, tackle these organizing tips, and enjoy the holiday without the stress!
Happy Thanksgiving!
The post Organizing Your Kitchen for Thanksgiving: Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday appeared first on Christene Holder Home.
How to Organize a Kitchen for the Holidays
Let’s face it—hosting Thanksgiving can be a bit overwhelming.
Between planning the menu, coordinating with family members, and tackling the grocery shopping, it’s easy to feel stressed out before the big day even arrives.
But having an organized kitchen can make a world of difference.
When your kitchen is in order, you’ll find it easier to prepare meals, minimize chaos, and most importantly, enjoy the holiday!
If you’ve ever found yourself frantically searching for a mixing bowl or an extra pair of tongs while the turkey is in the oven, then this post is for you.
I’ve gathered some of my top kitchen organization tips to help you prepare for Thanksgiving, so that when the holiday arrives, you can focus on making memories instead of managing a kitchen meltdown.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. For more information, see my disclosures here.
Thanksgiving Kitchen Organization Tips
Declutter Your Countertops
Cluttered countertops are one of the biggest contributors to holiday kitchen chaos.
SHOP
Before you even think about cooking your Thanksgiving feast, take some time to clear off your countertops.
Remove everything you don’t need: This includes small appliances, decorations, or items that belong somewhere else. You’ll need as much workspace as possible for chopping, mixing, and plating.
Create zones: Designate areas for specific tasks. Have a prep zone for chopping veggies, a cooking zone near the stove, and a plating zone near where you’ll serve the food.
Limit decor: It’s fun to have festive touches in the kitchen, but keep them minimal so they don’t take up valuable counter space.
Pro tip: If you’re short on space, invest in a rolling cart or small table that you can use for additional prep space or to store ingredients you’ll be using frequently throughout the day.
Organize Your Tools and Utensils
Nothing is more frustrating than needing a whisk or measuring cups and not being able to find them!
Read: DIY Custom Wooden Drawer Organizers
Make sure all your essential cooking tools are within easy reach and organized in a way that makes sense for how you’ll use them.
Declutter drawers and cabinets: Go through your kitchen drawers and only keep what you’ll actually use for Thanksgiving. Remove unnecessary tools and utensils that won’t be needed for the big day.
Sort by function: Keep all of your essential tools like measuring cups, spoons, spatulas, and tongs in a drawer or on a countertop organizer, so you can grab them without searching through clutter.
Create a baking station: If you’re baking pies or desserts, designate one part of the kitchen for all your baking supplies—measuring spoons, mixing bowls, flour, sugar, and baking sheets. Having them all in one place will save you from running back and forth across the kitchen.
Related: 7 Things You Need to Get Rid of in Your Kitchen
Pro tip: If you don’t have drawer space, consider using a wall-mounted rack or magnetic strip to hang frequently used utensils and keep your counters clear.
Take Stock of Your Pantry
An organized pantry will make cooking Thanksgiving dinner so much easier, especially when it comes to tracking ingredients and ensuring you have everything you need.
SHOP
Do a pantry inventory: A week or two before Thanksgiving, take stock of your pantry. Toss expired items and make a list of the ingredients you’ll need to buy for your recipes.
Group items by category: Place baking ingredients together, canned goods in one section, and dry goods (like flour, sugar, and pasta) in another. This will make it easier to find what you need when you’re in the thick of cooking.
Use clear containers: Storing dry goods in clear containers or labeled bins will help you see exactly what you have, and you’ll avoid running out of essential items like flour or sugar mid-recipe.
Pro tip: If you’re tight on pantry space, use a door organizer or tiered shelves to maximize your storage and create more room for Thanksgiving ingredients.
Shop: Pantry Organizing Favorites
Clean Out Your Fridge and Freezer
A clean and organized fridge is crucial for Thanksgiving, especially when you’ll need space for storing prepped dishes, leftovers, and that giant turkey!
Clear out old food: A few days before Thanksgiving, go through your fridge and toss any expired items or leftovers you won’t eat. Free up as much space as possible for the holiday dishes you’ll be preparing.
Organize by category: Group items by category in your fridge—dairy on one shelf, vegetables in the crisper, and condiments on the door. This will make it easier to find what you need quickly.
Create space for prepped dishes: Dedicate a shelf or two for dishes that can be prepped in advance. This way, you’ll know exactly where to place that green bean casserole once it’s ready to go in the oven.
Read: How to Organize your Fridge
Pro tip: If you’re short on fridge space, consider using a cooler with ice packs to store drinks, condiments, or less-perishable items. This will leave more room in the fridge for your Thanksgiving dishes.
Plan Your Serving and Storage Solutions
Serving and storing Thanksgiving leftovers can often be an afterthought, but planning ahead will make a big difference in keeping your kitchen organized.
SHOP
Plan your serving dishes: Before Thanksgiving, lay out all the serving dishes, platters, and utensils you’ll need for each dish. Label them with sticky notes, so you know exactly what goes where when it’s time to serve.
Have food storage ready: Make sure you have enough food storage containers (with matching lids!) ready for leftovers. This will make it easy to clean up after the meal and avoid scrambling to find containers for your guests to take food home.
Set up a “leftover station”: If you anticipate lots of leftovers, designate a spot in the kitchen or dining room where guests can pack up food to take home. This keeps the kitchen organized and gives you one less thing to think about.
Pro tip: Label containers with a dry-erase marker or tape to keep track of what’s inside—this will save you from playing the “what’s in this container?” guessing game later on.
Prep Ingredients in Advance
One of the best ways to stay organized (and sane!) on Thanksgiving Day is to prep as much as you can in advance.
Chop and prep veggies the day before: You can cut up vegetables, measure out ingredients, and even mix pie fillings the night before Thanksgiving. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge, so you’re ready to go when it’s time to cook.
Make desserts ahead of time: Pies, cakes, and other desserts can often be made a day or two in advance. This not only saves time on the big day but also keeps your oven free for roasting that turkey!
Prepare side dishes ahead of time: Certain side dishes, like mashed potatoes or casseroles, can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge. On Thanksgiving, all you’ll need to do is pop them in the oven.
SHOP
Pro tip: Set aside an hour or two the day before Thanksgiving to do all your prep work. It might seem like extra effort upfront, but it will save you so much time and stress on the day of the feast.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
By organizing your kitchen ahead of time, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother, more enjoyable Thanksgiving.
With decluttered countertops, an organized pantry, and a clean fridge, you’ll have the space and peace of mind to focus on what really matters—spending time with loved ones and enjoying the holiday together.
With a little bit of preparation, your kitchen can become a well-oiled machine, ready to handle anything Thanksgiving throws your way.
So, take a deep breath, tackle these organizing tips, and enjoy the holiday without the stress!
Happy Thanksgiving!
More Thanksgiving Tips
How to Host a Fall Family Gathering Without the Stress
How To Create a Gorgeous Thanksgiving Table in 5 Easy Steps
Fall Tablescape Ideas for Family Dinners on a Budget
Modern Classic Thanksgiving Table
Stress-Free Thanksgiving Prep
The post Organizing Your Kitchen for Thanksgiving: Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday appeared first on Christene Holder Home.