Here are some tips on holiday meal prep ideas and holiday dishes to make ahead of time.
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Looking for ways to have a more stress free holiday season? This post is all about holiday meal prep tips and ideas.
The holidays are coming up fast, and if you’re like many of us, that means you’re somewhere between feeling excited and totally overwhelmed. Maybe you’re hosting for the first time, or maybe you’re just looking to keep your sanity intact while feeding a house full of friends and family.
Either way, I’ve been there—trying to keep up with cooking a big meal while still actually enjoying the holiday. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot!
The good news? There’s a way to make it easier. By prepping a few key dishes ahead of time, you may actually be able to relax more on the big day.
Think fewer last minute rushes and more time to spend with the people you love (or to sneak in that extra cup of hot cocoa).
Here are my top make ahead recipes and ideas that can not only save you time but also help to stay cool, calm, and collected through the holiday chaos. Preparing ahead of time, delegating tasks, and making holiday dishes that store and reheat well are just a few ways to help stay organized this season.
So, grab your grocery list, and let’s dive into some holiday meal prep hacks!
—In This Post—
- Reasons to Do Holiday Meal Prep
- Essential Tips for Holiday Meal Prep
- More Holiday Meal Prep Tips
- Make Ahead Holiday Recipe Ideas
Reasons to Do Holiday Meal Prep
One of the best ways I’ve found to keep holiday hosting stress free is to make dishes ahead of time. When everything’s prepped in advance, there’s way less pressure on the actual day—instead of running around trying to cook and entertain, you can just focus on heating things up and actually hanging out with your guests.
Plus, some recipes actually taste better the next day, so your guests get to enjoy even richer flavors in those holiday favorites like casseroles, stuffing, and sauces.
Make ahead holiday dishes also free you up to enjoy more quality time with friends and family. Instead of missing out on the fun because you’re stuck in the kitchen, you’re right there with everyone, laughing, relaxing, and enjoying the holiday vibe.
And since your kitchen stays way more organized (thank you, clean up time!), there’s less mess to deal with on top of everything else.
Prepping a holiday meal ahead of time also takes a lot of the guesswork out of holiday shopping. For example, preparing in advance can mean that you’re more likely to catch any missing ingredients before the big day, cutting down on last minute grocery runs when you’d rather be cozying up at home.
Make ahead meals can be a lifesaver — they help to keep hosting fun and low pressure, which is exactly how the holidays should feel!
Essential Tips for Holiday Meal Prep
If you want a more stress free holiday cooking experience, then prepping ahead and organizing are key. Meal prep and ingredient prep—along with keeping things organized—can help to save time when you’re ready to prepare a meal on the holiday.
Here are some tips on how to prep a holiday meal in advance to help save time and stay organized this season.
1—Make sure you have enough food storage containers.
Start with quality food storage containers that keep your prepped food fresh. Large containers can be used to store items like casseroles and dinner rolls, while smaller containers can be used to store items like gravy or sauces.
Be sure to use freezer safe food storage containers if you plan to store premade dishes or ingredients in the freezer. Many foods can be frozen for a few weeks, and then thawed overnight in the refrigerator before transferring them to an oven safe or microwave safe dish to reheat the next day.
Look for freezer, microwave, and oven safe options to make reheating easy.
Another tip is to choose clear storage containers so that you can quickly spot what’s inside.
Be sure to label every dish or prepped ingredient that you store with dish names, contents, dates, and reheating instructions. A simple label saves tons of time and prevents mix ups when you’re busy in the kitchen.
Another tip is to have plenty of food storage containers ready to store leftovers, and also to keep a stash of to go food containers that family and friends can use to take leftovers home after the meal.
2—Label everything.
Labeling is such a simple hack, but it can be a total lifesaver when it comes to staying organized during the holiday rush. With multiple dishes prepped ahead and stored in similar containers, it’s easy to forget which is which, especially when you’re juggling family, friends, and a full kitchen.
Labeling each container with the dish name, prep date, and any reheating instructions lets you grab exactly what you need without guessing or having to uncover every dish to check. This way, you’re saving valuable time while avoiding any “mystery casserole” moments!
Labeling is also a huge help if you have others lending a hand in the kitchen. Clear labels make it easier for guests or family to reheat dishes, set up sides, or arrange appetizers without constantly asking where things are or how to prep them.
Just grab a roll of masking tape or freezer labels and a marker—it’s a tiny step that can have a big payoff when it comes to keeping holiday cooking chaos under control.
3—Make a reheating schedule.
A reheating schedule is another lifesaver when it comes to doing holiday meal prep. A reheating schedule is a way to keep the process of holiday meal prep and reheating organized so everything is hot and ready to serve at the same time.
Start by making a list of each dish that you plan to serve, and noting whether it needs the oven, stovetop, microwave, or even a slow cooker. Plan ahead for what dishes will need oven or stovetop space (like a turkey or gravy, for example), and prioritize bigger dishes like casseroles.
Since oven space is often limited, prioritize dishes that absolutely need to be reheated in the oven, like casseroles, and plan to do those first.
Stagger the start times based on how long each dish takes — items that take longer to reheat go in first, while items that need less time to reheat go in closer to serving time.
Don’t forget to make the most of your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or even an air fryer for preparing sides or keeping sides warm. They’re great for freeing up oven space and keeping dishes like mashed potatoes or stuffing hot without drying out.
And always build in a little buffer time just in case something needs a few extra minutes to heat through thoroughly. With a simple reheating schedule, your meal comes together smoothly, and can enjoy a more relaxed, stress free holiday!
NOTE: To help ensure food safety, reheated dishes should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured by an instant read food thermometer. Use a food thermometer to check, especially for casseroles, stuffing, and meats, to make sure everything is hot enough to kill any bacteria. Wash and rinse the thermometer with warm soap and water in between each use.
Looking for holiday side dish ideas? Honey roasted carrots, rosemary potatoes, and spinach salad make delicious and easy holiday side dish recipes.
4—Consider freezer friendly options.
Freezer friendly recipes are a game changer if you’re looking to spread out your cooking and avoid doing everything last minute. Some holiday classics, like casseroles, stuffing, and certain pies, freeze beautifully and let you get a head start weeks in advance.
Just make sure to cool them completely before wrapping in plastic wrap and storing the food in a freezer safe food storage container, to help keep everything fresh and freezer burn free. Then, label the container with the name, date, and reheating instructions, so that they’re ready to go on the holiday.
Freezing holiday dishes in advance can be a huge stress reliever because you’re not trying to fit all the cooking into the few days leading up to the holiday. By spacing things out, you’re also freeing up your fridge for fresh ingredients and avoiding the last minute cooking marathon.
Just think of it as stocking up a mini holiday meal arsenal in your freezer—and you’ll be grateful for the break when the big day arrives!
5—Use a slow cooker or other small kitchen appliances to help prepare food.
Many side dishes can be prepared in small kitchen appliances like an air fryer or a slow cooker (some models of slow cookers can also be used to keep dishes warm). Examples include making Brussels sprouts in an air fryer or using a slow cooker to keep macaroni and cheese warm while you serve it.
Speaking of slow cookers, they’re perfect for keeping things like mashed potatoes or stuffing warm, so everything stays hot for guests.
Freezer friendly dishes can make holiday food prep even easier by letting you cook weeks in advance.
Finally, remember that you don’t have to do it all alone! If friends or family offer to help, consider making it a potluck and share the menu. You can focus on a few main dishes, while others bring sides or desserts.
Or delegate tasks to family and friends, including small things for others to do that give you more time to focus on preparing the meal.
With these prep tips and a little help, you’ll be able to enjoy the holiday without getting stuck in the kitchen all day.
Bonus: Even More Holiday Meal Prep Tips
If you’re all about enjoying the holiday season without getting lost in the chaos of hosting, then holiday organization hacks can be a game changer. Here are some more tips for preparing a holiday meal ahead of
First, prep ahead by preparing and freezing dishes like casseroles, soups, or sauces weeks before. Popular holiday dishes like stuffing and some cakes and pies are just a few examples of things that can be made ahead of time and frozen.
Freezing dishes that can be made ahead of time not only helps to preserve flavor, it also gives you some breathing room during the holiday rush. Just be sure to wrap and store dishes well in freezer safe food containers, label the dishes, and defrost them in the fridge the day before for an easy reheat.
Also, let your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or air fryer do some heavy lifting. These tools help you keep everything at the perfect temperature or reheat dishes without using up precious oven space. It’s a lifesaver for sides like mashed potatoes or crispy veggies that don’t need to crowd your stovetop.
Another huge help is organizing your fridge and pantry early, so that you’re not scrambling for ingredients later when you’re ready to prepare dishes. Make a list of ingredients that you’ll need to prepare your holiday recipes, and start shopping for shelf stable ingredients early.
Clearing out unnecessary items and designating specific spaces for prepped dishes or “day of” essentials can make a big difference. Making a special place in the pantry to store holiday meal prep ingredients is one way to stay organized, for example.
For a festive touch that can also help to save time, consider setting the table for a holiday meal ahead of time by arranging table linens, dinnerware, and a centerpiece the night before. Setting the table ahead of time can be one less thing to worry about when it’s time for the holiday meal, and it makes your space feel instantly ready for guests.
Finally, don’t be afraid to delegate holiday meal prep tasks and chores! When friends or family offer to help, have a quick list of simple tasks ready that you can use to delegate. From doing things like stirring gravy to refilling drinks, little contributions from others can help to keep you focused on the main dishes while letting everyone feel like they are a part of the holiday magic.
These hacks can help to keep hosting relaxed, organized, and most importantly, fun this holiday season.
Looking for even more dinner party hosting tips? Check out our posts on fall dinner party tips and making the best fall charcuterie spreads.
Make Ahead Holiday Recipe Ideas
Here are some perfect make ahead holiday recipes that keep things simple, delicious, and stress free.
1—Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
Why It’s Perfect: Mashed potatoes are often a must have at the holiday table, but they can take forever to make. Prepping them a day or two ahead of time means that you only have to reheat them on the big day.
Make Ahead Tip: Boil and mash the potatoes, and then cool and store them in the fridge overnight. On the day of, add a splash of cream or milk and reheat the mashed potatoes until warmed through. Adding a splash or two of milk or cream keeps the potatoes extra creamy.
2—Savory Herb Stuffing.
Why It’s Perfect: Stuffing is a classic crowd pleaser, but it can also be a little time consuming to make. Making holiday stuffing it ahead frees up oven space and lets the flavors develop over time.
Make Ahead Tip: Cook the stuffing fully, let it cool, and then transfer the stuffing to a food storage container to refrigerate. Reheat the stuffing in the oven with a little broth to keep it moist.
3—Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest.
Why It’s Perfect: Cranberry sauce actually tastes better after sitting for a day or two, and it’s super easy to make.
Make Ahead Tip: Cook cranberry sauce the day before, store in an airtight container in the fridge, and just pop it into a serving dish when guests arrive. Homemade cranberry sauce impresses every time!
4—Classic Green Bean Casserole.
Why It’s Perfect: Green bean casserole is a holiday favorite that can easily be prepped and stored, so that all you need to do is bake it before serving.
Make Ahead Tip: Assemble the casserole ingredients without the crispy topping (you’ll add it later, so that it stays crisp), cover tightly, and store in the fridge.
When you’re ready to reheat the dish, transfer the ingredients to an oven safe dish. Add the crispy topping to the green bean casserole and bake until the ingredients are heated through and golden and bubbly.
5—Make Ahead Gravy.
Why It’s Perfect: Gravy can be one of the most stressful parts of the meal if you’re trying to time it right. Making gravy ahead of time helps to take some of that pressure off.
Make Ahead Tip: Make your gravy a day or two in advance, cool the gravy and then store it in the fridge, and reheat it gently on the stove. If the gravy thickens too much, just add a little broth or water and stir to reach the perfect consistency.
6—Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping.
Why It’s Perfect: This casserole can be prepped ahead and then topped and baked for a quick holiday ready side.
Make Ahead Tip: Prep the sweet potato mixture and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake it, transfer the sweet potato blend to an oven safe baking dish, add the marshmallows, and bake the casserole until the ingredients are heated through.
7—Pumpkin Pie or Pecan Pie.
Why It’s Perfect: Desserts like pumpkin pie or pecan pie can be made a day or two before and actually taste better as the flavors settle.
Make Ahead Tip: Bake your pie ahead of time, let it cool completely, and then store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve it, bring the pie to room temperature or transfer the pie slices to a baking sheet and reheat them in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
Other Make Ahead Dessert Ideas: Pumpkin spice cake makes a delicious and easy holiday dessert, plus it tastes even better the next day.
These recipes hit that sweet spot of traditional holiday comfort foods without the last minute stress. Plus, they’ll leave you more time to hang with family and friends (or just sneak a slice of pie before everyone else).
Holiday Side Dish Recipes
SUMMARY
Here’s a quick list to help keep holiday meal prep ideas that can help to make holiday preparations manageable and stress free.
- Plan and prep in advance. Choose make ahead holiday recipes, and prep key ingredients like chopped veggies or sauces early.
- Freeze dishes when possible. Prepare freezer friendly foods weeks in advance; label each dish with date and reheating instructions.
- Organize your kitchen. Clear space in the fridge and in the pantry, and set up bins with labels for easy access to holiday ingredients.
- Use a reheating schedule. Plan which dishes to reheat and when, making use of small kitchen appliances, like air fryers or slow cookers, to free up oven space.
- Set up the night before. Lay out serving dishes, utensils, and set the holiday dining table for less last minute chaos.
- Delegate tasks. Let friends or family pitch in with simple jobs to help share the work load when it comes to preparing for a holiday meal.
Following these steps may help to streamline holiday prep.
As you head into the holiday season, remember that a little planning can make all the difference in keeping things stress-free and fun. Even if everything doesn’t go perfectly, what matters most is the time spent with friends and family. With easy make ahead recipes and simple prep hacks, you’ll be able to focus less on last minute cooking and more on enjoying the day!
This post was all about holiday meal prep tips.
Credits
- Featured photos by LauriPatterson via Canva.com
- Photos and images are for illustration purposes only.
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