Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26. Here's a timeline that works backwards from a 4:00 PM dinner with a 14 lb turkey.
The countdown
- Monday, Nov 16: confirm guests and who's bringing what.
- Friday, Nov 20: buy a frozen turkey and stock up on non-perishables.
- Saturday, Nov 21: make sure you have a food thermometer.
- Sunday, Nov 22: move the turkey to the fridge to thaw (about 24 hours per 4–5 lb).
- Tuesday, Nov 24: buy fresh produce, dairy and bread; make cranberry sauce and pie dough.
- Wednesday, Nov 25: bake pies, prep vegetables, set the table.
Thanksgiving Day
| Time | Task |
|---|---|
| 10:45 AM | Take the turkey out of the fridge |
| 10:55 AM | Preheat the oven to 325°F |
| 11:15 AM | Turkey in the oven |
| 1:30 PM | Make the stuffing (in its own dish) |
| 2:30 PM | Peel and boil potatoes |
| 3:00 PM | Start checking the turkey's temperature |
| 3:30 PM | Turkey out to rest, tented with foil; casseroles in |
| 3:40 PM | Mash potatoes, make gravy |
| 3:50 PM | Warm the rolls |
| 3:55 PM | Carve the turkey |
| 4:00 PM | Dinner is served |
Roasting times are from the USDA timetable for an unstuffed turkey at 325°F. Start checking the temperature early; it's done when the thigh, wing and breast reach 165°F.
Different turkey or dinner time?
Every time on this page shifts with the weight and the time you want to eat. That's exactly what the planner recalculates for you.
Plan it in minutes
Type your turkey's weight and dinner time, and the Thanksgiving Dinner Planner rebuilds this whole timeline for you, with the menu, shopping list and guest list in the same file.
See the Thanksgiving Dinner Planner →