14 Days to an Easy Thanksgiving – Day 9: Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, and Green Beans

Thanksgiving is a great time of year, no doubt. For those of us who are in charge or are being hosts, it can get a little stressful and overwhelming. This series is 14 days to an easy Thanksgiving and it will walk you through the 14 days before Thanksgiving and what you can do to get ready each day, just a little project or task that will make your Thanksgiving day EASY! Most of the things are great family time ideas and things your kids can help with too!

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DAY 9 – Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, and Green Beans

Here are a few more food preparations that you can make. If you plan on making your own stuffing or dressing you need to cut the bread and get it drying out. Cube it and let it dry out on a baking sheet for a few days. The drier the better because then it will really absorb all of the yummy seasonings you will be adding! Fresch bread will give it more substance and will not get soggy as quickly as white bread.

If you make your own cranberry sauce (the kind with lots of sugar) you can make that now too. Just keep it refrigerated.

Another thing you can get ready right now are your green beans. If you buy them raw, you will want to wash and blanch them now and then they will be ready for whatever you have planned for on Thanksgiving. Some ideas are sauteing them, casserole, and/or steamed.

Here are a few recipes to help you if you need one:

HOMEMADE STUFFING / DRESSING RECIPE

This is enough to dress a 10-15 lb turkey, but also tastes great on the side.

Ingredients:

• 1 (1 pound) loaf sliced white or french bread
• 3/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup chicken broth

Directions:

1. Let bread slices air dry for 1 to 2 hours, then cut into cubes. (it is best if they can dry for a few days, also french bread works best)
2. In a Dutch oven, melt butter or margarine over medium heat. Cook onion and celery until soft. Season with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in bread cubes until evenly coated. Moisten with chicken broth; mix well.
3. Chill, and use as a stuffing for turkey, or bake in a buttered casserole dish at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes

Thanks to Carlota for this stuffing recipe

CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE

This is another thing that can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator until the day of Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces cranberries
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp of cinnamon
• 1 cup orange juice

Directions:

1. In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice. Stir in the cranberries and cook until the cranberries start to pop (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and place sauce in a bowl. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.

Thanks to Toni for this Cranberry Sauce Recipe

GREENBEAN CASSEROLE RECIPE

This can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator and then cooked.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/4 cup onion, diced
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 2 1/2 lbs of fresh green beans, steamed (or you can use 3 (14.5 ounce) cans French style green beans, drained)
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled buttery round crackers
• 1 large container of french’s fried onions
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth, and cook for one minute. Stir in the salt, sugar, pepper, garlic powder, onion, and sour cream. Add green beans, 1/2 can of french’s fried onions, and a handful of cheese and stir to coat.
3. Transfer the mixture to a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Spread shredded cheese over the top. In a small bowl, toss together cracker crumbs, remaining fried onions and remaining butter, and sprinkle over the cheese.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is golden and cheese is bubbly.

Thanks to Amy for this Green Bean Casserole Recipe

What is your favorite recipe for Stuffing/Dressing, Cranberry Sauce or Green Bean Casserole?

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If you missed a day, you can catch up here:

Day 1: Plan your Guest List and Menu

Day 2: Plan your Date and Food Assignments

Day 3: Arrange and Organize

Day 4: Shopping Day (Get your Turkey or Ham)

Day 5: Plates, Silverware, and Glasses 

Day 6: Tablecloths and Serving Dishes

Day 7: Place Cards and Decorations

Day 8: Pie/Pastry Crust and Thawing your Turkey

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