Many Americans eagerly await the end of December to celebrate Christmas. However, the idea of having to spend an entire day in the kitchen cooking a meal may sound discouraging to some. In this article we share a list of sides you can add to your easy Christmas dinner and prepare a few days before your family gathering:
Gravy
A tasty gravy is a must-have in your Christmas dinner. The good news is that you don’t have to prepare it on December 25. Make it a few days earlier and freeze it. On the morning of Christmas, simply move it to the refrigerator and let it defrost before heating it up.
Stuffing
Another side you can keep in the freezer is the stuffing. Cook it, freeze it, and forget about it until Christmas day, simply reheat and serve it with your meal.
Potatoes
We’re not suggesting that you cook your potatoes and freeze them. Although it's a possibility and some people do this to get ahead, potatoes generally taste better when they’re fresh. Instead, peel and cut the potatoes the day before to save time, soak them in water overnight and cook them on Christmas Day. Potatoes make a great addition to your easy Christmas dinner.
Turkey
Let’s dive into the main dish for your Christmas menu now that we’ve gotten the sides out of the way. Unfortunately, this is something you can’t prepare ahead of time. However, with the gravy and stuffing already cooked, you’ll be saving a lot of time on Christmas Day. But by all means, make sure the bird is thoroughly thawed and brined (if that's your taste) well before you need to pop it in the oven.
Turkeys take time to cook, but that does not mean you have to be in the kitchen all day. Set a timer and check on it every so often while you carry on with your holiday preparations.
Casseroles
From sweet potatoes to green beans, casseroles are a holiday staple. They're also easy to prepare in advance of the big day. Some can even be partially baked before frozen to reduce prep time on the day of the meal.
Desserts
You can’t fully enjoy a Christmas dinner without desserts. The good news is they don’t take much time to prepare. You can either buy a pie or a cake at the grocery store and accompany them with ice cream. No need for prior preparation or defrosting, simply serve it on Christmas Day and enjoy it! Even if you choose to bake, you can do so a few days ahead as baked goods stay fresh and tasty for a couple of days.
We hope these suggestions save you time so you can spend it with your loved ones. From our Infinity Insurance family to yours, have a wonderful Christmas Day and Holiday season!