Simple Guide for How to Keep Thanksgiving Sides Warm
The name might be “Turkey Day” but Thanksgiving is all about the sides! Treat your side dishes with the attention they deserve with this helpful guide on how to keep Thanksgiving sides warm all day!
Thanksgiving Day is a long one! From the early morning run to the grocery store to the main event — all that action can make you hungry! Don’t waste away or settle for cold appetizers and sides. Keep all your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes warm with my list of helpful tips and tricks because let’s be honest, we know the sides are the real star of the show!
Universal Hot Holding Tips
When Thanksgiving Day finally arrives you have so much on your plate (pun intended) that the last thing you need is to worry about serving temperatures. That’s why it’s important to consider the best way to keep those tasty side dishes warm for the long haul.
Here are a few universal tips that apply to any hot holding method and all types of hot dishes:
- Keep it Covered – Avoid open-topped containers. A lid or aluminum foil covering your hot dish helps hold in the warmth and prevent steam from escaping.
- Density Matters – When picking your cookware, skip the sheet pan and consider a thick, oven-safe baking dish. This style of pan has thick walls that hold in heat better.
- Timing is Everything – Know the basic food safety rules. Hot food can be served at room temperature for up to 2 hours at room temperature or with additional controls for up to 4 hours. After this time has elapsed, store the sides for tasty Thanksgiving leftovers.
- Bring the Heat – Hot food must be cooked thoroughly before serving. Remember the ideal temperature for serving hot-held food is 140°F.
The Heating Methods
Fortunately with an easy plan, keeping Thanksgiving sides warm is as easy as pumpkin pie! Use these deliciously simple methods to keep the feast-tivities flowing!
Slow Cooker
Slow cookers and Crockpots have been keeping foods warm for decades. These awesome appliances are an easy way to cook and serve hot food on the big day.
These pieces of handy kitchen equipment are an easy way to keep soups, mashed potatoes and green beans warm. Even if the food was prepared outside of the slow cooker, it can be transferred and kept warm there.
To keep Thanksgiving sides warm in a slow cooker, finish cooking the food completely. If the dish was prepared on the stovetop or in the oven, transfer the food to the slow cooker. Set the appliance on a keep-warm or low setting.
Keep an eye on your slow cooker throughout the party and stir or store for delicious Thanksgiving leftovers, as needed.
Instant Pot
An Instant Pot or rice cooker, is the hero of home kitchens everywhere! It takes your standard slow cooker and multiplies the possibilities. It’s hands-down one of the best ways to keep side dishes warm.
You can use the Instant Pot to whip up many of the quintessential holiday dinner side dishes or to keep them warm. The “keep warm” setting makes it an obvious choice for hot food serving.
This warming technique works for practically everything! Use a rice cooker or Instant Pot to warm butternut squash, mashed potatoes, spinach dip, soup, greens, and more!
Sterno
Sterno Flames are a catering classic and are great in home kitchens doling out a lot of food on the holidays. This method is great for buffet-style serving and entertaining large groups on the holiday.
Sterno lamps work with practically every warm food; from rolls to brussels sprouts to turkey this technique covers them all.
To use sterno heat you will need chafing dishes or a large aluminum foil pan. Put the cooked food in the specialized pans, place the pans over the sternos, and light the flames.
Keep the chafing lids closed or cover the dishes with aluminum foil to prevent steam escape. Keep an eye on the flames to ensure they don’t go out and you’ll have wonderfully warm food all day!
Oven
A warm oven can be an excellent way to keep your most delicious side dishes nice and toasty! It’s especially great for dishes meant to be crispy like green bean casserole or buttery baked goods like rolls and pies.
Holding your crescent rolls in a 200° F oven is a great way to keep them tasting warm and fresh. You can also save some oven space by using a toaster oven to keep your sides hot.
Do not keep dishes in the warm oven for too long or you’ll risk drying out all the deliciousness.
Stovetop
The stovetop is an easy way to keep things warm on Thanksgiving Day. Make the most of your stovetop on the big day by keeping dishes like mashed potatoes or cauliflower purée at the ideal temperature.
To keep sides warm on the stove top, place them in a pot and warm over low heat. Cover the pans, but remember to stir the pot occasionally.
Author Notes
If you find that your mashed potatoes are starting to dry out, stir in a but of milk and butter.
Portable Electric Blanket
If you’ve prepared a dish but have to travel, you might need some help keeping food warm on the go. That’s where an electric blanket comes in handy. This travel tool can keep your dishes warm in the car.
To use a portable electric blanket, plug it into your trunk’s outlet and set it to low. Arrange the warm side dishes on top of the blanket, being sure to secure the bases and lids.
If you don’t have an electric blanket, just use an old-fashioned one. It pads and insulates the warm serving dishes so you can transport them with ease.
One Last Garnish
Don’t forget the finishing touches!
Often holding hot food at warm temperatures means garnishes must be served separately. Elements like cream and cold produce should be kept in their separate dishes next to the hot food. That way guests can easily build their plates without compromising temperature.
