The Secret to a Juicy, Flavorful Turkey!

I’ve tried just about every turkey-roasting method out there, and dry brining simply is the best. ♡

Seriously, nothing comes close to the flavor, juiciness, and beautifully crisp golden skin that a dry brine delivers. It deeply seasons the turkey all the way through (not just the skin!), helps the meat stay super tender, and dries out the skin so it can roast up incredibly crisp without any fuss. All you need is a simple mix of salt and spices and some hang time in the fridge and you’ll be good to go — no basting, no soaking, no complicated steps required!

I’ve gathered all of my best tips and tricks below to hopefully take all of the guesswork out of the process. And I’ve also put together a turkey timeline, a step-by-step carving guide, plus instructions for making turkey gravy from the drippings. (Or my favorite mushroom gravy is a fantastic option if you’d like to make the gravy ahead of time!) My hope is that this guide gives you everything you need to walk into your turkey day feeling calm, prepared, and genuinely excited about the feast ahead.

Let’s do this!!

The Coziest Drink Of The Season

Nothing kicks off the holidays quite like a creamy glass of homemade eggnog! ♡

If you’ve only had the grocery store stuff before, you’re in for such a treat because homemade eggnog tastes so much better and takes less than 30 minutes to prep! This classic stovetop version comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients — eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and a few warm spices — which are all gently heated until thickened into a custard-like base.

The result is rich without being heavy, sweet without being too cloying, and perfectly delicious served either chilled or warm. Enjoy it plain, spike it with bourbon or rum, top it with whipped cream, or finish each glass with a festive dusting of nutmeg. However you serve it, this homemade eggnog is guaranteed to bring a little extra holiday magic to the season!

The Perfect Pear Salad

Our family is a bit over-the-top obsessed with pears this time of year. ♡

We pick up a big bag a few times a month when we’re at Costco — which means we go through a lot of pears — and lately this salad has become one of our favorite ways to enjoy them. I threw it together a few weeks ago when we happened to also have some pomegranate arils in the fridge, and my husband and I absolutely couldn’t stop going back for more. It’s just so good.

The sweet, juicy pears pair perfectly with the tangy goat cheese and tart pomegranate, while the toasted walnuts add just the right amount of crunch. Then everything gets tossed together with a light white balsamic dressing that ties the flavors beautifully. It’s fresh, balanced, and elegant enough for holiday gatherings, yet easy enough to whip up for a weeknight dinner. You’re going to love it!

Tomato Soup, Meet Chicken Stew ♡

I could happily eat tomato soup any day of the year. But when I’m craving something a little heartier (with more protein!), this one-pot tomato basil chicken stew is such a winner.

It’s loaded up with tender chicken, potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots all simmered together in a rich, thick and creamy tomato-basil broth. We love serving it with a loaf of crusty bread for dipping, but it would also be delicious served over egg noodles, rice or your favorite grains. Whatever sounds good!

I actually first shared a version of this recipe over a decade ago, but reworked it recently to make it even heartier and more flavorful and I’m so pleased with the results. It’s one of those soul-warming stews that I’m certain we’ll be making in our kitchen for many more years to come. I think you’re going to love it!

Carrots You Can’t Help But Love

A super-easy and nutritious veggie side that my kids actually love? Yes, please. ♡

These air fryer carrots turn out beautifully caramelized on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of that naturally sweet, roasted flavor we all love — but they’re ready in a fraction of the time it takes to bake them in the oven. All you need are a few simple ingredients and your air fryer to make this quick, no-fuss side that somehow always disappears fast.

We honestly love these carrots made simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper. (They’re still so sweet!) Or you can have fun dressing them up with a drizzle of honey, balsamic glaze, or a sprinkle of your favorite herbs and seasonings. However you make them, these air fryer carrots are one of those easy wins you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation. They’re always a hit in our house!

The Easiest Way To Cook Perfect Salmon

Perfectly tender inside, golden and lightly crisp on the edges — this air fryer salmon recipe has officially become our family’s favorite way to cook salmon. ♡

I’m honestly so impressed with how reliably the air fryer cooks salmon to perfection. The fillets come out juicy and flaky on the inside with that irresistibly crisp, caramelized surface on the outside every single time. No splattering oil, no babysitting the pan, no guesswork required. And it all comes together easily in just 10 minutes!

All you need are a handful of pantry spices, a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of fresh lemon to make it shine. Serve it up with some roasted (or air-fried) veggies with a green salad, add the salmon to your favorite pasta or grain bowl, tuck it into tacos with a squeeze of lime — however you serve it, this all-purpose air fryer salmon recipe is absolutely a keeper.

A Simple Soup with SO Much Flavor

You know those recipes that taste like so much more than the sum of their parts? This is one of them. ♡

Just a few humble ingredients — bacon, veggies, white beans, and broth — come together to make the coziest pot of soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. The beans turn extra creamy, the rosemary and Parmesan bring savory depth, and that smoky bacon ties it all together in the best way. I couldn’t stop going back for more — it’s just so good!

We served ours with a simple green salad and a loaf of warm crusty bread to dip in that flavorful broth, and it was the perfect cozy night-in. Nothing fancy, just simple and seriously so good.

Crispy, garlicky, and ready in 15 minutes!

If you love roasted mushrooms but want them even faster, it’s time to meet your new favorite side dish — air fryer mushrooms. These bite-sized beauties cook up golden brown and deeply savory with almost no effort at all.

Just toss your mushrooms with olive oil, soy sauce, and a few pantry seasonings, then let the air fryer work its magic. In less than 15 minutes, you’ll have perfectly caramelized mushrooms with crispy edges and a rich umami flavor that pairs with just about anything.

Serve them as a quick side with steak or salmon, toss them into pasta or risotto, or (my fave) grab a fork and eat them right out of the air fryer basket as a savory snack. However you serve them, these air fryer mushrooms are guaranteed to disappear fast!

Sweet, Spiced, and Perfectly Spreadable

If you’re looking for a cozy way to use up a batch of apples, homemade apple butter is always a good idea. ♡

This classic fall recipe transforms fresh apples into a rich, velvety, caramelized butter infused with warm vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It’s delicious spread over toast or biscuits, stirred into oatmeal or yogurt, served on a cheese board for a sweet touch, or packaged up for gifting. And, of course, it’s guaranteed to make your home smell downright heavenly as it cooks!

If you’ve never made apple butter before, it’s incredibly easy to whip up with a short list of ingredients. I’ve included options below for Instant Pot, Crock-Pot or stovetop instructions, so choose whichever you prefer. Let’s make some homemade apple butter!