• Adjust Cooking Times: Your oven will work harder to maintain its internal temperature when cooking several dishes at once, so expect cooking times to be about 15% longer. Fully preheat your oven and rotate dishes periodically to ensure even cooking.
• Meat Is Flexible: Meat can cook at almost any temperature until it’s done. For example, turkey or roasts can be cooked at a lower temperature for juicier results. If you’re cooking other dishes alongside the meat, set the oven temperature based on the requirements of the side dishes.
• Plan for Resting Time: Large roasts, like ham or turkey, stay hot for up to an hour after coming out of the oven when covered. Use this time to finish cooking smaller side dishes.
• Find the Middle Ground: If dishes require different temperatures, choose a middle setting. For example, if one needs 350°F and another 400°F, set the oven to 375°F and monitor closely.
• Space Matters: Allow enough space between dishes for air to circulate, ensuring even cooking.
• Watch Flavor Interference: Some foods, like garlic and apple crisp, might influence each other’s flavors when cooked together. Dishes with similar seasonings will generally turn out fine.

We hope these tips help you prepare a wonderful holiday meal. Whether it’s managing multiple dishes in the oven or perfecting the turkey, you’ve got this! From all of us at Better Housekeeping Shop, have a great week ahead planning for the upcoming Thanksgiving feast. Happy Cooking!