The complete Thanksgiving shopping list
Everything you need for Thanksgiving dinner, grouped the way the store is laid out — with a shop-ahead timeline so nothing’s sold out by Wednesday.
Print it, or open it in HopDrop and share it with everyone who’s cooking: they’ll see what’s already been bought, live.
The checklist
The turkey
Sides
Dairy & eggs
Baking & dessert
Pantry
Drinks
Extras
Made with HopDrop — the shared grocery list for the whole household · hop-drop.app
When to buy what
- 2 weeks before
Settle the menu and the guest count. Check the pantry and cross off what you already have. Buy or order the turkey.
- 1 week before
Shop the non-perishables: baking supplies, canned goods, drinks and disposables.
- Sunday, Nov 22
Start thawing a frozen turkey in the fridge — it takes about 24 hours per 4–5 lb, so a 16 lb bird needs around four days.
- 2–3 days before
Fresh produce, dairy, bread and herbs.
- Wednesday
Make pies and cranberry sauce, prep the vegetables, and do one last check against the list.
Tips for a calmer shop
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Check the pantry first
Half of a Thanksgiving list is stuff you might already have — spices, flour, stock. Check before you shop and cross it off.
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Split the list
If guests are bringing sides, assign each dish to a person so nobody turns up with a second green bean casserole.
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Keep one shared list
One list everyone can see beats three texts and a sticky note. When someone buys the cranberries, everyone knows.
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Shop early, then top up
Do the big shop a week ahead and a small fresh-food trip two days before. The day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest in the store.
Plan Thanksgiving in HopDrop
Start a Thanksgiving list, share it with everyone who’s cooking, and assign sides to people. Drag items to “Got it” as you shop and everyone sees it live — and whatever you bought restocks your pantry for next time.
How shared lists work →Questions
How much turkey do I need per person?
Plan on about 1 to 1½ pounds of whole turkey per guest — the higher end if you want leftovers. For 10 people, that’s a 10–15 lb bird.
How long does a frozen turkey take to thaw?
In the fridge, about 24 hours for every 4–5 pounds. A 16-pound turkey needs around four days, so for a Thursday dinner start thawing on Sunday.
When should I do my Thanksgiving grocery shopping?
Buy non-perishables a week or more ahead, and fresh produce, dairy and bread two to three days before. Avoid the day before Thanksgiving if you can — it’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
How do I share a Thanksgiving shopping list with family?
Put it in a shared list app like HopDrop: everyone sees the same list, items can be assigned to people, and checked-off items update for everyone instantly — on iPhone and Android.
Can I print this list?
Yes — use the Print button at the top. It prints just the checklist, with checkboxes, ready to stick on the fridge.