As much as we’d like it not to be the case, Thanksgiving really can be stressful, whether you’re cooking for two or for twenty. If you find yourself hiding in the pantry, holding a brandy, and wishing you had someone to call, look no further. Our annual list of Thanksgiving cooking hotlines has got you covered, no matter what the dilemma.
And, of course, have a happy Thanksgiving—no matter how the food turns out.
– This post has been updated for 2023 –
Thanksgiving Turkey Hotlines
Butterball Turkey Talk Line
1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372), or text 1-844-877-3456
For over 30 years, the experts manning the Butterball Turkey Talk Line have been helping home cooks recover from every type of Thanksgiving turkey disaster you can imagine. Even on Thanksgiving day starting at 6AM Central!
Questions can be taken by phone, text 844-877-3456 for a live chat with their turkey experts., visit this page for online live chat, and now you can even get your questions answered on TikTok.
If you think you’re the only one who’s committed a serious kitchen fail (or you just need a good laugh), read the 10 craziest questions the Butterball Talk Line has been asked at Yahoo Food. You are not alone.
Carving the Turkey
There are millions of YouTube videos on how to carve a turkey out there, but this video over at Real Simple is my favorite short, fully explanatory video with clear instructions. If you have never carved a turkey before, I suggest practicing on a small rotisserie chicken a few days before the big day and have a very good, very sharp knife.
Thanksgiving Baking Hotlines
King Arthur’s Baker’s Hotline
(855) 371-2253
The professional bakers over at King Arthur’s Baker’s Hotline are ready to help guide you through any baking challenge. You can reach them by phone, chat or email. They can help you with everything from tips to making the fluffiest dinner rolls to how to get that perfect pie crust for this Salted Honey Pie at Life, Love, and Sugar (one of our readers’ favorites).
The Gourmandise School Hotline
The Gourmandise School is a cooking school based in Santa Monica, California. While you may not be able to attend a class or get help in person, their hotline is open everyday from 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. You can email them at Hotline@TheGourmandiseSchool.com with any of your baking questions or conundrums. You can also DM them on Instagram @GourmandiseLA or on Facebook @TheGourmandiseSchool.
Related: 10 of our readers’ favorite holiday pie recipes
Every Other Thanksgiving Food Hotline
If you’re getting help by text, take pics of your problem so experts can really help you troubleshoot!
Food52
Food52.com/hotline or text: 917-540-5370
The editors and community members at Food52 have such a wealth of knowledge and experience, they will have all the answers to the basics and then some. They even have a Food52 Hotline App so you can get answers 24-7 on your phone. Don’t be afraid to pose a question that goes beyond turkey or stuffing; I recently saw one that solicited help on baking a mac and cheese for the big day.
Speaking of which, there’s still time to make one of these mac and cheese recipes including the outrageous Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese that we found at Kitchen Konfidence. (Shown above; It makes a good back up main if the turkey’s too dry!)
“Ask Betty” Crocker
bettycrocker.com/how-to/ask-betty
It’s hard to imagine another brand as trusted (or as old) as Betty Crocker. I like that experts will answer online questions and then post the Q&As for everyone to see. I’m willing to bet my pumpkin pie that someone out there has had a Thanksgiving disaster worse than mine. Here’s hoping.
