21 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Make-Ahead

21 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes (1)Alyssa AsaroUpdated: Feb. 05, 2024

    These make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes—including turkey and all the trimmings—can be made the night before (or even earlier!) to help ease the holiday rush.

    Thanksgiving day moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it. While Ferris Bueller might not be a Thanksgiving movie, we all know the familiar feeling of getting so wrapped up in prep work that we miss out on the day itself.

    So why not spare yourself some stress with these make-ahead recipes? Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, side dishes and desserts can be made ahead of time. And for that, we’re grateful.

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    1/20

    Herb-Brined Turkey

    For an impressive make-ahead Thanksgiving main course, look here. The moist, flavorful bird will have guests counting the minutes until carving time. — Scott Rugh, Portland, Oregon. If you’re looking for more recipes, then check out our collection of easy Thanksgiving recipes.

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    2/20

    Maple Walnut Cake

    This maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors beloved my grandpa, who made maple syrup when I was a child. It honors his memory and has proven to be a favorite with family and friends throughout the years. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York

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    3/20

    Taste of Home

    Moist Corn Spoon Bread

    Enjoy this easy take on a southern specialty that utilizes the convenience of a slow cooker. It’s an excellent make-ahead Thanksgiving side dish for your feast. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    4/20

    Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream Puffs

    This extraordinary dessert showcases homemade pumpkin ice cream and cream puffs. The effort is worthwhile…and you can make the parts ahead of time for easy assembly later. —Richard Lasher, Stuarts Draft, Virginia

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    5/20

    Taste of Home

    Gruyere and Crab Palmiers

    I keep these little bursts of flavor in my freezer so they can be pulled out and popped into the oven at a moment’s notice. Crab, pancetta and Gruyere make an elegant make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer, and you can make your own variations of the filling. Try chicken and pesto, or a Mediterranean version with spinach and feta. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut

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    6/20

    Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

    My family loves gravy, so I can never have enough of this make-ahead turkey gravy recipe on hand for a holiday dinner. The base is prepared with turkey wings and can be prepped in advance. —Linda Fitzsimmons, Fort Edward, New York

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    7/20

    Make-Ahead Creamy Potatoes

    For the holidays, I usually serve the traditional foods with a new spin or two on family favorites. I put together these creamy potatoes the night before and simply bake the day of to save precious holiday time. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan. Next, check out our collection of Thanksgiving recipes for two.

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    8/20

    Taste of Home

    Jazzed-Up Green Bean Casserole

    After trying many variations of this old standby, I decided to give it a little kick. The crunchy texture from the veggies combines with bacon and melt-in-your-mouth cheese to make this dish a hit at any holiday get-together. —Stephan-Scott Rugh, Portland, Oregon

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    9/20

    Easy Potato Rolls

    After I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri

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    10/20

    Old-Fashioned Dressing

    Remember Grandma's delicious turkey dressing? Taste it again combined with flavorful herbs and crisp veggies in this family-favorite dressing. You'll love the fact you can make it in your slow cooker. —Sherry Vink, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada

    11/20

    Cranberry-Apple Red Cabbage

    When I was looking for something new, I started playing with flavors and came up with this very tasty dish. My German grandmother would be impressed, I think! The colorful side dish is just right with pork. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

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    12/20

    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Marinated Mushrooms

    Here's a healthy and delicious addition to any buffet spread. Mushrooms and pearl onions seasoned with herbs, balsamic vinegar and red wine are terrific on their own or alongside a tenderloin roast. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California

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    13/20

    Holiday Rice Salad

    It’s nice to prepare a cold salad like this when entertaining because it can be made ahead and doesn’t take up valuable oven space. —Debra Walter, Huntington Woods, Michigan

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    14/20

    Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy

    Ease the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead turkey recipe that’s ready to serve when you are. It’s a great choice for potlucks, too. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    15/20

    Winter Fruit Macaroons

    Coconut macaroons with sweetened condensed milk instead of egg whites are my version of a recipe my mom loved. All you do is mix, drop and bake. —Veronica Miller, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

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    16/20

    Autumn Bisque

    I like cozy comfort soups that taste creamy—without the cream. This one’s full of good stuff like rutabagas, leeks, fresh herbs and almond milk. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California

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    17/20

    Texas Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    These creamy potatoes get their flavor burst from garlic and caramelized onions. Their savory goodness makes any meal better. —Richard Markle, Midlothian, Texas

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    18/20

    Pureed Butternut Squash Soup

    For several years, we've been enjoying this velvety, healthy soup at Thanksgiving. Butternut squash isn’t the easiest thing to cut into, so I buy mine pre-chopped. —Christen Chalmers, Houston, Texas

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    19/20

    Moist Poultry Dressing

    Tasty mushrooms and onions complement the big herb flavor in this amazing stuffing. This dressing stays so moist because it’s made in the slow cooker. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta

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    20/20

    Taste of Home

    Caramel-Pecan Pumpkin Pull-Aparts

    We love sticky buns made with my husband's angel biscuit dough, caramel and pecans. For a twist, try apple butter or applesauce instead of the pumpkin. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California

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    Originally Published: November 21, 2022

    21 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes (22)

    Alyssa Asaro

    Alyssa has been with Taste of Home for just over a year, but has been in food and lifestyle publishing since 2018. As an associate editor, she writes and edits recipe collections and runs several newsletters, including Top 10, Slow Cooker & Casseroles, Quick Dinners and Balanced Plate.When she's not planning her next trip overseas, you can find Alyssa trying out new Chicago restaurants or watching a movie.

    21 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What Thanksgiving dishes can be made ahead of time? ›

    Dishes you should definitely make in advance
    • Thanksgiving stuffing. "We always make my mom's sweet potato stuffing ahead of time. ...
    • Casserole. "Pretty much anything with 'casserole' in the name is built for being made in advance." — ...
    • Mise en place. ...
    • Gravy. ...
    • Turkey and chicken stock. ...
    • Most desserts. ...
    • Brussels sprouts. ...
    • Dinner rolls.
    Nov 14, 2023

    How far in advance should you cook for Thanksgiving? ›

    Traditionally, the food is prepared on Thanksgiving day and is completed 20–30 minutes ahead of being served. But you could prepare some components a week in advance. If you do a turkey, it is at its best fresh out of the oven. But you could do it a week in advance and just reheat it.

    What do most people eat the night before Thanksgiving? ›

    If any night is the most critical, it's the night before, when many Americans will bake pies and prepare reheatable dishes, like casseroles and soups, so that Thursday morning doesn't dissolve into chaos.

    How to make Thanksgiving turkey the day before? ›

    It's easy: Simply cook it a day or two in advance, let it cool completely, then carve the bird into large pieces—breasts, wings, thighs and drumsticks. Store in a container in the refrigerator until the big day. This method actually result in juicier meat—and an infinitely more relaxed host.

    Can you prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time and refrigerate? ›

    If you don't plan on stuffing the bird, but preparing the dressing as a side dish, you can prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time as long as you freeze the stuffing immediately after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing.

    What can I make 3 day before Thanksgiving? ›

    Make re-heatable side dishes like mashed potatoes and stuffing (unbaked), and store in the refrigerator overnight. You can also make cornbread or rolls -- when you're ready to eat, brush with a little bit of butter, wrap in foil and reheat in the oven.

    Is it OK to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

    No matter where you fall, getting a head start on what can be prepared before the big day is essential. One question that always crops up: Can you make stuffing ahead of time? The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

    What party food can you cook the night before? ›

    Entertaining doesn't get any easier with these nibbles and bites that can be prepared hours, days and even months in advance.
    • 1Turkey, cranberry and brie sausage roll bags. ...
    • 2Crispy blue cheese and thyme polenta fingers. ...
    • 3Olive and sun-dried tomato salami log. ...
    • 4Ginger chicken meatballs.

    When should I start the mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving? ›

    You can make the mashed potatoes a few hours before dinner, and then keep them warm on the stovetop. When you should start cooking: A couple hours before dinnertime.

    What is the average time to start Thanksgiving dinner? ›

    But anywhere between about 1pm — 6pm is normal. It's kind of a late lunch/early dinner. Usually people won't eat another full meal that day, though they might have a snack earlier in the day if the meal is at 5–6, or have some leftovers in the evening if the meal is at 1 or 2.

    Can you cook the sides a day before Thanksgiving? ›

    That's why we love getting a jump-start with one or several make ahead Thanksgiving sides. From stuffing to potato sides to cranberry sauce, rolls, and more, we've got 54 make ahead Thanksgiving sides that can be prepped, assembled, or even totally cooked anywhere from a day to a month in advance.

    What is the most important food on a Thanksgiving table? ›

    When it comes to the big Thanksgiving feast, we consider the roast turkey and the sweet potato casserole as sides to the STUFFING. A good stuffing makes or breaks Thanksgiving dinner, and this one will absolutely make your holiday meal all the better.

    How do you make Thanksgiving unique? ›

    Different Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving
    1. Have a Mini-giving. This one is inspired by my daughter's love of ASMR and mini cooking videos. ...
    2. Go themed. ...
    3. Declare a spending embargo. ...
    4. Throw a co*cktail party. ...
    5. Make it a potluck. ...
    6. Go out to a really fancy meal. ...
    7. Spend the day hunting your food. ...
    8. Be intentional with your photos.
    Nov 20, 2020

    What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

    The typical white American family eats white bread rolls with butter, mashed potatoes, roast beef or baked chicken, and peas for dinner, with milk on the side.

    Is it OK to make cornbread dressing ahead of time? ›

    A great make-ahead recipe: You can make this Thanksgiving side dish up to a day in advance, and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to bake it. The leftovers are good for up to 4 days so you can enjoy leftover cornbread dressing with your turkey leftovers the next day.

    How do you reheat pre made Thanksgiving dinner? ›

    Transfer the turkey and mashed potatoes into oven-safe dishes, add a little stock to the turkey and butter to the potatoes, and cover both dishes. Reheat them together for about 30 minutes at 350°F. You're winning the leftover dinner game right now.

    Can you cook turkey day before and reheat? ›

    When serving your turkey the next day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline advises that cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated. To reheat your turkey, USDA gives the following recommendations: In the Oven: Set the oven temperature no lower than 325°F.

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