Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes and Meal Plan

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Guide

The first year I hosted Thanksgiving as a young newlywed, I was blessed that my mother and grandmother both came to my house early that morning armed with tips, tricks, and a schedule. We worked together in my little kitchen as I learned even more about how to plan a meal so that everything was warm and on the table on time for our Thanksgiving dinner.

I think this is something that many of you are interested in as well, since I’ve received so many emails and messages throughout the years wanting tips on how to plan the perfect Thanksgiving.

First, let’s start by saying that the perfect Thanksgiving is about those gathered around the table and not as much about what is on it!

Now let’s discuss how you can plan a beautiful Thanksgiving meal that allows you to truly enjoy the day!

General Make Ahead Thanksgiving Tips!

1.  Plan your menu. Start by planning a menu that includes items that can easily be made ahead of time. Some great make ahead dishes include casseroles, vegetables, sauces, gravies, desserts, and yes, even the turkey, if you like!
2. Stock up early. I’ve learned the hard way that the days leading up to Thanksgiving are a bit chaotic in the grocery store. Go ahead and purchase whatever items you can before the last minute rush hits the stores. I like to purchase non perishable items up to a month in advance and then any perishables, like fresh fruits and vegetables closer to the time I will be making that dish.
3. Make a schedule. Like my mother and grandmother, I now have a schedule for preparing my holiday meals. It begins days prior to the holiday all the way through serving the meal.

One of the most intimidating aspects of preparing Thanksgiving Dinner can be making the roast turkey! My roast turkey recipe includes all of the tips and tricks to alleviate any of that worry so that you can enjoy the day with a perfectly browned, juicy and moist Thanksgiving turkey as your centerpiece. It is sure to wow your family and guests!

Cook and slice the turkey according to directions. Arrange on an oven-safe serving platter or on a rimmed baking sheet. Cover and leave at room temperature for up to 1 hour before reheating in the oven. Be sure to reheat until the temperature reaches 165º F.

If you would rather not prepare such a large turkey or if your Thanksgiving guests prefer white meat for their turkey, you will love my easy tips for make-ahead Roasted Turkey Breast.

Recipe: Roast Turkey

Additional Turkey Recipes You May Enjoy:

• Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe
• Smoked Turkey

If you’ve not had homemade Cranberry Sauce on Thanksgiving, I urge you to give it a try. It is so easy, tastes phenomenal and is even delicious the next morning topping a stack of pancakes, too!

Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce

Make cranberry sauce up to 10 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to a month in the freezer. If frozen, allow to thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Recipe: Cranberry Sauce Recipe

My Grandmother Verdie’s Southern Cornbread Dressing is the most requested dish of Thanksgiving at my house! It could be tied with the Sweet Potato Casserole. Once you taste them, you’ll know why!

Make Ahead Cornbread Dressing:

Prepare the dressing without baking and store in the refrigerator up to two days ahead or in the freezer up to two weeks in advance. If frozen, thaw in refrigerator two days in advance and bake on Thanksgiving Day.

Recipe: Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Mashed Potatoes

What’s Thanksgiving without creamy, delicious mashed potatoes? YUM! I also love to make my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes ahead as well!

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes:

Prepare mashed potatoes up to 3 days in advance and store in refrigerator in an airtight container that is also oven and microwave safe. Add mashed potatoes to freezer-safe airtight container up to two weeks in advance. If frozen, allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to serve, remove the container from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before meal time. Add more pats of butter on top of the potatoes and reheat them in a 350º F oven for about 25 minutes or until warmed throughout. If the mashed potatoes seem a bit drier than you’d like, add a little chicken stock or vegetable broth to them to make them creamier.

Recipes: Easy Mashed Potatoes

Other Potato Recipes

• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

This made-from-scratch green bean casserole is a hands-down favorite at our house!

Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole:

Prepare green bean casserole up to one week in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on Thanksgiving Day.

Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Other Green Bean Recipes:

• Slow Cooker Green Beans

Another favorite side dish is this updated version of Broccoli Cheese Casserole. I love that it is so easy to prepare ahead of time, too!

Make Ahead Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Prepare broccoli cheese casserole without baking up to one week in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or 3 months in advance in the freezer. Thaw in refrigerator in advance and bake on Thanksgiving Day.

Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Other Broccoli Recipes:

• Broccoli Recipe

In the South, you can expect deviled eggs to grace every holiday buffet table. They are so easy and delicious, it’s easy to see why!

Make Ahead Deviled Eggs

Cook eggs up to four days ahead, prepare as deviled eggs and plate on serving tray the day before. Serve cold.

Recipe: Deviled Eggs

Now, for the side dish that easily doubles as a dessert – Sweet Potato Casserole! It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it!

Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole

Prepare without adding topping or baking up to a week ahead. Wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator. Place the crumb topping on casserole and bake on Thanksgiving Day to serve warm or the day before to serve cold.

To freeze: Prepare sweet potato mixture and spread into casserole dish. Cool completely, wrap tightly and store in the freezer up to 3 months. When ready to bake, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Make streusel topping mixture and place on top of casserole and bake as directed.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

I am always sure to include something fresh, green and vibrant on my Thanksgiving menu and this salad is always a favorite!

While you’ll need to wait for Thanksgiving Day to assemble your salad for freshness, you can go ahead and prepare your Pomegranate Vinaigrette a day or so in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. When ready to serve, give it a good shake and transfer to a dressing container. Voila!

Recipe: Apple Pear Salad Recipe

Other Make Ahead Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

• Apple Walnut Salad
• Apple Cranberry Salad

My husband’s grandmother, we called her Mimi, was legendary for her Pecan Pies. They are the BEST! You’ll definitely want to include this pie on your holiday menu.

Make Ahead Pecan Pie

Prepare up to two days in advance, wrap well and store in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. If frozen, allow to thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat or serve cold.

Recipe: Pecan Pie Recipe and Pie Crust Recipe

Caramel Cake is a favorite, classic Southern dessert recipe. This recipe makes the perfect make ahead recipe for Thanksgiving!

Make Ahead Caramel Cake

Bake and frost the caramel cake as directed. Store on a cake plate covered with a cake dome.

Recipe: Caramel Cake