Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes – Easy Make Ahead Thanksgiving recipes and meal plan so you can plan a beautiful Thanksgiving meal that allows you to relax and enjoy the day!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! I enjoy the time with family, giving thanks for all of our many blessings. However, preparing a holiday feast can be a bit intimidating – unless you have a good plan. That’s why this Make Ahead Thanksgiving Meal Plan and recipes are the perfect way to enjoy a stress free holiday!
Rather than becoming anxious thinking about all there is to cook or to do, I use the tips I learned from my Mama and Grandmother. They shared these valuable lessons on how to prepare our favorite family recipes for Thanksgiving – all the while staying relaxed and enjoying the day. These Make Ahead Thanksgiving Tips and recipes are truly some of the best – and I think you will be thankful for them too!
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!
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
Make Ahead Thanksgiving Turkey
Take the stress out of Thanksgiving by using my tips for making your Thanksgiving turkey ahead of time. It is perfect every time!
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:
Make Ahead Thanksgiving Gravy and Sauce
Turkey Gravy
We always have turkey gravy in addition to Giblet Gravy on Thanksgiving. While it is easy enough to make on Thanksgiving Day, it is also great to make ahead and reheat!
Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
When ready to serve, simply reheat in a medium saucepan until it reaches a rolling boil. If it is too thick, add a bit more stock until it reaches the consistency you prefer.
Recipe: Turkey Gravy Recipe
Giblet Gravy
Make Ahead Giblet Gravy
I don’t remember a Thanksgiving where we haven’t had my Grandmother Earlene’s Giblet Gravy! It’s an essential part of our family meal!
To make it ahead, prepare giblet gravy a day in advance, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat prior to serving.
Recipe: Giblet Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
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 as a topping on a stack of pancakes!
Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce
Make cranberry sauce up to 10 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or for up to a month in the freezer. If frozen, allow to thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Recipe: Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Let’s be honest. While the turkey may be the star of the show, the side dishes are clearly the favorite! Well, and desserts.
Southern Cornbread Dressing
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 it in the refrigerator up to two days ahead or in the freezer up to two weeks in advance. If frozen, thaw in the 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
Green Bean Casserole
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:
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
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:
Deviled Eggs
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
Sweet Potato Casserole
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
Apple Pear Salad
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
Make Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts
One of the ways to keep the day as low stress as possible is to prepare the desserts earlier. From pies to cakes, prepping with make ahead Thanksgiving desserts is definitely the key!
Pecan Pie
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
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie is an all-time favorite Thanksgiving pie for a reason! This classic recipe is delicious served plain or with a dollop of cinnamon-spiced whipped cream!
Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie:
Prepare up to two days in advance. Store in the refrigerator. Serve cold.
Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Recipe with Whipped Cream Recipe
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
This Southern Sweet Potato Pie is another favorite pie that is so simple to make. It is delicious with this topping or without – you decide. And it is perfect for Thanksgiving!
Make Ahead Sweet Potato Pie
Bake the pie ahead and allow to cool completely. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, store the pie in a freezer-safe container covered well with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw the frozen pie in the refrigerator overnight. Then, slice and serve as normal.
Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Caramel Cake
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
You can see from my plan and recipes, there are so many dishes you can make ahead of time for Thanksgiving! It’s so easy to plan your menu with this Make Ahead Thanksgiving Guide so that you can fully enjoy the holiday with family and friends!
For even more Thanksgiving Menu Ideas, you may want to check out my Thanksgiving Recipes section.
Happy Thanksgiving Day Prep!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch Cooking archives, originally published 2014.
How do you cook your Thanksgiving turkey??
Such helpful tips, Robyn. It’s always good to prepare some dishes before the big day. I’m so excited for Thanksgiving!!
On Thanksgiving Day when reheating several casseroles together what’s the best temp and for how long?
Hi Dianne,
Generally, reheat in a 350º oven until internal temp reaches 165º. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks!
Hi Robyn,
Thank you so much for all the great make ahead ideas and recipes. One day i’ll Get brave enough to make your pie crust! I made your sweet potato casserole and your easy gravy. All were delicious.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy your family!
Thanks,
Ann
Hi Ann,
I’m so glad you made the sweet potato casserole and the gravy! I hope you all love them! The pie crust really sounds more intimidating than it is. Give it a try sometime when you just have time to play in the kitchen (I love those days!) and there isn’t any pressure to hurry and get something cooked and served for a crowd! 🙂
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! xo
This was awesome and I always scouring the Web trying to find crowd pleasing make ahead recipes. Could you please do this for Christmas as well. Some of these recipes work well for Christmas but maybe you have other ideas. Also do you have any good Duck recipes. I love your recipes and so do my family and guests.
Thanks you!
c
Thank you, Carol. That’s a good suggestion for Christmas recipes. I’m sorry but I don’t have any duck recipes.
I love your recipes!!!! Im 67 years old and have cooked several turkeys but not as delicious as the one from last year and it was your recipe. Loved it!!! Doing it again!!! Thanks
Oh, thank you so much, Cheryl. I’m so glad you love my recipes and especially happy the turkey was such a hit. Hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving this year!