Thanksgiving

49 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday

Some of our favorite starters, sides, mains, and desserts can be prepped in advance for an easy-breezy Thanksgiving.
Potato and kale gratin in a twohandled ovular white baking dish.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
  • Potato and kale gratin in a twohandled ovular white baking dish.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    1/49

    Cheesy Potato and Kale Gratin With Rye Croutons

    There’s no need to reduce your cream or pre-cook the kale for this cheesy, creamy casserole. Leaving the potatoes unpeeled bumps up nutrients and cuts the prep time, too.

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  • Image may contain Food Egg Meal Dish Cutlery Fork and Plant
    Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    2/49

    Make-Ahead Gravy

    The Thanksgiving game-changing gravy. The secret? A fortified stock that you can make days in advance. No pan drippings needed!

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  • Fresh Cranberry Sauce
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
    3/49

    Fresh Cranberry Sauce

    This simple cranberry sauce recipe from America's quintessential brand is the perfect complement to Thanksgiving dinner, sure, but we also love it with pork, lamb, and chicken anytime of year.

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  • Duchess baked potatoes in a white baking dish with a silver serving spoon next to it.
    Photo by Bobbi Lin
    4/49

    Duchess Baked Potatoes

    If you’ve ever asked if mashed potatoes can be cooked ahead, the answer is this recipe. The texture is like that of a twice-baked potato. Dish can be assembled 1 day ahead. Cover and chill, then increase bake time by 5–10 minutes.

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  • Square pumpkin cheesecake bars with brown and golden swirls.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
    5/49

    Marbled Pumpkin-Maple Cheesecake Bars

    The creamy flavors of cheesecake meet the fall flavors of pumpkin pie in these indulgent bars.

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  • Bright orange sweet potato pure covered with pecan halves in a deepdish oval casserole.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
    6/49

    3-Ingredient Sweet Potato Casserole With Maple Pecans

    This pureed sweet potato casserole can be assembled, without topping, 2 days ahead; cover and chill. Candied pecans can be made 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature. Then when ready to serve, add topping and bake.

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  • Mashed potoes swirled into a serving bowl topped with melting butter and black pepper.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
    7/49

    Our Favorite Mashed Potatoes

    Our version of perfect mashed potatoes are light and fluffy yet rich and creamy, with just a hint of garlic and thyme. Mashed potatoes can be made 2 hours ahead; cover and store at room temperature. Or chill, covered, up to 8 hours; reheat over medium with reserved 1/2 cup milk mixture. And don't forget to top it with plenty of butter!

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  • Cider bacon and golden raisin stuffing in a blue baking dish with serving spoon next to a bowl of cranberry sauce.
    Photo by Tara Donne, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell
    8/49

    Cider, Bacon, and Golden Raisin Stuffing

    Two kinds of bread give this stuffing a deep earthy flavor, vinegar-spiked raisins lend sweet-tart high notes, and bacon makes it irresistible. The stuffing mixture can be prepared up until step before adding the eggs 1 day ahead; cover and chill.

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  • Large white bowl filled with kale and brussels sprout salad with a serving spoon.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog
    11/49

    Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad

    This salad is delicious when prepped a day ahead—just toss with the dressing, cheese, and nuts right before serving.

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  • Dinner rolls on plates
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
    12/49

    Dinner Rolls Six Ways

    One simple master recipe, based on a classic French pain de mie, proves endlessly changeable. You can bake them a day in advance, then re-warm in the oven before serving.

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  • Creamy Cauliflower Dip and Lettuce
    Photo by Tara Donne, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell
    13/49

    Creamy Cauliflower Dip

    Earthy and rich without being heavy or filling, this creamy vegetable dip is just the thing to whet the appetite without ruining it before a big holiday meal. It can be made 5 days ahead; cover and chill.

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  • Image may contain Food and Bread
    Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen
    14/49

    Stuffed Turkey Breast With Butternut Squash, Kale, and Sausage

    This turkey roulade recipe is perfect for a crowd, but is easily halved to feed a smaller crew. Turkey can be seasoned 2 days ahead and stuffed, rolled in cheesecloth, and buttered 1 day ahead; loosely cover and chill. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour before roasting.

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Read More
17 Portable Sides for a Thanksgiving Potluck
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17 Portable Sides for a Thanksgiving Potluck
These dishes travel well—and won’t crowd your host in the kitchen.
23 Easy Pie Recipes for Low-Effort, High-Reward Desserts
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23 Easy Pie Recipes for Low-Effort, High-Reward Desserts
There’s a reason they say, “easy as pie,” you know?
39 Stuffing Recipes for the Best Part of Thanksgiving Dinner
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39 Stuffing Recipes for the Best Part of Thanksgiving Dinner
Call it stuffing or call it dressing; what's important is that everyone knows it’s the best part of Thanksgiving dinner.
Crunchy Veg Salad With Dates and Fried Shallots
Crunchy Veg Salad With Dates and Fried Shallots
Elegant enough for a dinner party centerpiece, sturdy enough to take the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
Green Goddess Harvest Salad
Green Goddess Harvest Salad
So much more affordable than ordering from those fast casual salad chains.
Buckwheat Crepes With Banana-Sesame Jam
Buckwheat Crepes With Banana-Sesame Jam
Practical to make and feels like a total flex.
Giant Garlic Knot
Giant Garlic Knot
This savory babka is braided with a whole head of garlic, fresh parsley, and salty Parmesan.
Nuoc Cham Chicken Salad
Nuoc Cham Chicken Salad
A spicy-funky upgrade for lettuce cups, sandwiches, and more.
Cheeseburger Fried Rice
Cheeseburger Fried Rice
An immediately familiar and comforting dish from Agnes and Sherman in Houston.
Glazed Apple Pie Fritters
Glazed Apple Pie Fritters
Apple pie in doughnut hole form? We’re in love.
Cold Silken Tofu With Chili Crisp Dressing
Cold Silken Tofu With Chili Crisp Dressing
A cool, custardy treat for the hottest days and beyond.
No-Mayo Tuna Salad
No-Mayo Tuna Salad
Riff on the lunchbox staple. Mayo-haters deserve tuna, too.