Make your holiday more manageable by preparing these Thanksgiving dishes in advance. Whether you’re cooking a lot or only a little before the holiday, make-ahead recipes are essential. By doing a bit of prep work a day or more ahead, you can enjoy the festivities with your guests by 3 p.m.
We’ve gathered dishes that can be prepped at least a day in advance and then easily reheated or served. The goal is to have everything, from traditional appetizers to your family’s favorite desserts, ready before you start on the turkey.
For appetizers, consider preparing bacon-wrapped apricots or a fresh chimichurri yogurt dip, both of which can be made ahead and served when guests arrive. For the main course accompaniments, there are salads such as Every-Citrus Salad or Green Bean and Celery Salad that can add refreshing elements to your spread.
Consider indulgent side options like Brussel Sprouts Salad or rich Creamed Spinach Casserole, which can be made a couple of days before. Classic Thanksgiving dishes like Cornbread Sausage Dressing or Homemade Cranberry Sauce can be made well in advance. For dessert, options like Pumpkin Cheesecake or Sweet Potato Pie offer a delicious ending to your meal, and both can be prepared ahead of time.
This strategy allows chefs to focus less on cooking and more on enjoying the company, knowing that most of their meal is already prepared. Embrace this make-ahead approach to minimize stress and maximize enjoyment this Thanksgiving.
30 Make-Ahead Recipes for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
