Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes take the stress out of Thanksgiving. You can enjoy a delicious holiday meal, without the chaos.
How do you feel about Thanksgiving? Do you look forward to the time of good food and family? Or do you dread the stress of cooking such a monumental meal for a crowd? Your answer may depend on whether or not you're hosting.
Even if you are hosting a big group though, there are steps you can take ahead of time to minimize the stress on Thanksgiving Day. I'm personally a huge fan of incorporating some make ahead Thanksgiving recipes into our feast. That lets me really focus on the bird and finishing touches on Thanksgiving Day. And it means I can actually spend time with my family and loved ones, instead of frantically running around the kitchen.
Sounds pretty good, right? Well I've rounded up a few of my favorite make ahead Thanksgiving recipes for ya to help ease the holiday stress. I hope you find a new family favorite!
Thanksgiving Prep Strategy
My strategy with any meal prep centers around determining which steps I can complete ahead of time, without sacrificing the flavor of the dish. Thanksgiving prep is no exception!
For example, I often make sauces and salad dressings and chop veggies ahead of time, even if I'm not going to make entire dish in advance. This strategy achieves the perfect balance of convenience and flavor.
To apply this strategy to your Thanksgiving prep, start by making a list of all of the dishes you plan to serve.
Next, go through the recipe for each dish and find steps you can complete ahead. This may be as simple as washing and chopping your sweet potatoes or celery. Trust me, these little steps really add up!
For a meal as big as Thanksgiving though, it is nice to completely check off at least a few dishes ahead of time. The below make ahead Thanksgiving recipes are perfect for this.
And if you want a truly easy Thanksgiving menu this year, check out my Holiday Menus. They include make ahead recipes for cornbread stuffing with pumpkin seeds, mashed potatoes & cauliflower, orange cranberry sauce and more! In these menus, I walk you through step-by-step how to prep the meal ahead of time for a stress-free, totally delicious feast.
I also included several make-ahead freezer recipes perfect for serving any visiting family or friends in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
12 Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
Butternut Squash Muffins
If you have guests staying with you, a make-ahead Thanksgiving breakfast is essential. You don't want to be stressed about throwing breakfast together when you know you have a day of cooking and hosting ahead of you.
You can make these muffins a couple of weeks ahead of time and freeze. Simply freeze in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet and transfer to a freezer container once frozen. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven.
Crudités with Homemade Pesto, Ranch, Hummus or Chimichurri
It's nice to have some sort of snacks sitting out while you're finalizing the big meal. I personally love crudités because they aren't too filling so won't ruin anyone's appetite. Serving alongside a homemade dip or two really makes this simple appetizer stand out. I love veggies with pesto, hummus, paleo ranch or chimichurri. You can make all of these dips ahead of time and store in the fridge. You can also make pesto or chimichurri weeks ahead and store in the freezer!
Sweet & Savory Rosemary Pecans
These sweet & savory rosemary pecans are another lovely snack you can set out. Make them ahead and watch them disappear when your hungry guests arrive!
These also make a lovely party favor if you'd like to send your guests home with something tasty.
Sweet Potato & Pear Soup
In my mind, there's no better way to start a meal than with a flavorful, pureed soup. This sweet potato pear soup is the perfect choice for Thanksgiving. Its flavor profile complements all of the fall flavors associated with the day AND you can make it ahead. Make the soup a couple of days ahead of time and reheat on the stove when you're ready to serve.
Harvest Kale Salad
While most salads are wilty and soggy the next day, that's not the case with kale salad! Kale salad is perfect the next day, making it a smart choice for Thanksgiving.
You can make this whole salad the day before, though the walnuts will be crunchier if you add them at the last minute.
Balsamic Beet Salad
Make this salad ahead of time and add the homemade balsamic dressing just before serving. This is a great way to make salads ahead without them getting soggy.
Marinated Turkey Breast & Orange Cranberry Sauce
If you have a smaller group, a turkey breast is a delicious, low-stress choice. You marinate this turkey breast for 24 hours so you do almost all of the work the day before, and simply stick it in the oven on Thanksgiving Day.
You can also make the orange cranberry sauce a couple of days ahead of time.
Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes
Cashew cream gives these dairy free mashed potatoes their creaminess while chicken stock adds the perfect savory flavor. Make these ahead of time and reheat in the microwave or on the stove. Add a bit more broth when you reheat if needed.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars
If you want to offer something beyond pie for dessert, these gluten free and paleo pumpkin bars are the perfect choice. They taste rich and decadent but actually include so many nutritious ingredients – the perfect balance!
Low Carb Coconut Pecan Bites
If you're low carb or have any low carb guests this Thanksgiving, serve these coconut pecan bites on your dessert table. They give a festive nod to pecan pie, but are low-carb & keto-friendly.
Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Crust
If pumpkin pie sounds a bit boring but you don't want to totally forgo the traditional treat, this sweet potato pie with pecan crust is the answer! Make it ahead and you'll be ready to go for dessert.
Pumpkin Mousse
This pumpkin mousse is SO incredibly easy and tasty. It's meant to make ahead so you check dessert off your to-do list before the big day.
FAQ for Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
What Thanksgiving dishes can be prepared ahead of time?
Thanksgiving dishes like cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, hearty salads such as a kale salad and desserts like pie can all be made ahead of time with delicious results. Other items can be prepped ahead of time, including chopping most veggies you'll need to cook with on Thanksgiving Day. (Don't chop potatoes ahead of time for best results.)
What can I make one week before Thanksgiving?
One week before Thanksgiving, you can make any items you plan to freeze. This may include breakfast items such as muffins to serve your guests or even your pie crusts.
What can I do 2 days before Thanksgiving?
Two days before Thanksgiving, you can go ahead and make things like cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. You can also chop the produce you'll need, such as carrots, onions, and celery for your stuffing, and make any sauces or salad dressings. These little steps make Thanksgiving Day so much easier! (Psst! Check out my YouTube video on 3 Ways to Chop an Onion for maximum efficiency!)
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