The most important feast of the year just got easier with my menu for a complete make-ahead Thanksgiving. I included all the tips, tricks, and advice to make your holiday smooth sailing, at least when it comes to the food…I can’t guarantee everyone will arrive on time.

The most important feast of the year just got easier with my menu for a complete make-ahead Thanksgiving. I included all the tips, tricks, and advice to make your holiday smooth sailing, at least when it comes to the food...I can't guarantee everyone will arrive on time.

Don’t let this holiday stress you out; knock out the main course and all the trimmings well ahead of Thursday. You won’t need a dozen ovens to do it, either! By the time the big day arrives, you actually have time to be thankful. 

Make Ahead Roasted Turkey

Carved roast turkey and gravy are at the ready with this recipe that gets all the messy stuff out of the way in advance and gives you a jump start on turkey stock. Learn how (and why) to truss a turkey, too. Recipe here.

Let’s talk turkey, and by turkey, I mean the best, juiciest, make ahead roasted turkey you can get. Whether you roast it up the day before, the week before, or even the month before—this turkey comes out tasting freshly carved and frees up oven space so you can concentrate on the important stuff…like pumpkin pie.

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Fluffy, piping hot mashed potatoes will be the first things to disappear, so you might want to make-ahead extra so arguments don’t break out! Recipe here.

These Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes are your Thanksgiving Day dream come true. Mash them up the day before, and heat them in the oven or slow cooker. If it's your job to bring the potatoes, your job just got easier.

Make Ahead Stuffing

My mom’s classic stuffing is your secret weapon this year; it can be frozen a week ahead of time and baked at the last minute (thanks, Mom!). Recipe here.

My mom's traditional dressing-- my absolute favorite part of Thanksgiving, is updated into a recipe for Make-Ahead Stuffing that can be made in advance for a delicious jump start on the holiday.

Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie

A creamy and rich no-bake pumpkin pie that freezes like a dream and tastes like one, too. Recipe here.

This Make-Ahead Pumpkin Pie is absolutely delicious and should be at the top of your to-do list, especially if oven space is limited. It’s no-bake and egg-free, too. All you have to do is no-bake a few of these up as early as two weeks before the feast and freeze them. When you’re ready for pie, they’ll be creamy and smooth as any freshly-baked pumpkin pie.

I hope your Thanksgiving is fun, delicious, and festive, without even a little stress. If I haven’t said it already, I’m so thankful for you, for the enthusiasm about good food you bring to the table, and especially for your encouragement along the way.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Culinary School Secrets
Pro-level tricks to transform your cooking!

Meggan Hill

I’m the Executive Chef and head of the Culinary Hill Test Kitchen. Every recipe is developed, tested, and approved just for you.

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