A Complete Make Ahead Thanksgiving

Meggan Hill

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The most important feast of the year just got easier with my menu for a Complete Make Ahead Thanksgiving. Make the turkey ahead, make it all ahead, make your life easier with these great recipes!

A table set for Thanksgiving with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.


 

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, youre Thanksgiving Menu will be ready and you’ll actually have time to be thankful. 

This menu includes make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes for roast turkey with make-ahead turkey gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, and more! Some recipes, like roast turkey and cranberry sauce, lend themselves naturally to freezing and don’t need any tweaks (but I break down a lot of the helpful specifics for you, anyway).

Other recipes, like mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, need a little wizardry to make the magic happen. And you don’t have to make it all ahead, either. Pick some make-ahead recipes that make the most sense for you, and leave the rest. Even just doing some prep work in advance will make the big day easier!

Table of Contents

  1. Make Ahead Roasted Turkey
  2. Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
  3. Make Ahead Stuffing
  4. Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie
  5. Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce
  6. Homemade Crescent Rolls
  7. Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
  8. Set the Table

Make Ahead Roasted Turkey

A platter of sliced turkey.

Of all the easy turkey recipes out there, this is the one to make. Well before guests arrive (days! weeks! months!), you can get all the carving out of the way, make the turkey gravy, and make broth with the turkey carcass. Then you’ll be fully prepared to deal with whatever else happens on Thanksgiving Day.

See also: Perfect Roasted Turkey
Make ahead roasted turkey on a blue platter.

1

Make Ahead Roasted Turkey

If you're pressed for time (or oven space), Make Ahead Roasted Turkey is just what you need. With this technique, cooking turkey the day before, the week before, or even the month before, still tastes delicious and freshly carved.
Get the Recipe

More Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes.

This Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes recipe has a few tricks up its sleeve to make sure that fluffy, creamy, and decadent mashed potatoes can be made ahead and still be absolutely fabulous. In fact, this recipe has enough fat to protect the potatoes in the freezer for up to 6 months.

See also: The Best Mashed Potatoes
Make ahead mashed potatoes in a white bowl.

2

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Reduce your Thanksgiving Day stress with Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes. These creamy, fluffy potatoes can be mashed a few days in advance and reheated in the oven or a slow cooker.
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More Vegetable Side Dishes

Make Ahead Stuffing

A pan of bread stuffing.

This classic stuffing is my mom’s recipe and my favorite part about Thanksgiving. Add in the advantages of make-ahead convenience and you’re officially out of excuses not to make it!

See also: Classic Bread Stuffing
Bread stuffing on a plate with a fork.

3

Make Ahead Stuffing

This Make Ahead Stuffing is based on my favorite (and wildly popular) bread stuffing recipe. It's a great way to get a jump-start on the holiday! Dry your bread the night before on the counter or in a 300-degree oven for 40 minutes.
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More Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie

A slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top.

Once you assemble this Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie, it freezes beautifully for future desserts. But you can also make it the day you need it. And as long as you’re working with a pre-baked crust, it doesn’t take up any prime real estate in the oven.

See also: The Best Pumpkin Pie
Make ahead pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream.

4

Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie

This no bake, Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie can be made up to 2 weeks in advance and frozen. You'll love the maple-cinnamon topping, too!
Get the Recipe

More Thanksgiving pies and desserts

Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce

Any cranberry sauce can be made ahead of time. Refrigerate it for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months (thaw overnight in the refrigerator).

See also: Cranberry Cheesecake Galette
Cranberry sauce in a clear glass decorative bowl.

5

Cranberry Sauce

This classic Cranberry Sauce has just 5 ingredients and takes 10 minutes to make (plus chilling time).
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A bowl of cranberry sauce with apples.

6

Cranberry Apple Sauce

For a sweet and simple twist on the classic Thanksgiving side dish, try Cranberry Apple Sauce. It's a tasty without getting too crazy on a menu that is rooted in tradition.
Get the Recipe
Cranberry relish in a white bowl.

7

Cranberry Relish Recipe

This 3-ingredient, 5-minute Cranberry Relish Recipe is the easiest side dish you'll make this Thanksgiving. Make it ahead, too; the flavor improves as it sits.
Get the Recipe

Homemade Crescent Rolls

A baking sheet of homemade crescent rolls.

Even the fussiest eaters (hello, children!) can’t resist these Homemade Crescent Rolls. If they eat nothing else on the table, they’ll eat these!

The best part? Bake them a month in advance, cool, and freeze until the big day. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven before serving. Make a double batch if you want to enjoy some right away (you definitely want to!).

See also: Soft Yeast Dinner Rolls
Crescent rolls on a cooling rack.

8

Homemade Crescent Rolls

Pillowy soft with a sweet, buttery taste, these Homemade Crescent Rolls are perfect for all the holidays or a weekend baking project.
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Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

Slow cooker cranberry apple cider in a clear mug.

While you could technically mix this up in advance, it’s so quick and easy, there’s really no reason. Just combine everything in a slow cooker a few hours before your guests arrive. Set out cozy cups and a big ladle and let your guests help themselves.

See also: Apple Cider Recipe
Slow cooker cranberry apple cider in a clear mug.

9

Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider is simple to make, sweet, and delicious. This welcoming, spiced hot beverage makes the whole house smell amazing, too.
Get the Recipe

Set the Table

Whether you’re looking for a casual event or a formal affair, find your preferred way to set the table for Thanksgiving.

How to Set a Table

Whether it’s a quiet supper for one or a dinner party for 12, learning How to Set a Table can make any occasion more noteworthy. Break out your best china and polish the glassware; here’s a breakdown of how to do it.

View Recipe
A make ahead Thanksgiving feast on a table.

Thanksgiving Recipe Collections

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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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Comments

    1. Hi Rich, cooked stuffing can be kept in a low-temperature oven for several hours. But keep in mind, food left in a warmer for more than two to four hours loses its freshness and starts to dry out. Hope this helps! – Meggan

  2. Thanksgiving stuffing – can you freeze two weeks in advance? If so is it better to freeze before or after Baking?

    Reply

    1. Hi Mary! I recommend assembling the stuffing, freezing, then baking. The frozen stuffing will last up to 3 months in the freezer. Enjoy! – Meggan

  3. Thank you for making an effort to educate me on how to set a table for myself/family dinners.
    I’m learning a lot about table etiquette and how to prepare meals for my family.

    Reply