19 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes That'll Save You Time on the Big Day

Simplify meal prep with this collection of holiday recipes that can be made ahead.

brussels sprout salad — Credit: Louise Hagger

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time filled with friends, family, and feasting—and a lot of cooking. So much cooking, and often only one oven to do it all. So, how to do it all? Planning.

Making some dishes in advance will take the pressure off pacing and allow you to be present and enjoy the holiday. Luckily, nearly every element of the meal (aside from the turkey) can be made days ahead and chilled or frozen. Whether you are the sole chef de cuisine or contributing to a potluck, these make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes come to the rescue.

Be sure to map out which make-ahead dishes will require heating, so you know you have stovetop or oven space.

01 of 19

Juniper-and-Gin Gravlax

Juniper-and-Gin Gravlax — Justin Walker

Gravlax makes any occasion special, and homemade gravlax takes Thanksgiving snack platters to a whole new level. This one has subtle floral flavors, thanks to the gin and juniper berries. The salmon needs three days to cure, so it’s a perfect make-ahead appetizer for the holidays.

02 of 19

Twice-Baked Potato-and-Raclette Casserole

twice-baked potato and raclette casserole — Paola + Murray

This rich, dense potato casserole is inspired by the flavors of fondue—luscious mashed potatoes are mixed with melty raclette, cream cheese, and sour cream. They’re super moist and creamy, so they can easily be reheated before topping with crispy potato skins and fresh chives.

03 of 19

Herb-Cheese Palmiers

herb cheese palmiers recipe

Greet your holiday guests with these flaky elephant ears. Each layer of puff pastry is coated with cheddar, parmesan, and fresh seasonal herbs. They’re best served at room temperature, so make them ahead to clear out some oven space on the big day.

04 of 19

Easy Pie Crust

Easy Pie Crust — Clive Streeter

It's just not Thanksgiving without pie! You can make and freeze pie crusts up to a month in advance so that putting together your favorite pumpkin, pecan, and apple pies for the big day will be a snap.

05 of 19

Orange-Scented Cranberry Sauce

med105046_1109_thx_cranberry_sauce

Fresh cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and juice make a simple, deeply flavored cranberry sauce. Stored in an airtight container, this sauce will keep in the refrigerator for a week.

06 of 19

Dinner Rolls

Dinner Rolls — Dana Gallagher

These moist, tender dinner rolls are rich with eggs and butter. Once the dough is shaped, it can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to two months before Thanksgiving. When ready to bake, simply add two hours to the second rising.

07 of 19

Gingery Beet Soup

gingery beet soup in ceramic bowl — Johnny Fogg

Warming ginger adds tingling heat to this velvety and festive red soup. It needs only a final flourishing swirl of tangy yogurt before serving.

08 of 19

Pumpkin Cheesecake

pumpkin cheesecake — Mikkel Vang

Two popular favorites—pumpkin pie and cheesecake—are rolled into one delightful dessert. Cheesecake keeps well in the refrigerator for several days, and it also freezes nicely. To thaw, simply place it in the refrigerator 24 hours before you wish to serve it.

09 of 19

Caramelized Sesame Chickpeas

Glazed in a salty-sweet blend of sesame seeds, honey, and olive oil and roasted until crunchy, the humble beans make a nicely adult, tree-nut and peanut-free alternative to the typical candied nuts. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container for up to a week.

10 of 19

Roasted Vegetables With Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Roasted cauliflower, Romanesca, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts get a sophisticated finish from a pomegranate vinaigrette and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds. Wash and trim the vegetables, and make the vinaigrette, up to two days in advance.

11 of 19

Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing

cornbread sausage stuffing — David Loftus

This sage-seasoned cornbread and sausage stuffing gets a creamy texture from the addition of eggs. It can be assembled and refrigerated, baked or unbaked, for two days.

12 of 19

Luxurious Mashed Potatoes

Generous doses of butter and cream make these mashed potatoes suited to a special occasion. Make them a day in advance and refrigerate in a baking dish. Twenty minutes before serving, cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350 degrees.

13 of 19

Marinated Mushrooms

marinated mushrooms — Sang An

Marinated in lemon juice, white wine vinegar, fresh oregano, and olive oil, these mushrooms taste even better when made a few days before serving. Serve this easy appetizer with olives and a selection of cheeses.

14 of 19

Cranberry-Poached Pears

Refrigerated in their poaching liquid, these cranberry-kissed pears will keep for up to three days. Serve them with crème fraîche or cinnamon ice cream for a refreshing Thanksgiving dessert.

15 of 19

Sweet Potato and Sage-Butter Casserole

In this Thanksgiving side dish, mashed Yukon gold and sweet potatoes are enriched with sage-infused butter and milk and then baked under a topping of crisp breadcrumbs. Make the potato mixture two days in advance and add the breadcrumbs just before baking.

16 of 19

Shredded Brussels-Sprout Salad With Hazelnut Crunch

brussels sprout salad — Louise Hagger

A make-ahead salad—yes, really! This crunchy Brussels sprout salad can be prepped one to two days ahead. The delicious hazelnut crunch can be made and stored in an airtight container and the Brussels washed, chopped, and stored in resealable plastic bags. Toss the salad and top with the crunch while the turkey is resting.

17 of 19

Potato and Mushroom Pie

potato mushroom pie — Gentl and Hyers

As a substantial side or stand-alone dish, this impressive pie is filled with seasonal mushrooms, hearty potatoes, and the best cheeses. It can be made a day ahead, and heated before serving.

18 of 19

Lemon Vinaigrette

This versatile, bright-tasting lemon and olive oil vinaigrette will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Use it to dress up Thanksgiving side dishes like sautéed green beans, Brussels sprouts, spinach, or salad greens garnished with dried cherries and toasted hazelnuts.

19 of 19

Cauliflower Gratin

Tender cauliflower is surrounded by Gruyère cheese sauce under a crunchy coat of breadcrumbs in this make-ahead Thanksgiving side dish. Make the cauliflower and cheese sauce mixture up to two days in advance; top with breadcrumbs just before baking.

Read More:

Related Articles

Ham and Spinach Dip

18 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers to Kick Off a Fabulous Feast

Pecan Pie

cranberry sauce sweet potatoes

A Classic Thanksgiving Dinner Menu—and a Detailed Hourly Schedule That Will Help You Pull It Off

prepped ingredients in plastic tubs

Use This Thanksgiving Dinner Prep Timeline for a Stress-Free Meal

Cinnamon Swirl Apple Slab pie

24 Unexpected Thanksgiving Desserts Your Entire Family Will Love

pomegranate relish

Pomegranate Relish

Alexis's Sweet Potato Pie

Basic Bread Stuffing

Cranberry-Orange-Jalapeno Relish

puff pastry turkey shapes

Puff-Pastry Turkeys

Cranberry Sauce with Ginger and Clove

med105046_1109_thx_cranberry_sauce

Orange-Scented Cranberry Sauce

apple pie

Easy Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

Twice-Cooked Potato-and-Leek Casserole

Whole-Grain Skillet Cornbread

Old Fashioned Apple Pie

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie