Make the holidays simpler with our collection of make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes. Everything on the table—from turkey and sides to desserts—can be prepared in advance.
28 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
Updated on Nov. 07, 2024
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Green Bean Casserole
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, french-fried onions
Level: Easy
This highly-anticipated side dish casserole can be assembled and stored in the fridge for up to three days. Bake the casserole on the day you want to serve it, adding the french-fried onions just before putting it in the oven.
“This green bean casserole has always been one of my favorite dishes; it’s so easy to put together! You can make it before any guests arrive and keep it refrigerated until baking time.” —Recipe contributor Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington
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Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy
Total Time: 5 hours, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Whole turkey, chicken broth, garlic, fresh and dried herbs
Level: Intermediate
Roast the turkey as much as three months ahead of time. Store the carved meat and cooking juices in the freezer; reheat the juices with chicken broth to make an easy, flavorful gravy.
“Ease the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead turkey recipe that’s ready to serve when you are. It’s a great choice for potlucks, too.” —Recipe contributor Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Pumpkin Pie
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Canned pumpkin, eggs, evaporated milk
Level: Easy
Store a baked and cooled pumpkin pie in the fridge up to four days in advance, or in the freezer for as long as three months. Move the frozen pie into the fridge to thaw the night before you want to serve it.
“Usually I prepare two different desserts for our holiday dinner, but one of them must be pumpkin pie—otherwise, it just wouldn’t seem like Thanksgiving. My version calls for more eggs than most, making this pie’s custard filling especially rich.” —Recipe contributor Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
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Mashed Potatoes
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Russet potatoes, milk, butter
Level: Easy
Refrigerate mashed potatoes up to four days in advance, or freeze them for as long as two months. Thawed potatoes are easy to reheat in the oven or microwave. Then if you’d like, move the potatoes to a slow cooker to keep them warm.
“No holiday meal is complete without a side of rich and creamy mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes pair perfectly with turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Sweet Potato Casserole
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, large marshmallows, milk, cinnamon
Level: Intermediate
To really get ahead of the game, freeze the mashed and baked sweet potatoes up to three months in advance. Melt marshmallows on top of the casserole the day you want to serve it.
“Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be complete without sweet potatoes! Prepare the comforting side dish with the popular marshmallow topping…or choose from streusel, fruit or crunchy toppings.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Citrus Rainbow Carrots
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Rainbow carrots, butter, orange juice, sugar
Level: Easy
Prep this easy veggie side in advance: Slice the carrots and store them in a sealed container with a damp paper towel up to three weeks ahead of time. Whisk the sauce ingredients together and refrigerate two to three days beforehand.
“I grow lots of carrots and I’m always experimenting with ways to serve them. The first time I made this citrusy recipe for my husband, he said it tasted like Christmas! It’s easy to prepare, and can easily be doubled to serve a large group. To save time, I sometimes cut up the carrots several days in advance” —Recipe contributor Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Cranberry Orange Relish
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Cranberries, oranges, sugar
Level: Intermediate
Once the relish ingredients are chopped and blended in a food processor, transfer the mixture to an airtight container. The relish can be frozen for as long as three months, then thawed in the fridge the night before you plan to serve it.
“With its festive color and refreshing citrus-cranberry flavor, this lovely relish works well at large holiday gatherings. It’s also convenient because you can make it in advance” —Recipe contributor Clara Honeyager, North Prairie, Wisconsin
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Parker House Rolls
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: All-purpose flour, yeast, butter, milk
Level: Intermediate
Homemade dinner rolls are one of the best sides to make ahead of time. Seal the cooled rolls in an airtight container and freeze them for up to three months. Then just warm them in the oven right before dinner.
“My mom is especially well known for her baked goods, like these tender golden rolls. When that basket comes around the table, we all automatically take two because one is never enough” —Recipe contributor Sandra Melnychenko, Grandview, MB
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Stuffing
Total Time: 55 minutesMain Ingredients: Day-old bread, chicken broth, onions, celery
Level: Intermediate
Once baked, stuffing can be stashed in the freezer as long as one month before Thanksgiving dinner. Since it’s our family’s favorite side, we make two pans! A splash of chicken broth helps keep the stuffing moist during reheating.
“This nicely seasoned stuffing is our favorite for holiday turkeys. It doesn’t require a lot of prep time, which I like, and it tastes good whether stuffed in the bird or baked separately.” —Recipe contributor Denise Goedeken, Platte Center, Nebraska
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Party Mashed Potatoes
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Mashed potatoes, sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese
Level: Easy
To make this recipe one or two days in advance, assemble the ingredients in a baking dish and cover tightly with plastic wrap before refrigerating. Remove the plastic, then bake for about an hour on the day you serve it.
“These creamy tasty potatoes can be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to pop them in the oven (I often do that). The garlic powder and chives add zip, and the shredded cheese adds color.” —Recipe contributor Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa
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Heavenly Praline Cake
Total Time: 1 hour, 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Pecans, dark brown sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour
Level: Advanced
Bake the cake and wrap it tightly the day before you want to serve it. The candied pecans that top this cake can be baked and stored at room temperature for up to a week.
“Filled with the fabulous flavor of caramel, this cake is also topped with a lovely icing. The candied pecans are almost a dessert by themselves!” —Recipe contributor Jennifer Rodriguez, Midland, Texas
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Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Total Time: 20 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Cream cheese, crushed pineapple, pumpkin, dried beef
Level: Easy
This cute and flavorful pumpkin-shaped appetizer will last for a few days in the fridge or up to two months in the freezer. You can slice and refrigerate the fresh veggie dippers ahead of time, too.
“No one will guess this make-ahead spread contains pumpkin. The subtle ingredient lends harvest color and extra nutrition.” —Recipe contributor Linnea Rein, Topeka, Kansas
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Celery Gratin
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Celery, sliced bread, Swiss cheese, heavy cream
Level: Intermediate
For this make-ahead Thanksgiving recipe, assemble the gratin and keep it wrapped in the fridge for up to three days. Bake it on the day you want to serve it, with a few extra minutes added to the oven time.
“My grandmother was good at creating a dish out of a few simple ingredients. This celery gratin was a dish our family came to love.” —Recipe contributor David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington
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Sweet Potato Cheesecake Brownies
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: White cake mix, mashed sweet potato, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk
Level: Easy
These unique brownies freeze very well, which means they can be prepared up to two months ahead of time. Wrap the bars well and stack them in an airtight container to protect their flavor.
“If you’re looking for something other than pumpkin, these sweet potato bars are a yummy alternative. Make them ahead! They’re even better refrigerated overnight.” —Recipe contributor Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
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Frozen Pumpkin Dessert
Total Time: 15 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Canned pumpkin, vanilla ice cream, walnuts, sugar
Level: Advanced
Since this sweet treat needs to be frozen, you might as well make it in advance! When covered tightly, the dessert will last up to two months in the freezer.
“This ice cream dessert can be prepared and frozen weeks in advance. I’ve found it has more mass appeal than traditional pumpkin pie.” —Recipe contributor Susan Bennett, Edmond, Oklahoma
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Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Russet potatoes, cream cheese, butter
Level: Easy
Make this side dish early in the day and keep it warm in a slow cooker until dinner. Or, make the mashed potatoes the day before and reheat them just before serving.
“When I serve this easy mash, the bowl is always scraped clean. Before a big feast, I make it early and keep it warm in a slow cooker so I can focus on last-minute details.” —Recipe contributor Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana
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Potato Rolls
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Mashed potato, all-purpose flour, yeast, eggs
Level: Intermediate
Always the best part of my family’s Thanksgivings, I know there are lots of ways to get ahead with this recipe. Freeze the potato rolls either before or after baking them. They can be frozen for up to three months. To make sure you have cooked potatoes available for the dough, stash whole baked potatoes in the freezer.
“After I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls.” —Recipe contributor Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri
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Creamed Pearl Onions
Total Time: 55 minutesMain Ingredients: Pearl onions, chicken broth, Parmesan, half-and-half
Level: Intermediate
This recipe is refrigerated overnight after assembling, then baked the next day. If more time is needed, the dish can wait in the fridge for another day or two before baking.
“At Christmas, this was one of many recipes I relied on that could be prepared a day in advance, which gave me more time to spend with guests. Everyone expected to see this vegetable dish on the table every year.” —Recipe contributor Barbara Caserman, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
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No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
Total Time: 20 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Canned pumpkin, cream cheese, frozen whipped topping, graham cracker crust
Level: Easy
Since they need to be chilled after assembling, no-bake pies are make-ahead by design. Prepare and hold this pumpkin pie in the fridge up to two days before Thanksgiving.
“This no-bake pumpkin pie includes a delicious cream cheese layer. It’s a terrific make-ahead dessert because it needs to refrigerate a few hours.” —Recipe contributor Donna Freund, Dubuque, Iowa
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Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, butter
Level: Intermediate
Once spread into a baking dish, the potatoes can be refrigerated up to two days in advance. Cream cheese and sour cream keep the potatoes moist during reheating.
“My recipe takes mashed potatoes to the next level with a savory topping of cheese, onions and bacon.” —Recipe contributor JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois
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Cranberry and Bacon Swiss Cheese Dip
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Dried cranberries, flavored cream cheese, shredded Swiss cheese, cooked bacon
Level: Easy
This dip should be served hot and bubbling from the oven, but the rest of the work can be done up to three days in advance. Blend the ingredients, then store them in a covered baking dish in the fridge.
“This warm, rich and creamy Swiss cheese dip is guaranteed to please family and friends alike. Served with thin, crunchy slices of French bread, it is the perfect appetizer; especially because it can be prepared ahead, put in the fridge, and then baked just before you want to serve it.” —Recipe contributor Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
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Slow-Cooker Citrus Carrots
Total Time: 4 hours, 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Frozen carrots, orange juice, sugar, cornstarch
Level: Easy
One of two ways this dish saves time is that it’s made in a slow cooker—hands-off and simmering away on the side while you get other things done. The finished carrots can also be refrigerated one or two days in advance, then reheated in time for the meal.
“These carrots are yummy and so simple. The recipe is from my mom, who tweaked it a bit to suit her tastes. You can make this dish a day in advance and refrigerate it until needed. Then just reheat it before serving!” —Recipe contributor Julie Puderbaugh, Berwick, Pennsylvania
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Cheesy Potatoes
Total Time: 4 hours, 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Frozen hash browns, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream
Level: Easy
A slow-cooker potato dish leaves the oven and stove free for other dishes. Make the cheese and potato mixture in advance and hold it in the fridge for a day, or in the freezer for up to three months.
“As a four-generation Idaho family, we love our potatoes and cook with them in every way possible. I have served this dish for weddings, family dinners and more. It has become a favorite of many.” —Recipe contributor Karla Kimball, Emmett, Idaho
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Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Total Time: 2 hours, 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Turkey wings, chicken broth, onions, carrots
Level: Intermediate
One make-ahead aspect of this recipe is that the savory cooking liquid made from turkey wings can be refrigerated for up to two days before making the gravy. Or, make the gravy and freeze it (in bags or ice cube trays) for up to six months.
“As far as my family is concerned, I can never have enough homemade gravy on hand for Thanksgiving dinner! The base for this flavorful gravy is prepared with turkey wings and can be prepared in advance.” —Recipe contributor Linda Fitzsimmons, Fort Edward, New York
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Turkey Potpie
Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Cooked turkey, refrigerated pie crust, potatoes, carrots
Level: Intermediate
The assembled potpies can be wrapped and frozen for up to three months. After that, they only need 30 minutes to thaw before they go into the oven to bake.
“With golden brown crust and scrumptious filling, these comforting potpies will warm you down to your toes. Because it makes two, you can eat one now and freeze the other for later. They bake and cut beautifully.” —Recipe contributor Laurie Jensen, Cadillac, Michigan
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Green Bean and Cauliflower Casserole
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Green beans, cauliflower, chicken broth, french-fried onions
Level: Intermediate
There’s no need to take shortcuts on the from-scratch sauce in this side dish. It can be prepped and assembled one day in advance to save you time on Thanksgiving Day, then baked right before serving.
“I like to make a savory homemade cream sauce for the timeless green bean casserole. This time I added another vegetable for a delicious twist that sets my casserole apart from the rest! You can omit the vermouth if you’d like by substituting another half cup of chicken broth.” —Recipe contributor Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
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Cranberry Dip
Total Time: 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Cream cheese, whole berry cranberry sauce, sliced almonds, sour cream
Level: Easy
Don’t forget the Thanksgiving appetizers! Make this dip ahead of time, then store it in the fridge for up to two days. Just wait to add the almonds until right before serving so they stay crunchy.
“You can use a variety of salty crackers to scoop up helpings of this slightly sweet cranberry dip. The recipe yields a lot so it’s great for large gatherings.” —Recipe contributor Joy McQuaid, Darlington, Wisconsin
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Sweet Potato Salad
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, dried cherries, chopped walnuts, white vinegar
Level: Easy
Assemble the salad just before serving, but do some prep ahead of time: Make the dressing up to two days in advance, and roast the sweet potatoes the day before. Store everything in the fridge.
“Tender sweet potatoes are tossed with crunchy nuts and chewy dried cherries for a burst of flavors and delightful textures.” —Recipe contributor Fran Fehling, Staten Island, New York
Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes FAQ
What sides can I prep the day before Thanksgiving?
The best sides to make the day before Thanksgiving are those that can easily be reheated. Vegetable dishes are good choices, such as baked squash, roasted Brussels sprouts and green beans with bacon. Bread stuffings also reheat well. Add a little chicken or vegetable broth to stuffing recipes when reheating to keep them moist. Many potato dishes like garlic-herb mashed potatoes and roasted potatoes can be made the day before, too.
What can I freeze before Thanksgiving?
Dinner rolls are a great choice to make and freeze before Thanksgiving, especially when you’re making them from scratch. Our freeze-and-bake rolls are a good example. Our make-ahead gravy is another smart dish to freeze; it’s so much easier than trying to make gravy while the just-roasted Thanksgiving turkey grows cold! Desserts are another dish worth making ahead of time and freezing. Pumpkin pie and fruit pies freeze well, as do cookies and brownies.
Is there anything I shouldn’t make ahead before Thanksgiving?
One dish that you should not make ahead before Thanksgiving is any kind of fresh, dressed salad, such as spinach salad or Caesar salad. While some of the prep can be done in advance, such as making dressings or chopping vegetables, for the best flavor and texture, the salads should be assembled just before serving.
Some folks will also say that the turkey should not be cooked in advance, since it’s traditionally considered the star of the meal. However, if your family cares less about the turkey, preferring to make Thanksgiving sides (or even the pies!) the focus of the holiday, it’s absolutely fine to roast the turkey ahead of time.
