14 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Dishes

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

The frantic rush of the holiday season can lead to two things: adrenaline and stress. You want to enjoy your Thanksgiving, not have a heart attack while trying to prepare dinner for 20 (let’s face it — even dinner for four is stressful enough!).

That’s why planning ahead is so important, and make-ahead dishes are the secret to making the meal go smoothly. You should read up on all the best ways to prepare a turkey and decorate your house well in advance too, but having a few casserole dishes ready to go will do wonders for your psyche (and your guests’ stomachs).

You may be surprised at how much of your meal you can cook before the big day. This year, you could actually have time to enjoy your family’s company instead of being holed up in the kitchen for hours and hours. Take a peek at these make-ahead recipes and decide which ones would be the perfect addition to your menu.

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Macaroni and cheese made from scratch holds up well in the fridge for a day or two (you can even freeze it, if you have the space!). Cover with foil and bake to reheat, then uncover for the last few minutes to re-crisp the breadcrumb topping.

Get the recipe from Britney Breaks Bread.
Creamed Leeks

Creamed leeks can be made ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and then heated up in the oven until bubbly at the edges and just starting to turn golden brown on top. The leftovers are amazing mixed into your leftover mashed potatoes, too!

Get the recipe from Jam Jar Kitchen.
Easy Air Fryer Apples

If your family isn’t a fan of cranberry sauce, but you’re still looking for a sweet-tart accompaniment to your Thanksgiving meal, try out this easy air fryer apples recipe, flavored with cinnamon and maple. They’re simple to make, and can be reheated in the microwave.

Get the recipe from Just As Tasty.
Creamy Parsnip Gratin

Parsnips don’t get enough love, but their earthy-sweet flavor fits right in at the Thanksgiving table. This creamy parsnip gratin can easily be made ahead of time and reheated before the big meal, and it’s made with a dairy-free cashew cream sauce to keep things vegan.

Get the recipe from Debra Klein.
Fall Harvest Bulgur Wheat Salad

In our opinion, every Thanksgiving table needs to have some sort of salad on offer to help balance out the richness of the classic side dishes. This hearty bulgur wheat salad can be made ahead of time, and since it’s not lettuce-based, you don’t have to worry about it becoming soggy or mushy. In fact, the flavor actually improves after it’s been sitting in the fridge for a day.

Get the recipe from Fare Isle.
Roasted Carrots With Maple Tahini Miso Glaze

You can make both parts of this recipe ahead of time. Then, reheat the roasted veggies in the oven in a covered dish, or in the microwave, and drizzle with the salty-sweet-nutty sauce before serving.

Get the recipe from Mochi Mommy.
Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole

Image Credit: Courtesy of The Cozy Cook.

The best part of this sweet potato recipe with mini marshmallows and pecans? It can actually be made 1-2 days ahead of time.

Get the recipe from The Cozy Cook.
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Image Credit: Courtesy of Salt and Lavender.

Instead of waiting to make gravy at the last minute, try this make-ahead gravy, stirring in the dripping from your roasted turkey right before serving.

Get the recipe from Salt and Lavender.
Overnight Sage and Sausage Stuffing

Image Credit: Courtesy of Inquiring Chef.

Stuffing is a must-have at most Thanksgiving meals, so the fact that you can make this recipe ahead of time means you’ll definitely be freeing up some room on the stovetop and in the oven on the day of the big feast.

Get the recipe from Inquiring Chef.
Make-Ahead Boursin Mashed Potatoes

Image Credit: Courtesy of The Oregon Dietitian.

These mashed potatoes get an extra-creamy kick and boost of flavor thanks to a healthy helping of Boursin cheese that’s whipped into the cooked spuds. Oh, and you can make them up to two days in advance.

Get the recipe from The Oregon Dietitian.
Make-Ahead Fall Broccoli Salad

Image Credit: Courtesy of Bunsen Burner Bakery.

We’re big proponents of making sure there’s salad at the table on Thanksgiving — it just needs to be there to help balance the meal. This hearty salad has all of the flavors of fall you would expect to be on the menu, and best of all, you can make it ahead of time.

Get the recipe from Bunsen Burner Bakery.
Make-Ahead Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Image Credit: Courtesy of Borrowed Bites.

Freezer-friendly cheesy scalloped potatoes are just what the doctor ordered if you want a less hectic Thanksgiving day. Make this dish when you have extra time, then freeze it until the big day arrives.

Get the recipe from Borrowed Bites.
Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Image Credit: Courtesy of Leite's Culinaria.

Every Thanksgiving we are faced with the tough decision of choosing pumpkin or pecan pie. It’s a dilemma no one looks forward to facing which is why this pumpkin pecan pie from Leite’s Culinaria is the best of both worlds. You can make this the day before the festivities and simply pull it out when it’s time for dessert.

Get the recipe from Leite’s Culinaria.
Make-Ahead Maple Pecan Coffee Cake

Image Credit: Courtesy of Farm Flavor.

You won’t have to worry about breakfast when you prepare this make-ahead coffee cake the night before Thanksgiving.

Get the recipe from Farm Flavor.
Best-Ever Cranberry Sauce

Image Credit: Courtesy of Profusion Curry.

The sugar and acid in this cranberry sauce act as preservatives, meaning you can make it up to a week before Thanksgiving as long as you keep it in an airtight container. It definitely beats the canned stuff.

Get the recipe from Profusion Curry.
Apple Cinnamon Lattice Pie

Image Credit: Courtesy of Sense and Edibility/Marta A Rivera Diaz.

How far ahead do you want to start on your Thanksgiving feast? This apple cinnamon pie can be frozen for up to two months, leaving you ahead of the pack when it comes to your meal prep.

Get the recipe from Sense and Edibility.
Baked Mushroom Rice

Image Credit: Courtesy of Funny Love Blog.

Bake this mushroom rice until the rice is almost tender the day before Thanksgiving, then add a little bit more broth, cover with foil and finish cooking in the oven before you eat.

Get the recipe from Funny Love Blog.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Image Credit: Courtesy of Evolving Table.

These mashed potatoes are convenient in a couple of different ways. For one, you can make them a day or two before Thanksgiving, reheating them the day of. Even better, they’re made in the Instant Pot, so you can use the oven and stove to make other dishes while you’re preparing for the big day.

Get the recipe from Evolving Table.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Image Credit: Courtesy of Live Eat Learn.

Most salads wilt if you make them too far in advance, but hearty Brussels sprouts can last. Make the salad and dressing a day or two before Thanksgiving, keeping them separate. Then add in the sliced apples and toss with the dressing right before serving.

Get the recipe from Live Eat Learn.
Vegan Coconut-Chestnut Pumpkin Soup

Image Credit: Courtesy of Blooming Nolwenn.

Chestnuts give this vegan soup a rich, creamy texture. Make it the week of Thanksgiving, then heat it up before dinner on the stove or in a slow cooker. It can be a vegan main dish and an appetizer for everyone else.

Get the recipe from Blooming Nolwenn.
Diverse group of friends enjoying homemade food at festive dinner table

Image Credit: Seventyfour - stock.adobe.com
20 Thanksgiving Sides You Can Make Now & Reheat Later

Image Credit: Adobe Stock.

Pin it!