20 Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes That You Can Prep Ahead

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Did you know that most Thanksgiving recipes– from appetizers to sauces to side dishes to desserts– can be prepped ahead of time? That means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying friends and family on Turkey Day. We’ve rounded up 20 delicious make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes for you to prep ahead to make cooking Thanksgiving dinner a breeze!

Looking for more holiday recipes and food ideas? You’ll go bananas over our roundup of the 25 most-pinned Thanksgiving and Christmas side dishes and our popular Christmas punch recipe, Santa’s Little Helper.

These delicious prep-ahead Thanksgiving side dish recipes make Thanksgiving meals so much easier and less stressful!

The first time I cooked an entire Thanksgiving meal from start to finish I was so exhausted I couldn’t even eat it afterwards. I happily watched in a stupor while everyone enjoyed it, but just was too tired to put my fork to my mouth myself. I wondered, how did my Grammie ever do this, year after year, with such grace and peacefulness?!

Needless to say, I wised up the following year. I peeled, chopped, baked, and assembled almost everything in the days before Thanksgiving. I brined the turkey overnight. On the big day, I simply took it all out and warmed, cooked, and did the final baking. It still took a little time, but it was SUCH a gamechanger and my kitchen wasn’t a disaster zone of dirty pans and utensils afterwards.

With that game-changing concept in mind, we’ve rounded up 20 of the best make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes for you to make and enjoy. Now you’ll have more time to cheer on your favorite team, sip wine with your family and friends, and avoid talking about politics with Uncle Joe. Sorry, I can’t help you with that last one though. 😉

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20 Delicious Prep-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes

mashed potatoes in a serving dish

Grandma Betty’s Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes | The Gingham Apron

Make ahead turkey gravy

Make-ahead Turkey Gravy | Woman’s Day

Cranberry sauce in a bowl

Easy Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce | Ahead of Thyme

Sweet potato casserole

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole | Half Baked Harvest

Stuffed mushrooms on a plate

Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts  | Food, Folks and Fun

Make ahead sweet potato casserole

Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole | Melanie Makes

Cheesy potato casserole in a pan

Cheesy Potato Casserole | Tablespoon

freezer rolls

Make Ahead Freezer Rolls | Lets Dish Recipes

Close up of creamed corn

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn | Damn Delicious

Cheddar and herb stuffing

Cheddar and Herb Stuffing | Woman’s Day

Green bean casserole

Make-Ahead Green Bean Casserole | Mom Advice

maple roasted carrots on a plate

Maple Roasted Carrots | Life Currents

Roasted sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts | The Food Charlatan

Green bean salad quinoa clementine with maple citrus dressing

Green Bean and Quinoa Salad with Maple Citrus Dressing | Peas and Crayons

Close up of Thanksgiving stuffing

Make-Ahead Sausage Stuffing | Food Network

Plated cranberry baked brie puff pastry bites

Cranberry Brie Bites | Well Plated by Erin

A slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream on the top

Super Easy Pumpkin Pie | I Wash You Dry

French silk tart

French Silk Tart | That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Dutch apple pie

Dutch Apple Pie | The Taylor House

Pecan pie truffles

Pecan Pie Truffles | High Heels and Grills

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SO MUCH YUM, right? What are your Thanksgiving shortcuts and timesavers so you can spend more time with family and less time working on the meal?

These delicious prep-ahead Thanksgiving side dish recipes make Thanksgiving meals so much easier and less stressful!

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