We’re sharing all of our tips for prepping many favorite Thanksgiving recipes ahead of time, so you’ve got lots of extra time to relax and enjoy time with family on this holiday.
You can browse all of my Thanksgiving recipes including my famous Thanksgiving Turkey, Homemade Rolls, Turkey Gravy, Pumpkin Roll, or Pecan Pie!
A Stress-Free Thanksgiving IS possible.
A Stress-Free Thanksgiving IS possible.I feel passionately that you can have an incredible Thanksgiving feast, without slaving away in the kitchen all day. As much as I LOVE to cook, you’ll hardly see me cooking on Thanksgiving Day (and trust me, our Thanksgiving menu is huge, and we always have several homemade pies)! It’s all because I prep so much of the meal ahead of time, so things are ready to go in the oven, or throw together quickly. I hope you’ll find all of my tips helpful!
The Main Menu
Make Ahead Tips:
- Allow the turkey plenty of time to thaw. Plan for one day in the fridge for every 5 pounds of turkey. I even give myself one extra day, just to be safe.
- Mix together the herb butter and store it covered in the refrigerator, up to several days.
- Chop the veggies ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prep mashed potatoes 1-2 days ahead, adding extra milk so they are pretty soft (potatoes absorb moisture as they rest). Transfer to a casserole dish, cover and refrigerate.
- To Reheat: Remove potatoes from fridge and place at room temp for 1 hour. Taste and add any additional seasonings or milk, to make them soft and flavoful. Cover and bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until warm.
- Fully assemble the stuffing, but don’t bake it. Store in an airtight bag or container in the fridge for up to 2 days, before baking in a casserole dish at 350°F for 30 minutes.
- Make the mashed sweet potato filling 1-2 days in advance and smooth into baking dish. Make pecan topping and store in a separate container. Remove from fridge 1 hour before baking, and add topping.
- Follow the instructions to make the gravy, allowing it to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container then refrigerate up to 2 days.
- To Reheat: Pour gravy into a saucepan then add a couple tablespoons water or chicken broth to thin it to your liking. Heat on medium low, stirring often, until warm (about 15 minutes).
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Make Ahead Tips:
- Make homemade roll dough and place in an airtight container in the fridge overnight for the first rise. In the morning, resume the recipe with punching down the dough and shaping.
- Baked rolls also freeze well, if you want to fully make them ahead. Store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Allow them to come to room temperature, or warm them in the oven for a few minutes, before serving.
- Make the entire dish the day before and refrigerate overnight.
- Make up to a week in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Make the day before. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Cook cranberries as directed and refrigerate overnight. Assemble remaining salad up to a a few hours ahead of time.
Pies
Make Ahead Tips:
- Assembled pie dough will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Remove from the freezer and allow to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before rolling out.
- Press crust into a freezer safe pie dish, covering tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months then thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Or, store graham cracker pie crust at room temperature (or in the fridge if you live somewhere humid) for up to one day ahead.
- Press crust into a freezer safe pie dish, covering tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months then thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Or, store graham cracker pie crust at room temperature (or in the fridge if you live somewhere humid) for up to one day ahead.
Printable Thanksgiving Prep Timeline:
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You are my all time favorite post for great recipes. Down to earth recipes and great instructions and ideas. Love the new childrens branch of recipes. Enjoy Spain its a lovely place. Cheers Betty.
You are so kind! Thank you Betty for your lovely comment.
I just love this! Thanks for sharing all of your organization tips and tricks!