Make-Ahead Thanksgiving

Looking for a stress-free Thanksgiving menu even though you're hosting? Here are more than 70 recipes you can make ahead of time so you look like a pro.

Cranberry Hummus

Cranberry Hummus

a close up view of a spoonful of sweet potato casserole, topped with pecans and brown sugar, being lifted from a white baking dish.

Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole

close up view of a Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake slice on plate, topped with vanilla ice cream, with the rest of the cake in the background

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

an overhead view of partially sliced pumpkin bread sitting on a wooden cutting board with a single slice buttered.

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread

Watergate Salad

Watergate Salad

Close up view of spinach dip in a bowl, with bread cubes and crackers on the side

Best Spinach Dip Ever

a low angle view of a spoonful of gravy being lifted out of a white gravy boat.

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

side view closeup of a mound of ground spices on a cutting board surrounded by whole nutmegs and cinnamon sticks, with a microplane in the background

Homemade Pumpkin Spice

high angle looking into an open apple pie in a pie pan

Apple Pie Filling

close up view of Turkey Gravy in a white gravy boat

Chef John's Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

close up on a plate full of pumpkin bars topped with cream cheese frosting

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Raw potatoes next to peeled potatoes

Can You Peel and Cut Potatoes Ahead of Time?

close up view of a pile of Cranberry Brie Bites in a bowl

Cranberry Brie Bites

Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

looking down at a large bowl of cranberry orange relish

Easy Cranberry Orange Relish

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

high angle looking into a casserole dish of steakhouse potatoes romanoff

Steakhouse Potatoes Romanoff

Closeup of a side of a pie with flower designs in the crust

Easy Homemade Pie Crust

a low angle close up view looking over the corner of a white casserole dish into a spoonful of make ahead stuffing being lifted out.

Make-Ahead Stuffing

High angle closeup of a baking dish with twice baked potato casserole with bacon being spooned out

Twice Baked Potato Casserole With Bacon

looking into a bowl of creamy make ahead mashed potatoes topped with a melting pat of butter, and fresh cracked black pepper.

Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

close up view of Garlic Toast on a platter

Make-Ahead Garlic Toast

a low angle super close up view of a bowl full of cranberry chutney.

Cranberry Chutney

pumpkin pie with whipped cream

How to Freeze Pumpkin Pie

Savory Pumpkin Hummus

Chef John's Potato Roses

Chef John's Potato Roses

Smoked Turkey (Without Smoker)

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes in a lime-green dish

9 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Sides That Hold Up in the Freezer

Cranberry Sauce with Apples

close up view of Breakfast Casserole with spinach and mushrooms in a glass baking dish

Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

overhead view of Cheesecake with Cranberry Glaze and Sugared Cranberries on a platter

Cheesecake with Cranberry Glaze and Sugared Cranberries

Slow Cooker Candied Yams

Rich Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

cranberry bread pudding in a glass dish

Cranberry Bread Pudding

Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Jack Daniel's Very Merry Eggnog

close up view of sliced Slow Cooker Turkey Breast With Dressing, cranberry sauce, and salad on a white plate with a fork

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast With Dressing

Cranberry Jell-O Salad with Mandarin Oranges

Chef John's Buttermilk Pie

Caramel Pecan Pie with lace placemat

15 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts to Save Your Sanity

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes

A cheese ball coated with chopped nuts with crackers on either side

10 Easy Make-Ahead Appetizers To Save You Time This Thanksgiving

round sour cream cranberry cake with one slice plated

Cranberry Sour Cream Kuchen

Turkey Cheese Ball for Thanksgiving

Cranberry, Apple, and Fresh Ginger Chutney

Amazing Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms

Thanksgiving Egg Noodles

Sweet and Spicy Turkey Rub

Cranberry Orange Relish with Orange Flavored Liqueur

a close up view of a spoonful of sweet potato casserole, topped with pecans and brown sugar, being lifted from a white baking dish.

10 Classic Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Casseroles

Sell Your Soul to the Devil Eggs

Best-Ever Cornbread-Sausage Stuffing

Mama's Southern Cornbread Dressing

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Snickerdoodle-Crusted Apple Pie

people reaching for side dishes around thanksgiving table

5 Things You Should Absolutely Do Ahead for Thanksgiving

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing