Save time (and sanity!) with 35+ make-ahead Thanksgiving side dishes that wow guests and keep your holiday calm and delicious.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Jackie raved about our Turkey Gravy, “This is the most delicious giblet gravy. I’ve made it twice, and it comes out perfect. I love that I can make in advance and just heat up on TG day. This year we ordered a smoked turkey, so I had to buy the giblets at the grocery store and that worked fine.”
Originally posted in 2023, updated in 2026 with better information, FAQs, and even more great Thanksgiving side recipes.
Why I Stopped Trying to Do It All on Thanksgiving Day
Every year I promise myself this is the year. Calm, organized, coffee in hand by noon. And every year something goes sideways. The potatoes seize up. I forget the rolls. Again.
After 30-plus years hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas, I finally figured out the one thing that actually fixes it: make-ahead sides. That’s it. That’s the whole secret. So I rounded up over 35 of my favorite make-ahead Thanksgiving sides, tried, true, and fought over at my own table more than once.
Most of these taste even better the next day. They travel well. And they let you actually sit down with your people instead of babysitting oven timers all afternoon. Because the holidays were never about a perfect table. They’re about gratitude, laughter, and gathering around it, lumpy gravy and all.
Need a little more help rounding out the whole meal? I’ve got stress-free hosting tips, a free Turkey Roasting Guide, a few make-ahead desserts like Pumpkin Custard Pie, Apple Crumb Pie (it’s gluten-free), and Pear Bundt Cake, or browse my full Thanksgiving recipe collection for the mains and appetizers too. And if 35 sides isn’t enough for you (it happens), here’s my whole holiday side dish collection. Let’s make this the year we savor it instead of surviving it.
Top Tips for a Calmer, Easier Thanksgiving
While we all want the picture-perfect Thanksgiving meal, one thing I’ve learned through years of entertaining: relax more. Don’t worry about everything being spotless.
- Broom-sweep your floors. Your perfectly mopped floors will just get dirty again the second Uncle Willie drops his plate.
- Declutter what you can and clean your bathrooms.
- Set your table a day or two in advance. Then pull out your serving dishes and utensils and put a note on each one with what goes in it, so others can help when it’s time to serve.
- Make as many dishes as you can ahead of time. Keep reading this post; it saves the day.
- Get yourself ready before your guests arrive. If you’re running behind, take care of yourself first. Nobody wants to greet their host with wet hair.
- Ask your guests to help. Set the table, carve the turkey, put together an appetizer, pour a drink. Even better, ask them to bring a side dish, and send them this post for ideas. They’d love to, wouldn’t you if someone asked you?
- Relax. Put on some music, breathe, smile, and sit down with your guests instead of hovering in the kitchen.
- Check out our Turkey Roasting Guide, so you’re not scrambling on the day.
What to Serve with Turkey
Holiday Menu Planning
Think about what is on your menu that you can make ahead and plan on making one every few days, from now until Thanksgiving, or better yet, ask those who are joining you to bring along a side or two. I cannot tell you enough the one thing I’ve learned about having people over is to ask, don’t do it all alone!
Try these traditional dishes to complete your Thanksgiving meal; tender tasty turkey or try this Instant Pot Turkey Breast if you feed a smaller crowd or just need more breast meat.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes You Can Make Ahead
Gravy, Sauces & Cranberry
The extras that pull a Thanksgiving plate together, and every one of them tastes better after a day in the fridge.
Giblet Gravy Recipe
Best Cranberry Sauce
Fresh Cranberry Relish
Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
Best Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
Potatoes
No Thanksgiving table is complete without potatoes, and these are all built to be made ahead and reheated without losing that creamy texture.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Hashbrown Casserole Recipe with Corn Flakes (Party Potatoes)
Best Potato Gratin Recipe
Roasted Potatoes and Onions
Instant Pot Rustic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes in Air Fryer
Sweet Potatoes & Yams
Sweet, warm, and a little indulgent, these are the dishes people fight over at my table every year.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
Healthy Roasted Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes
Praline Yams (Sweet Potatoes)
Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Easy Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato Recipe
Veggie Sides
A little green and a little color on the table, most of these can be prepped hours ahead and finished right before serving.
Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
Broccoli Gratin Recipe
Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole (Vegetable Au Gratin)
Ultimate Green Bean Casserole (no mushroom soup)
Southern Green Bean Recipe
Asparagus Air Fryer Recipe
Cheesy Asparagus Bake
Balsamic Glaze Brussel Sprouts
Creamed Corn Recipe
Easy Panera Autumn Squash Soup Recipe (Copycat)
Casseroles & Comfort Bakes
The dishes that disappear first, all of them can be assembled ahead and popped in the oven when you’re ready.
Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole (Vegetable Au Gratin)
Recipe for Baked Corn Casserole
Slow Cooker Corn Casserole (without Jiffy)
Ultimate Green Bean Casserole (no mushroom soup)
Smoked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe
Easy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Cowboy Bean Recipe
Best Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
Salads & Cold Sides
A little crunch and a break from all the warm, cheesy dishes on the table.
Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad
Wild Rice Harvest Salad
Fall Harvest Chicken Salad
The Best Festive Holiday Christmas Salad Recipe
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Sweet Maple Apple Pecan Salad Recipe
Southern Deviled Eggs
Stuffing & Dressing
Whether you stuff the bird or bake it separately, these all hold up beautifully made a day ahead.
Sausage and Apple Dressing
Maple Apple Sausage Stuffing
Easy Cornbread Stuffing
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing
The Best Air Fryer Turkey Recipes
If you are looking for turkey to go with your sides (wink-wink) try these easy, air fryer turkey recipes.
Best rolls and breads to serve with make-ahead Thanksgiving sides
To serve with your sides, you are going to want to bake up some warm, tender rolls or bread:
Thanksgiving Desserts to Make Ahead
Try these easy and tasty make-ahead Thanksgiving desserts for your celebration this year!
Best Cranberry Nantucket Pie Recipe
Cranberry Nantucket Pie is a classic Christmas pie! Only 10 minutes to prep, with fresh cranberries, and walnuts, covered in a sweet, orange cranberry cookie crust. Easiest pie ever!
How to Make Pumpkin Bread (Moist!)
This pumpkin bread brings all the cozy fall vibes, even with less sugar! It’s soft, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. I love finishing it with a brown butter glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.
Apple Spice Cake Recipe
Moist, packed with cinnamon, and loaded with apples, this Fresh Apple Cake is a treasured recipe from my stepdad’s Uncle Al. The apples do the heavy lifting for moisture, giving each bite a tender crumb and rich, fruity flavor!
Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream
This creamy pumpkin ice cream is packed with warm fall spices and real pumpkin flavor, no eggs or cooking required! Just mix, chill, churn, and freeze. A simple, no-fuss dessert that tastes like pumpkin pie in ice cream form.
Homemade Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
This recipe for sweet potato pie is rich and velvety, with roasted sweet potatoes adding extra warmth and depth. A classic Southern dessert perfect for any occasion!
No-Bake Chocolate Pie
It’s pie season! I have the easiest, most scrumptious no bake chocolate pie recipe for you with options for personalization. My mouth waters just thinking about the silky smooth texture and rich flavor in this dessert!
Best Pumpkin Fluff Recipe (Pumpkin Pie Dip)
Why not switch things up this year and make this delicious, thick, and easy pumpkin fluff recipe that tastes like creamy pumpkin pie without the pie crust? Dive in with your favorite dippers such as gingersnap cookies, Nilla wafers, graham crackers, Biscoff cookies, fresh fruit, and more! A big hit at your next fall party, Halloween party, or Thanksgiving feast.
Best Apple Pie Filled Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Homemade)
These apple pie filled cinnamon rolls are decadent, fruity, and made entirely from scratch. Ooey, gooey cinnamon rolls with a quick homemade apple pie filling are worth the time and effort.
Start ahead a day or two, breaking up the prep.
Easy Gluten-Free Apple Pie Recipe with Crumb Topping
This gluten-free apple pie will rock your socks off; with the crust and crumble topping made from the same dough, this is an easy, fail-proof pie.
Easy Mini Apple Pie Recipe in Muffin Tin
An easy mini apple pie recipe in your muffin tin. With a simple sugar cookie crust, a quick homemade apple filling, a drizzle of caramel, and a buttery streusel topping.
Pumpkin Custard Pie Recipe (Costco Copycat)
This pumpkin custard pie recipe is spot-on for a Costco pumpkin pie recipe! With a buttery crust, creamy custard filling; this is the best pumpkin pie, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner!
Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Recipe
The rich buttery brown sugar flavors mixed into a creamy homemade butterscotch pudding nestled in a flaky pastry crust. This Butterscotch Cinnamon pie recipe is Heavenly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of them, yes. Many casseroles freeze beautifully; just thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Cranberry sauce freezes well too. I’d skip freezing anything with a cream or dairy base that isn’t baked first, like raw mashed potatoes, since it can separate and go grainy once thawed.
Most cooked sides hold up 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. I always tell people, if you’re not sure, give it a sniff before you serve it. Better safe than sorry on Thanksgiving.
Honestly? More than you’d think. Cranberry sauce, stuffing, and any casserole with cheese all improve after a day of the flavors mingling in the fridge. Mashed potatoes are the exception; those really do want to be made closer to serving time.
Whether you are joining others or hosting Thanksgiving yourself, I pray that it is filled with deep gratitude. I pray you can find oodles of reasons to be thankful and that it spills out of you onto others around you! I love this book on Thanksgiving graces, prayers and quotes.
A Thanksgiving Psalm
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness and delight;
Come before His presence with joyful singing.
Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His].
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting,
His faithfulness [endures] to all generations.
Psalm 100 (AMP)
Got Turkey Leftovers?
Our favorite leftover turkey recipes (and a few ham too!)
- Leftover Turkey Tacos Recipe
- Turkey Cranberry Sliders Recipe (Baked)
- Turkey Divan Recipe (or chicken)
- Wild Rice and Turkey Casserole
- Turkey and Cranberry Sliders
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Oven Baked Turkey Cheese Sliders
- Hawaiian Fried Rice
Don’t forget your main dish recipes; this perfect, make-ahead giblet gravy or maybe you want a holiday honeybaked ham??
I hope you loved this Thanksgiving side dishes make-ahead post — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Jackie
This is the most delicious giblet gravy. I’ve made twice and it comes out perfect. I love that I can make in advance and just heat up on TG day. This year we ordered a smoked turkey, so I had to buy the giblets at the grocery store and that worked fine.
Love how you improvised!!!