A list of delicious make-ahead Thanksgiving (or Christmas) side dishes that will make return appearances to your holiday table year after year. These recipes are tried and true, family and kid tested. Updated for 2021. These time saving, some last minute recipes will return to your table year after year!
Plus, I’m providing tips on a stress-free Thanksgiving holiday, even if you are starting late!
Looking for fabulous Thanksgiving recipes! Here are a few must try desserts that you can make ahead too: Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, Gluten-Free (or not) Apple Crumb Pie and this gorgeous Pear Bundt Cake. And this Traditional Tiramisu is always a hit and is better when made ahead1
Each year, I plan on making my Thanksgiving plans way in advance; menu, setting the table, cleaning the house, planning the day out, making some dishes ahead – but then life, life just happens. Can anyone relate?
TIPS FOR A STRESS FREE HOLIDAY MEAL
While we all want the picture perfect Thanksgiving meal, one thing I’ve learned through years of entertaining is to relax more, not worry about everything being spotless!
- Broom sweep your floors, after all, your perfectly mopped floors will once again be dirty after Aunt Freda accidentally drops her plate on the floor.
- Declutter what you can and clean your bathrooms, on that I must insist!
- Set your table a day or two ahead of time.
- Make as many dishes as you can ahead of time.
- Be ready for your guests; if you are running behind, be sure to get yourself ready first, nobody likes to arrive with their host upstairs with wet hair.
- You can always ask your guests to help set the table, put finishing touches on things, carve the turkey, put together an appetizer, pour a drink! Why not, they’d love to, wouldn’t you if asked?
- Relax, put on some relaxing music and breathe, put a smile on your face, stop and sit with your guests.
Best Thanksgiving Make Ahead Sides
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!
FABULOUS MAKE AHEAD THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES
Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes you Can Make Ahead!
Wild Rice Supreme {Easy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole}
Omit the chicken and this becomes a deliciously creamy side dish, make the day ahead and keep in fridge, then bake before serving.
Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
Who doesn't love cheesy potatoes, these Funeral potatoes can be made a day to hours ahead of time and baked before serving.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Balsamic Glaze
Technically these are not make ahead, but you can trim your brussels, make the glaze and have everything ready to go into the oven.
Fall Harvest Salad {with Roasted Butternut Squash & Quinoa}
A gorgeous salad filled with the produce of autumn! Dressed in a light apple cider vinaigrette!
Sugared Cranberries | 3 Sugar Varieties
Whether you make these for garnishing your turkey or just placing in a bowl for nibbling you will love these beauties!
Harvest Wild Rice Salad {Holiday Salad Recipe}
A hearty, beautiful salad to serve alongside dinner, especially great for those who are not big turkey fans. Prep most of this salad ahead of time, then assemble when ready.
Maple Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe
A family favorite, saute the onions, celery and goodies ahead of time and then toss when ready to stuff your bird or bake in the oven.
Potatoes au Gratin (Potatoes Dauphinoise)
This dish can be made ahead and frozen if need be, just remember to allow plenty of time to thaw before rewarming.
How to Make Gravy from Scratch {Turkey Giblet Gravy}
The words best gravy! Starting this gravy a day or two before turkey day ensures that your turkey will be thawed if it's been frozen.
Easy Corn Casserole without Jiffy
Soft, fluffy almost souffle like, this corn pudding goes with every meal and can easily be made ahead of time.
Cheesy Asparagus Bake {No Fail!}
Shred the cheese, measure the cream, trim the asparagus and you've got a quick to assemble and quicker to bake side dish!
Best Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe
A delicious and easy stuffing or dressing made with three types of bread, you can even bake this ahead of time, then cover with foil and reheat in the oven.
Glazed Tarragon Carrots (Instant Pot or Stove Top)
Chop, measure and slice -- get all of your ingredients ready and place in crisper drawer for quick assembly the day you need it.
Instant Pot Rustic Mashed Potatoes {Stovetop & Crockpot too}
Make these a few hours ahead of time in your instant pot and keep them on warm! DONE!
Creamy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These creamy mashed potatoes can be made a couple days ahead, even frozen if needed. Rewarming instructions in the post.
Fresh Cranberry Relish
This palate cleansing cranberry relish is best when made ahead of time, especially since the flavors marry while it sits.
Holiday Praline Yams (Sweet Potatoes)
I've made this dish for years and often frozen it up to two weeks before Thanksgiving. Place in the fridge the night before to thaw and bring to room temp for 30 minutes before baking.
Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
Creamy sweet potatoes in a bourbon casserole with a crunchy pecan oat topping.
Simple Thanksgiving Dressing - Great All Year Long
A delicious dressing just for the holidays perfect with any meal!
How to make Candied Sweet Potatoes
Deliciously simple candied sweet potatoes or yams!
Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce
A new spicy twist on a classic holiday dish!
Try these traditional dishes to complete your Thanksgiving meal; tender tasty turkey or try this Instant Pot Turkey Breast if you are feeding a smaller crowd or just need more breast meat.
To with your sides, you are going to want to bake up some warm, tender rolls or bread:
- Easy Yeast Rolls (great for beginners)
- Sweet Molasses Brown Bread Rolls
- Oatmeal Dinner Rolls
- Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread
- Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits (biscuits & skillet bread)
- Cheddar Beer Popovers
- Cranberry Walnut Bread
Whether you are joining others or hosting Thanksgiving yourself, I pray that it is filled with deep gratitude, I pray you are able to find oodles of reasons to be thankful and that it spills out of you onto others around you!
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)
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️star rating in the recipe below!
