Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
Nov 09, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Whether you are hosting the full feast or just bringing a dish to share, these make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes will help you avoid the last minute rush and actually enjoy your meal. From appetizers and salads to sides and desserts, each of these tried-and true recipes can be made in advance (some up to a month!) without sacrificing any flavor.
Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
I've rounded up my family's tried-and-true Thanksgiving recipes that can be made ahead with confidence and are guaranteed to taste just as good, if not better, when made in advance.
Turkey Brine
It is best to prepare and cool the turkey brine fully before brining a turkey, making it not just possible to make ahead, but critical. I suggest preparing 1-2 days prior to brining the turkey and 3 days prior to roasting your turkey.
Mashed Potato Casserole
This one's a lifesaver. Mashed Potato Casserole can be assembled and refrigerated up to 2 days prior to baking OR assembled in a freezer and oven-safe dish and frozen for up to 1 month prior to baking. Just be sure to let the frozen casserole defrost overnight in the refrigerator prior to baking.
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
This make-ahead mashed potato recipe is my go-to for Thanksgiving. They can be made hours in advance and kept warm right in the slow cooker, freeing up your oven and stove for other tasks.
Classic Mashed Potatoes
While you will want to cook, mash, and serve these mashed potatoes the day of Thanksgiving, you can help speed up prep the night before. Peel and chop your potatoes as the recipe directs. Place the potatoes in a large bowl, cover with cold water, salt well, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 12 hours. When ready to cook, drain, add to a large pot, cover with fresh water, and prepare as normal.
Bread Stuffing
You can assemble and refrigerate this Thanksgiving classic up to 3 days before baking, saving yourself precious time on the big day.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Both the streusel and base of this must-make Thanksgiving casserole is can be prepared up to 2 days in advance or frozen up 1 month in advance. Just wait until ready to bake to assemble the casserole to keep the streusel crisp and crunchy.
Corn Casserole
While best baked the day of Thanksgiving, you can prepare the batter up to 24 hours in advance, saving you a bit of time (and dishes) on Thanksgiving day.
Broccoli Rice Casserole
This make-ahead Thanksgiving dish can be assembled up to baking 2 days in advance or frozen up 1 month in advance in a freezer-safe dish. Just be sure to let the casserole defrost overnight before baking if needed.
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Because this turkey gravy is made without drippings, it is the perfect recipe to use for a less chaotic holiday. Prepare the gravy fully, let it cool, and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat gently over low heat, whisking to smooth it out, adding a splash of stock if needed to thin.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is one of those dishes that actually improves after a couple of days, as the flavors meld and deepen. It can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for 3 months. Try my stovetop cranberry sauce or Instant Pot cranberry sauce for a make-ahead version that's miles better than canned.
Applesauce
In our house, applesauce is a non-negotiable side. Thankfully, my no-peel stovetop applesauce and Instant Pot applesauce both come together quickly and can be made days in advance. They also both freeze well. Just defrost in the fridge a day or two before your holiday meal.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
You can roast the squash, prepare the dressing, and toast the nuts up to 3 days in advance. When ready to serve, all you need to do is dice the pears and assemble. Easy-peasy, yet so impressive.
Whole Wheat Rolls
You can prepare the dough for homemade rolls up to 3 months in advance. After shaping the rolls, flash freeze them until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator, then let it rise at room temperature for 5-8 hours before baking as directed.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is actually one dessert that improves with time, as it actually needs at least 14 hours to set and develop flavor. You can bake it up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate, or freeze it for up to a month (a disposable foil pan works best for freezing).
Dutch Apple Pie
Dutch Apple Pie can be prepared up to 5 days in advance. For the ultimate cozy flavor, I recommend gently reheating the pie, covered with foil, in a 300℉ oven for 20-30 minutes. Do this while enjoying dinner. 😉
Pumpkin Roll
This make-ahead Thanksgiving dessert delivers impressive results without any last-minute effort and is my personal favorite. It can be made up to 4 days in advance if refrigerated or stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Dust with powdered sugar right before serving.
Easy Pumpkin Cake
This easy Thanksgiving dessert can be made up to 3 days before Thanksgiving, though I don't recommend freezing it as the frosting doesn't thaw well. Just let the refrigerated cake come to room temperature before serving.
Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
Cheesecake is another dessert that benefits from a little chill time. You can make it up to 4 days in advance and refrigerate, or freeze for up to a month.
A Few More Pro Prep-Ahead Tips
Beyond prepping complete dishes in advance, here are a few low-effort ways I personally use to get a jump start on Thanksgiving.
- Save your Scraps! Leading up to the holiday meal, place scraps like onion peels, celery ends, apple peels and cores, and wilted herbs in a large freezer-safe bag the freezer and use them to make a memorable turkey brine for pennies.
- Don't toss Stale Bread. As you have leftover bread leading up to Thanksgiving, cube it up and toss it into a freezer-safe bag. It will make a delicious base for your stuffing, not to mention to cut back on food waste.
- Sweet Potato Prep: Bake or cook extra Instant Pot sweet potatoes in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Mash the flesh of the sweet potatoes and store the puree in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer. Defrost and use to prepare the base of your sweet potato casserole.
- Need Appetizers? Sausage balls, bacon-wrapped dates, and stuffed mushrooms make for delicious make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizers.
More Thanksgiving Resources
- How to Roast a Turkey
- How to Host Thanksgiving
- Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
- Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
With a little prep and planning, Thanksgiving doesn't have to feel like a marathon. Whether you're freezing casseroles, baking pies early, or setting your slow cooker to keep warm, I hope these make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes help you to actually enjoy the holiday. xo-Kristen
Hi Kristen, Thanksgiving means me and my son get to celebrate in the comfort of our own home with our beloved Bear, a Husky mix, 7 years old. At 85 years of age and still cooking I realized how much easier it would be tp prepare anything in advance. I was ecstatic to find that mashed potatoes is one I can prepare ahead and have leftovers. Our meals are usually very simple but do go a little overboard for the holidays. Unfortunately I do not make everything from scratch but still need all the help I can get. Many thanks and keep them coming!!!
You should never feel the pressure to do everything from scratch 🙂 I love grabbing a pre-made pie or rolls to help myself. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I am so glad you found a bit of inspiration for make-ahead dishes.