Recipes

85 Thanksgiving Recipes You Can Make Ahead

Short on time? Running out of oven space? Here are some make-ahead dishes for a seamless feast.
A bowl of swirly mashed potatoes with a halfstick of butter melting into a pool on top.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

It's normal to get antsy in the days leading up to the main event. Alleviate your to-do list stress by prepping at least some of your Thanksgiving recipes in advance. For less of a headache on Turkey day, get your apps, sides, and mains out of the way. Let these 85 do-ahead recipes show you the way—so you can ease into the day and small talk with a nice, stiff drink in hand.

  • Leeks with Pine Nut Salsa Verde
    Photo by Marcus Nilsson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    1/85

    Glazed Leeks With Pine Nut Salsa Verde

    When cooked until tender, doused in a chile-honey-vinegar sauce, and finished with a nutty, herby salsa verde, humble leeks transform into the in-demand side that no one saw coming.

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  • Making Perfect Sides Brussels Sprouts
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    2/85

    Brussels Sprouts With Pistachios and Lime

    These roasted whole brussels sprouts get so crispy you’ll worry they’re burnt (they’re not!). Then toss ’em in a date molasses–brown butter glaze.

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  • A 13x9 Great Jones ceramic casserole dish filled with a craggy Thanksgiving stuffing set on a red tablecloth.
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi
    3/85

    Simple-Is-Best Stuffing

    Ten years in, this classic stuffing recipe (or dressing, if you prefer) remains one of our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.

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  • Fancy cranberry sauce
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    4/85

    Fancy Jellied Cranberry Sauce

    We have a thing for canned cranberry sauce, so we dreamed up a sauce as sliceable and jiggly and fun, with deep fruit flavor and a pretty topping.

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  • PecanRye Pumpkin Pie
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    5/85

    Pecan-Rye Pumpkin Pie

    Imagine a pumpkin pie with pecan pie’s best feature—obviously, the candied nut topping. The best of both worlds.

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  • A 13x9 ceramic casserole dish of cubed cornbread dressing with a serving spoon tucked into one corner.
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    6/85

    Cornbread Dressing With Sausage and Corn Nuts

    Corn nut “magic dust” delivers a big pop of corn flavor in this savory Thanksgiving side.

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  • Applewalnut upsidedown cake recipe
    Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    9/85

    Apple-Walnut Upside-Down Cake

    Tender, nutty, and studded with caramel-glazed apple halves, Claire Saffitz’s apple cake is the best apple cake. (There, we said it.)

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  • A muffin tin full of corn muffins dotted with fresh corn kernels in the muffin tops.
    Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Molly Baz, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen
    10/85

    Extra-Corny Corn Muffins

    Featuring cornmeal and fresh corn kernels.

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