Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes

This delicious cranberry sauce is a simple, luscious side that can be prepared a day ahead. See the recipe for Cranberries with Port »

Chunks of lemon and cracked coriander seeds lend a bright flavor to these earthy olives. See the recipe for Lemon and Coriander Marinated Olives »

Comte or Emmentaler cheese, celeriac (also known as celery root), and tomatoes are combined with sliced potatoes and creme fraiche for this sumptuous gratin. This recipe is an adaptation of one in Patricia Wells’s cookbook Bistro Cooking (Ted Smart, 1999). See the recipe for Potato-Celeriac Gratin »

Fresh dill or mint may be substituted for tarragon. See the Boiled Beets with Tarragon Butter Recipe

These fragrant, skillet-roasted pecans get their earthy, spicy bite from rosemary, Spanish smoked paprika, and chili powder.

Simple and delicious, this recipe brings out the sweet flavor of the apples. Three days before the feast, start prepping by making the pie dough for both pies, the cranberry sauce, and the mashed potatoes. Bring your bird home at least two days before Thanksgiving so you have ample time to presalt, a simple step that keeps the turkey juicy and intensifies its natural flavors.
Get the recipe for Classic Apple Pie »

When baked, these marinated cheeses are great spread on crusty bread or served with a tart, rustic salad. The marinade can be reused or whisked into a vinaigrette. See the Olive Oil Marinated Goat Cheese recipe »

This light, Lebanese lentil salad is flavored with lemon juice, cumin, allspice, and parsley.

A lightly-spiced and creamy cabbage casserole is baked with a crunchy breadcrumb and Parmesan topping. Get the recipe for Red Cabbage Gratin »

Serve these clever little appetizers instead of bread at lunchtime or for supper.

This baked corn casserole is a popular side dish at Smokestack restaurant in Kansas City.

See the Recipe

Sweet, translucent roasted onions marry beautifully with bechamel and Gorgonzola in this rich casserole. Get the recipe for Creamed Onion Gratin »

This sophisticated take on cranberry sauce, laced with spices and plenty of fresh ginger, gets a boost from chopped celery and tart apples. Get the recipe for Cranberry-Ginger Chutney »

Earthy rutabagas and aged Gruyere add intrigue to a classic potato gratin. Get the recipe for Potato and Rutabaga Gratin »

A garnish of fried mushrooms and a drizzle of spiced mint butter adds elegance to a simple pureed vegetable soup.

The crust is made with raw pecans, a flavorful counterpoint to the traditional spiced filling. Plus, this pie is naturally gluten-free.

Roasted Pumpkin Pie

Our colorful vegetarian take on terrine features smoky roasted vegetables, tangy goat cheese, and a sun-dried tomato pesto.

Don’t limit traditional pie spices—clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg—to the dessert table. In this cheesy, rich gratin, the spices take a savory note alongside kale, sweet potatoes, and sharp white cheddar.