Save time and stress on Thanksgiving day by choosing a menu with several dishes that can be made well in advance. These holiday recipes all can be made several days ahead of time.
Potato-Celeriac Gratin
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 »
These fragrant, skillet-roasted pecans get their earthy, spicy bite from rosemary, Spanish smoked paprika, and chili powder.
Classic Apple Pie
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 »
Cheese Straws
Serve these clever little appetizers instead of bread at lunchtime or for supper.
Cheesy Corn Casserole
This baked corn casserole is a popular side dish at Smokestack restaurant in Kansas City.
Winter Squash and Apple Soup
A garnish of fried mushrooms and a drizzle of spiced mint butter adds elegance to a simple pureed vegetable soup.
Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Pie
This pie packs in all the spicy sweetness of your traditional pumpkin pie, with the added bonus of a creamy pumpkin ice cream filling.
Roasted Vegetable Terrine
Our colorful vegetarian take on terrine features smoky roasted vegetables, tangy goat cheese, and a sun-dried tomato pesto.
Kale and Sweet Potato Gratin
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.
