Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
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.
Cranberries with Port
This delicious cranberry sauce is a simple, luscious side that can be prepared a day ahead. See the recipe for Cranberries with Port »
Lemon and Coriander Marinated Olives
Chunks of lemon and cracked coriander seeds lend a bright flavor to these earthy olives. See the recipe for Lemon and Coriander Marinated Olives »
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 »
Boiled Beets with Tarragon Butter
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.
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 »
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 »
Salata Adas (Garlicky Lentil Salad)
This light, Lebanese lentil salad is flavored with lemon juice, cumin, allspice, and parsley.
Red Cabbage Gratin
A lightly-spiced and creamy cabbage casserole is baked with a crunchy breadcrumb and Parmesan topping. Get the recipe for Red Cabbage Gratin »
Cheesy Corn Casserole
This baked corn casserole is a popular side dish at Smokestack restaurant in Kansas City.
Creamed Onion Gratin
Sweet, translucent roasted onions marry beautifully with bechamel and Gorgonzola in this rich casserole. Get the recipe for Creamed Onion Gratin »
Cranberry-Ginger Chutney
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 »
Potato and Rutabaga Gratin
Earthy rutabagas and aged Gruyere add intrigue to a classic potato gratin. Get the recipe for Potato and Rutabaga Gratin »
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 with Brown Sugar-Pecan Crust
The crust is made with raw pecans, a flavorful counterpoint to the traditional spiced filling. Plus, this pie is naturally gluten-free.
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.
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