Holiday
30 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes to Save Time & Stress This Season
Get ahead on holiday prep.
Photo by James Ransom
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6 Comments
Dianne N.
September 17, 2023
You CAN make mashed potatoes way in advance. When I was working full time and my mother was no longer able to do too much, I tested out making our family recipe (a baked mashed potato) and freezing it. Wow! It worked perfectly. No one knew I made them 3 weeks early and froze them. They were fluffy and fabulous and tasted amazing. Our recipe uses cream cheese, sour cream, and lots of butter. The potatoes are riced and the mixture is put in a 9x13. I defrost the day before and bake as usual. I always make them in advance now. My mother always had portions prepped prior to the meal as well so there was no last minute chopping for other recipes except for avocado, and I have done that my whole life as an adult.
I have a friend who is with us every year and she cannot eat wheat. Thanks to turkey wings, I make her gravy in advance and freeze it, as well as her pecan bites. This year I might find a recipe for gf pumpkin squares.
I have a friend who is with us every year and she cannot eat wheat. Thanks to turkey wings, I make her gravy in advance and freeze it, as well as her pecan bites. This year I might find a recipe for gf pumpkin squares.
AntoniaJames
August 30, 2023
I like seeing all the Thanksgiving recipe collections this early. I'll try a half a dozen or more of them over the coming months, likely adopting at least a few as regular menu items. Most of my Thanksgiving meal will be made ahead, starting now. I map it all out well in advance, clearing space in my freezer starting in early October not just for the holiday make-ahead items, but also for the dinners to be served during the week before, when I'll be spending time in the evenings busy with whatever Turkey Day advance prep cannot be done sooner. ;o)
Windischgirl
September 4, 2023
I agree, AJ! I had one year where I was hosting 25 while working full-time, and to preserve my sanity I made almost everything ahead and stashed it in the freezer. Another technique I learned from my mom is a variation on mise en place: measuring out ingredients and then stashing them in the fridge until ready to cook. For example, if I’m making green beans almondine, I’ll prep and measure out the beans and place in a bag, then measure out seasonings and almonds in another container, and even measure out the oil/butter. Label everything and it can sit in the fridge for a few days. Come go-time, the cooking goes quickly!
AntoniaJames
September 4, 2023
Windishgirl, I do the same thing! My fridge is full of "pre-prepped" components of dishes as far in advance as possible. Spices for pies are measured a week before baking them . . . . dry ingredients for baked goods combined and stored in the pantry . . . . . cranberry sauce freezes really well, so I make that as soon as I see fresh cranberries in the store . . . . beets are pickled in September . . . . . there is so, so much you can do in advance. We always take a challenging hike (well, as challenging as the circumstances permit - 8 - 10 miles with 1200 - 1500 feet of elevation gain, which is actually a moderate hike for us) on Thanksgiving Day, which typically leaves about 2 hours on T-Day for cooking and serving, once we get back. I have everything organized, and so much done in advance, to make that not just possible, but fairly easy. I do make a detailed list of everything that needs to be done once we get in from our hike, leaving nothing to chance, as I'm usually a bit tired from the hike, so it's nice not to have to do much thinking. As you say, the cooking goes quickly!! ;o)
judy
August 30, 2023
So much left for late summer early fall cooking. WAY too early for these Thanksgiving recipes. A couple of the baked goods can be done this far ahead, maybe...if one has a good freezer and plenty of space. But how about some seasonal recipes. It seems that lately Food52 is just compilation of recipes or a write up of some experience in life. Amazing food folks on staff, where are some great inspirations, suggestions and recipes from this group, as well as highlighting recipes added by readers!
See what other Food52 readers are saying.