Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes

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If you are looking to spend less time in the kitchen this Thanksgiving holiday and more time with family, check out these great make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes. You’ll find some great side dishes to prep in advance and delicious dessert ideas can be prepped and frozen before the big day!

Below are some of my favorite healthy make ahead Thanksgiving recipes that you can use this year.

Thanksgiving make ahead recipe ideas

Sweet potato and potato recipes

Mashed sweet potatoes are a great alternative to traditional mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top. They store well in the fridge, so you can cook them the night before and reheat them for your meal. These are my other favorite potato dishes for Thanksgiving;

• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Rounds with Marshmallows
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Brussel Sprout Sweet Potato Salad
• Melting Sweet Potatoes
• Air Fryer Potatoes
• Healthy Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Make ahead vegetable side dishes

What I love about Microwave-Friendly Green Beans is that you don’t need to use the oven or the stove. I usually have every piece of cooking equipment covered on Thanksgiving Day, so this clears up space for other sides. You can prepare it the night before and then cook it just before it’s time to eat. You can also think about prepping some other side dishes like:

• Oven Roasted Carrots
• Baked Butternut Squash Fries
• Sauteed Mushrooms
• Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
• Pan Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• Cheesy Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Au Gratin
• Roasted Delicata Squash
• Stuffed Acorn Squash
• Green Beans with Almonds

Thanksgiving make ahead dessert recipes

You can prepare almost all Thanksgiving dessert dishes a day or two in advance. If you’re making something warm like pecan pie or apple pie, just put it in the oven after you are finished cooking everything else. Don’t turn the oven on – let the resting heat inside the oven warm up the dish for you. Keep an eye on it so the crust doesn’t burn, and you will be ready when everyone is finished with the main course. Check out these yummy desserts that are perfect for Thanksgiving!

• Mini Pumpkin Pies
• Rose Apple Pie
• Apple Bread Pudding
• Cranberry Apple Mini Pies
• No Bake Cheesecake Cups
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chips Cookies
• Apple Pie
• Apple Crisp
• Vegan Pumpkin Pie

I hope the planner and these make ahead Thanksgiving recipes will help plan your menu a little easier! It’s such a busy day in the kitchen, we can all use a little help!

I’d love to hear from you if you’ve made any of these Thanksgiving sides – leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it or what you are planning for your Thanksgiving menu. If you snapped some shots your dishes, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!