Thanksgiving dinner is so much easier when you’re not trying to cook every side dish at the same time. These make-ahead Thanksgiving sides let you get part—or sometimes all—of the work done before the big day, so you can actually enjoy your guests instead of spending the whole afternoon in the kitchen.
And if you’re planning the rest of your holiday menu, you might also like my pumpkin desserts for fall, easy apple desserts, or these Brie and sausage stuffed mushrooms for an easy Thanksgiving appetizer.
1. Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes by Bon Appétit
These creamy mashed potatoes are exactly the kind of Thanksgiving side you’ll be glad you made early. Yukon Gold potatoes are combined with plenty of butter and dairy for a smooth, rich texture, and they can be prepared up to two days ahead.
2. Homemade Cranberry Sauce by Once Upon a Chef
This easy homemade cranberry sauce is made with fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and sugar for a bright, sweet-tart Thanksgiving side. Best of all, it can be prepared well ahead of the holiday and kept refrigerated until serving.
3. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping by Sally’s Baking Addiction
Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are topped with a crunchy brown sugar and pecan crumble in this classic holiday casserole. The filling and topping can be prepared separately one or two days ahead, leaving you with just a quick assembly and bake before dinner.
4. Green Bean Casserole from Scratch by Natasha’s Kitchen
This homemade green bean casserole skips the canned shortcut and pairs tender green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce and a crisp topping. It still keeps Thanksgiving prep manageable because the casserole can be assembled up to two days before you plan to serve it.
5. Make-Ahead Creamy Mac & Cheese Casserole by The Kitchn
Mac and cheese absolutely deserves a spot on a Thanksgiving table, especially when it can be prepared ahead. This creamy baked version is finished with buttery cracker crumbs for extra texture and is specifically designed to make holiday cooking easier.
6. Make-Ahead Stuffing by Lil’ Luna
Buttery French bread, celery, onions, and classic poultry seasoning come together in this easy traditional stuffing. You can prepare the casserole ahead and wait to bake it until you need it, giving you a moist center and those golden, slightly crisp edges everyone wants.
7. Wild Rice Pilaf by Averie Cooks
For something a little lighter among all those creamy casseroles, this colorful wild rice pilaf combines Brussels sprouts, carrots, dried cranberries, pecans, and a maple-Dijon vinaigrette. It holds well after preparation, making it particularly useful for Thanksgiving and other holiday dinners.
8. Apple Walnut Stuffing by Budget Bytes
Apples and walnuts give this stuffing a sweet, savory, and slightly crunchy twist while keeping the recipe simple enough for a busy holiday. It can be made the day before Thanksgiving and reheated in the oven, taking another task off your same-day cooking list.
9. Scalloped Potatoes by The Kitchn
Thinly sliced potatoes cook in a creamy, thyme-seasoned sauce for a classic Thanksgiving side that feels comforting without requiring complicated ingredients. The finished scalloped potatoes can be made up to two days ahead and gently reheated before you sit down for dinner.
10. Healthy Corn Casserole by The Oregon Dietitian
This from-scratch corn casserole is a useful alternative if you want the familiar sweet and creamy holiday side without relying on Jiffy mix or sour cream. It is designed to be make-ahead friendly, which makes it an easy addition to a crowded Thanksgiving menu.
11. Sweet Butternut Squash Casserole by Kitchen at Hoskins
Butternut squash gets transformed into a creamy, comforting casserole finished with a buttery pecan topping. It has all those cozy fall flavors that work beautifully with turkey, and the casserole can be prepared ahead so there is much less to handle on Thanksgiving Day.
12. Turnip Casserole by Spend With Pennies
If you want something a little different beside the usual potatoes, this casserole combines mashed turnips with applesauce and brown sugar before adding a crumbly streusel-style topping. Even better, the casserole base can be assembled several days before Thanksgiving and baked when needed.
13. Cauliflower Gratin with Gruyère by Martha Stewart
Tender cauliflower is baked in a creamy Gruyère cheese sauce and finished with crisp Parmesan breadcrumbs. It brings all the comfort of a traditional gratin while adding another vegetable to the table, and the cauliflower and cheese mixture can be prepared ahead.
14. Amish Dinner Rolls by King Arthur Baking
Mashed potatoes give these homemade dinner rolls an especially soft, moist texture and help them stay fresh longer than many traditional yeast rolls. That staying power makes them a great make-ahead choice when you still want homemade bread on your Thanksgiving table.
15. Broccoli Casserole by Kristine’s Kitchen
This comforting broccoli casserole is an easy way to get another vegetable onto the Thanksgiving table without sacrificing the cozy casserole feel everyone expects. You can assemble it a day ahead and bake it later, or fully bake and reheat it before dinner.
16. Make-Ahead Buttermilk Biscuits by Crowded Kitchen
These flaky buttermilk biscuits get extra flavor from sharp cheddar and fresh chives. Shape the biscuits ahead of time, freeze them, and then bake them straight from the freezer when you need them—a particularly useful trick when Thanksgiving oven time is precious.
17. Southern Corn Pudding by Restless Chipotle
Creamy, buttery, and somewhere between a casserole and a savory custard, Southern corn pudding is made for a traditional holiday table. This version is specifically make-ahead friendly and reheats well, so you can prepare it before Thanksgiving instead of mixing another dish at the last minute.
18. Cranberry Orange Relish by Epicurious
Fresh cranberries and orange are pulsed together with sugar and a touch of cinnamon for a bright, tart alternative to cooked cranberry sauce. The relish actually benefits from resting, and it can be refrigerated for up to three days before serving.
19. Roasted Carrots with Pistachio Butter and Pomegranate by Natalie Cooks
These roasted carrots feel a little more special than a basic vegetable side without becoming complicated. Sweet charred carrots are paired with creamy pistachio butter, pomegranate, lemon, and herbs, and several components can be prepared early before assembling the platter.
20. Carrot Soufflé by My Therapist Cooks
This light carrot soufflé gives Thanksgiving carrots a completely different personality. The smooth carrot mixture has warm holiday flavor without feeling as heavy as another potato casserole, and you can prepare the mixture a day in advance before baking it for dinner.
21. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad by Love and Lemons
A fresh salad is always welcome next to a plate full of rich Thanksgiving favorites. Shaved Brussels sprouts are tossed with lemon, dried cranberries, pine nuts, Pecorino, and chives, and the sturdy sprouts make this one especially good for preparing several hours ahead.
Thanksgiving cooking doesn’t have to mean spending the entire day juggling pots, pans, and oven space. Pick a few of these sides to prepare early, and you’ll have more time for the turkey, the finishing touches, and—most importantly—actually sitting down and enjoying the meal with everyone else.
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- Brie and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
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