20 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes to Save Time On the Big Day

Tangy cranberry sauce and melty brie cheese are the perfect pairing for a holiday starter. Even better is the fact that you can prep these bites ahead and stash them in the freeze for up to a week!

Get the Cranberry Brie Bites recipe.

SHOP PLATTERS

A spatchcock turkey might seem tricky, but it's actually a great way to save time in the kitchen. You can do most of the prep work the night before as long as you have room in the refrigerator. Then, cooking the bird on Thanksgiving Day will take even less time!

Get the Spatchcock Turkey recipe.

Don't sacrifice on flavor just because you're looking for a shortcut. This green bean casserole is entirely homemade (no canned soup required) but it's easy when you make it ahead.

Get Ree's Green Bean Casserole recipe.

A cream pie like this one needs time to set up and chill, so it's perfect for making a night in advance. Plus, you'll be rewarded with the lightest, fluffiest version of pumpkin pie around!

Get Ree's Pumpkin Cream Pie recipe.

Stuffing is practically required on Thanksgiving! Luckily, you can dry out the bread in advance and make the whole dish entirely ahead of time. Just store it in the refrigerator before baking.

Get the Sausage Stuffing recipe.

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There are so many ways to prep this sweet potato pie ahead. For one, the crust can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to two days. Then, the whole pie can be baked ahead since it needs time to cool before you slice it anyway.

Get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe.

Don't forget about your Thanksgiving bread basket! Making homemade focaccia bread with lots of fresh herbs is easy with this recipe that allows the dough to rise in the refrigerator for 12 hours or up to 3 days!

Get the Herb Focaccia recipe.

It doesn't take long to prepare this classic turkey side dish, but checking it off your list up to 2 weeks in advance is one less thing you need to worry about! You can even freeze it for up to three months if you really want to think ahead.

Get the Apple Cranberry Sauce recipe.

Any lasagna is great for making in advance, but this one just feels perfect for fall! Make it up to two days ahead and chill before baking, then let it come to room temperature as the oven preheats and add 10 minutes to the bake time before uncovering.

Get the Butternut Squash Lasagna recipe.

These braised green beans cook low and slow in a flavorful tomato sauce with plenty of bacon. It's one side dish you can't get enough of!

Get the Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe.

SHOP SLOW COOKERS

Not only are these pecan pie bars great for making ahead, but they're also great for feeding a crowd. Consider them the ultimate Thanksgiving potluck food.

Get the Pecan Pie Bars recipe.

These taters are topped with a nutty pecan crumble so they taste like mini sweet potato casseroles. To make them ahead of Thanksgiving, simple bake the potatoes ahead and finish with the crumble just before serving.

Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.

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These potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and utterly irresistible! Prep them in the morning then let them cook low and slow. The best part is that they won't take up any precious oven space.

Get the Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes recipe.

This easy appetizer can be made the night before. In fact, it tastes even better when it sits for about eight hours. Just be sure to take it out of the refrigerator up to 30 minutes before serving.

Get Ree's Cranberry-Pecan Cheese Ball recipe.

Making these extra-creamy, buttery mashed potatoes a day or two in advance has "made a world of difference" in Ree's Thanksgiving plans. Just reheat for fluffy goodness!

Get Ree's Delicious, Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe.

SHOP BAKEWARE

This creamy mac and cheese doesn't take long to cook but you can set the slow cooker to warm for up to two hours if you want to prep it earlier in the day. That's one less thing to worry about!

Get the Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.

Make this classic holiday dish through step 4 ahead of time, then finish with the toppings and baking on Thanksgiving Day.

Get the Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow recipe.

Yes, you can make gravy up to five days in advance of Turkey Day! Just be sure to add the drippings when you reheat.

Get Ree's Make-Ahead Gravy recipe.

Cheesecakes need at least 12 hours to cool so they're best when made ahead anyway. This one is perfect for Thanksgiving due to the pumpkin flavor.

Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe.

When you need a starter that's impressive and seasonal, you'll be glad you thought to add this pumpkin soup to your Thanksgiving plan.

Get Ree's Pumpkin Soup recipe.

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