Last Updated on November 17, 2023
If you’re on kitchen duty for Thanksgiving, we salute you. Making 8+ dishes come together exactly at the right moment, while making sure the turkey doesn’t get too dry is a tall order.
But for those who don’t fancy ourselves a regular Martha Stewart in the kitchen, make ahead dishes are the dirty little secret responsible for absolutely rocking a Thanksgiving feast Aunt Becky will be talking about for years to come.
Here are the 5 best make ahead dishes you can’t go wrong with this Turkey Day.
Make ahead roasted garlic mashed potatoes
What’s Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes? We won’t split hairs over the consistency of the gravy that typically cascades down these mounds of yummy goodness, but we will personally vouch for this recipe.
Starch-lovers will happily go back for seconds, thirds and maybe even want to take some of these make ahead roasted garlic mashed potatoes home with them. Oh, and, don’t skip the garlic roasting step– it 100% makes this dish a winner.
Easy cranberry sauce
Did you know cranberry sauce can be served cold? Making this simple cranberry sauce the night before and chilling overnight actually allows the flavors to blend together, making the whole dish such a sweet treat and a perfect accompaniment to turkey.
Triple smoked Mac and cheese with pancetta breadcrumbs
Smoker optional in this smokin’ good dish. Make ahead up to 72 hours before you want to feast to save you extra time on the big day.
Baked polenta with greens, artichokes, and gruyère
You had us at gruyere. A large portion of this delectable dish can be prepped up to a month in advance, while the rest of the casserole can be assembled the day before.
Make ahead broccoli casserole
An updated spin on a classic most of us probably grew up eating, this make ahead broccoli casserole is a time-saver and crowd-pleaser.
You might also like…5 yummy Thanksgiving desserts to try, The prettiest Thanksgiving tablescapes
