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Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday where we gather with loved ones to express gratitude and enjoy a delicious feast.
While the centerpiece of this festive meal is obviously the turkey, the supporting cast of side dishes plays a crucial role in creating a memorable dining experience.
However, the hours leading up to the grand feast can be stressful, with the oven working overtime and the kitchen bustling with activity.
What if we told you that you could lessen some of that Thanksgiving Day chaos?
Related Post: The 10 Tasks You Should Tackle The Week Before For A Stress-Free Thanksgiving
We’re here to help you make the most of your holiday by showcasing a selection of Thanksgiving side dishes that can be prepared ahead of time.
These culinary delights not only save you valuable kitchen time on the big day but also enhance your Thanksgiving meal with flavors that have had time to meld and deepen.
Let’s dive into a world of culinary convenience and taste, where the Thanksgiving spread is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes You Can Make A Week Ahead
Get ready to impress your guests and savor the true essence of Thanksgiving with these convenient and delicious make-ahead side dishes.
Cranberry Orange Sauce
This cranberry orange sauce is full of bright and zesty flavor, and will stay fresh in the refrigerator for a week!
The most orangey cranberry sauce you’ll ever have is so easy to make. Keep it in the fridge for easy entertaining anytime.
Rustic Rosemary Thyme Mashed Potatoes
An easy and delicious Thanksgiving dinner side dish recipe for Rustic Rosemary Thyme Mashed Potatoes!
They’re gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and allergy-free; perfect for the holidays or as a simple healthy take on classic comfort food!
These mashed potatoes should easily last three to five days in the fridge if stored correctly and within two hours of cooking. This means ensuring there isn’t any moisture buildup.
Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
The easiest Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe is also the best!
Just 3 ingredients for these healthy, creamy, dairy-free mashed sweet potatoes!
Gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free, you can make this side dish savory or sweet! Kid-friendly and perfect for a simple weeknight meal or a Thanksgiving dinner!
30-Minute Marinated Mozzarella Balls
These marinated mozzarella balls are super delicious and easy to make in advance of your holiday event!!! Always a crowd favorite
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
Sweet potato casserole, a true Thanksgiving classic.
The sweet, salty, crunchy pecan streusel atop this version may just make you forget all about marshmallows
Apple Cranberry Crisp (Easy and Delicious)
This crisp will bring loads of rave reviews when you serve it for Thanksgiving!
The best part is that you can make it up to a week or more ahead of time and freeze for ease!
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
With crunchy pecans and a little bit of sweet brown sugar, these Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes will be your new favorite side dish at dinner.
Whether you’re making a casual weeknight dinner or planning your holiday meals, you will want these delicious potatoes on the table.
These potatoes can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days. Reheat an individual portion or all the by warming them in the oven at 350 degrees for ten minutes or until warmed through.
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
This make-ahead turkey gravy is a stress-free holiday side dish. Make it up to a week ahead and pop it in the freezer! Reheat it the day of and enjoy some delicious gravy.
Amish Honey Wheat Bread
Simple, beginner-friendly, and absolutely delicious! This Amish honey wheat bread is a perfect make-ahead Thanksgiving dinner accompaniment that will absolutely wow your guests.
Save yourself some last-minute stress by making it in advance and freezing until Thanksgiving Day.
Slow Cooker Red Cabbage
Prepare to be wowed with this simple Slow Cooker Red Cabbage recipe.
This vibrant side dish combines apples, red onions, and orange zest and is perfect served with a Thanksgiving dinner or as a tasty side dish!
Can be made ahead of time and frozen!
Easy Fig Chutney Recipe
Not a fan of cranberry sauce, well, this simple fig chutney is a perfect alternative to cranberry sauce.
It goes so well with your other Thanksgiving dishes and it adds so incredibly much delicious flavor to your meal.
Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows is a comforting dish with a balance of flavors – the earthiness of sweet potatoes, the warmth of spices, and the sugary sweetness of marshmallows.
The caramelized marshmallows on top are the perfect topping for the casserole.
This is a great side dish for your holiday meal at Thanksgiving or Christmas that your guests will love!
Pickled Beets
Pickled beets add a beautiful (and delicious!) pop of red to your Thanksgiving table.
And these refrigerator pickled beets are quick and easy to make…without sterilizing your equipment or using a hot water bath.
The Best Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
These dinner rolls can be made up to a month in advance, frozen, then baked on Thanksgiving!
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s essential to remember that preparing a magnificent feast doesn’t have to be a last-minute scramble.
By embracing the art of make-ahead cooking, you can savor the true essence of the holiday with your loved ones, free from the stress and chaos that often accompanies the day.
From perfectly simmered cranberry sauce that delights the palate with its balance of sweet and tart, to the creamy and indulgent garlic mashed potatoes that leave guests raving about their irresistible flavor, and the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread that fills the air, these make-ahead Thanksgiving side dishes are more than just convenient.
They’re a testament to the time and care you’ve put into ensuring that your holiday gathering is a joyous, memorable occasion for all.
So, whether you’re a seasoned Thanksgiving host or you’re planning your very first feast, remember that with careful planning and a few days’ head start, you can create a Thanksgiving table that reflects the warmth, love, and gratitude that the holiday is all about.
As you dive into your own culinary journey this Thanksgiving, may your cranberry sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, and baked bread be the stars of the show, enhancing the joy of the season and leaving a lasting impression on your guests.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Let Me Know In The Comments, What Recipe Are You Most Thankful For Today?
Thank you for sharing my Easy Pickled Beets recipe! This is a great list to make Thanksgiving day less hectic!