This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Hosting a vacation dinner might be stressful – nevertheless it doesn’t to be! From appetizers and sides to turkey and dessert, this Thanksgiving Menu with Make Ahead Options takes the stress out of what to make and when to make it.

The Perfect Thanksgiving Menu

It’s probably no surprise that I really like Thanksgiving. It’s one in all my favorite holidays since it means time spent with family and plenty and plenty of yummy food.

But hosting Thanksgiving could be a bit overwhelming, especially the primary time. Not only deciding what to make but in addition attempting to determine the best way to make a multi-course meal in only just a few hours.

I’ve done it just a few times now and eventually discovered the key – make as much as prematurely as possible.

This Thanksgiving menu below features my favorite Thanksgiving recipes, together with my suggestions and tricks for making each recipe prematurely. Be at liberty to customize it to your personal needs, in fact, but this menu has been successful with my family over time.

Make Ahead Ideas

The advantage of preparing an enormous holiday meal is that, truthfully, most of it may be made prematurely! Below I’ve included specific make-ahead suggestions for every dish.

Desserts can almost all the time be made prematurely. In spite of everything, pies need time to chill and set! Casseroles are also ideal for making prematurely. Even when you’ve gotten to attend to bake them, they’ll easily be assembled ahead of time.

And don’t forget that frozen turkey takes several days to thaw! Your turkey is unquestionably something to take into consideration prematurely.

The Best Thanksgiving Recipes

Whether you’re hosting 5 guests or 25, this Thanksgiving menu will assist you to cover all of the bases and please even the pickiest of eaters.

1. Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board is the proper begin to any Thanksgiving feast, offering guests something to snack on before the massive meal is prepared. Plus, it is simple to customize to your required ingredients.Make Ahead Tip: Assemble your meat and cheese board as much as a day prematurely. Keep it tightly covered with plastic and refrigerate.

Get the Recipe

2. How To Make a Crudités Platter

A crudités platter is the veggie version of a charcuterie board and one other great approach to start your Thanksgiving meal. Select your favorite veggies and dips to assemble this crudités platter like a professional.Make Ahead Tip: Assemble your crudités platter a day prematurely, cover with plastic, and refrigerate. Depending on the dips you select to make use of, you could wish to keep them of their original container until just before serving.

Get the Recipe

3. Baked Brie Phyllo Cups

Made with just 5 ingredients, these Baked Brie Phyllo Cups are a straightforward, fun Thanksgiving appetizer or side dish.Make Ahead Tip: Assemble the phyllo cups just a few hours prematurely and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.

Get the Recipe

4. Spinach Dip Stuffed Mushrooms

These Spinach Dip Stuffed Mushrooms mix two classic appetizers into one for a really irresistible dish. Baby bella mushrooms are full of a cheesy spinach dip then baked to perfection.Make Ahead Tip: You may assemble the mushrooms a day ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate. You may also freeze the mushrooms before baking, though that may change the feel of the filling.

Get the Recipe

5. Sausage Stuffing Recipe

Thanksgiving dinner is not Thanksgiving dinner with no solid stuffing recipe! This sausage stuffing is constructed from scratch with French bread, chicken sausage, and herbs. The proper accompaniment to any Thanksgiving spread.Make Ahead Tip: The simplest thing to do is prepare the bread a day prematurely, to make sure it’s dried out. You may also assemble the stuffing and stop just before adding the broth, then refrigerate overnight. Add the broth before baking.

Get the Recipe

6. Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing

This made-from-scratch, savory Thanksgiving cornbread stuffing recipe is crammed with sage, thyme, and Italian chicken sausage.Make Ahead Tip: Make the cornbread 1 to 2 days before. Prep and cook the veggies 1 to 2 days before. The day of, assemble the stuffing and bake.

Get the Recipe

7. Herb and Salt-Rubbed Dry Brine Turkey

This Herb and Salt-Rubbed Dry Brine Turkey with be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner! With a crispy skin and moist, juicy meat, it is the only Thanksgiving turkey recipe you may ever need.Make Ahead Tip: This dry brine turkey requires some advance prep. You’ll be wanting to let your turkey thaw for 3 days, air dry within the fridge for a day, and to cook it on the fifth day.

Get the Recipe

8. Cranberry Pear Sauce

This Cranberry Pear Sauce is a sweet and tart twist on classic cranberry sauce and a must-make for any Thanksgiving gathering. The perfect part? You will need just 3 ingredients!Make Ahead Tip: Cranberry sauce might be served chilled so go ahead and make this a day prematurely then refrigerate in an airtight container.

Get the Recipe

9. Slow Cooker Butternut Pear Soup

This Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Pear Soup is smooth and creamy with just a touch of ginger flavor. It is also vegan and dairy-free, making it the proper side to accommodate all Thanksgiving guests.Make Ahead Tip: Butternut squash soup might be stored within the fridge for as much as 4 days and even frozen for as much as 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop or within the slow cooker.

Get the Recipe

10. Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Green bean casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side. This version is made entirely from scratch, with fresh green beans and sliced mushrooms for a lighter option.Make Ahead Tip: You may assemble green bean casserole a day prematurely, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.

Get the Recipe

11. Roasted Green Beans with Caramelized Onions

Roasted green beans with caramelized onions are an awesome alternative to classic green bean casserole. Featuring fresh green beans roasted to crunchy perfection and topped with onions, this side is straightforward but elegant.Make Ahead Tip: The onions could also be made as much as 4 days prematurely then reheated before topping the green beans.

Get the Recipe

12. Roasted Butternut Squash with Onions, Bacon, and Parmesan

This roasted butternut squash recipe is full of flavor and it requires only a handful of ingredients and a single baking sheet.Make Ahead Tip: While I like to recommend baking this recipe just before serving, you possibly can cut down on the prep time by chopping the entire veggies prematurely and refrigerating them.

Get the Recipe

13. Vanilla Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping

This Vanilla Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping is a fun twist on a classic sweet potato casserole with marshmallows or pecans. The vanilla pairs so well with the sweet potatoes!Make Ahead Tip: You might have just a few options here. You may simply cook the sweet potatoes a day or two prematurely or you possibly can prepare each the sweet potato and praline topping prematurely and store them within the fridge. Wait until baking so as to add the topping.

Get the Recipe

14. Makeover Spinach Gratin

Creamy spinach with a touch of nutmeg is baked within the oven topped with melted cheese for a decadent Holiday side dish. Make Ahead Tip: You may prep the entire dish a day ahead and refrigerate until able to bake.

Get the Recipe

15. Easy Rosemary Garlic Parmesan Biscuits

Forget basic biscuits! These Rosemary Garlic Biscuits will bring the additional pop of flavor to your Thanksgiving table. They’re super easy to make too!Make Ahead Suggestions: You may make these a day or two prematurely and store them in a ziploc bag at room temperature.

Get the Recipe

17. Mini Pecan Phyllo Tarts

These Pecan Phyllo Tarts are like a bite-sized pecan pie! Made with just 7 ingredients, they’re the proper fall dessert for sharing.Make Ahead Tip: Be at liberty to bake these phyllo tarts a day prematurely. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Get the Recipe

18. Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie is one of the vital popular Thanksgiving desserts – and for good reason! Wealthy and creamy, this pie is really a dream. Top with whipped cream and revel in!Make Ahead Tip: You may make your pie a day or two prematurely. Once it cools, cover and refrigerate until serving.

Get the Recipe

19. Cinnamon Apple Crisp

In search of a straightforward dessert on your holiday meal? Do this Cinnamon Apple Crisp! Way easier to make than a pie, it’s crammed with spiced apples and a crunchy topping.Make Ahead Tip: Cinnamon Apple Crisp might be made a day or two prematurely, covered, and refrigerated until serving.

Get the Recipe

20. Autumn Apple and Grape Medley

This Apple and Grape Medley is one other easy dessert sure to be loved by everyone, with sweet apples and tart grapes tossed with a cream cheese and yogurt sauce. Make Ahead Tip: This fruit salad tastes higher when its chilled so that is one dish you may definitely intend to make a day prematurely. Just keep it covered within the fridge until serving.

Get the Recipe