21 Thanksgiving Dishes You Can Cross Off the List Early

Getting ahead on Thanksgiving might just be the best gift you give yourself this year. These 21 make-ahead recipes let you tackle the holiday with more calm and fewer kitchen marathons. Each dish keeps its flavor, texture, and charm even when prepared in advance. As you scroll, you’ll feel that rare Thanksgiving mix of comfort, confidence, and quiet relief.

A baking dish filled with a baked oat and fruit mixture, topped with a sprig of rosemary. A spoon rests in the dish. Oats and cranberries are scattered on the table, and a small bowl of cranberries is visible in the background. — Almond, Cranberry and Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Cranberry Apple Stuffing

A glass baking dish filled with a baked stuffing sits on a wooden cutting board. A serving spoon is in the stuffing, and a red cloth is draped to the left, perfect for cozy fall recipes. — Cranberry Apple Stuffing. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cranberry Apple Stuffing brings together tart cranberries, sweet apples, and herbs in a bake that’s ready before the chaos begins. It reheats beautifully, keeping its soft center and crisp edges intact. The mix of flavors holds its own next to turkey and gravy, making it a true holiday standby. Having it prepped early means one big thing crossed off your list before the oven fills up.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Apple Stuffing

Small-Batch Clementine Cranberry Jam

Small jar of clementine cranberry jam with fresh fruit nearby. — Small-Batch Clementine Cranberry Jam. Photo credit: Ruthybelle Recipes.

Small-Batch Clementine Cranberry Jam brings a bright mix of citrus and tart berries to your table without the wait. In under 30 minutes, it thickens into a vibrant spread that tastes like winter mornings in a jar. The flavor walks the line between sweet and tangy, keeping it versatile for breakfast or appetizers. Once you make it, the store-bought kind won’t stand a chance.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Clementine Cranberry Jam

5-Minute Clementine Honey Butter

Clementine honey butter in a glass jar with fresh clementine slices. — 5-Minute Clementine Honey Butter. Photo credit: Ruthybelle Recipes.

5-Minute Clementine Honey Butter proves that a small tweak can make something ordinary feel special. Fresh clementine zest and honey stir into butter, creating a smooth spread that’s sweet with just enough citrus lift. It’s rich, bright, and ready before the coffee finishes brewing. Spread it on biscuits or muffins and call breakfast upgraded.
Get the Recipe: 5-Minute Clementine Honey Butter

Easy Oven Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Oven Asparagus is the kind of side that earns its name honestly. It roasts to tender-crisp perfection in minutes, leaving you with no mess and no stress. The simplicity lets the natural flavor shine, especially when the rest of the meal gets heavy. It’s the rare green dish everyone actually looks forward to.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes taste like they took all day but come together in under an hour. The browned butter adds a deep, nutty flavor while roasted garlic smooths out the richness. They hold perfectly in the fridge and reheat without losing their creamy texture. Making them early feels like giving your future self a gift.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Cranberry Orange Poppy Seed Bread

Cranberry Orange Poppy Seed Bread brings brightness to the Thanksgiving table with tart cranberries, citrus, and a subtle crunch. It bakes up in just over an hour, perfect for mornings before the big meal. Each slice feels cheerful and fresh—a nice break from all the savory dishes. It’s the kind of make-ahead bake that disappears before dessert even starts.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Poppy Seed Bread

25-Minute Clementine Drop Biscuits

Golden clementine drop biscuits on a cooling rack. — 25-Minute Clementine Drop Biscuits. Photo credit: Ruthybelle Recipes.

25-Minute Clementine Drop Biscuits skip the kneading but keep all the comfort. The dough drops right onto the pan, baking into golden biscuits with soft, tender centers. A hint of clementine adds light sweetness that works with both savory and sweet pairings. They’re the quick bread that quietly steals the meal.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Clementine Drop Biscuits

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots roast in about 25 minutes and somehow taste even better reheated. The glaze turns sticky and golden, balancing sweetness with a bit of garlicky depth. They’re quick to make ahead and easy to warm just before serving. Bright, simple, and colorful—they make the table look pulled together without trying.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts roast to crisp edges and caramelized centers in under half an hour. The glaze adds tang and sweetness that work with everything else on the plate. They reheat beautifully, making them a no-stress make-ahead side. It’s the kind of recipe that earns its spot year after year.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes don’t overcomplicate a classic. Cream cheese and butter whip into the potatoes until they’re light and fluffy, with just the right amount of salt and pepper. They’re easy to make early and hold their texture after reheating. Every holiday table needs something this simple done right.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Brioche Rolls

Brioche Rolls feel like a small luxury baked right into dinner. They need time to rise but can be made or frozen days ahead without losing their soft texture. Once brushed with butter, they reheat beautifully, filling the kitchen with that fresh-baked smell all over again. Pulling warm rolls from the oven before dinner might be your new favorite moment of the day.
Get the Recipe: Brioche Rolls

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts in a black bowl and a wooden spoon. — Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts bring an unexpected warmth to the Thanksgiving spread. The seasoning adds subtle spice without overpowering the roasted flavor. They’re quick to cook and even better the next day. This side feels like a small twist that makes the meal a little more memorable.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Brown Butter Roasted Pecans

Brown Butter Roasted Pecans make the house smell like the holidays in just 20 minutes. The butter, salt, and slow roast turn simple nuts into something craveable and giftable. They keep well for days, perfect for sprinkling over salads or snacking while the turkey rests. Having a bowl out early keeps everyone happy until dinner’s ready.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Roasted Pecans

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Mashed cauliflower in a white bowl. — Loaded Cauliflower Mash. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Loaded Cauliflower Mash keeps all the comfort of potatoes but feels a bit lighter on a heavy holiday table. Bacon, cheddar, and green onions make it rich enough to stand beside the mains. It reheats easily and holds its creamy texture without getting watery. It’s proof that low-carb doesn’t have to mean low comfort.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

A bowl of butternut squash soup with a spoon on a colorful blue and white plate. — Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup turns simple produce into something cozy and bright. The apples bring a touch of sweetness while turmeric and cider vinegar give balance and warmth. It’s smooth, golden, and easy to reheat without losing texture. Serving it early sets a calm tone for the rest of the day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Potatoes au Gratin

Potatoes au Gratin layer thin slices and cream into a golden, bubbling bake that defines comfort. You can assemble it the day before and slide it into the oven when you need it. The hour of slow baking turns everything soft and deeply flavorful. With this dish done early, you’ve just bought yourself some holiday peace.
Get the Recipe: Potatoes au Gratin

Apple Galette

Apple Galette is pie’s more relaxed cousin, baked free-form and full of flavor. The pastry can be made ahead or frozen, ready to fill with apples on baking day. It reheats beautifully and looks effortlessly rustic. Dessert doesn’t get much easier—or more charming—than this.
Get the Recipe: Apple Galette

Baked Brie with Figs

Baked cheese dish with figs, herbs, and nuts in a black bowl. — Baked Brie with Figs. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Brie with Figs turns into molten perfection in just 20 minutes. The creamy cheese meets sweet figs for a mix that feels rich but easygoing. It holds beautifully once baked, so you can prep it early and warm it right before serving. Guests will think it took hours, which makes it even better.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie with Figs

Almond, Cranberry and Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

Baked almond, cranberry, and sweet potato stuffing with oats and rosemary in a glass dish. — Almond, Cranberry and Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Almond, Cranberry and Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole brings color and crunch to the Thanksgiving lineup. The sweet potatoes keep it hearty, while the nuts and cranberries add contrast and balance. It bakes up in about an hour and keeps its texture after reheating. This is the kind of side that makes early prep feel like genius.
Get the Recipe: Almond, Cranberry and Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic

Roasted brussels sprouts with pomegranate and goat cheese. — Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic make the most of 15 minutes and zero oven space. The air fryer keeps them crisp while the toppings bring brightness and crunch. They’re easy to make ahead or finish just before dinner. This is how you pull off “freshly made” without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic

Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

Side view of wild rice pilaf with pomegranate and butternut squash. — Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf strikes the perfect balance between hearty and light. The roasted squash brings a touch of sweetness that ties the meal together. It can be made early and served warm or room temp without losing flavor. With this on your list, you’ve already made Thanksgiving a little easier.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

Still planning the rest of your spread? You’ll love these easy side dish recipes.