40 Easy Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday

1

easy thanksgiving turkey

Finally, a recipe that really is easy and absolutely delicious! Followed the instructions, my 14 lb. bird was done at 2 hours, rested for 30 minutes. Perfection. PS the gravy link was a lifesaver!

-Lorraine

2

how to make the best turkey gravy

First time ever making gravy of any type. Made it for Thanksgiving for 13 people. Not only was it extremely easy, but it tasted GREAT. Everyone loved it. I had just enough juice to make a double batch. Definitely keeping this in my wheelhouse.

-Cindy

3

classic thanksgiving stuffing

This is absolutely the perfect Thanksgiving stuffing. It had all the flavors people expect, so easy to make, and I LOVE it only uses fresh herbs. This will be my go-to.

-Cassie

4

buttermilk cornbread

The very best cornbread ever!!! Wow! Crunchy crust and moist, tender interior. Loved it! Looked exactly like the photo when it came out of the oven.

-Penny

5

apple cranberry pecan salad

Lovely, refreshing salad! The little bit of extra work making the candied pecans is definitely worth it!

-Elizabeth

6

cranberry orange sauce

I’ve been making this recipe for many years and always double it. With the leftovers I make an amazing cranberry loaf and freeze that!

-Kathleen

7

cornbread stuffing

We love cornbread stuffing and this was perfect for our Friendsgiving!

-Eden

8

easy skillet dinner rolls

Omg these are the most amazing, delicious rolls I’ve ever had. My husband could not stop talking about these. I’m making them again for Christmas dinner.

-Erin

9

easy creamed corn

This is so easy and delicious! I could just drink the sauce. I bring this to Thanksgiving and any large gathering. Everyone loves it!

-Meg

10

apple walnut sausage stuffing

I never make good stuffing. I thought I would try one last year to make it from scratch. I’m so glad I did. I’ve never made a bad recipe of yours so I thought this one had to be good. It’s going to be my go to for Thanksgiving every year.

-Laura

11

roasted turkey breast

I made this for my first go at hosting Thanksgiving for my family and I am SO PROUD of how it turned out. Possibly the most delicious Thanksgiving turkey I’ve ever had (my husband also said it was the best he’d ever had, too!). Make this. Immediately. So good.

-Blondecurly

12

brussels sprouts gratin

Only Chungah can take a veggie I can take or leave and make me LOVE IT! These brussels sprouts are so delicious, I could eat them forever. I plan to add this dish to my holiday table, it’s that good. Brilliant combination of bacon, thyme and nutmeg!

-Robin

13

how to make perfect mashed potatoes

Delicious! I’ve been making mashed potatoes for eons, but I wanted something better … smoother- tangier – richer …. this is it! I’ve made your recipe 3 times now and each time perfection – rave reviews from all guests.

-Eileen

14

sheet pan chicken and stuffing

This dish was absolutely delicious. I never had stuffing before because the thought of soggy bread scares me, but I’m so glad I gave this recipe a go as it was a real smasher!

-Angkope

15

glazed carrots

These are excellent. Perfect for a dinner party and holiday meal. Used large carrots cut up and dried rosemary and thyme, no fresh herbs, and still came out amazing.

-Emily

16

easy brown sugar ham

OMG! This was hands down THE BEST ham I have EVER made! Only thing I did different is I used oranges instead of pineapple (that’s all I had). This will be the only way I make ham from now on.

-Nicole

17

sheet pan scalloped potatoes

I made this for our Easter meal and it was wonderful. Super easy and clean up was simple. Nothing stuck to the pan. Everyone wanted the recipe.

-Jenny

18

overnight pumpkin french toast casserole

Just made this for Thanksgiving morning. I used challah bread, and it came out wonderful. Soft, light, and so delicious. I was nervous that it wouldn’t be moist enough but it was just right. Very easy to prep the night before!

-Emily

19

the best classic deviled eggs

I LOVE this recipe, it’s my go-to with just a few changes to make them mild for the young crowd: white vinegar instead of ACV and yellow mustard instead of Dijon. We have found that 1/8 tsp salt for 6 eggs is perfect.

-Marie-Claude

20

instant pot cranberry sauce

I always try recipes out ahead of time but you have never let me down so I just made this for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving. It’s PERFETION! Thank you (again!) for such an easy, yet impressive side dish.

-Mary

21

baked mac and cheese

Made this for dinner and it was SO good!! So creamy and flavorful, my entire family loved it so much. Can’t wait to make it again!

-Eden

22

maple pecan baked brie

This was so good and decadent! It was the perfect Christmas appetizer. Everyone gobbled it up! Will definitely do again.

-Julie

23

winter pear salad

I just made your winter pear salad, it was amazing!!! My husband said it was the best salad he ever ate.

-Patti

24

skillet buttermilk biscuits

Yum-A-Licious! This was my first attempt at making buttermilk biscuits. I knew I couldn’t go wrong with one of Chungah’s recipes. I’m actually not a big fan of biscuits (until now). But my family likes them and my sons bought me an iron skillet for Christmas so I decided to give it a try. These were, hands down, the best biscuits I’ve ever tasted.
-Karen

25

butternut squash mac and cheese

Best mac and cheese I have ever tasted! Absolutely delish.

-Cathy

26

pumpkin donut holes

Wow. I don’t even like donuts (yes, I know I’m boring) and these were ridiculous! Every single person who has had them comments on how great they are! Save yourself and just make a double batch!!

-Amber

27

sweet corn spoonbread

Literally the BEST cornbread on the planet! I’ve been using this recipe for a couple of years and actually get requests to make it for family gatherings. THANK YOU for this amazingly delicious recipe!!

-Marlene

28

garlic herb carrots

I made these carrots for Easter and they were amazing!!! My whole family raved about them. I usually roast my carrots, but not anymore! Thanks for another stellar recipe!!!

-Jackie

29

creamy potato gratin

This was a hit at Thanksgiving dinner and easy to make. Made it in the afternoon and popped it into the oven in the evening when we were ready to eat. The leftovers still tasted amazing just warmed up in the microwave.

-Divya

30

easy creamed spinach

Restaurant quality and super easy to make. Delicious!

-Kim

31

slow cooker holiday ham

This is a very easy and tasty recipe. The ham was so moist and the orange zest and marmalade gave it that sweet pungent tang. Just the two of us. Christmas dinner. Ham and eggs for breakfast. Ham and cheese for lunch. The bone will be a base for bean soup. Thank you for an easy and fun recipe!

-Ossie

32

candied yams

Took these to my office Thanksgiving. The sweet potatoes were delicious and everyone raved about them. Now sharing the recipe.

-Linda

33

jalapeno cornbread muffins

My husband and I loved this; he said that it was the best thing I’ve ever baked and to make sure I keep the recipe. They are so addictive!

-Jade

34

sheet pan herb roasted turkey and cranberry pecan stuffing

This was everything we could want in a Thanksgiving meal without all of the dreaded work! It was delicious, everyone loved it, I was happy for the limited prep runway needed and I hear clean up was easy-peasy! Brilliant idea. Thank you!

-Lori

35

roasted sweet potatoes

This is the first recipe I’ve tried from your website — loved it!! I will definitely make it again and again — and will use the spice combo on chicken or shrimp to serve along with the potato… but I made a meal out of just the potato. YUM!

-Kathy

36

slow cooker creamed corn

I started making this 3 years ago and it’s a hit every time I do it. Everyone asked me for the recipe. I am a hairstylist and I talk about this recipe all the time to the point that I printed the recipe and is in my station. Literally everyone takes a picture of it. I get calls all the time thanking me for the recipe. It’s a must.

-Marco

37

cranberry apple sangria

Tasty and very festive presentation! Will make again. I did sub some of the sugar with maple syrup.

-Hannah

38

cinnamon pecan roasted butternut squash

I’ve been making this recipe for the past couple years. It’s absolutely delicious and has become my staple butternut squash recipe!

-Matt

39

sheet pan holiday dinner

I’ve since made this recipe almost monthly during cooler months. Love that I can make this for two or for six people and it’s done within 30 minutes.

-Rebecca

40

crumbly pumpkin bread

This bread is so amazing!!! A keeper for sure. I followed as written and added a bit more cinnamon, ginger and cloves since my family loves the spice. We’ll make it often!

-Janet