Thanksgiving is our favorite day of the year. Even though our family moved to Australia, we still celebrate it. We love the sounds of the game on TV, cooking in the kitchen, and sitting down to eat with family.
Hosting can be stressful. Managing multiple dishes, remembering thaw times, and making smooth gravy is a lot of work. After years of hosting, we learned that a good game plan is the secret to a smooth Thanksgiving.
This guide covers everything from make-ahead tips to main dishes to help you build your menu. We used this same planning method for our Christmas dinners and Halloween menus.
If you need more inspiration for other events, we also have guides for the New Year's party and Valentine's Day. Easy recipes for every holiday! Awesome, right?
Make-Ahead Tips
Oven space is valuable on Thanksgiving. The key is to have as many dishes ready as possible before the turkey goes in.
- 3 Days Out: If your turkey is frozen, move it to the fridge. The rule is 24 hours of thawing for every 4 to 5 pounds.
- 1-2 Days Out: Chop all your vegetables for stuffing, side dishes, and aromatics. Store them in airtight containers.
- Make Desserts: Pies and desserts like pumpkin cheesecake are always better the next day.
- Make Soups: Blended purees like squash soup taste good when reheated.
- Make Breads: Cornbread or biscuits can all be made and stored in an airtight container.
What Is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving began as a harvest festival. The event often called the first thanksgiving was a three day feast in 1621 shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe, which was historically documented in mourt's relation. Before the modern feasts we know today, early settlers often held a day of prayer to give thanks. It did not become an official national holiday until 1863 when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving.
Today, we celebrate it every year on the fourth Thursday of November. But let's be honest. Like most hosts, we start planning our menu in October.
While we expect a specific menu today, the original feast looked different. Here is where some classic dishes originated:
- Turkey: Wild turkeys were native to North America and a practical choice to feed crowds at early harvest meals.
- Pumpkin Pie: Early colonists lacked butter and flour for crusts. They filled hollowed pumpkins with milk and spices, roasting them whole in hot ashes.
- Cranberry Sauce: Native Americans ate cranberries for centuries, but sweet sauce came later because sugar was an expensive luxury.
- Sweet Potato Casserole: A marshmallow company invented this recipe in 1917 purely as a marketing strategy.
- Green Bean Casserole: A Campbell Soup Company employee created this staple in 1955 to promote their mushroom soup.
The Main Event: Turkey
For a moist bird with crisp skin, rub a generous amount of softened honey and garlic butter all over and under the skin. Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving.
5 from 33 votes
Juicy Roast Turkey
This is our turkey classic recipe. We're giving you all our secrets for a juicy, herb-roasted bird that will be the center of your table Get the recipe
5 from 1 vote One-Pan Juicy Herb Roasted Turkey
This is the easy mode. The turkey, potatoes, and veggies all roast at the same time in one pan, soaking up all those flavors. The cleanup is a dream. Get the recipe
4.94 from 15 votes Crispy Skin Slow Cooker Turkey
Don't have oven space? Or maybe you're cooking for a smaller crowd? Let your slow cooker do all the work! The meat becomes fall-off-the-bone tender, and we'll show you how to crisp the skin right at the end. Get the recipe
5 from 10 votes Maple Glazed Ham
Not everyone is a turkey person, and that's okay! This gorgeous maple-glazed ham with its sticky-sweet crust is always a crowd-pleaser and a beautiful second main. Get the recipe
4.91 from 30 votes Garlic Butter Prime Rib
Want a true showstopper? A prime rib slathered in garlic butter is pure elegance. It's surprisingly easy and will make your guests feel so special. Get the recipeEasy Appetizers & Starters
Make-ahead starters keep guests out of the kitchen while you finish cooking. Set out simple bites before everyone arrives, or serve dips like guacamole and salsa to keep everyone happy while they wait.
5 from 9 votes Sausage Cream Cheese Dip Stuffed Mushrooms
Warning: these are addictive. That creamy, savory sausage filling in a tender mushroom cap? They'll be gone in five minutes. Get the recipe
4.56 from 25 votes Thick & Creamy Pumpkin Soup
There is nothing more comforting than starting the meal with a small cup of velvety pumpkin soup. You can make this days ahead! Get the recipea reliable Potato Side Dishes
It's not Thanksgiving without potatoes… and we mean multiple kinds of potatoes! Make your mashed potatoes ahead and keep them warm in the slow cooker! It saves so much stress.
5 from 24 votes Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes
This is the classic, buttery, fluffy mashed potato recipe you dream of. So simple, so good. Get the recipe
4.85 from 13 votes Creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
My stress-free secret! Make them hours ahead and keep them perfectly warm in the slow cooker. No last-minute mashing! Get the recipe
4.34 from 3 votes Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Is it even Thanksgiving without this? Creamy, fluffy sweet potatoes topped with a layer of gooey, toasted marshmallows. My family devours this. Get the recipe
4.94 from 15 votes Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes
You need a crispy potato on the table. These are tossed in garlic and parmesan and roasted until golden and crunchy. Get the recipe
5 from 12 votes Browned Butter Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
If you want to get fancythis is it. The browned butter adds such a rich, nutty flavor that is just good. Get the recipeMust-Have Vegetable Sides & Casseroles
This is where you add color and crunch to the plate! These are the crowd-pleasers that even the kids will eat.
5 from 3 votes Green Bean Casserole
Forget the canned stuff. My homemade version uses fresh green beans and a creamy mushroom sauce that is 1000x better. It's a classic for a reason Get the recipe
5 from 2 votes Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts
This is a side dish powerhouse! Sweet butternut squash, crispy brussels sprouts, and cranberries all roasted together. It's beautiful and so good. Get the recipe
4.93 from 57 votes Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots
These are like candy. The honey garlic butter sauce caramelizes in the oven and makes these carrots irresistible. Get the recipe
3.70 from 10 votes Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mac and Cheese
The ultimate crowd-pleaser. This baked mac and cheese is extra creamy, super cheesy, and has a crunchy golden top
5 from 17 votes Honey Dijon Apple Bacon Cranberry Salad
You need something fresh to balance the dinner. This salad mixes bacon, apples, and cranberries with a tangy dressing. You can find more ideas like this in our collection of savory fall recipes. Get the recipeStuffing, Breads & Biscuits!
Let's be honest, half the reason we look forward to this dinner is the carbs. A great stuffing or a batch of bread gives everyone a reason to go back for seconds.
4 from 1 vote Homemade Buttery Herb Stuffing
The KING of all side dishes. This is our classic, buttery, herb-packed stuffing (or dressing) that tastes like pure holiday magic. Get the recipe
5 from 36 votes Sausage Herb Stuffing
If you love a heartier, more savory stuffing, this is the one for you. The sausage adds so much good flavor. Get the recipe
4.99 from 103 votes Easy Buttermilk Cornbread
The good partner for soup or just for sopping up gravy. This cornbread is so moist and tender. Get the recipe
5 from 3 votes Easy Turkey Gravy
The most important part! This is our never-lumpy, rich, and flavorful gravy recipe that you can make with or without turkey drippings. Get the recipeDesserts
You always need something sweet to end the dinner. We stick to these because they actually taste better when you make them a day in advance.
5 from 12 votes Chocolate Pecan Pie
My favorite twist on a classic. The rich, gooey pecan filling is even better with pockets of melted chocolate. Get the recipe
4.86 from 14 votes Easy Cinnamon Apple Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Want an easy-to-serve dessert? This warm, bubbling apple rolls with its cream cheese frosting Get the recipe
5 from 2 votes Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake
This dessert combines a layer of chocolate cheesecake with a layer of pumpkin cheesecake. Pumpkin works well beyond Thanksgiving, which is why we also use it in these Halloween recipes. Get the recipeWe hope this game plan helps you feel prepared and ready to actually sit down and enjoy the day. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
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