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Thanksgiving is my favorite meal of the year, and also the one that used to stress me out the most. After a few too many years of juggling five dishes at once, I built a menu that still feels like a full holiday feast but is lighter, simpler and mostly made ahead. Here is everything I make, from the turkey to the pie, plus the timeline that keeps the day calm.
Every recipe below is one I love to make for the holidays, and many are naturally gluten-free or easy to adapt. Pick one or two from each section and you have a complete menu.
My Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Timeline
- One week before: make the homemade cranberry sauce and freeze the pie crust or bake the cookies.
- Three days before: start thawing a frozen turkey in the fridge (about one day for every 4 to 5 pounds) and make the gluten-free gravy base.
- The day before: bake the pies, assemble the casseroles and prep every vegetable.
- Thanksgiving morning: roast the turkey, then bake the sides while it rests. Learn how to carve a turkey step by step so serving is quick.
The Turkey
Short on oven time? Spatchcocking the turkey shortens the roasting time and helps the bird cook more evenly.
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
My no-fuss whole roast turkey with herb butter, juicy every time and perfect for first-time hosts.
Check out this recipe
Maple Orange Glazed Spatchcock Turkey
A spatchcocked turkey with a sticky maple orange glaze that roasts faster than a whole bird.
Check out this recipe
Perfect Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter
Hosting a smaller crowd? A roast turkey breast with herb butter serves 4 to 6 and is ready in under two hours.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Butter
Frees up your oven entirely: tender turkey breast made in the Instant Pot.
Check out this recipe
Gravy & Cranberry Sauce
Gluten-Free Gravy
Silky, naturally gluten-free gravy you can make ahead and reheat.
Check out this recipe
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Bright, tangy homemade cranberry sauce, ready in under 20 minutes and better than canned.
Check out this recipe
The Classic Sides
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing
Grandma’s classic Thanksgiving stuffing, the side everyone goes back for.
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Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Make the mashed potatoes in the slow cooker and keep them warm for hours.
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
Sweet potato casserole with the crunchy pecan topping everyone fights for.
Check out this recipe
Lighter Vegetable Sides
Mashed Cauliflower
Velvety mashed cauliflower, a low-carb swap that still feels cozy.
Check out this recipe
Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic and crispy bacon.
Check out this recipe
Roasted Green Beans with Garlic Parmesan
Garlic parmesan green beans roasted in 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Roasted Butternut Squash (Cubes and Halves)
Simple roasted butternut squash, sweet and caramelized.
Check out this recipe
Fresh Salads
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Cranberries and Apple
Shaved Brussels sprouts salad with crisp apple and cranberries.
Check out this recipe
Honeycrisp Holiday Salad
A crisp Honeycrisp apple holiday salad that balances all the rich dishes.
Check out this recipe
Appetizers While the Turkey Rests
Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
Warm baked brie with cranberry sauce, ready in about 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Thanksgiving Desserts
Paleo Pumpkin Pie
A gluten-free, dairy-free pumpkin pie that nobody will guess is paleo.
Check out this recipe
Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe
Homemade apple crisp with a buttery oat topping, easier than pie.
Check out this recipe
The Best Pecan Pie Cookies
Pecan pie cookies: all the flavor of pie in a bite-size treat.
Check out this recipe
What to Do with the Leftovers
Hearty Turkey Soup Recipe with Vegetables
A hearty turkey vegetable soup that turns leftovers into a new meal.
Check out this recipe
Thanksgiving Menu FAQ
How much turkey do I need per person?
Plan about 1 to 1.5 pounds of whole bone-in turkey per person, or about 3/4 pound of boneless turkey breast. Go to the higher end if you want leftovers.
Which Thanksgiving dishes can I make ahead?
Cranberry sauce, gravy, pies, stuffing and most casseroles can be made one to two days ahead and reheated. That leaves only the turkey and a quick vegetable side for the day itself.
How can I make Thanksgiving dinner healthier?
Keep the classics, but add one or two lighter vegetable sides like the mashed cauliflower or roasted green beans, use less sugar in the sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce, and serve a fresh salad to balance the plate.
More Holiday Ideas
Looking for more? Browse all of my Thanksgiving recipes and healthy side dishes. Happy Thanksgiving from my kitchen to yours!
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