Preparing a Thanksgiving feast can be difficult work. Make it a bit easier by choosing Thanksgiving recipes to freeze in advance and lighten your load.
If you’re not already a big fan of freezer recipes, you should be. It’s pretty remarkable. You can make a double or even triple batch of something and stash it in the freezer, saving yourself so much time, money, and aggravation. It really takes a load off during busy weeks and helps keep your budget in check.
Since you’re a pretty savvy cook, you probably already knew that you could freeze a lasagna for another night, but did you know that you have the potential to make a complete Thanksgiving Dinner and freeze it?
I know. Mind blowing.
Now, I realize that you may love the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving Day.
You may have grandparents and aunts and uncles and siblings and parents and friends who gather together in one kitchen and cook up a storm. I’m totally cool with that. Rock on!
But, I’m guessing that some folks may buy commercial rolls, gravy, or desserts — not because they want to, but because they just don’t have the time to make them homemade. Some people might find that things are just a little too stressful to cook Thanksgiving dinner in one blow. Or maybe some work schedules this year aren’t really jiving with a lazy Wednesday fiddling in the kitchen.
If you fall in the some {raises hand}, let me tell you there is a better way.
Thanksgiving Recipes to Make-Ahead and Freeze
Making some homemade Thanksgiving dishes ahead of time can make your holiday so happy.
Trust me.
Whether I am contributing to Thanksgiving at someone else’s house or playing hostess with the mostest, it’s incredibly lifesaving to prep a few dishes in advance and stash them in the freezer.
I can be the Thanksgiving Diva without pulling out my hair! You can, too.
You with me? Check out these Thanksgiving recipes that you can make-ahead and freeze:
Take some time in the coming week to prep a few homemade goodies to enjoy on Thanksgiving. It’s true, you CAN cook a turkey in advance and still have a delicious meal on Thanksgiving. Make your usual turkey (or one of these recipes) and then follow Amy’s instructions for Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Turkey. You will be shocked and amazed at how much stress you’ve just relieved. No more worrying about when the turkey will be done! If you’re new to roasting a bird, be sure to check out these tips on how to cook a turkey. It’s not as hard as you think. You can totally do it! This Roast Turkey with Herbed Stuffing and Pan Gravy will be a hit at your holiday table this year. It's classic simplicity is perfect for a day filled with tradition. If white meat is more your style, forego cooking the whole bird, and roast a turkey breast, laden with herbs and creamy butter. Not sure how to handle the turkey, read these tips before you get started. While some side dishes are better made the day of serving, there are quite a few that can be in advance and frozen. These creamy mashed potatoes get richness from cream cheese and butter. So easy and delicious! Mashed potatoes can be a vehicle for gravy — or they can be a flavor experience all on their own. Make a batch of these Easy Alfredo Mashed Potatoes to make your taste buds sing! Enjoy this dairy-free alternative to sweet potato casserole. These savory sweet potatoes are mashed and dressed up with olive oil and garlic. Forget the boxed dressing! It’s easy to make your own with dry bread, herbs, and fresh mushrooms. Try this easy dressing to bake on the side and see if you don't agree. Can the canned cream soups. Make a homemade green bean casserole from scratch! It’s tastier; it’s healthier; it’s so much better than the fake food version. Mac and Cheese is a classic comfort food, particularly for these cold winter months. Try this version that has a garlicky, Alfredo twist. Doesn’t Broccoli Cauliflower Soup sound delicious? This easy homemade version is full of vegetables and cheese for ultimate comfort in a bowl. It's a delicious and easy starter to add to your holiday feast! Good gravy, don't pass up the gravy! Or our easy to make, homemade cranberry sauce. Want to learn how to make homemade gravy? This easy gravy recipe is delicious, a basic gravy recipe that is necessary for (almost) all your holiday meals. You can totally do this! Cranberry sauce from a can never tasted so good. You only need a handful of ingredients and less than 30 minutes to get this homemade sauce made and ready to freeze for later. Make sure your bread basket is chock-full of good things. Bake up these rolls and biscuits in advance to warm in the oven right before serving. Filled with fiber, studded with cranberries, and enriched with milk, butter, and honey, these homemade rolls are a tart-sweet addition to your holiday table. Light and fluffy, these pumpkin onion rolls are utterly scrumptious -- and so easy to bake a few weeks ahead of the big feast day. Dress up your bread basket with these simple, but elegant Garlic-Parmesan Swirl Biscuits. Packed with flavor, they are fun to make and great to eat! Some desserts, like Lemon Meringue, are too delicate to freeze, but there is a healthy handful of yummy pies and treats that can be made ahead and frozen. This easy-to-prepare Slab Apple Pie takes just minutes to assemble. It’s delicious and simple, and a huge hit for fall. Bake one for now and stash an extra in the freezer. Gramma John’s Blue Ribbon Apple Pie is one of the simplest desserts that packs the biggest punch in flavor and texture. Make one -- or five -- today! Infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, this pumpkin spice cheesecake is delicious -- and very freezer friendly. Make the cupcakes in advance, cool, and freeze. Frost them with with cream cheese frosting after thawing for a delightful, spiced treat. This recipe is a family heirloom; my mom has been making Toffee Dream every Thanksgiving since 1967. It’s the dessert worth fighting for.Thanksgiving Recipes to Make-Ahead and Freeze
Turkey Recipes and Make-Ahead Instructions:
Roast Turkey with Herbed Stuffing and Pan Gravy
Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
How to Cook a Turkey
Side Dish Recipes
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Easy Alfredo Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Olive Oil and Garlic
Mushroom - Tarragon Dressing
Really Homemade Green Bean Casserole
Alfredo Mac and Cheese
Easy Homemade Broccoli Cauliflower Soup
Gravy and Sauces
5-Minute Easy Gravy Recipe
Easy Cranberry Sauce
Homemade Bread Recipes
Whole Wheat Cranberry Rolls
Pumpkin Onion Rolls
Garlic-Parmesan Swirl Biscuits
Desserts
Slab Apple Pie with Easy Crumb Topping
Gramma John’s Blue Ribbon Apple Pie
Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Nanna's Toffee Dream Pie - A Must-Make
Laura C
I’ve already made your slab apple pie and have it in the freezer and am planning on making the cream cheese mashed potatoes in the next day or 2. So helpful to have some stuff done ahead.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
I used to make the entire Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving day. After eating and getting the kitchen cleaned up, I would collapse. I have learned the past few years that even making a few dishes ahead of time helps tremendously. I think I will try the turkey ahead of time this year. Thanks so much for the tip and the great links. I usually make pumpkin dinner rolls, but the cranberry rolls look like a must-have. Pinning this one. Thanks, again, Jessica.
Emily
I’ve been planning to make the mashed potatoes from your first cookbook for Thanksgiving. I’m hosting and in charge of potatoes (and gravy), the turkey and stuffing/dressing. With the potatoes from the freezer and a turkey cooked ahead, all I’ll have to worry about the day of is stuffing, and I plan to do much of that prep work (chopping onions & celery) the day before too. So my Thanksgiving should be easy peasy! As far as the food goes at least. If only cleaning could be “done ahead,” too 🙂
Jessica Fisher
We would make a million bucks if we invented the Clean-Ahead House!