Famous Make-Ahead Sides for Your Holiday Meal

Thanksgiving Day should be filled with rest and relaxation as we pause our regular routines to give thanks for the many blessing we have received over the past year. That’s easy to say if you are not the one preparing the splendiferous feast.

The secret for cooks who wish to participate fully in having the day off is to embrace a meal prep and cooking method known as make-ahead. This means you do all the hard work days, maybe even weeks, ahead, storing the meal in the freezer or refrigerator. Then on the big day, it’s simply a matter of topping, baking, heating, or warming the dishes and bringing them to the table.

Not every recipe out there is conducive to the make-ahead process. Those that are, have the added benefit of an outcome that is even better than if it had been made just hours or minutes before consumption. Flavors marry, and textures blend. It’s amazing.

Today, I’m sharing dishes, recipes, and resources from my family’s Thanksgiving Dinner—nearly all of it made ahead and now counting down to the big reveal. This is not a day for dieting, trust me on that. Warning: Without apology, this is a high-calorie, decadent, fabulous, pull-all-the-stops-out, once-a-year meal.

One more thing: Make-ahead has no specific time frame. You could do all of this even one day ahead and benefit fully, knowing the work is done so you can enjoy the day, too.

No-Knead Soft Dinner Rolls

This recipe is the brainchild of Nagi of Recipe Tin Eats. It’s fabulous. And so easy. You don’t need a stand mixer or any unusual equipment.

I have friends, family, and neighbors who actually beg for these rolls—they’re that good!

Caution: You will be tempted to go over and beyond by kneading the dough (to make it better.) Nope. Don’t do it! That will not help, and may actually hurt the outcome. Nagi knows best. Recipe and instructions HERE.

Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

It’s famous. It’s creamy, crunchy, but not too sweet—the perfect holiday side dish.

For years, chefs and home cooks have attempted to copycat this dish from the renowned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant. We can only guess that RC got so tired of all requests and guessing they posted the recipe online. With one problem: No make-ahead amendments. But not to worry. I’ve got you covered there, too.

Tess of The Gifted Gabber food blog has taken the RC recipe, expanded it to serve 10-12, and added excellent make-ahead instructions. Recipe and instructions HERE.

Classic Green Bean Casserole

If you have never eaten totally from-scratch green bean casserole (even the crunchy onions on top), you have not fully enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal.

Again from Nagi, this is the only green bean casserole recipe you will ever follow again. The beans and mushrooms are fresh (no cans here, please!), the sauce is from scratch (again, no cans!), the crunchy onions from scratch!

Nagi graciously includes optional make-ahead instructions to be followed precisely. Prepare to be amazed. Recipe and instructions HERE.

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

I know what you’re thinking: Make the mashed potatoes AND gravy ahead of time—up to several days before the big day? Like, serve leftovers for the biggest best meal of the year? You have got to be kidding!

Well, yes that is exactly what I am suggesting and will be doing myself, but let me be clear—this is not leftovers. What you are about to learn is so amazing—and I’m not talking about only the recipes, but also the how-tos and full instructions. This can completely transform your Thanksgiving dinner prep by moving the two big last-minute tedious kitchen tasks—mashed potatoes and gravy—from the last minute to days ahead.

You have to trust me on this. Once ready to serve, the flavors will have melded in ways you could not have predicted. Recipes and instructions HERE.

Cabbage Casserole

The basic ingredients are cabbage and sweet onion, combined in a baking dish, covered with yummy “sauce,” then topped with a lovely blend of crushed crackers and cheese. Several other ingredients play a minor role. Baked until golden, Cabbage Casserole is nutritious, delicious, and budget-friendly.

I have recently added a make-ahead to the recipe, so look for that in the Notes. Recipe and instructions HERE.