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Thanksgiving Make-Aheads

Get a jump on the big feast--and save time on Thanksgiving--with dishes you can make in advance.

Related Recipe Collection

Thanksgiving Recipes

Easy Thanksgiving Planning

Save time with ready-to-go menus and shopping lists, or customize your own.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Begin by making a guest list. Keep the crowd small for less stress.
Two weeks ahead, confirm your menu and put a plan down in writing.
Choose sides, starters, and desserts to make ahead.
Break down recipe tasks; list time frames for each.
Balance recipes to make smart use of the stovetop, microwave, and oven.

If a recipe flops, forget about it. Enjoy the abundance already on the table!

Starters

For hot appetizers, just prep up to the point of baking. Chill in the fridge until you're ready to pop the dish in the oven
Cheese balls get a flavor boost from an overnight stay in the fridge
Pumpkin seeds can be made a couple of days ahead

Side Dishes

Vegetable casseroles can be assembled up to the point of baking. Wrap and freeze or refrigerate. Thaw before baking
Cranberry sauce just gets better after it sits for a day in the fridge
You can even make gravy ahead of time. Check out this great video: Make-Ahead Marsala Turkey Gravy

Desserts

Pie crust can be made, wrapped, and frozen right in the pie dish until you're ready to get baking
Fresh pumpkin pie filling can be prepped and refrigerated overnight before baking
Cheesecake freezes and thaws beautifully

Quick Links:

Freezing make-ahead dishes is a real Thanksgiving time-saver. For tips, check out our Freezing Foods article
Find all your favorite Thanksgiving recipes, from appetizers to desserts, and everything in-between
For top recipes and ideas, visit our Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving.

Comments

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MIMI

Nov. 5, 2010 11:42 am

I am trying to find the cheese ball appitizer that looks like a turkey you use pecans and red pepper for neck..crackers for the turkey fan;;;can not find, this appeared and not I can not find it on the site.. please help!

NROB59

Nov. 5, 2010 7:11 pm

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Turkey-Cheese-Ball

I think this is what you are looking for. Looks cool.

Mrs.Richens

Nov. 10, 2010 3:46 pm

I had the same problem finding the Turkey cheese ball, I want to make it this year for a family dinner, Luckily I am very determined & did actually find it. Follow this link and it will take you there.

vanessa2155

Nov. 12, 2010 1:01 pm

Yes, the turkey cheese ball is at www.tasteofhome.com

allyatthebeach

Nov. 18, 2010 6:59 pm

I ate pumpkin pecan cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory last month. It was a layer like pecan pir, a layer of cheesecake and a layer of pumpkin. I would love to make this for my family for Thanksgiving but cannot find the recipe. Can anyone help?

suziQ

Nov. 20, 2010 3:37 pm

I found a recipe called pumpkin harvest cheesecake that you might be able to alter...looks good! http://www.food.com/recipe/pumpkin-harvest-cheesecake-368840

SouthwesternFlavor

Nov. 24, 2010 11:58 am

That's so funny! I saw the pic of the turkey cheese ball last week and looked everywhere too! So glad for the link! Thanks!

COUNTRYLUVER

Nov. 2, 2011 7:39 am

My aunt made this many many years ago. She has since passed and now I make it in her place! JUST CANT GET ENOUGH OF IT!

COUNTRYLUVER

Nov. 2, 2011 7:40 am

Oops! Forgot to mention it is the recipe for Creamy Corn Casserole !

JackieP

Nov. 2, 2011 12:48 pm

Go to Taste of Home website and do search for Turkey Cheese Ball. It is on their site.

WifeyJen

Nov. 2, 2011 1:32 pm

Ok, the best cheese ball recipe out there is called Zesty Sausage Cheese Balls by Jimmy Dean. Adapt it to use turkey. The jalapeno peppers and garlic give it a real kick!

Kathy Shields

Nov. 11, 2011 2:54 am

My turkey day tip is to cook the turkey the day before-remove the meat to a crock pot and add some gravy to keep moist(not too much). Refrigerate til morning and reheat slowly after adding more gravy. My family raves about it and I am out of the kitchen. I put the stuffing and or mashed potatoes in another crock pot and reheat also. Everyone serves themselves and it works great!

rudynpitootie

Nov. 11, 2011 5:33 am

Kathy that sounds absolutely delicious!!! Thanks for the idea!

psisland@comcast.net

Nov. 11, 2011 6:04 am

turkey cheesball is on tasteofhome.com

Donna Burnett

Nov. 11, 2011 3:45 pm

Kathy, I think you have nailed the perfect dinner. You then have time to do some dazzling sides. Thanx

slwpk82

Nov. 12, 2011 5:44 pm

Thanks kathy!! I was looking to do just the very same and wanted confirmation that it would work...lugging crockpots to another family members house so cooking ahead makes the most sense!!

hazelnut

Nov. 13, 2011 8:43 am

I agree with Kathy. Best part is you can make incredible gravy by roasting the carcass and making stock the night before and refridgerate. On T-day scrape off the top fat layer, add flour to make a roux, then stir in the stock and cook till thickened.Season with s&p. You should have enough fat and stock to use, instead of butter and water, to bake dressing that tastes like it was cooked in the bird. We all say turkey tastes better the next day anyway! Hint: If you have crispy turkey skin lovers, you can peel off the skin right after roasting and store it uncovered in the fridge. On t-day lay the skin over the dressing for the last half hour and it will crisp up beautifully.

Melissa

Nov. 21, 2011 3:45 pm

I would like to make the turkey the day before and warm it in a nesco or slow cooker any suggestion on if I put some water or stock in it the next day or will it be totally dry

Jenn

Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)

Nov. 23, 2011 3:21 pm

We always have deviled eggs for Thanksgiving, and I like to boil my eggs a few days in advance. Anything that can be done a day or two prior I do, from herb-butter that gets rubbed on the turkey's breast to homemade stock for mashed potatoes and gravy. I usually prep my turkey the night before, too, that way I just have to stick it in the oven. Stress-free holidays are the best.

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