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Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year. Even though my family moved to Australia, we still celebrate it. I 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, I 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. I used this same planning method for my Christmas dinners and Halloween menus.

If you need more inspiration for other events, I also have guides for the New Year’s party and Valentine’s Day. Easy recipes for every holiday! Awesome, right?

Karina’s 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 incredible 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, I start planning my menu in October.

While we expect a specific menu today, the original feast looked very 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.

Front view image of Whole golden brown roast Turkey in a roasting pan
5 from 33 votes

Juicy Roast Turkey

This is my turkey classic recipe. I’m giving you all my secrets for a juicy, herb-roasted bird that will be the center of your table
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One Pan Juicy Herb Roasted Turkey & Potatoes With Gravy
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.
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Sliced of Crispy Skinned Slow Cooker Turkey is THE MOST succulent Turkey, WITHOUT brining OR marinading! This Turkey will have EVERYONE talking!
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 I'll show you how to crisp the skin right at the end.
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close-up baked Maple Glazed Ham
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.
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Prime Rib with garlic butter served with green beans and mushrooms
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.
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Easy 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.

Sausage Cream Cheese Dip Stuffed Mushrooms
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.
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Pumpkin Soup
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!
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The Best Potato Side Dishes

It’s not Thanksgiving without potatoes… and I mean multiple kinds of potatoes! Make your mashed potatoes ahead and keep them warm in the slow cooker! It saves so much stress.

Zoom in image Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes
5 from 24 votes

Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes

This is the classic, buttery, fluffy mashed potato recipe you dream of. So simple, so perfect.
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top down view of a white bowl filled with creamy potatoes and two cubes of butter with herbs on top close up shot with chives on top
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!
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Overhead view of sweet potato casserole with golden toasted marshmallows on top and pecan crumble showing around the edges, fresh from the oven.
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.
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Close up image of Crispy garlic roasted potatoes sprinkled with fresh green herbs on a baking tray.
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.
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Herbs, garlic, and parmesan cheese are roasted together to make the best Crispy Browned Butter Parmesan Roasted Potatoes!
5 from 12 votes

Browned Butter Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

If you want to get fancy, this is it. The browned butter adds such a rich, nutty flavor that is just incredible.
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Must-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.

Crunchy Green Bean Casserole with homemade cream of mushroom soup and French fried onions!
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
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Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
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 delicious.
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Side view of Honey Garlic Butter Carrots
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.
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Garlic Parmesan Mac And Cheese is better than the original! A creamy garlic parmesan cheese sauce coats your macaroni, topped with parmesan fried bread crumbs, while saving some calories! | https://cafedelites.com
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
Honey Dijon Apple Bacon Cranberry Salad screams Cranberries, Spinach, Walnuts And BACON! All drizzled with the most perfect Honey Dijon Dressing!
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 my collection of savory fall recipes.
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Stuffing, 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.

Overhead view of a rectangular baking dish filled with homemade herb stuffing, with toasted bread pieces, flecks of green herbs, and a gold serving spoon nestled inside.
4 from 1 vote

Homemade Buttery Herb Stuffing

The KING of all side dishes. This is my classic, buttery, herb-packed stuffing (or dressing) that tastes like pure holiday magic.
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Sausage & Herb Stuffing Recipe is FULLY STUFFED with so much flavor, and perfect for serving as a Thanksgiving side with gravy!
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 incredible flavor.
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Easy Fluffy Buttermilk Cornbread with a hint of honey is the perfect side to chili's, soups or stews! Crunchy buttery edges with a soft and fluffy centre!
4.99 from 103 votes

Easy Buttermilk Cornbread

The perfect partner for soup or just for sopping up gravy. This cornbread is so moist and tender.
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Turkey Gravy Recipe in a pan
5 from 3 votes

Easy Turkey Gravy

The most important part! This is my never-lumpy, rich, and flavorful gravy recipe that you can make with or without turkey drippings.
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Desserts

You always need something sweet to end the dinner. I stick to these because they actually taste better when you make them a day in advance.

A piece of Chocolate Pecan Pie
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.
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Top view image of Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
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
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Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake is a fluffy, creamy pumpkin cheesecake perfect for Thanksgiving
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 I also use it in these Halloween recipes.
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I hope this game plan helps you feel prepared and ready to actually sit down and enjoy the day. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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Karina eating butter chicken from a gold fork out of a bowl with a nann bread on the side.

Hey Good Food Lovers! It’s nice to see you! My name is Karina. Welcome to Cafe Delites, my beloved space for the last 10 years where my passion for food has flourished and connected millions!

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