Getting ready for Thanksgiving just got easier! With these make-ahead recipes, you can prep, store, and have your feast nearly ready to go—giving you more time to relax and enjoy. You’ll love the make-ahead turkey dry rub, Crock Pot Turkey Wings with savory gravy, and even delicious desserts like Vegan-Friendly Pecan Pie and Quick No-Bake Pumpkin Pie. With these recipes, you’ll be ready to impress your guests while keeping things stress-free!

Cranberry Salsa With Cream Cheese

cranberry salsa
Cranberry Salsa With Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This sweet and savory cranberry salsa is served over soft cream cheese for an irresistibly fresh creamy appetizer or easy snack. You can prep this cranberry salsa ahead as it can be frozen for up to three months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it in the fridge before serving and stir well to restore texture.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Salsa With Cream Cheese

Flavorful Brussel Sprouts And Sweet Potatoes

A bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes. A spoon holds a few pieces above the bowl. The vegetables are slightly browned, indicating they are well-cooked. The background is a light-colored surface.
Flavorful Brussel Sprouts And Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Insanely Easy Recipes.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes bring together tender sweet potatoes and crispy Brussels sprouts for a flavorful side. It’s perfect for a main or side dish in make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes, adding both nutrition and festive color.
Get the Recipe: Flavorful Brussel Sprouts And Sweet Potatoes

Make-Ahead Turkey Dry Rub Recipe

turkey dry rub with fresh rosemary near
Make-Ahead Turkey Dry Rub Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This make-ahead turkey dry rub is a savory mix of classic aromatic spices, herbs, and a touch of brown sugar. Ideal for making ahead of time, it’s the perfect way to prepare your turkey for maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Turkey Dry Rub Recipe

The Best Pumpkin Spiced Cookies

A stack of sugar-coated cookies sits on a dark plate, one on top with a bite taken out. More cookies and a basket with autumn leaves in the background. A glass of milk wrapped in twine is placed beside the cookies on a checkered cloth.
The Best Pumpkin Spiced Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Jump into the thanksgiving season with these soft and chewy Pumpkin Spiced Cookies! These cookies are perfect for making ahead of time. You can freeze the dough or cookies, so you’ll always have some on hand when guests roll into town!
Get the Recipe: The Best Pumpkin Spiced Cookies

Stuffed Mushrooms Bites

Close-up of a skillet containing stuffed mushrooms topped with a mixture of herbs, nuts, and vegetables. The mushrooms are garnished with fresh green parsley, adding color to the golden brown filling.
Stuffed Mushrooms Bites. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Stuffed Mushrooms are a perfect appetizer for your next party, full of garlic, toasted pecans, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and then topped with a citrus basil dressing. They are easy to make and you can make them ahead then bake just before a party.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms Bites

Cheesy Yellow Squash Casserole

A close-up of a white baking dish filled with a golden-brown casserole, topped with a crumbly layer. A serving spoon scoops out a portion, revealing sliced yellow squash and a creamy texture underneath.
Cheesy Yellow Squash Casserole . Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This cheesy squash casserole with Ritz crackers and sour cream has a cheesy, tangy sauce and buttery topping. Perfectly baked and never mushy. You can freeze this casserole either before it has baked or after. Wait to add the topping until prior to baking if freezing before it has baked.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Yellow Squash Casserole

Pumpkin Dip with Cream Cheese

A creamy dip with a smooth, orange-brown texture is served in a white bowl. A round cookie is partially dipped in the mixture, with more cookies in the background. Green apple slices sit on the side.
Pumpkin Dip with Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Insanely Easy Recipes.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip is ready in just 5 minutes and perfect for dipping with gingersnaps or apple slices. This is one of the easiest make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes that’s full of festive flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Dip with Cream Cheese

Creamy Crab Pinwheels (Make-Ahead and Freeze)

Crab pinwheels with hot cheese and crab meat wrapped in flour tortilla.
Creamy Crab Pinwheels (Make-Ahead and Freeze). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This delicious crab pinwheels recipe is stuffed with a creamy filling of cream cheese, crab, cheddar cheese, and a spicy creole seasoning.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Crab Pinwheels (Make-Ahead and Freeze)

Creamy and Nutritious Sweet Potato Pasta

A bowl of creamy pasta with rotini noodles, topped with grated cheese. The dish includes mushrooms, spinach, and chunks of red bell pepper, all mixed in a rich, orange-colored sauce.
Creamy and Nutritious Sweet Potato Pasta. Photo credit: Insanely Easy Recipes.

This Sweet Potato Pasta is comfort-food at its best! Plus, its packed full of veggies (both in the sauce and in the dish), so it’s nutritious, creamy, and delicious. Plan and Cook Ahead by making the sauce on the weekend and then tossing everything else together just before dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy and Nutritious Sweet Potato Pasta

Make Ahead Dressing Recipes For Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving dish with roasted turkey garnished with herbs and a casserole dish of stuffing. Text overlay reads: "How to Pre-Make Dressing Before Thanksgiving Day - Tips & Recipes.
Make Ahead Dressing Recipes For Thanksgiving. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

With a few simple preparations and safety tips, it is easy to make ahead dressing recipes for your Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Recipe: Make Ahead Dressing Recipes For Thanksgiving

Homemade Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread or Dip

spicy pimento cheese
Homemade Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread or Dip. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This spicy homemade pimento cheese dip is a blend of creamy cheeses, mayo, pimentos, and sweet and spicy pickled jalapeños.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread or Dip

Vegan-Friendly Pecan Pie

A pecan pie on a white plate, featuring a golden crust filled with whole pecans and a rich, glossy filling. It's set on a marble surface beside a cutting board with chopped pecans and a knife. A striped cloth and pink plate are nearby.
Vegan-Friendly Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Insanely Easy Recipes.

This Vegan Pecan Pie is crunchy, gooey, and perfectly sweet. Pecan Pie is one of those traditional pies everyone needs at least once a year! Thanksgiving desserts can be made a day ahead. Allow to cool to room temperature and store in airtight container.
Get the Recipe: Vegan-Friendly Pecan Pie

Warm Pumpkin Dump Cake with Fall Spices

A slice of pumpkin cake topped with crunchy pecans and a dollop of whipped cream on a white plate. The background includes colorful autumn leaves.
Warm Pumpkin Dump Cake with Fall Spices. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This easy Pumpkin Dump Cake recipe combines pumpkin, spices, brown sugar, cake mix, and pecans. One of the best make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes for a quick, festive dessert.
Get the Recipe: Warm Pumpkin Dump Cake with Fall Spices

Crock Pot Turkey Wings with Savory Gravy

turkey wings and gravy
Crock Pot Turkey Wings with Savory Gravy. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Crock Pot Turkey Wings with Savory Gravy is incredibly simple to make and guarantees tender, flavorful turkey wings. These wings can go into the slow cooker in the morning, and when you return home, dinner is almost ready to be served.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Turkey Wings with Savory Gravy

Mexican Caviar Party Dip

Texas caviar with beans, cilantro, onions and seasonings
Mexican Caviar Party Dip. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Mexican Caviar (or Cowboy Salsa) doubles as a dip or salad, bringing bold, fresh flavors to your make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Caviar Party Dip

Quick No-Bake Pumpkin Pie (10-Minute Recipe)

A pumpkin pie garnished with a ring of whipped cream and colorful sprinkles sits on a light surface. Autumn leaves in shades of red, orange, and brown surround it, creating a festive seasonal ambiance. A burlap cloth is partially visible at the bottom left.
Quick No-Bake Pumpkin Pie (10-Minute Recipe). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Fall in love with this easy, No-Bake Pumpkin Pie recipe! It’s everything you love about classic pumpkin pie without needing an oven.
Get the Recipe: Quick No-Bake Pumpkin Pie (10-Minute Recipe)

Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Baked Dip

spinach artichoke dip with tortilla chips
Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Baked Dip. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip is a creamy, cheesy spinach artichoke dip that only takes 10 minutes to prep and will be hot and bubbly in no time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Baked Dip

15 Irresistible Thanksgiving Bites to Keep Everyone Happy Until Dinner

A dish with cream cheese topped with bright red cranberry salsa, garnished with chopped green onions, sliced jalapeños, and fresh cranberries. Corn tortilla chips surround the dish on a wooden surface, accompanied by parsley leaves.
15 Irresistible Thanksgiving Bites. Photo Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Thanksgiving is all about family, friends, and of course, fantastic food! If you’re looking for appetizers that will set the stage for your holiday feast, we’ve got you covered. These Thanksgiving-inspired starters are easy to make, full of festive flavors, and will keep everyone satisfied until the main meal. From a warm Spinach Artichoke Dip to a zesty Cranberry Jalapeno Dip, these bites are guaranteed to delight. Get ready to start Thanksgiving on a delicious note with appetizers that everyone will be thankful for! Get All The Recipes: 15 Irresistible Thanksgiving Bites to Keep Everyone Happy Until Dinner