Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, togetherness, and juggling five things in the oven at once while trying not to burn the rolls. If you’ve ever tried to cook every dish fresh on the day, you know the chaos is real. That’s why smart prep is your secret weapon. And no, we’re not talking about make-ahead dishes that turn into mush when reheated.
Here’s a line-up of Thanksgiving sides you can prep in advance and still serve with pride. They’re reliable, reheat beautifully, and taste just as good, or better, the next day.
1. Mashed Potatoes
Prep Tip: Boil and mash the potatoes a day ahead. Stir in cream, butter, and a splash of milk or sour cream. Store in an airtight container. Reheat Trick: Warm in a saucepan or slow cooker with a little extra cream or milk to loosen them up. Add a fresh knob of butter just before serving.
Photo by Ambika
2. Stuffing
Prep Tip: Assemble your stuffing—bread cubes, sautéed onions, herbs, broth—a day or two ahead. Bake it fully, then cover and chill. Reheat Trick: Reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F), uncovered for the last 10 minutes to crisp up the top. Drizzle with a little broth before baking if it looks dry.
3. Mac and Cheese
Prep Tip: Cook and assemble the mac and cheese completely, then cover tightly and refrigerate. Avoid adding breadcrumbs on top until you reheat. Reheat Trick: Add a splash of milk before placing it in the oven. Bake covered with foil, then uncover and add breadcrumbs or more cheese for the final 10 minutes.
4. Green Bean Casserole
Prep Tip: Make the sauce and par-cook the green beans a day early. Assemble it all in a baking dish, but leave off the crispy onions until reheating. Reheat Trick: Bake until bubbling, then add crispy onions for the final 5 to 10 minutes so they stay crunchy.
5. Roasted Vegetables
Prep Tip: Roast your veggies a day or two in advance, carrots, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and store them in airtight containers. Reheat Trick: Re-warm in a hot oven or air fryer to bring back some crispness. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep their texture intact.
Photo by Tim Douglas
6. Cornbread
Prep Tip: Bake your cornbread one or two days early. Wrap it well and keep it at room temperature or in the fridge. Reheat Trick: Wrap in foil and warm in the oven to keep it soft. You can also slice and toast it in a pan with butter for extra flavour.
7. Sweet Potato Casserole
Prep Tip: Assemble and fully bake the casserole a day ahead, including the marshmallows or pecan topping.
Reheat Trick: Warm uncovered so the top stays golden and doesn’t steam. For added crispness, pop it under the broiler briefly before serving.
A smooth Thanksgiving dinner starts with solid prep. These make-ahead sides mean less stress and more time enjoying the meal. Reheat smart, serve confidently, and nobody will know you didn’t just whip it all up that morning, except your sanity, which will thank you.
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, togetherness, and juggling five things in the oven at once while trying not to burn the rolls. If you’ve ever tried to cook every dish fresh on the day, you know the chaos is real. That’s why smart prep is your secret weapon. And no, we’re not talking about make-ahead dishes that turn into mush when reheated.
Here’s a line-up of Thanksgiving sides you can prep in advance and still serve with pride. They’re reliable, reheat beautifully, and taste just as good, or better, the next day.
1. Mashed Potatoes
Prep Tip: Boil and mash the potatoes a day ahead. Stir in cream, butter, and a splash of milk or sour cream. Store in an airtight container.
Reheat Trick: Warm in a saucepan or slow cooker with a little extra cream or milk to loosen them up. Add a fresh knob of butter just before serving.
2. Stuffing
Prep Tip: Assemble your stuffing—bread cubes, sautéed onions, herbs, broth—a day or two ahead. Bake it fully, then cover and chill.
Reheat Trick: Reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F), uncovered for the last 10 minutes to crisp up the top. Drizzle with a little broth before baking if it looks dry.
3. Mac and Cheese
Prep Tip: Cook and assemble the mac and cheese completely, then cover tightly and refrigerate. Avoid adding breadcrumbs on top until you reheat.
Reheat Trick: Add a splash of milk before placing it in the oven. Bake covered with foil, then uncover and add breadcrumbs or more cheese for the final 10 minutes.
4. Green Bean Casserole
Prep Tip: Make the sauce and par-cook the green beans a day early. Assemble it all in a baking dish, but leave off the crispy onions until reheating.
Reheat Trick: Bake until bubbling, then add crispy onions for the final 5 to 10 minutes so they stay crunchy.
5. Roasted Vegetables
Prep Tip: Roast your veggies a day or two in advance, carrots, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and store them in airtight containers.
Reheat Trick: Re-warm in a hot oven or air fryer to bring back some crispness. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep their texture intact.
6. Cornbread
Prep Tip: Bake your cornbread one or two days early. Wrap it well and keep it at room temperature or in the fridge.
Reheat Trick: Wrap in foil and warm in the oven to keep it soft. You can also slice and toast it in a pan with butter for extra flavour.
7. Sweet Potato Casserole
Prep Tip: Assemble and fully bake the casserole a day ahead, including the marshmallows or pecan topping.
Reheat Trick: Warm uncovered so the top stays golden and doesn’t steam. For added crispness, pop it under the broiler briefly before serving.
A smooth Thanksgiving dinner starts with solid prep. These make-ahead sides mean less stress and more time enjoying the meal. Reheat smart, serve confidently, and nobody will know you didn’t just whip it all up that morning, except your sanity, which will thank you.
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