• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • French Croissant Video Course
  • Bessie Bakes Backdrops
  • Contact

Bessie Bakes

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Soul-satisfying food at home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Bessie Bakes Backdrops
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Thanksgiving » Thanksgiving Preparation Timeline | Recipes & Guide

    Published: Nov 4, 2021 Last Modified: Nov 4, 2021 by Bessie Bakes · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links

    Thanksgiving Preparation Timeline | Recipes & Guide

    Share19
    Pin78
    Tweet
    Email
    Thanksgiving recipes, side dishes, turkey, and dessert with a downloadable planning guide and timeline via @bessiebakes

    The stress of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is enough to give you holiday PTSD.  But today I’m sharing my free downloadable Thanksgiving Preparation Timeline with tons of recipes (many which can be made in advance) to ensure your Thanksgiving meal goes off without a hitch. And YES…you can even make your mashed potatoes up to four hours in advance!

    MY #1 TIP TO A STRESS-FREE THANKSGIVING MEAL

    Either make our desserts in advance, or let your guests bring desserts.  This way your oven is free for the turkey and dressing, or anything else you need to reheat.  As you’ll see below, many of your dishes can be made in advance entirely or at least 70-80% and can be reheated on the day of.

    Ok….Ready, set, shop/prep/bake/cook.

    Free Downloadable Thanksgiving Planning Guide

    When you click the box above, a black screen with the document should appear.  In the upper right-hand corner, there will be an arrow pointing downward.  Click the arrow to download it to your computer, then drag to your desktop, and print!

     

    THE MENU

    APPETIZERS

    Crisp Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
    Warm apples, fresh greens, with sautéed shallots, toasted almonds, and pecorino cheese make a perfect easy fall salad.
    Check out this recipe
    An apple salad with shallots and almonds in a large bowl

    Make the vinaigrette up to two days in advance, toast the almonds up to one day in advance.

    Apple Salad with apple cider vinaigrette in a bowl
    Pimento Bacon Deviled Eggs
    Homemade pimento cheese blends with a traditional deviled egg, topped with bacon of course, for the BEST party appetizer EVER!
    Check out this recipe
    Pimento Bacon Deviled eggs on an oval clay plate

    In the south, deviled eggs are a common appetizer to bring to Thanksgiving.  And I have an easy hack for easily removing those pesky egg shells without damaging the eggs!

    Pimento deviled eggs on an oval plate

    Rolls & Cornbread

    Sourdough Spelt Garlic Rosemary Brioche Rolls
    Garlic and rosemary infuse soft and buttery pinwheel rolls perfect for family dinners and holiday gatherings.
    Check out this recipe
    Sourdough Spelt Brioche Garlic Rosemary Rolls baked to perfection

    For these rolls you don’t have to use spelt flour. You can substitute whole wheat flour or just use only all purpose flour. You can make these up to one month in advance, let cool, wrap really well and freeze.  Thaw on the morning of, brush with more butter and garlic, then reheat while the turkey is resting.

    P.S.  There are three recipes attached to this post because you can also make cinnamon rolls and hamburger buns with the dough as well.

    Sourdough Spelt Brioche Garlic Rosemary Rolls Baked
    Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
    Southern-style savory cornbread gets a flavorful boost with jalapenos and cheddar cheese!
    Check out this recipe
    Jalapeno cheddar cornbread muffin with butter on a plate

    If you want a quick and easy alternative to rolls, then these Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins work perfectly!  You can make these in advance, cover them in an airtight container and freeze them.  Thaw the morning of and reheat in the oven.  you can brush some neutral oil on top to hydrate them before reheating too.

    Jalapeno cheddar cornbread muffin on a plate

    MAIN DISHES

    EPIC DUCK FAT ROASTED TURKEY RECIPE
    Take your Thanksgiving turkey to whole new level with these 4 simple, yet genius ways create the most moist and flavorful bird EVER!
    Check out this recipe
    Epic duck fat roasted turkey recipe baked with oranges and fresh sage

    Read the full post for the 5 Secrets to an Epic Turkey!  Buy your turkey ASAP (and freeze), whenever they are available.  Allow for at least two-three full days of thawing, plus one day for brining.

    Epic duck fat thanksgiving turkey recipe
    Epic duck fat roasted turkey recipe with essence of orange and fresh sage
    Upside Down Cast Iron Roasted Chicken Recipe
    This roasted chicken recipe is adapted from a legendary bistro in Paris that is known for having the best roast chicken in all of France!
    Check out this recipe
    Roasted chicken in a pan with vegetables

    If you are having a small gathering or don’t want to tackle a large turkey, then you would be surprised at how easy it is to make an unbelievably delicious roasted chicken instead!  There is no brining and required because the baking technique makes the most succulent roast chicken ever.  I made two of these roasted chickens for Thanksgiving one year and no one missed the turkey!

    roasted chicken and veggies separated
    How to Keep Mashed Potatoes Warm
    Learn how to make roasted garlic buttery cream cheese mashed potatoes and how to keep them warm for up to FOUR HOURS!
    Check out this recipe
    mashed potatoes crock pot
    Crock pot turned on low keeping mashed potatoes warm

    There is a recipe attached to the mashed potato post, but you can also make the Creme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes and keep them warm for 4 hours (they’re my absolute favorite)!

    Créme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes
    Adding créme fraîche to mashed potatoes transforms the already wonderful buttery side item!
    Check out this recipe
    Créme fraîche mashed potatoes in a bowl with melted butter
    a bowl of mashed potatoes with sage and butter on top
    GF Southern Cornbread Stuffing
    This traditional Southern stuffing/dressing recipe is a packed with fresh herbs, onions, celery, butter, and flavorful broth!
    Check out this recipe
    Delicious Gluten Free Southern Cornbread Stuffing

    This stuffing/dressing is made with all cornmeal so it just happens to be Gluten Free!

    Make the cornbread in advance, wrap well and freeze, thaw and let dry out.  Then make stuffing.  You can par-bake the stuffing, let cool, then wrap really well and freeze.  Thaw, then add some turkey drippings on top to moisten, and pop back in the oven while the turkey is resting to finish baking!

    Delicious Gluten Free Southern Cornbread Stuffing
    Easy Cranberry Clementine Sauce
    Fresh Cranberries and clementines burst with flavor in this easy and tasty Thanksgiving side!
    Check out this recipe
    Easy Cranberry Clementine Sauce Recipe

    Once you make your own cranberry sauce, you will never go back to the canned stuff!  Make it up to three days in advance, cover and refrigerate.

    Easy 15-minute cranberry clementine sauce

    Pies and Tarts

    Perfect Pie Crust
    This flaky, buttery crust works perfectly with pies and quiches. Follow the steps for the best pie crust ever!
    Check out this recipe
    A peach crostata with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top

    A slice of peach crostata with melted ice cream on a plate

    Make all of your pie crusts in advance (this recipe makes two).   Form into disks, refrigerate, then roll out between two sheets of plastic wrap.  Place on a plate to keep flat, then freeze for up to one month (making sure it’s wrapped really well in plastic wrap).

    Use the perfect pie crust recipe above, and make a crostata instead of a pie.  WHY?  Because it’s SO easy to shape.  It folds over the filling and bakes on a sheet pan.

    Peach Crostata
    A rustic Italian crostata fused with a southern peach pie and peach crisp is the perfect summer dessert!
    Check out this recipe
    A peach crostata with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top
    Peach crostata with a scoop of ice cream on top
    The Best Apple Streusel Pie & Bourbon Glaze
    This Apple streusel pie is filled with a bourbon glaze and topped with an oat streusel crumble for added texture and sweetness. There are 20 step-by-step photos to ensure your baking success!
    Check out this recipe
    Apple Streusel Pie sliced with vanilla ice cream

    If an apple pie and an apple crisp had a baby it would be this apple streusal pie with a bourbon sauce!  The bourbon sauce flavors the apples while the the streusel topping adds texture.  I have 20 step-by-step photos for how to make the pie crust and pie from scratch so you can easily replicate this utterly delicious pie.

    The Best Apple Streusel Pie & bourbon glaze recipe with step-by-step photos
    Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie & Gingersnap Crust
    Take your pumpkin pie to the next level with cream cheese for a fluffy and creamier pumpkin pie with a flavorful gingersnap crust!
    Check out this recipe
    A slice of cream cheese pumpkin pie on a plate with a fork

    There are step-by-step photos and a video for this one!  Make this pie up to two days in advance.  Keep covered in the fridge until serving.  Tastes great cold!

    Cream cheese pumpkin pie sliced in a pie pan with pumpkins

    Free Downloadable Thanksgiving Planning Guide

    When you click the box above, a black screen with the document should appear.  In the upper right-hand corner, there will be an arrow pointing downward.  Click the arrow to download it to your computer, then drag to your desktop, and print!

    Here’s to the most EPIC Thanksgiving dinner ever!

    Bon Appetit Ya’ll,

    Leslie O.

    Share19
    Pin78
    Tweet
    Email

    More Thanksgiving Recipes

    • CREAM CHEESE PUMPKIN PIE & GINGERSNAP CRUST
    • Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe
    • Upside Down Roasted Chicken Recipe
    • Epic Charcuterie Cheese Board on a Budget

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hello I’m Leslie

    Leslie Osborne Bessie Bakes

    As a lover of sourdough bread, baking, & easy whole foods recipes, I want you to feel confident when tackling a new recipe or baking technique.  Learn how to turn simple ingredients into mouth-watering meals.  Read more

    Search for a recipe

    Recipe Categories

    Sourdough Baking Recipes

    banana walnut muffins on a wooden cutting board

    Sourdough Discard Banana Nut Muffins & Streusel Topping

    Sourdough biscuits with fig jam on a plate

    Sourdough Discard Biscuits Step-by-step & Video

    Thai Pumpkin Butternut Squash Soup Recipe with Sourdough Bread

    5 SOUL-SATISFYING BONE BROTH SOUP RECIPES TO PAIR W/ SOURDOUGH BREAD

    Sourdough Bread Recipe wih step-by-step photos and a video

    EASY SOURDOUGH BREAD RECIPE & SHAPING VIDEO, SHAPED 2 WAYS

    Sourdough Focaccia artisan bread with loivrs and rosemary

    SOURDOUGH FOCACCIA | OLIVES & ROSEMARY RECIPE & VIDEO

    Sourdough Cinnamon rolls, hamburger buns, and garlic rosemary rolls

    Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls, Garlic Rolls, Hamburger Buns | 1 Brioche Recipe 3 ways

    More Posts from this Category

    Most Popular Posts

    • Bone Broth Butternut Squash Soup My Before & After Photos on 30 Days of the Bone Broth Diet
    • Roasted chicken in a pan with vegetables Upside Down Roasted Chicken Recipe
    • Sourdough Cinnamon rolls, hamburger buns, and garlic rosemary rolls Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls, Garlic Rolls, Hamburger Buns | 1 Brioche Recipe 3 ways
    • A black plate of French Croissants French Croissants |Chocolate Croissants (40 step-by-step photos)
    • A charcuterie cheese board on a wooden board with a linen napkin Epic Charcuterie Cheese Board on a Budget
    • Banana muffins with a streusel topping on a cutting board The Best Streusel Topping for Muffins
    • Instant pot chicken bone broth recipe HOW “THE BONE BROTH DIET” HELPS YOU SHED POUNDS & LOSE WRINKLES ACCORDING TO DR. KELLYANN PETRUCCI
    • Cucumber ginger drink in a glass with a cucumber garnish Cucumber Ginger Lime Mocktail
    • Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies torn apart Small Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Avocado nutella in a jar with a linen napkin Magical Chocolate Avocado “Nutella” Recipe
    French Croissant video course

    Bessie Bakes Backdrops

    Bessie Bakes Backdrops photography backdrops widget with chocolate cake

    Footer

    Privacy Policy

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

    78
    19