24 Delicious Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes (Because You Deserve a Holiday, Too)

This spiced pecan recipe makes for a deliciously addictive (and relatively healthy) Thanksgiving appetizer. The pecans can be prepared and stored at room temperature in an airtight container up to one week in advance.

Our recipe for creamy goat cheese spread makes a bright addition to any cheese plate, but can easily stand on its own as a Turkey Day appetizer. It can be prepared and refrigerated up to two days in advance.

This high-protein app packs plenty of flavor, thanks to fresh scallions and salty prosciutto. It can be prepared and refrigerated (without the garlic) up to one day in advance; add the garlic just before serving.

The lettuce, herbs, and vinaigrette in this tender greens salad can be prepared and refrigerated, separately, up to one day in advance. Dress and toss the salad just before serving.

The fresh lettuce, oranges, shallots, pecans, and vinaigrette can be prepared and refrigerated, separately, up to one day in advance. Dress and toss the salad just before serving.

This vibrant Cranberry and Orange Relish can be prepared and refrigerated up to four days in advance, but do not add the cilantro. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Mix in the cilantro just before serving.

Our Chilled Pineapple-Cranberry Relish can be prepared and refrigerated up to two days in advance. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

This simple, classic Cranberry Sauce can be prepared and refrigerated up to four days in advance. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

The vinaigrette, green beans, and walnuts in this delicious side dish can be prepared and refrigerated, separately, up to one day in advance. Toss the green beans with the fennel, walnuts, goat cheese, and vinaigrette just before serving.

This vibrant slaw can be prepared and refrigerated, keeping the oranges separate, up to two days in advance. Fold in the oranges just before serving.

The stuffing can be assembled (but not baked) and refrigerated up to one day in advance. Bake from room temperature at 400° F until heated through, 30 to 45 minutes.

This creamy spinach- and cheese-packed gratin can be prepared (but not baked) and refrigerated, covered, up to one day in advance. Bring to room temperature, then bake as directed, adding 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time.

The sweet potatoes can be cut and seasoned up to two hours before cooking. Or they can be roasted and refrigerated up to one day in advance; reheat in oven, from room temperature, at 350° F to 400° F.

These sautéed Brussels sprouts can be made and kept at room temperature up to two hours in advance, or refrigerated up to one day in advance. Reheat them in the oven, from room temperature, at 350°F to 400°F.

These rich root vegetables can be roasted and kept at room temperature up to two hours in advance or refrigerated up to one day in advance. Reheat from room temperature at 350° F to 400° F.

Mashed potatoes can be made and left at room temperature up to two hours in advance or refrigerated up to one day in advance. Reheat in a large saucepan, covered, adding milk as necessary to adjust the consistency.

Fresh butternut squash puree can be made and left at room temperature up to two hours in advance or refrigerated up to two days in advance. Reheat in a large saucepan, covered, for 10 minutes.

This dreamy, creamy pumpkin cheesecake pie can be prepared and refrigerated, loosely covered with plastic wrap, up to two days in advance.

Our sweet potato pie can be prepared and stored at room temperature, loosely covered with foil, up to one day in advance.

Talk about elegant. If you don't have a rectangular tart pan, you can use a round one to make this pressed-crust pea tart. The dessert can be prepared and stored at room temperature, loosely covered with foil, up to one day in advance.

This delicious pie can be prepared and refrigerated, loosely covered with plastic wrap, up to two days in advance. Top with the cocoa and whipped cream just before serving.

This cheesecake, made with crumbled cookies and fresh pears, can be prepared and refrigerated, loosely covered with plastic wrap, up to two days in advance.

Our super simple Citrus Pound Cake with Cranberry Syrup can be prepared and stored at room temperature, wrapped in plastic, up to one day in advance. The syrup can be prepared and refrigerated up to one day.

Pumpkin bread can be prepared and stored at room temperature, wrapped in plastic, up to one day in advance.