The Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu and Prep Schedule

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Thanksgiving is a big deal here on What's Gaby Cooking. Always has been, always will be. It's my favorite time of year to bring everyone together around a table and share a beautiful afternoon/evening of food and conversation. This year is no different. Below you will find an incredible spread of recipes that are award winning across the country! I know many of you come back year after year for these recipes and I will forever be so appreciative of that. Having WGC recipes on your holiday table is the best feeling in the world. So, without further ado, let's pull everything together for the most epic Thanksgiving Menu and then talk prep and schedule!



 

If you want to be extra extra this year, I partnered with Finish to bring you the Ultimate Thanksgiving Timer! You can sign up to recieve push notifications on when to start shopping, a reminder to clean your dishes and set the table and so much more! Ok here we go...

Thanksgiving Menu + Prep Schedule from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@Whatsgabycookin)

Thanksgiving Menu:

Thanksgiving Cheese Board

Herb Roasted Turkey

Homemade Gravy

Zesty Cranberry Sauce

Winter Green Salad with Pecorino Dressing

Wild Mushroom Stuffing

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

Spicy Garlic Green Beans

Roasted Acorn Squash

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamed Kale or Spinach

Apple Crisp

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Marshmallow Meringue or Bourbon Pecan Pie

I mean, is that not the most glorious Thanksgiving menus you've ever seen!!

Thanksgiving Menu + Prep Schedule from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@Whatsgabycookin)

 

Pre schedule for Thanksgiving Week:

Sunday:

  • Clean out the fridge
  • Stock up on beer and wine
  • Make a grocery list
  • Shop for all the ingredients
  • If you buy a frozen turkey - make sure to put it in the fridge to start thawing out
  • Reorganize fridge with all the ingredients

Monday:

Tuesday

  • Prep the Pomegranates for the Winter Green Salad if you're buying whole pomegranates. Store in an air tight container in the fridge.
  • Cut the bread into cubes for the Wild Mushroom Stuffing - let sit on the counter overnight to harden.

Thanksgiving Menu + Prep Schedule from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@Whatsgabycookin)Wednesday:

Thursday:

Early Morning / 8am-ish

Before the Feast

Thanksgiving Menu + Prep Schedule from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@Whatsgabycookin)

Have any last minute questions about Thanksgiving, the prep schedule, my Thanksgiving Menu or prep timing...?? Shout them out in the comments below and I'll respond ASAP!

PS – are you thinking of putting this on your Thanksgiving menu? Check out the full What’s Gaby Cooking menu here along with the master prep schedule to keep things organized and on track!

And if you need more Thanksgiving Ideas check out this roundup of 80+ Thanksgiving Recipes and Ideas

Photography by Matt Armendariz / Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipes by What’s Gaby Cooking

188 Comments

  1. Gaby & team, thank you for putting this together and making is a dream to plan for thanksgiving! What type of wine do you like to drink? Brands or what not.

  2. Hi Gaby,

    I have following you and using your recipes for months. Thank you for saving me so many times!!!
    I have a situation... I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner at my MIL's this year (she's 95 and not able to do it anymore or come to our house) so I am hosting a dozen people (about half the number we usually are). So even though it's not a huge crowd, we have vegetarians and diabetics (same ones) to account for.

    I am making the Turkey, stuffing/dressing (vegan and not), gravy reg and veg, cranberry sauce and relish in both SF and regular. Same with mashed potatoes and wanted to roast acorn squash. I usually raost in over with butter, salt, pepper and maple syrup (SF). LOVE it but I won't have access to the oven.
    I need advice on how to cook it before hand and reheat it so it tastes good and is not mushy. I do have a Ninja Foodi and a Crock Pot I can bring.
    How can I make this work???
    Thank you for any Tips and Advice!!!
    Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!
    Happy Turkey Day!!

    1. wait - what do you need advise on? Which recipe do you need to prep ahead or do you mean you need to do ALL of this ahead of time?

  3. OMG- Thank you! Even though I've hosted Thanksgiving for the past 3 years, your prep schedule and menu ideas help me feel less stressed! First, I know your recipes are amazing and the way you break everything down makes it all so manageable. I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving. I'm grateful to you for your recipes and inspiration.

  4. do you finish up the green beans and carrots while the turkey is in the oven or do you cook when the turkey is all done? Wondering how to keep warm!

    1. green beans I finish sauteeing right before serving, and the carrots can be re-heated on the stove or in the oven before serving and then toss with the herb sauce!

  5. Hi Gaby!
    After making the mac & cheese in the AM, should we refrigerate it until before dinner when we bake it?
    Would you add the crumbs right before baking it or in the AM when you make it?
    Thank you!

  6. This is so helpful! I used your recipes last year and it was a huge hit and plan to do the same this year.
    PS I love your jeans...where from?! 🙂

  7. Hi! Love this 🙂 When do you start reheating the mashed potatoes in a slow cooker? E.g. on low 4 hours before serving...

    1. absolutely! you can make them a day or two ahead of time and reheat in a slow cooker or dutch oven! Might need to add a bit of liquid to loosen them up if they get thick

  8. Hi! the Spicy Garlic Green Beans sound delicious for my work pot luck since i want something delicious and on the healthier side. My only problem is that i would have to cook them in the morning before work and we wouldn't eat them until Noonish, do you have any suggestions on how to keep them warm or reheat them. Thank you so much for all your delicious recipes!

    1. they reheat okay in the microwave! Would be best if you had a small kitchen at work where you could heat them in a skillet for 2-3 minutes to warm them through again!

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