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. Love your cooking style and all your recipes are a hit. Just a ? I’m making a 20 lb prime rib for dinner tonight. I’ll have to cut it in half as some like very rare some like med. thoughts ? Help!

  2. The guide, the recipes, THE TURKEY! They were all a hit tonight!! And the guide made it a stress-free day (until I realized I left the turkey butter at home and had to fight with an ancient blender to make a second batch)!! On our menu- the brined turkey, marscapone potatoes, garlicy spicy green beans, charred carrots with basil mint sauce, and zesty cranberry sauce. Aaannnnndddd it was my 1st turkey to ever cook- Gaby made it so easy and delicious!

  3. Tuesday 12:30p. It is going to be a Gaby Thanksgiving here. I have made the dry brine and. plan to cook the turkey beginning about 9:00 on Thursday. When should I brine the bird? Wednesday morning? Tuesday night?

    I love everything you do!

  4. Hi! Can I make the brussel sprouts the day before and reheat? Also, would you suggest sautee them in a cast iron skillet or non-stick?

  5. Your recipes are amazing! You mentioned a while back a couple of meat thermometers that you liked...I meant to right them down! Could you let me know your recommendations again. Thanks!

  6. Thank you for this! If I'm making a butternut squash risotto, do I make it earlier in the day and reheat before serving or make it before and sit down to eat immediately? I know you said something about par-boiling it but I can't remember what that means oops.

  7. Hey Gaby! I remember you saying your man did thanksgiving recommendations for wine.... can you point me to them. Thank you!

  8. This schedule is seriously a life-saver, thank you! What are your thoughts on par-baking/roasting the carrots the day before?

    1. Did you roast the carrots the day before? How did they come out? How did you re-heat them on Thanksgiving?? I made these carrots last year and LOVED them! I'm hoping to save a little oven space/time and wondering if I could make these ahead without sacrificing flavor...

  9. First timer as far as cooking thanksgiving dinner...eeek! I just bought a 6 pound turkey breast(not frozen) and I’m wondering if I should leave it in the fridge until Thursday or freeze it and then thaw it out

  10. What is your philosophy about leaving food at room temp while preparing the rest of a meal. Lots of Thanksgiving & general entertaining guides I see online suggest prepping lots of dishes, veggies, appetizers etc. in the am - long before they'll be served. I'm always conscious of keeping things out for only 2 hours. Is this too hyper? Only applicable to dairy? Meat? Help...

    1. dairy and meat - I won't leave out for more than 2-3 hours. Vegetables - fair game to leave out for much longer

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