Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Keep Turkey Day stress at bay with flavorful sides that actually taste better when they're prepared a day or more in advance.

©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Adrian Mueller ©2012, Adrian Mueller / AMueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Adrian Mueller ©2012, Adrian Mueller / AMueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Cranberry Sauce with Bourbon, Vanilla Bean and Orange

This fruity Thanksgiving sidekick can be made up to 10 days ahead of time. The flavors of bourbon and fall spices emerge as the recipe chills in the fridge. 

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with Bourbon and Vanilla Bean and Orange

Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes

Kelsey's no-fuss potatoes are simply mashed with half-and-half and sour cream for subtle tang. Chopped chives infuse the spuds with mellow onion flavor, intensifying as they sit in the fridge.

Get the Recipe: Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans with Blood Orange and Tangerine Dressing

A reliable make-ahead side, this dish holds up well for an hour when kept at room temperature until ready to serve, making room on your stovetop for other dishes.

Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Blood Orange and Tangerine Dressing

Cornbread and Wild Rice Dressing with Pine Nuts

The base of this dressing is a moist cornbread that's rich with bacon grease and buttermilk. For well-developed flavors, let the creamy parsley-flecked custard soak into the cornbread overnight before baking. 

Get the Recipe: Cornbread and Wild Rice Dressing with Pine Nuts and Parsley

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Sweet and Spicy Walnuts

This sweet rendition of twice-stuffed potatoes is all decked out in holiday flavors with nutty brown butter and warm spices.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Sweet and Spicy Walnuts

Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole

Somewhere between side dish and dessert, this easy casserole is layered with thick rounds of sweet potatoes, yams and Red Delicious apples that soak up a citrus-spiked cinnamon and honey glaze.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole

Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato Corn Muffin

Giada's corn muffins are moist and delicious, thanks to buttermilk and sour cream, and they have satisfyingly chunky texture in every bite from whole corn kernels.

Get the Recipe: Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato Corn Muffin

Brown Bread Stuffing with Fruit

Prepping this stuffing ahead of time allows the sweet dried cherries and apples extra time to mingle with the earthy flavors of fresh sage and thyme. 

Get the Recipe: Brown Bread Stuffing with Fruit

Spicy Braised Collard Greens

Braised greens are about as Southern as it gets, and these can be made a whole day in advance to deepen the flavors. Feel free to use any mix of greens you can get your hands on.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Braised Collard Greens

Creamed Corn Cornbread

Sweet creamed corn forms a richer base for Alton's skillet cornbread, the ideal side dish for sopping up extra gravy.

Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn Cornbread

Cranberry Salad

Kelsey's Thanksgiving-inspired spin on ambrosia salad is the ultimate make-ahead side. Blended cranberries tint the sweet mixture of pineapple, marshmallows and whipped cream, giving the salad vibrant color as it chills. Top with pomegranate arils for a final tangy punch.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Salad

Mac and Cheese Carbonara

Bobby Flay sources five different cheeses for this hybrid pasta dish, including the Parmigiano-Reggiano that traditionally accompanies carbonara. By melding the gooey richness of baked mac and cheese with savory cubes of pancetta, the best of two comfort foods is combined.

Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese Carbonara

Sweet Potato Casserole

The spiced sweet potato filling for this casserole can be assembled the day before and kept in the fridge until there's room in the oven. Top it with a crunchy brown sugar streusel for a sweet side dish that'll quickly become a family favorite.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Creamy Cauliflower and Parsnip Soup

The addition of rice to the mix gives the soup its silky-smooth texture. This can be made up to two weeks ahead and frozen.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Cauliflower and Parsnip Soup

Haricots Verts with Rosemary

Tender, thin green beans tossed with rosemary and lemon-infused olive oil are the perfect complement to your roasted Turkey and mashed potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Haricots Verts with Rosemary