What are some foods you can make ahead before Thanksgiving day?

[Amy10223]

How many days ahead can you make these before they can spoil? Mind you, I have eaten rice that was left out in the night (covered) and eaten it the next day or, I refrigerated again and then ate it. No upset stomach! Maybe I have an iron stomach, rarely have I gotten ill from left over food that was left out. Yes, that happens to me a lot. 😅

[AviatorTom]

You can make pumpkin pie or apple pie, your choice for dessert, days before Thanksgiving. When I was growing up, my mother used to make a Jello mold the day or two before Thanksgiving. She mixed packets of green Jello, water and Cool Whip into a Bundt cake mold,. After refrigerating it, take it out of the mold... a nice addition to all the carbs of the typical Thanksgiving meal.

[Amy10223]

Sounds good, that jello dessert.

[AviatorTom]

Thanks for MHO

[MannMitAntworten]

When I did the holidays - family is all passed - we did it all starting early in the morning so we could relax as the bird cooked. Mashed potatoes we would do to coincide with the bird being ready so as to serve all hot.


Anymore if home I’ll just make a steak. If at work I get stuck with whatever is available to cook in a microwave or air fryer.

[AI Opinion]

Preparing in advance for Thanksgiving can make the day itself less stressful. Dishes like casseroles, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pies can be made a day or two ahead. Casseroles and mashed potatoes store well in the fridge for up to two days. Cranberry sauce benefits from a day in the fridge to let the flavors meld. Pies, once baked, can last a couple of days if refrigerated. Safety is key, so store foods properly. Your iron stomach might handle more than most, but always lean on the side of caution. 🍂🥧

[FreyaRed]

Meat stews, cabbage and beef rolls. fish with gravy. Generally dishes which prevent oxidation of veggies and meat because everything is covered with fluid, jelly or gravy. This type of dishes and tastes often better after 2-4 day in fridge.
Generally cooked dishes are sterile as long as they aren't exposed to air and cutlery with saliva and remain fresh 3-4 days in the fridge without reheating. Heat sterilizes such dishes again.
Rice contains often microorganisms which survive cooking and water activates their reproduction, that's why rice isn't good choice for dishes which can be eaten few days after cooking. Food industry cooks rice under pressure by +130C because of that.

[Amy10223]

What are cabbage and beef rolls? 🤔

[TrueConfection]

I do a lot of the prep work the day before. I also make the pie crusts and the cranberry sauce the day before.

We reheat all the leftovers the day after Thanksgiving, so I suppose you could cook the entire meal the day before.

[Amy10223]

Hmmm, Id like to cook many things like the pie and flan, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes the day before. Maybe, the mashed potatoes too. But the turkey, I like to keep an eye on all day and being it's just me cooking it, I'll leave it for Thursday. Thanks.

[IndianPhotoAcademy]

Mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and casseroles can all be prepared ahead of time for Thanksgiving. Pumpkin and pecan pies, for example, can also be prepared the day before. Prepare the sides by chopping the vegetables ahead of time, and add the flavor by brining the turkey overnight. Store food in the freezer or refrigerator until it is time to cook.

[Amy10223]

I made pies in Tuesday. I wish I had done more but I was making the crust too and that took long. Yesterday I did all but the turkey and mashed potatoes and I was exhausted. I hope I have energy for today.

[scott04sa22]

Homemade chicken and noodles soup.

[Mia2004]

The day before I make cookies.

[jimmy2]

Dressings

[eagle1951]

pies