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    Home » Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving Prep Checklist: These Dishes Need to Be On Your Table!

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated November 4, 2025 · Published November 24, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 12 Thanksgiving dishes are essential for a memorable holiday feast. From the classic turkey to comforting sides, each dish brings its own flavor and tradition to the table. Make sure to include these favorites to create a warm and inviting celebration.

    Thanksgiving Smoked Turkey

    Thanksgiving Smoked Turkey
    Photo Credit: House of Nash Eats.

    Brining and smoking a turkey results in a juicy and flavorful dish that's perfect for Thanksgiving. The brining process keeps the turkey moist, while the applewood smoke adds a delicious depth of flavor. This method ensures that your turkey will be a standout centerpiece for your holiday meal.

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    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy mashed potatoes come together in just 35 minutes, giving you a creamy and rich side dish. With two kinds of cheese mixed in, these potatoes are sure to be a hit at your holiday dinners and whenever you're in the mood for a comforting meal.

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    Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

    Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    A Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans is a staple for Thanksgiving dinner. This version uses an Instant Pot, which simplifies the cooking process and frees up your oven for the turkey. It's a classic dish that everyone loves, and it's perfect for adding to your holiday spread.

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    5 Ingredient

    5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
    Photo Credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    This simple cranberry sauce is made with just 5 ingredients and cooked in a slow cooker. It helps clear up space on the stove for all the other Thanksgiving dishes, making cooking for hte holidays so much easier.

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    Carrots Vichy

    Carrots with parsley.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Baby Carrots are a quick and tasty side dish that everyone will enjoy. Ready in under 20 minutes, these carrots are tossed in butter and honey, giving them a sweet and savory flavor. This air fryer version puts a fun twist on the classic French dish, Carrots Vichy, making it perfect for any meal.

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    Stuffing Recipe in the Instant Pot

    Stuffing Recipe in the Instant Pot
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    Stuffing is a must-have during the holidays, and making it in your Instant Pot is a game changer. This version combines sweet and savory flavors, using the pot-in-pot method to create a delicious dish that you'll want to prepare time and again. It's a simple way to add a classic touch to your Thanksgiving table.

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    Green Beans

    Green beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans are quick and easy to prepare, taking just a few minutes to cook. They come out perfectly tender and are a great addition to any meal. This side dish is especially handy for busy nights when you want something simple yet delicious.

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    Gravy

    Easy and Simple Vegan Gravy
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This gravy is a flavorful addition to any meal. With ingredients like nutritional yeast and marmite, it brings a rich taste that pairs well with mashed potatoes, vegetarian poutine, or any Thanksgiving spread. It's easy to make from scratch, and since it's vegan everyone can enjoy it.

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    Southern Pecan Pie

    Southern Pecan Pie
    Photo Credit: House of Nash Eats.

    Classic Southern Pecan Pie is a delicious dessert that everyone loves. It's a great choice for Thanksgiving, barbecues, or any special occasion. With its rich, sweet filling and crunchy pecans, this pie is sure to be a hit at your table.

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    Easy Six Ingredient Dinner Rolls

    Easy Six Ingredient Vegan Dinner Rolls
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    These dinner rolls are a great addition to any holiday meal. They are vegan and have a rich, buttery flavor with a soft texture that everyone will enjoy. Perfect for Thanksgiving, these rolls will complement your feast beautifully.

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    Homemade Creamed Corn in the Instant Pot

    Homemade Creamed Corn in the Instant Pot
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    Homemade Creamed Corn in the Instant Pot is a simple and tasty addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. In just 3 minutes, you can have a comforting side dish ready to enjoy with your family. This dish is sure to become a favorite in your house!

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    Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

    brussel sprouts with bacon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon are quick to prepare in just 20 minutes and packed with flavor. They offer a great mix of salty, crunchy, and sweet tastes, balanced by a hint of acidity from balsamic vinegar. This dish is a fantastic addition to your Thanksgiving table.

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    More Thanksgiving Recipes

    • Spicy honey glazed turkey.
      Make One of These Turkey Recipes for Your Best Thanksgiving Yet
    • Charred cabbage with maple pecans.
      8 Plant-Based Thanksgiving Dishes That Are Anything But Boring
    • Cheesy potatoes.
      21 Cozy Potato Sides That Belong on Your Thanksgiving Table
    • No Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecake.
      9 Show-Stopping Pecan Pie Creations That Will Impress Your Guests

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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