Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! It is all about spending time with family and friends while sharing a delicious spread of food. Planning a Thanksgiving dinner and executing it without disaster can be a bit of a challenge. This meal takes a bit of planning and practice, and over the years I have streamlined the process.
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That is why I have designed this free Thanksgiving Menu Planner with printables to help you organize your menu, prepare your grocery list and plan your cooking timeline. By following these steps, you will be able to feel calm, prepared and actually enjoy the day with your family!
Why Plan Your Thanksgiving Menu?
For many people, cooking for a large group on Thanksgiving can feel overwhelming. There are appetizers, side dishes, desserts, drinks — and of course, the main event: the turkey! With so many dishes to juggle, it’s a lot to prepare in a single day. On top of that, getting everything ready so it comes out hot and on the table at the same time takes serious planning.
And let’s be honest — the last thing anyone wants is to realize they’ve forgotten a crucial ingredient. A last-minute trip to the store isn’t always an option, since many places close on Thanksgiving Day (and rightfully so).
That’s why having a plan is key — and why I created my free printable Thanksgiving Menu Planner to help keep everything organized and stress-free. It is actually what I keep handy with my notes to help me remember year after year what worked and how to improve. Let's face it- some of these recipes I only make once a year!
Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
You may have those tried-and-true family recipes that you make every year, trust me my husband will never let me skip the homemade stuffing recipe! If you are hosting for the first time or wanting to bring a recipe to your family's house here are a few of our family's favorite Thanksgiving recipes.
Appetizers
- Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball- Cheese ball can be prepared ahead and rolled with nut topping before serving.
- Baked Brie With Jam-Assemble a day ahead and bake right before serving.
Main Dish
- Roasted Dutch Oven Turkey Breast Recipe- Unwrap your turkey, pat dry and let it dry out in the fridge overnight for crispier skin.
- Honey Bourbon Glazed Ham- This comes together so quickly there is no need to prepare the glaze ahead.
Side Dishes
- Cranberry Orange Sauce-Make 2-3 days ahead and store in the refrigerator.
- Easy Jiffy Cornbread Casserole- takes only minutes to prep.
- Roasted Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
- Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole- assemble the sweet potato and topping and store in the refrigerator and bake the day of.
- Green Bean Casserole
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple Balsamic Glaze
Desserts
- Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
- Apple Cobbler With Cake Mix Recipe
- Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust
- Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake With Spice Cake Mix
- Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Drinks
How To Use The Free Printable Menu Planner
Using your Thanksgiving Menu Planner is simple and will help keep your holiday meal organized and stress-free. Here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Start With Your Menu- Begin by filling in your planned dishes for each section: appetizers, main course, sides, and desserts.
- If you’re still deciding, use the suggested recipes in this post as inspiration.
- Check Your Ingredients- Use the shopping list section to note all the ingredients you’ll need.
- Check off items as you shop to make sure you don’t forget anything — especially pantry staples like butter, sugar, or spices.
- Plan Ahead- The prep schedule helps you divide tasks across days leading up to Thanksgiving.
- Mark which dishes can be made a day or two in advance and which need to be cooked the same day.
- Track Your Timing- Use the planner to coordinate oven times, slow cooker prep, or fridge storage for desserts.
- This ensures everything comes together without stress on the big day.
- Take Notes- There’s a section for notes where you can jot down family favorites, tweaks to recipes, or reminders for next year.
- Hang It Up- Keep your printed planner in a visible spot in your kitchen.
- Check off tasks as you go to stay on track and enjoy a smooth, organized holiday.
Tips For Stress-free Thanksgiving Cooking
- Clean out refrigerator and pantry- In order to make room for all of the groceries I like to do a fridge cleanout to get out any expired food or condiments. This is also important for the pantry if you plan to do baking. It is best to have fresh flour, baking powder and baking soda.
- Shop in advance- Unless you plan to buy a fresh turkey you will need many days to thaw a frozen turkey. Depending on how many pounds the turkey is you may need up to 4-5 days in the fridge.
- Plan early: Prep what you can in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Vegetables can be chopped ahead, pie crust can be made and stored in the fridge and many casseroles can be prepared and baked the day of.
- Make a cooking timeline: Write down what needs to go in the oven, how long it takes and the temperature to cook at - this is where your printable planner comes in handy! You’ll know exactly when to start each dish. If your casseroles have a slightly different cooking temperature you can always split the difference. The time when exact temperatures matter more is with baking.
- Delegate tasks: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Assign someone to bring a side dish, pour drinks, and make sure to get someone on dish duty so you are not stuck in the kitchen all day and night!
- Set the table the night before: One less thing to do on the big day! You can even label serving dishes and utensils so you know where everything goes.
- Plan for leftovers: Have containers ready for guests or plan a few “leftover makeover” meals, like turkey and dumplings or turkey cranberry sliders.
- Clean as you go: Rinse dishes, wipe counters, and load the dishwasher throughout the day so you’re not left with a mountain of cleanup.
- Stay flexible: Something will go a little off-plan and that’s okay. The goal is to enjoy time with your loved ones, not perfection.
From My Family To Yours
Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little planning and my free Thanksgiving Menu Planner, you can stay organized, cook with confidence, and actually sit down to enjoy the meal you worked so hard to make. Cherish the moments with your family and friends and remember at the end of the day it doesn't matter if the turkey took an hour longer or the mashed potatoes had a few too many lumps- what matters is bringing all of your loved ones together to say "thanks."
So grab your printable, start planning your menu, and get ready for your most relaxing (and delicious) Thanksgiving yet!
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