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2023 Thanksgiving Menu and Meal Prep Timeline

2023 Thanksgiving Menu and Meal Prep Timeline


I've been making an intimate Thanksgiving dinner for our little family for a long time now. After our oldest was born, my husband and I decided that we wanted our first Thanksgiving as a family to be at our house. We wanted to celebrate the season of gratitude in our home and start making family memories.

We've celebrated most Thanksgiving since then in the same way. Just us... with me in the kitchen and the rest of the family nearby and more than willing to be taste-testers.

Because I've been doing this for so long, I've perfected my menu. And the holiday prep timeline that I created helps keep me on track as I attempt to get everything on the table at the same time.

While I'm sticking to my tried-and-true Thanksgiving recipes, my prep timeline has shifted slightly, so I thought I'd share the revised plan as inspiration!

2023 Thanksgiving Menu

  • Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy

    Roast Turkey | Taste As You Go

    I've used this recipe as the starting point for our Thanksgiving turkey. But I make an herb compound butter to spread underneath the skin instead of melting the butter to pour over the bird. 

  • Apple Chestnut Stuffing

    Apple Chestnut Stuffing | Taste As You Go

    The whole family is excited about this stuffing. I love that our daughter helps me roast and peel the fresh chestnuts now.

  • Green Bean Casserole

    Green Bean Casserole | Taste As You Go

    A classic recipe.

  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows | Taste As You Go

    After making mashed sweet potatoes this way the first time, I knew I'd never make them any other way again. Although they don't need them, I like to top the sweet potatoes with slices of marshmallow, browning them under the broiler right before serving.

  • Orange Maple Cranberry Sauce

    Orange Maple Cranberry Sauce | Taste As You Go

    Even though I'm allergic to cranberries, I make sure to make this fresh cranberry sauce every Thanksgiving because my husband -- and now our kids -- love it.

Thanksgiving Meal Prep Timeline

  • Monday, November 20
    • Put turkey in refrigerator to thaw

  • Tuesday, November 21
  • Wednesday, November 23
    • Choose serving dishes and utensils
    • Put butter for compound butter on the counter
    • Chop onion and celery for Apple Chestnut Stuffing
    • Peel and chop apples for Apple Chestnut Stuffing
    • Make Orange Maple Cranberry Sauce

  • Thursday, November 24
    • Make compound butter for the turkey
    • Roast turkey
    • Assemble Apple Chestnut Stuffing
    • Assemble Green Bean Casserole
    • Peel and chop sweet potatoes for Mashed Sweet Potatoes
    • While the turkey rests
      • Separate fat and drippings for the pan gravy
      • Bake Apple Chestnut Stuffing
      • Bake Green Bean Casserole
      • Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes
      • Make pan gravy

Need more Thanksgiving inspiration? Check out:

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Two years ago: 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Eleven years ago: Pumpkin Pie Pancakes
Thirteen years ago: Featured Friday, Volume 1.13

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