5 Side Dishes That You Can Make Ahead This Holiday Season

September 24, 2021

The holidays are quickly approaching, and everyone’s schedule is getting filled with parties, celebrations, and dinners. If you are like me, someone who loves to host people at my house, planning the timing of serving and making food is one of your biggest challenges. To overcome this challenge, I have started to make side dishes ahead of time that only need to be reheated before serving. Making dishes ahead of time not only reduces the stress when everyone comes over but also gives you the time to spend more time with your guests, instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

Don’t feel like cooking your own sides? Grab the Holiday Feast from Spud and you’ll be set. Cook your turkey, reheat the sides and don’t forget the extras!

Try these 5 make-ahead dishes for your holiday dinner:

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes can be made up to 2 days before the big dinner. Make your favourite recipe and store it in the refrigerator covered. If you have a crockpot, the day of the feast, transfer them into the crockpot and place on low for the day and stir the potatoes a few times during the day. If you only have an oven, reheat the potatoes in the oven before dinner and stir a few times to make sure the potatoes heat evenly. Add a few dollops of your go-to butter on top of the potatoes after reheating them to make it extra creamy.

Cranberries

Add a little sweetness to your plate with this tasty cranberry recipe. Easy to make ahead and store for those scrumptious turkey sandwiches.

Make-ahead Gravy

I don’t know about you, but I never have enough gravy just from the turkey. This make-ahead gravy has been a lifesaver for never running out of the gravy and still having enough for leftovers.

Are you having a vegan Thanksgiving? Try this vegan make-ahead mushroom gravy.

Vegetables

Any vegetable dish can be made in advance. My fail-proof vegetable dish is a simple roasted Brussels Sprouts. They can be reheated and easily crisped quickly in a hot pan just before serving!

Dessert

All desserts can be made ahead of time! Check out our favourite Holiday Dessert Recipes for the perfect sweet tray.

Here are 14 more tips to keep your holiday stress free

Zoey Jones

Zoey is the social media and content coordinator at SPUD. When she is not at work you can find her making a mess in the kitchen, sipping on coffee and playing board games.