Thanksgiving is easily one of my favorite holidays to cook for! After spending more than six years cooking every one of Ina Garten’s recipes and hosting themed Friendsgivings inspired by some of my favorite cookbook authors, I’ve developed some pretty strong opinions about what makes a great Thanksgiving dinner.
This is where I’m bringing it all together: my favorite Ina recipes, the best dishes I’ve discovered beyond the Barefoot Contessa, my own Thanksgiving recipes, and all the tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way
Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving or your fifteenth, I hope you find a little inspiration and a lot of good food!
JUMP TO: The Best of Thanksgiving – The Ultimate Ina Garten Thanksgiving Menu – My Thanksgiving Recipes – Thanksgiving Tips
THE BEST OF THANKSGIVING
Start here for my favorite turkeys, sides, desserts, and more!
THE ULTIMATE INA GARTEN THANKSGIVING MENU
Overwhelmed and just want me to make your menu for you? After making every single Ina Garten recipe, I’ve put together my dream Thanksgiving menu! Twelve dishes, from cocktails and appetizers to turkey, all the sides, and dessert, plus a plan to get everything on the table without spending the entire day in the kitchen.
MY THANKSGIVING RECIPES
I’ve also developed a few of my own Thanksgiving recipes over the years, including some new twists on the classics and a family favorite that always makes an appearance!
THANKSGIVING TIPS
Have Fun with the Menu
Once you’ve got turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy covered, I think it’s fun to play around with the rest of the menu. Try a new vegetable side, change up the salad, or put a different spin on a Thanksgiving classic. I’m particularly fond of The Woks of Life’s Sticky Rice Stuffing! You don’t have to mess with everyone’s favorites, but it’s fun to try something new. Some of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes started out as experiments!
Choose Sides That Don’t Need to Be Piping Hot
Not everything needs to come straight from the oven! Roasted Brussels sprouts, squash, and plenty of salads are just as good at room temperature. When oven space is tight, you’ll be happy to have one less thing to warm up before dinner.
Keep the Appetizers Light
I like to have a little something for hungry guests to snack on when they arrive, but not something people will fill up on before the main event. Spiced nuts, deviled eggs, or a few other small bites will do the trick.
Make a Schedule (And Then Make Another Schedule)
About a week before Thanksgiving, I map out what needs to be made or prepped each day. And because I’m apparently a crazy person, I also make a minute-by-minute schedule for Thanksgiving Day, working backward from when I want dinner on the table. That’s one of the best things I’ve learned from Ina!
It may be excessive, but as someone who doesn’t manage stress well, it’s insanely helpful to know exactly what I should be preparing and when. And always build in some breathing room for anything unexpected.
Prep Ahead Whenever Possible
If it can be made ahead, I’m making it ahead! I’m fine sacrificing a little freshness if it means one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving. Sure, freshly baked rolls are heaven, but you can miss me with that on turkey day.
For salads, toast the nuts, make the vinaigrette, and prep everything so all that’s left is tossing it together. You can also prep toppings and garnishes ahead of time. Those little things really add up when you’re trying to get a meal this big on the table.
- Gravy – You will never find me making pan gravy from scratch in the lead-up to the meal. I’ve made Ina’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy with Onions and Sage more times than I can count, and I can’t imagine Thanksgiving without it. You make the gravy base ahead of time and just finish it with the turkey drippings before serving.
- Dessert – You won’t find me making ANY sweet treats on Thanksgiving Day. I always pick desserts that can be made a day or two in advance so all that’s left is slicing and serving, or at most, assembling right before eating.
Don’t Forget About Fridge Space
This is more of a reminder to myself than anything, ha! I always end up playing fridge Tetris the week of Thanksgiving, but a lot of that stress can be avoided by clearing out as much space as possible early in the week. I’ve also found that those round plastic containers you get with takeout soup are perfect for storing prepped ingredients.
Label Absolutely Everything
If I could share only one tip, it would be to pick up masking tape and a permanent marker. I label every container of prepped ingredients and finished dishes so I’m not constantly opening things to figure out what’s inside. And thanks to Ina’s sage advice, I also label all my serving bowls and platters with what will go in each one. That way, I know I have enough serving pieces ahead of time and I’m not scrambling to find something at the last minute.
Let Go and Delegate
You may not have an issue delegating in the kitchen, but I really do. I’ve planned out the day and know what needs to be done next, so it’s hard for me to delegate on the fly. Instead, I try to think of specific jobs ahead of time, like setting the table, arranging flowers, prepping vegetables, or getting the appetizers ready. That way, I can take them off my to-do list and won’t go blank when someone asks what they can do.
Order Chinese Food the Night Before
You’re cooking enough this week. Give yourself a break the night before Thanksgiving and order takeout. Our tradition is Chinese food, and I’d highly recommend it!
Plan for the Last-Hour Chaos
Every Thanksgiving, I think I’ve got everything under control until the last hour, when suddenly EVERYTHING needs to happen at once. To ease the chaos, figure out what needs to go in the oven, at what temperature, and for how long. And don’t forget to plan what will be reheated on each of the four stovetop burners.
Carve the Turkey Before Guests Arrive
We all want that Norman Rockwell moment of carving the turkey at the table (maybe not the Christmas Vacation version), but I always carve ahead. A beautifully arranged platter of turkey is still a showstopper! Ina’s Make-Ahead Roast Turkey is the perfect solution. You carve the turkey ahead of time, arrange it on a platter with gravy, and let it sit for up to an hour at room temperature before reheating it just before serving.
Have a Plan for Leftovers
As much as I love Thanksgiving leftovers, there’s only so much turkey and stuffing I can eat! I always have some to-go containers ready so everyone can take a little something home.
Give Yourself Some Grace
Thanksgiving can be stressful when you’re responsible for getting everything on the table. But remember, the day is about gathering your favorite people together, not whether every dish turns out perfectly. If something flops, it’s not the end of the world. And I promise, if something goes wrong, no one is going to care nearly as much as you do. It’s not that serious!
I’ll keep updating this guide as I discover new favorites, so be sure to check back for more Thanksgiving inspiration! More Best of Ina lists here.
