Entire Thanksgiving Meal Plan Done For You
Introduction
Embrace the joy (and relieve the stress) of the holiday season with this entire Thanksgiving meal plan done for you. Say goodbye to last-minute chaos and hello to a streamlined, flavor-packed feast that covers everything from the main course to sides and dessert. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or planning a cozy family dinner, this comprehensive plan ensures that every dish shines—so you can actually enjoy the holiday.
Why This Thanksgiving Meal Plan is a Game Changer
Instead of scouring countless recipes and juggling overlapping ingredients, this all-in-one meal plan delivers crowd-pleasing classics with effortless organization. From the succulent roast turkey to creamy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, tangy cranberry sauce, and a decadent pumpkin pie, you’ll have all the essentials covered. The recipes are designed to maximize flavor while minimizing stress, making it possible for any home cook to deliver a memorable Thanksgiving spread.
Thanksgiving Menu at a Glance
This meal plan includes:
- Perfectly Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter
- Classic Bread Stuffing
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Homemade Turkey Gravy
- Fresh Cranberry Sauce
- Green Bean Almondine
- Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Flaky Dinner Rolls
- Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream
Everything is timed, sequenced, and compartmentalized so your kitchen runs smoothly on the big day.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this entire meal plan to automatically create a shopping list categorized by grocery store section—making your Thanksgiving prep and shopping easier and more efficient than ever.
Instructions
- Roast the Turkey: Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix butter, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Rub under and over the turkey skin. Stuff the cavity with lemon and onion pieces. Tuck wings, tie legs, and roast (estimate 13 minutes per pound), basting occasionally, until the thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part.
- Prepare Stuffing: Saute celery and onion in butter until tender. Add bread cubes and poultry seasoning; stir to combine. Slowly pour in broth until moistened. Bake at 350°F for 30–40 minutes (or stuff inside turkey if you prefer).
- Make Mashed Potatoes: Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain, then mash with milk, butter, salt, and pepper until creamy.
- Prepare Gravy: Pour turkey drippings into a saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add broth, whisking, until smooth. Simmer until thickened, seasoning to taste.
- Cranberry Sauce: Simmer cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until berries burst. Cool before serving.
- Green Bean Almondine: Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3–4 minutes, then drain. Toast almonds in butter, add garlic, and toss in green beans. Season as desired.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, cinnamon, cayenne, and salt. Roast at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, tossing once, until crisp-tender.
- Bake Dinner Rolls: Prepare according to package or recipe directions, timing to serve warm with the meal.
- Pumpkin Pie: Mix pumpkin, sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, spices, and salt. Pour into the crust. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F for 40–50 minutes. Cool completely before serving with whipped cream.
Weekly Meal Planning
This “entire Thanksgiving meal plan done for you” isn’t just about one holiday—it’s an ideal system for tackling big family feasts or weekly gatherings. Save and schedule your meal plan with CookifyAI to break down recipes by each day, get consolidated shopping lists (automatically adding up all needed ingredients for you!), and streamline your kitchen routines.
**Planning Benefits:**
- Calculate total ingredient quantities across all your recipes
- Organize shopping lists by grocery store section
- Prevent duplicate purchases and forgotten items
- Gain a realistic overview of meal prep and cook times
Pro tip: Schedule your complete meal plan to see how ingredients (like eggs or herbs) overlap in different dishes. Your shopping list will adjust automatically, making sure you buy the right amount—eliminating both food waste and guesswork!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours (turkey), other dishes staggered
Total Time: About 5 hours with staging (including prepping sides and dessert)
Thanksgiving, Simplified
This entire Thanksgiving meal plan takes the pressure off the holiday, focusing on robust flavors, smart timing, and organizational strategies. It’s a crowd pleaser that lets you serve a classic, memorable feast while actually having time to enjoy it yourself.
