You’ve spent weeks prepping a hearty, savory feast. You’ve found the best recipe and sourced all the best ingredients to keep the guests’ mouths watering, moods jolly, and tummies thoroughly satisfied.
The stage is set for a lavish and memorable thanksgiving dinner. Then a call comes in, and you find out that your guests are coming earlier than expected or have a couple of ‘+1s’ tagging along. Suddenly you find yourself scrambling for a last-minute thanksgiving recipe.
Thanksgiving, or any other family dinner plan, is a fun experience—but it can also be stressful. If you’re short on time and don’t want to compromise on the feasting experience, turn to these delectable and no-fuss recipes:
1. Quick and Easy Turkey
For many people, the turkey is the chef-d’œuvre, the jewel in the crown of the thanksgiving dinner table. But did you know you can prepare a scrumptious, burnished bird on short notice?
Here are our top 3 last minute thanksgiving turkey recipes:
- Perfect Turkey in an Hour: You don’t need an entire day to roast the perfect thanksgiving turkey! With this recipe, you only need an hour to glisten your table with a crispy and irresistible bird. Disclaimer: You’ll need to cut up the turkey.
- World’s Simplest Thanksgiving Turkey: As the name implies, the “World’s Simplest Thanksgiving Turkey” is the easiest and most delicious way to enjoy the classic holiday dish. Who said you need complicated recipes and hours in the kitchen to prepare a perfectly roasted turkey that’s packed with flavor and sure to impress your guests?
- Turkey Scallopini: Got 20 minutes? Great! That’s enough to prepare a mouth-watering turkey using this recipe.
2. Cornbread.
You can never go wrong with cornbread. It pairs perfectly with more comfort foods that your table can hold—from chili to a barbecued bird. You can even use cornbread as stuffing for your Thanksgiving feast.
The only question is: How do you make the perfect cornbread (fluffy center and golden crust) with little-to-no time or expertise? We suggest you give this cornbread recipe by Bon Appetit a shot.
3. Mashed Potatoes.
Like the turkey, no holiday feast is complete without a bowl of creamy, succulent mashed potatoes. They are the perfect side, go well with everything, and are always a crowd fave. Best of all, mashed potatoes are easy and quick to whip up.
And while we all have different tastes and preferences regarding mashed potatoes, you’ll likely love this Garlic and Celery Root Mashed Spuds recipe. It’s perfectly rich and full of lip-smacking flavor. We have a gut feeling it’ll have your guests talking long after their visit.
4. Sauteed Green Beans and Red Onion.
Sauteed green beans and flavorful red onions make a nutritious, easy, and lightning-fast side for your last-minute Thanksgiving table or any other feast. It’s vegan-friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free, and pairs well with a variety of entrees—making it a great accompaniment for any feast.
According to this Sauteed Green Beans and Red Onion recipe by Martha Stewart, you only need a few ingredients and 3 straightforward steps to prepare the dish.
5. Bacon and Brussels Sprouts Salad.
If you’re looking for something that’s easy to make but impressive enough to appear and taste sophisticated, this Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad recipe is near-guaranteed to be a hit.
There’s something about how Brussels sprouts and bacon complement each other that is drool-worthy. The combo is enough to have Brussels sprouts skeptics reaching for seconds. It’s so good that we believe it deserves more appearances on your dinner beyond Thanksgiving.
6. Salt and Vinegar Potatoes.
This Crispy Salt-and Vinegar Potatoes recipe by Bon Appetite takes the classic potato-chip flavor, smothers it in vinegar, and turns it into a Thanksgiving party-worthy side dish. It’s also a finger-licking good snack that is perfect for bingeing your favorite holiday movies.
Preparing the delicacy is as simple as two steps—making it an ideal last-minute Thanksgiving recipe.
7. Special Creamed Corn.
Whether you have a special occasion (e.g., Thanksgiving) or you’re looking for an everyday meal that is both flavorful and stress-free to prepare, this Special Creamed Corn recipe is perfect. The best part is that the ingredients are readily available, and you can whip up a large serving in under 30 minutes.
The only downside is that this crowd-pleaser won’t last long as it’s so delectable you just can’t stop at one bite.
8. Apple Crisp.
You know it’s fall (or winter) when you catch a whiff of baked apples floating through the house. This simple yet irresistibly yummy Apple Crisp recipe is rigged to be your new baking pet peeve.
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and your sweet tooth will be in for a treat like no other. It’s the perfect comfort food to invigorate your soul on a cold fall/winter day.
9. Basic Corn Muffins.
Don’t let the name fool you. There’s nothing “Basic” about these Corn Muffins—except how unbelievably easy they are to make. They are golden-hued and crisp on the outside, with a hint of sweetness and a delightful cornmeal crunch.
These yummy corn muffins are a treat to be savored with loved ones, and there’s a good chance everyone at the Thanksgiving table will enjoy them.
Ready to impress your guests and make holiday celebrations a success? With these easy and quick recipes, you should be well-positioned to put together a filling and enjoyable last-minute Thanksgiving feast—whether you’re a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen.
Happy cooking!
