Hosting Thanksgiving is one of my favorite things, and also, if I’m honest, one of the most stressful. There’s the turkey that needs to thaw days before you remember it, the oven that can only fit one casserole at a time, and the gravy that always seems to happen in a panic while everyone is sitting down.

After years of learning the hard way, I put everything I know into one book: The Thanksgiving Table, a printable cookbook with 32 easy Thanksgiving recipes and a complete plan to take you from three weeks out to the moment you pass the pie.

32 easy Thanksgiving recipes inside The Thanksgiving Table

The Thanksgiving Table is a 51-page printable PDF with 32 Thanksgiving recipes in six chapters, from appetizers to desserts. Every recipe has a full-color photo, simple ingredients, step-by-step directions and prep and cook times.

Thanksgiving appetizers

Chapter 1: Nibbles & Starters. Something to snack on while the turkey roasts: Cranberry Brie Bites, Classic Deviled Eggs, Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip, Whipped Feta with Hot Honey and a Harvest Snack Board.

Turkey & mains

Chapter 2: Turkey & Mains. The star of the show: Herb Butter Roast Turkey, Roast Turkey Breast for a Small Crowd, Maple Dijon Glazed Ham, Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, and a Butternut Squash & Sage Galette for your vegetarian guests.

Thanksgiving side dishes

Chapter 3: Sides Everyone Loves. Let’s be honest, the sides are the real stars: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes, From-Scratch Green Bean Casserole, Classic Herb Stuffing, Baked Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble, Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Honey Butter Glazed Carrots and a Harvest Salad with Apples & Pecans.

Breads, sauces & gravy

Chapter 4: Breads, Sauces & Gravy. Soft & Fluffy Dinner Rolls, Honey Butter Cornbread, Homemade Cranberry Sauce and Foolproof Turkey Gravy.

Thanksgiving desserts

Chapter 5: Pies & Desserts. Classic Pumpkin Pie, Easy Pecan Pie, Apple Crumble Bars, No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake and Pumpkin Spice Sheet Cake.

Leftover Thanksgiving recipes

Chapter 6: The Leftover Remix. Because the day after is half the fun: Turkey Pot Pie Skillet, Thanksgiving Leftover Sliders, Turkey & Wild Rice Soup, Cranberry Turkey Wraps and Crispy Mashed Potato Cakes.

The plan is included

This is what makes The Thanksgiving Table different from a regular recipe collection. It includes the planning pages that take the guesswork out of hosting:

• Thanksgiving countdown, a checklist from three to four weeks out all the way to Thanksgiving Day
• Turkey guide with what size to buy, how long to thaw and how long to roast
• Make-ahead chart showing what you can make early and exactly how to finish it
• Day-of timeline, a sample hour-by-hour schedule for a 2 p.m. dinner
• Menu and guest planner
• Grocery list organized for one big shopping trip
• Printable place cards to finish your table

Three Thanksgiving dishes to make first

Herb Butter Roast Turkey. A simple herb butter tucked under the skin keeps the meat juicy and gives you golden, crispy skin. The recipe walks you through every step, including the safe internal temperature.

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes. Creamy, rich and made up to two days early. On Thanksgiving, they simply reheat in the oven while the turkey rests, which frees up your stovetop and your hands.

Thanksgiving Leftover Sliders. Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce piled into soft rolls and baked until melty. You might find yourself looking forward to these more than the main event.

My best tips for Thanksgiving recipes you can make ahead

Buy the right size turkey. Plan on about 1½ pounds of whole turkey per guest. That’s enough for dinner, plus a little for leftovers.

Thaw early. Earlier than you think. A frozen turkey needs about one day in the fridge for every four to five pounds, so a 16-pound bird needs three to four days. Thaw it breast-side up on a rimmed tray. Short on time? Submerge the wrapped turkey in cold water, change the water every 30 minutes, and allow about 30 minutes per pound. Never thaw a turkey on the counter.

Make the sides ahead. Cranberry sauce keeps for up to a week in the fridge, and baked dinner rolls freeze for up to a month. Mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole can all be made a day or two before. The stuffing and mac and cheese can be assembled the day before and baked on Thursday.

Let the turkey rest. Give the turkey 30 to 40 minutes to rest before carving. It stays hot, and that’s your window to make the gravy and bake the sides.

Cook to temperature, not time. Roast times are estimates. The turkey is done when the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F, so start checking 30 to 45 minutes before the earliest time.

Who this cookbook is for

• First-time hosts who want a clear, step-by-step plan
• Busy moms juggling the menu, the kids and the guest list
• Anyone hosting a smaller crowd (there’s a turkey breast recipe just for you)
• Friendsgiving hosts and potluck guests looking for a crowd-pleasing side or dessert
• Anyone who wants to actually enjoy Thanksgiving Day instead of spending it in the kitchen

How to get it

The Thanksgiving Table is an instant digital download, so there’s still plenty of time to plan. Print it at home or at a print shop, or keep it on your tablet in the kitchen and tap any chapter to jump straight to the Thanksgiving recipes you need.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a physical book? No. It’s a printable PDF you download right after purchase. Nothing is shipped.

What size are the pages? US Letter, 8.5 x 11 inches, so it prints on any home printer.

Can I use it on my tablet? Yes. The PDF has clickable chapter links and works on an iPad or any tablet.

I’m hosting a small group. Will this work for me? Absolutely. There’s a Roast Turkey Breast for a Small Crowd and a Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, and most sides are easy to halve.

Is it too late to buy it? Never. It downloads instantly, and the make-ahead chart and day-of timeline are just as helpful the week of Thanksgiving.

Wishing you a warm, delicious and stress-free Thanksgiving. 🍂