Holiday Dishes to Skip Prepping: Keep These Fresh for the Feast!

Whether you're orchestrating the entire meal or contributing a dish to the holiday gathering, you’ll need a game plan to keep everything tasting top-notch. While many desserts and side dishes can be prepared in advance, some items require cooking on the actual day of the event.

Food & Wine magazine collaborated with chefs from various regions to gather insights on time-saving holiday cooking strategies. They sought advice on which dishes are suitable for prepping ahead and which ones are best made on the day of the gathering.

Their experts suggest that you don't prepare dinner rolls or other breads in advance. They note that dinner rolls may not hold up well to cooling and reheating. Although it's acceptable to prepare the dough beforehand. They recommend baking the bread on the day of the gathering for optimal results.

Fresh greens, particularly in salads, are recommended to be assembled shortly before serving to avoid wilting. Storing the salad in the fridge until dinner time is suggested to preserve the crispness of the greens. This is especially true considering the heat in the kitchen.

Mashed potatoes should not be prepped in advance, as they can develop a less desirable texture when reheated.

Finally, don't prepare you Turkey in advance either, as reheating may result in dryness. While applying a dry rub or wet brine in advance is acceptable, the magazine suggests baking the turkey on the day of the gathering.

According to the magazine, vegetable dishes and casseroles often respond well to reheating. These include the classic green bean or broccoli-cheddar varieties, which are great for preparing in advance. They reheat well, and according to one of their experts. In fact, making them a day ahead actually enhances the flavors, allowing them to marinate.

The experts also advise preparing gravy in advance to save time on cooking and prep in the kitchen.

Additionally, the magazine recommends taking a proactive approach to desserts by starting at least a day before. Planning to bake cakes, pies, and cookies that can withstand a couple of days will not only reduce stress on the main day but also free up your oven for the turkey, rolls, and casseroles.

Check out their full list here.

If you're on the hunt for some tasty meatless alternatives to the usual Thanksgiving turkey or just want to mix things up with veggie-packed sides, there are several vegetarian recipes that are perfect for holiday get-togethers.

Thanksgiving often revolves around the star of the show, which is obviously the turkey. But some of the best holiday casseroles and sides are either vegetarian or can be easily tweaked to be. Whether you're a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to try something new, there's no reason you can't have a wonderful holiday feast.

The holiday season brings plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables to choose from. These include squash, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and more. These fall vegetables offer heartiness without the need for meat. Meanwhile, fruits like apples and pears provide versatile options beyond the usual pie offerings.

Your typical Thanksgiving spread has many options that work for vegans and vegetarians alike. Green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed or roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams are just some of the veg-friendly choices available.

If your kitchen is more used to handling meat, you might not have separate cutting boards and knives just for veggies. Just make sure to thoroughly wash utensils before transitioning to vegetable prep. This is done to avoid any cross-contamination, such as dicing bacon on the same board used for chopping green beans.

Even for guests who typically consume meat and dairy, those who don’t eat meat often share the same appreciation for sweet treats. Offering a vegan dessert can be as straightforward as using coconut oil instead of butter in your pie pastry. Maybe opt for a pint of non-dairy ice cream.

Planning a holiday menu with vegetarian options might feel like a bit of a puzzle. This is especially true if you're not used to it. To assist in your menu planning, we've compiled a list of vegetarian dishes that can grace your holiday table and keep your guests happy.

Forget the turkey stuffing routine this Thanksgiving and go for something sweet, like acorn squash. Mix up your stuffing with veggies, herbs, and diced apple, bake it until it's crispy on top, and serve with veggie gravy. This is a tasty twist for your holiday spread.

Dive into the savory goodness of meatless meatballs packed with quinoa, black beans, roasted veggies, and nutritional yeast. Easily turn them vegan by skipping the egg. Enjoy a flavorful alternative that's both satisfying and plant-powered.

Shake up your holiday menu with butternut squash baked ziti. This baked pasta dish has a creamy butternut squash sauce, generous layers of cheese, and a crispy panko topping. Whether served as a main dish or a smaller side portion, this butternut squash pasta bake will surely be a favorite.

Keep it simple and delicious with Parmesan cheese-stuffed mushrooms. Just grab whole mushrooms, green onions, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. Sauté, stuff, bake, and you have a crowd-pleasing snack in no time. You can even swap out the whole mushrooms with peppers.

No holiday meal is complete without dessert. Try your hand at a gluten-free carrot cake with vegan cream cheese frosting. Crafted with vegan-friendly, gluten-free ingredients like almond flour and coconut oil, this sweet treat is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, vanilla, and, of course, carrots.