Thanksgiving has a way of sneaking up, but there is no need to let the countdown rattle your nerves. A little planning now turns the holiday from a marathon into a smooth, confident glide. From make-ahead dishes to clever shortcuts that protect your sanity, this guide helps you stay organized, inspired, and ready for a feast that feels generous rather than overwhelming. By starting early, you give yourself the greatest gift of the season: time to enjoy it.

Cooking a Thanksgiving Feast This Year? Here is Your Game Plan

Thanksgiving Game Plan
Cooking a Thanksgiving Feast This Year? Here is Your Game Plan: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

Cooking a Thanksgiving Feast this Year? Here’s Your Game Plan! If you are tasked with preparing a Thanksgiving feast or a special meal for your family, you need a game plan to ensure a happy and stress-free experience. Get the recipe: Cooking a Thanksgiving Feast This Year? Here is Your Game Plan

Shiitake Mushrooms Gravy

shiitake mushrooms gravy
Shiitake Mushrooms Gravy: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

Gravy is as essential at Thanksgiving as turkey. No matter how much you make, it never seems enough. This Shiitake Mushroom Gravy has been our favorite and constant dinner companion for the past few years. Get the recipe: Shiitake Mushrooms Gravy

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Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, and Cranberries

Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts and Cranberries
Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

You will love them here, even if you are not a Brussels sprout lover. The perfect pairing with all the classics. The balsamic vinegar and maple syrup are blended, creating a delicious caramelized sauce that coats the vegetables. Get the recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apricots, Raisins, and Orange

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apricots, Raisins and Orange
Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apricots, Raisins, and Orange: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

This is a simple recipe for fresh, homemade cranberry sauce made with real cranberries. It is a must-have for your next holiday dinner. Get the recipe: Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apricots, Raisins and Orange

Pumpkin Ginger Soup – Easy & Gluten Free

Pumpkin Ginger Soup
Pumpkin Ginger Soup – Easy & Gluten Free: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

Healthy pumpkin ginger soup is always a welcome fall recipe to warm up our crispy autumn day. Velvety and savory, this soup is not only perfect on a cold night but also at our Thanksgiving dinner. It is the perfect start to a great evening, served in small bowls. Get the recipe: Pumpkin Ginger Soup – Easy & Gluten Free

Easy Green Beans Gremolata Side Dish

Easy Green Beans Gremolata Side Dish
Easy Green Beans Gremolata Side Dish: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

Savory side dishes are the best part of any menu assembly, and this green bean gremolata is one of my favorites. Get the recipe: Easy Green Beans Gremolata Side Dish

Cranberry Chutney with Red Wine

Cranberry Chutney with Red Wine
Cranberry Chutney with Red Wine: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

Cranberry chutney is one of the most essential dishes of the traditional Thanksgiving meal. Those excellent delicate cranberries give way to a velvety flavor, with a hint of spicy accentuated by the ginger and red wine. Get the recipe: Cranberry Chutney with Red Wine

Baked Pumpkin French Toast with Brown Sugar Sauce – The Best!

Pumpkin French Toast with Brown Sugar Sauce
Baked Pumpkin French Toast with Brown Sugar Sauce – The Best!: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

Here is where you will use 2-3 sentences to describe the image/post you want to link them to. This is your excerpt or quick overview for the post. Make sure to include a link at the end (this is how you get traffic) similar to this. Get the recipe: Baked Pumpkin French Toast with Brown Sugar Sauce – The Best!

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice – Quick & Easy Blend

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice – Quick & Easy Blend: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

Learn how to blend homemade pumpkin pie spice in less than 5 minutes. It is quick and easy and can be appreciated in many recipes, not just pumpkin pie. Get the recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice – Quick & Easy Blend

Crispy Duck Breasts With Pear and Pepper Sauce

Crispy duck breasts with pear and pepper sauce
Crispy Duck Breasts With Pear and Pepper Sauce: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

Crispy Duck Breast With Pear and Pepper Sauce is a dish that captures the elegance of French holiday dining at its finest. Rich, tender, and intensely flavorful, duck breast makes a festive centerpiece that brings a touch of elegance without being fussy. Get the recipe: Crispy Duck Breasts With Pear and Pepper Sauce

Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Lemon Basil Sauce

Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Lemon Basil Sauce
Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Lemon Basil Sauce: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

Mashed sweet potatoes make for the perfect sweet and savory side dish. Creamy and rich in flavor, they pair well with any main course, especially during the holiday season. Get the recipe: Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Lemon Basil Sauce

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard
Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard: Giangi’s Kitchen – Giangi Townsend.

It takes five ingredients and 25 minutes, and you bite into the crispiest and most flavorful Brussels Sprouts you have ever tasted. Crispy and golden on the outside and tender on the inside. Mixed with mayonnaise and old-style grain mustard, you will beg for more. Get the recipe: Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard