15 Minute Or Less Quick And Easy Thanksgiving Recipes To Make Ahead

Dish it to your friends!

Get ready to impress your guests with these quick and easy Thanksgiving recipes that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen! From flavorful side dishes and crowd-pleasing appetizers to unique make-ahead ideas, these are the best Thanksgiving recipes for busy hosts who want simplicity without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re preparing a cozy dinner for family, hosting a large Friendsgiving feast, or joining a potluck, these easy Thanksgiving ideas will make your holiday stress-free and delicious in just 15 minutes or less.

Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad With Make Ahead Mason Jar Vinaigrette

Here is a classic holiday salad that tastes and looks gourmet with a super easy honey vinaigrette that you can make ahead in a mason jar and store for 6 days in the fridge!

Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad Recipe

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the Salad:

• 
  

  4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or romaine)

• 
  

  1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced

• 
  

  ½ cup walnut halves (lightly toasted, optional)

• 
  

  ¼ cup dried cranberries

• 
  

  ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta

• 
  

  Optional: sliced red onion or pear for variety

For the Honey Vinaigrette:

• 
  

  3 tbsp olive oil

• 
  

  1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)

• 
  

  1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 
  

  1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 
  

  Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. 
   

   Prep the ingredients: Wash and dry greens. Thinly slice the apple and, if desired, toast walnuts in a dry skillet for 3–5 minutes until fragrant.

2. 
   

   Make the vinaigrette: In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper until smooth.

3. 
   

   Assemble the salad: Add greens to a large bowl or platter. Top with apple slices, walnuts, cranberries, and goat cheese.

4. 
   

   Dress & toss: Drizzle with honey vinaigrette right before serving and gently toss to combine.

5. 
   

   Serve immediately and enjoy the balance of sweet, tart, and savory flavors!

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💡 Tips & Variations

• 
  

  Add grilled chicken or roasted turkey for a heartier version.

• 
  

  Swap pecans or almonds for walnuts.

• 
  

  For extra crunch, sprinkle on pumpkin seeds.

• 
  

  Try using pomegranate seeds instead of cranberries for a holiday touch.

Simple Honey Vinaigrette in a Mason Jar

🧾 Ingredients (makes about ¾ cup)

• 
  

  3 tablespoons olive oil

• 
  

  1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or balsamic vinegar for richer flavor)

• 
  

  1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)

• 
  

  1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 
  

  Salt & black pepper to taste

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. 
   

   Add ingredients:
   Pour the olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper directly into an 8-ounce mason jar.

2. 
   

   Seal & shake:
   Tighten the lid securely and shake for 20–30 seconds until the dressing becomes creamy and fully emulsified.

3. 
   

   Taste & adjust:
   Add more vinegar for tang, more honey for sweetness, or extra olive oil if you want it milder.

4. 
   

   Serve:
   Drizzle over salads like apple walnut cranberry, pear and pecan, or simple mixed greens.

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🧊 Storage

• 
  

  Keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

• 
  

  The honey may thicken slightly when chilled — just bring to room temperature and shake again before using.

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💡 Tip:

If you make salads often, double the batch in a 16 oz mason jar — it’s quick to shake, pour, and reseal.

Quick And Easy Orange Deviled Eggs

These 15 minute deviled eggs are made with soft cream cheese or sour cream; paprika gives them their beautiful orange color. Boil the eggs ahead of time and store the filling in a pastry bag in the fridge so you can throw it together in minutes the day of! GET RECIPE HERE

Easy Parmesan Garlic Roasted Green Beans

In 15 minutes you can have delicious roasted parmesan and garlic green beans. just mix the ingredients and pop them in the oven!

Quick And Easy Glazed Carrots

Just 7-10 minutes on the stove top is all it takes to have perfectly sweet and buttery glazed carrots. Even kids will love these!

Easy Non Alcoholic Dr. Shirley Temple Drink

This is a super easy and delicious non alcoholic drink for the whole family!

Ingredients:

• 8 ozs Dr Pepper
• 1 ounce Vanilla OR Grenadine Torani Syrup
• A squeeze of lime
• Add 2 Maraschino Cherries and ice cubes

Gourmet Pan Seared Stuffing

 

Chefs do this all the time and charge $15 calling it Pan seared stuffing. 

Ingredients (6 servings):

• 4 cups dry stuffing cubes unseasoned
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 medium onion diced tiny
• 2 stalks celery diced 
• 1 Tbsp Butter
• 1 sausage link (optional)
• 2 TBS dried cranberries or 1 Tbs raisins (optional)
• 1 TBS fresh parsley chopped (optional)
• 1 egg whisked

Directions : 

1.  Melt the butter on medium heat in a 10 inch skillet, for 2-3 minutes do not let it brown.
2. Add 4 cups of stuffing cubes, stirring enough to coat them in butter (30 secs)
3. Add the 2 cups of broth slowly folding with spatula
4. Add the whisked egg by drizzling over the top and do one single fold from the outside edge to the middle. then pat down.
5. Cover low heat 5 mins.
6. Then flip gently and cover with the lid and cook an extra 2 mins.

Easy Thanksgiving Fruit Display Healthy Dessert Idea

Fruit is an amazing healthy alternative to desserts and also perfect to snack on during the day before the big meal. Grab a pumpkin and a cute turkey cut out from a dollar store and make this adorable fruit skewer display. 

Easy Non Alcoholic 3 Ingredient Thanksgiving Punch

How To Make The Punch

1. Pour the apple cider, cranberry juice, and orange juice into a large pitcher or punch bowl.

2. Stir well to combine.

3. Add sliced apples, oranges, and a handful of cranberries.

4. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

5. Serve over ice and garnish with extra fruit or rosemary if desired.

20 Minute Pumpkin Soup That Tastes Gourmet

We make this recipe every year and everyone loves it, even people who despise pumpkin. It only takes 20 minutes and you can even serve it in baked pumpkin bowls for a super unique table scape! LINK TO THE FULL RECIPE

No matter your cooking skill level, these quick and easy Thanksgiving recipes will help you pull together a memorable holiday spread with minimal effort. Save time with make-ahead appetizers, creative side dishes, and simple classics that wow every guest. Whether you want unique Thanksgiving recipes that stand out or traditional comfort foods made fast, these are truly the best easy Thanksgiving ideas to make your holiday celebration effortless, cozy, and unforgettable.

Other Posts You’ll LOVE:

BEST EASY HOLIDAY APPETIZERS AND SIDES

HIGHEST RATED QUICK AND EASY THANKSGIVING DESSERTS

DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY PUMPKIN SOUP IN 20 MINUTES OR LESS

 

We hope you enjoyed this post! Give us a shoutout on Pinterest and let us know which recipes you tried! 

LOVE,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dish it to your friends!