15 Last-Minute Thanksgiving Recipes Sure to Impress

For many, Thanksgiving is a monthlong production that involves plenty of planning ahead when it comes to oven space, refrigerator space, and day-of preparation. But even if you're not much of a planner — or you've suddenly been put on the spot to pull off a Turkey Day feast! — I promise that you can still host a meal worth boasting about afterward. The key to a successful last-minute feast is to choose snappy dishes with only a few ingredients, many of which you'll already have on hand. Rest assured, however, that the menu will be anything but mundane.


— Additional reporting by Anna Monette RobertsPhotos: Susannah Chen, Nicole Perry, and Anna Monette Roberts

Bourbon Old Fashioned

Bourbon Old Fashioned

A bourbon old fashioned is classic and as good as it gets. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Classic Mimosas

Classic Mimosas

In addition, offer mimosas to those who prefer something lighter earlier in the day. Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

Baked Goat Cheese

Baked Goat Cheese

The world's easiest appetizer — baked goat cheese with thyme and olive oil — is an unstoppable gobble. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Mushroom and Brie Bruschetta

Mushroom and Brie Bruschetta

Mushroom and brie bruschetta are rustic yet elegant. Photo: Camilla Salem

Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad

Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad

This shredded brussels sprouts and kale salad exemplifies Fall salads at their best. Photo: Susannah Chen

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Add soup to the menu with a smooth, creamy, and subtly sweet butternut squash recipe. The best part is it takes minimal time and effort to yield great results. Photo: Nicole Perry

5-Minute Cranberry Relish

5-Minute Cranberry Relish

Cranberry relish — just cranberries, sugar, Grand Marnier, and orange — is as fast and easy as it gets. Photo: Susannah Chen

Turkey Roulade

Turkey Roulade

Prosciutto-wrapped turkey roulade is the no-muss, no-fuss turkey recipe that still aims to impress. Photo: Susannah Chen

Tofurky

Tofurky

Vegetarians (and those unopposed to meat substitutes) will love a Tofurky, roasted atop some chopped veggies. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey

Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey

Basic pantry items like honey, cinnamon, and olive oil come together in a restrained roasted sweet potato dish. Photo: Susannah Chen

Wild Rice Stuffing

Wild Rice Stuffing

Wild rice stuffing — tossed with mushrooms and parsley — goes with just about everything. Photo: Nicole Perry

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

If shredding a salad seems too complicated, no one can deny the simple pleasure of roasted brussels sprouts. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

If oven space is an issue, turn to mashed potatoes, an easy Thanksgiving staple that you can make on the stove top. Photo: Nicole Perry

Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust

Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust

If you can score a can of pumpkin puree and a premade graham cracker crust, then you're almost a third of the way to baking up an easy seven-ingredient pumpkin pie. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Pecan and Honey Whiskey Bundt Cake

Pecan and Honey Whiskey Bundt Cake

You know what most grocery stores will be out of? Pumpkin puree. You know what they probably will have a surplus of? Pecans, whiskey, yellow cake, and pudding mix. Gather those ingredients, and then you can make this impressive whiskey bundt cake, which bakes in under an hour. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts