How to Make an Easy Thanksgiving Dinner for Beginners

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider
• sparkling wine (Brut or dry Prosecco recommended)
• rosemary sprig for garnish (optional)
• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or parsley
• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cups cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1.25 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 (12-oz) box stuffing mix (savory herb or chicken flavor)
• 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth or turkey broth
• 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup chopped apple
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth or turkey broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 (3-4 lb) bone-in, skin-on turkey breast
• 2 bone-in, skin-on turkey drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1 (9-inch) store-bought pie crust
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted and browned

Instructions

1. The Day Before: Cook Maple Brown Butter Pumpkin Pie, Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip (assemble and platter next day), Simple Homemade Cranberry Sauce, and Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes. Refrigerate all cooked items. Prep: Dice sweet potatoes, trim green beans, and chop apple, onion, and celery for stuffing.
2. Thanksgiving Day (4 HOURS BEFORE DINNER): Warm butter for turkey. Make Cornbread Muffins and let cool. Assemble and serve Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip. Serve Cider Mimosas.
3. Thanksgiving Day (3 HOURS BEFORE DINNER): Preheat oven to 350°F. Assemble Cider Roasted Turkey and begin roasting (approx. 2 hours).
4. Thanksgiving Day (2 HOURS BEFORE DINNER): Reheat mashed potatoes on the stovetop. Cook stuffing and keep warm. Cook gravy and pour into a gravy boat, cover with foil. Assemble Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans for roasting.
5. Thanksgiving Day (1 HOUR BEFORE DINNER): Remove turkey from oven, check temperature, cover with foil, and let rest. Turn oven temperature up to 400°F. Cook Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans. Cook Lemon Butter Green Beans.
6. AT DINNER: Assemble and serve Cider Mimosas. Enjoy your delicious Thanksgiving dinner!