Holiday prep feels a lot easier when the main dish is already handled. These 17 make-ahead Thanksgiving meats take the pressure off by letting you lock in flavor before the big day even starts. They cook up tender, rich, and ready when you are, turning the feast into something you can actually enjoy. Get ready for a calmer holiday and a table full of dishes everyone talks about.
Smoked Turkey Tenderloin
Quick to prep and quick to smoke with surprising juiciness. An easy turkey upgrade when you want big flavor without the whole bird.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Turkey Tenderloin
Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Simple seasoning, clean flavor, and a perfectly tender slice every time. A reliable roast that never fights you in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Rosemary Garlic Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast
Herb packed and smoke kissed with incredible tenderness. This turkey delivers bold flavor and zero fuss.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Garlic Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast
Spatchcock Smoked Turkey
Faster cook time with better texture and more flavor. This method gives you turkey that actually earns a spot on the table.
Get the Recipe: Spatchcock Smoked Turkey
Oven Roasted Lamb Ribs
Crispy edges with rich lamb flavor in every bite. A quick roast that delivers serious results with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Lamb Ribs
Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends with Maple Chipotle Bourbon Glaze
Sticky, smoky, and impossible to quit picking at. These pork belly bites taste like pure meat candy.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends with Maple Chipotle Bourbon Glaze
Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
A quick roast that stays juicy and slices clean. Simple seasoning and an easy sear make this a dependable weeknight win.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Smoked Spiral Ham with Maple Bourbon Glaze
Sweet, smoky, and glazed to shine. This ham warms beautifully and serves like a holiday centerpiece without any extra work.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Spiral Ham with Maple Bourbon Glaze
Oven Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Tender, rich, and shockingly simple. This roast slices like butter and makes you look like you planned it that way.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Herb-Roasted Chicken
A no-brainer roast that makes your kitchen smell like you know exactly what you are doing. Quick prep, big flavor, and zero chance of leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Roasted Chicken
Roasted Branzino with Lemon Caper Sauce
Crisp skin with a bright, clean finish. This branzino cooks fast and plates like a restaurant meal without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Branzino with Lemon Caper Sauce
Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass
Golden crust with a buttery center every time. A fast sear that delivers impressive flavor with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass
Herb Crusted Roasted Rack of Venison
Lean, flavorful, and coated in a savory herb crust. This rack cooks hot and fast with a finish that turns heads at the table.
Get the Recipe: Herb Crusted Roasted Rack of Venison
Herb Butter Prime Rib on Smoker
Rich beef flavor with a perfect crust and tender center. The smoker does the work and you get all the credit.
Get the Recipe: Herb Butter Prime Rib on Smoker
Smoked Turkey
Classic smoky turkey that stays juicy and slices clean. A reliable method that gives you better flavor with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Turkey
Smoked Turkey on Traeger with Stuffing
One cook handles the whole spread. Juicy smoked turkey with stuffing that tastes like it never needed the oven.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Turkey on Traeger with Stuffing
Roasted Porchetta
Crispy skin wrapped around tender pork with fragrant herbs throughout. A centerpiece roast that always delivers big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Porchetta
