Your Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide

This flavorful twist on a classic cocktail is refreshing and not super-strong.

For a beautiful, autumn-forward, and strong way to start your Thanksgiving, look no further than this stunner.

It's always a good time for a Negroni. Keep in mind, the name of this drink is already plural. You only need one.

This gorgeous bruschetta is the very most autumnal. Make the components ahead and assemble shortly before serving.

These classic — and classy — fall flavors speak for themselves. Make the components in advance and assemble shortly before serving.

Here's absolutely everything you've ever needed to know to make phenomenal deviled eggs (or host a deviled egg bar), including how good they are at soaking up strong cocktails while people wait for turkey.

Healthy yet indulgent-feeling, this literal "warm bath" for vegetables and bread is a very good thing. Make most of it in advance and put it out as a vibrant hors d'oeuvre centerpiece.

This cheese board is a show-stopper, and it comes together FAST.

Make these pumpkin seeds ahead. They're seasonal, but not in an on-the-nose kind of way. Great with cocktails.

Easy and filling enough to tide guests over until turkey time.

Marinated goat cheese is one of the fastest and easiest hors d'ouvres we know, and it's a crowd pleaser served alongside some crackers.

Warm, savory, and just hearty enough, these little bites will keep your Thanksgiving guests happy.

Homemade gravlax is a show-stopper that's 100% make-ahead. It's pretty easy and just requires a little bravery.

Don't overlook this classic American recipe. We don't take our use of packets-as-ingredients lightly, but we can't get away from this stuff. Let's not fight it, shall we?

This shrimp cocktail will change your life. It's truly the best.

If you're feeling shuckworthy, this platter is a whole lotta gorgeous. We'll show you exactly how to do it, and you'll be a passable expert in no time.

While we're shucking, here's another beautiful way to prepare oysters.

Here's a five-minute appetizer to keep crowds happy.

This beautiful bowl is such a natural for Thanksgiving.

If you're doing a sit-down dinner, this salad makes an elegant course.

This inventive salad is oh-so-seasonal, and it's hearty enough to stand up to a few hours of chill time on a buffet table.

We love this simple, and simply perfect, potato leek soup.

This uncomplicated version of pumpkin soup is a fall classic in a bowl.

You can make our butternut squash soup in the Instant Pot.

Potage aux Legumes (French vegetable soup) is rustic and comforting. It's easy to be thankful for.

You can assemble this seasonal star in advance and bake it before serving.

Hearty and satisfying, and made entirely on the stovetop.

This is our absolute favorite vegan main dish for Thanksgiving, and it's make-ahead friendly.

Another wonderful farro recipe that you can make on the stovetop.

This is one of our favorite vegetarian comfort foods, period. It goes so well with our vegetarian gravy and mashed potatoes that it's the perfect vegetarian addition to Thanksgiving.

Mushrooms make this rockstar lasagna feel seasonally appropriate for Thanksgiving. And it's just oh-so-good.

Here's everything you need to know to make the best mashed potatoes for a crowd. Psst...you can make them ahead of time.

Or make a petite batch of mashed potatoes if you're feeding a much smaller group.

This is our go-to classic stuffing. We have three options: vegetarian, vegan, and meaty.

Another wonderful, classic vegetarian stuffing option.

A terrific vegan stuffing with mushrooms.

This vegetarian gravy is so good that many people prefer it over turkey gravy. We usually make both. This is also fabulous for leftovers. There's a vegan option, and it's make-ahead friendly.

Popovers are easy to make if you follow a few simple tips. They’re a great holiday tradition or anytime treat. Here's our favorite popover recipe.

A healthful, simple classic that perfectly compliments the Thanksgiving meal.

A wonderfully savory low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes.

This festive dish feels special on Thanksgiving.

A braised kale recipe that made a recent underage guest push one of the country's classic stuffings to the side of his plate and ask, "Can I have more of THAT?"

Our family has been making this easy homemade applesauce recipe for two generations. It's delicately flavored and deeply colored, and it's just so much better than applesauce from a jar.

Why make a mere cranberry sauce when you can make a cranberry chutney?

This is carrot cake's cooler cousin.

Sophisticated yet crowd-pleasing individual tarts.

It doesn't get more classic than a big pan of apple crisp.

Pomegranate gelato is a gently sophisticated but crowd-pleasing dessert.

Seasonal fun for kids and adults alike.

A light, simple way to make the most of a seasonal ingredient.

This tart is decadent and unforgettable.