Cook Thanksgiving Dinner in 4 Hours: Quick & Delicious Recipes

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean spending all day in the kitchen. With a well-planned menu and efficient cooking strategies, you can serve a delicious, full Thanksgiving dinner in just 4 hours!

Thanksgiving Menu (4-Hour Plan)

Main:

• Spatchcocked Roast Turkey (faster and juicier than traditional roasting)

Sides:

• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Honey-Roasted Carrots & Brussels Sprouts
• Quick Cranberry Sauce
• Stuffing Skillet

Dessert:

• Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream

Quick Recipes

1. Spatchcocked Roast Turkey (Serves 6–8)
Ingredients:

• 1 small turkey (~10 lbs)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 cloves garlic minced
• Fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Remove backbone from turkey and flatten.
3. Rub with olive oil, spices, and herbs.
4. Roast on a baking sheet 1.5–2 hours, until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Let rest 15 min before carving.

2. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:

• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled & cubed
• 3 cloves garlic
• ¼ cup butter, ½ cup milk
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes and garlic 15–20 min until tender.
2. Mash with butter and milk, season to taste.

3. Honey-Roasted Carrots & Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients:

• 1 lb carrots, sliced
• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Toss vegetables in oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
2. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 25–30 min.

4. Quick Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• Zest of 1 orange

Instructions:

1. Boil sugar and water until dissolved.
2. Add cranberries, simmer 10 min until soft.
3. Stir in orange zest and cool.

5. Stuffing Skillet
Ingredients:

• 4 cups cubed bread
• ½ onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sage, ½ tsp thyme
• 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and celery in butter 5 min.
2. Add bread and herbs, toss.
3. Pour in broth and cook until liquid is absorbed (~10 min).

6. Apple Crisp
Ingredients:

• 4 cups sliced apples
• ½ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup oats, ¼ cup flour, ¼ cup butter

Instructions:

1. Toss apples with half sugar & cinnamon; place in baking dish.
2. Mix oats, flour, butter, remaining sugar; sprinkle over apples.
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 min. Serve warm with ice cream.

Tips for Success

• Spatchcock turkey: cuts cooking time nearly in half.
• Cook sides simultaneously: while turkey roasts, prep potatoes, veggies, and stuffing.
• Make cranberry sauce ahead: can be stored in the fridge.
• Dessert while turkey rests: apple crisp can bake in the oven as turkey rests.

With this menu and timing plan, you’ll have a full Thanksgiving dinner ready in 4 hours—stress-free, delicious, and impressive!

‍