166 ahead recipes

Freezer slaw is a make-ahead cabbage slaw that freezes without going soggy. Salt-cured cabbage, carrots, and peppers in a sweet-tart vinegar dressing. Lasts months in the freezer.

Black bean, roasted pepper, and corn salad tossed with roasted garlic, cilantro, and a triple-citrus dressing of lemon, lime, and orange juice. Vegan, high-fibre, makes ahead overnight.

Retro cocktail party appetizers with deviled ham and cream cheese that puff up golden and impressive in the oven, ready to freeze ahead for stress-free entertaining.

Crisp Japanese cucumber salad in sweet rice vinegar dressing with fresh ginger. A refreshing make-ahead side dish that pairs with sushi, teriyaki, or any Asian meal.

Turkey giblet gravy with white wine, Madeira, and mirepoix, deglazed with roasting pan drippings. A make-ahead Thanksgiving gravy with deep, layered flavor that freezes for months.

Crunchy marinated vegetable salad with corn, green beans, peas, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts in a tangy hot vinegar-dill dressing. Make-ahead Southern-style potluck favorite.

Cranberry-ginger relish cooked with fresh ginger and orange juice into a thick, tangy condiment. Make it up to a month ahead for Thanksgiving or holiday dinners.

Sweet tea punch with orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and ginger ale, garnished with fresh mint. A make-ahead party punch for bridal showers and weddings.

Honey lemonade sweetened with a honey-water syrup instead of sugar. Make the syrup ahead and mix individual glasses all week for a naturally sweetened summer drink.

Fiery salsa: fresh pico de gallo with ten jalapenos, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime, and lemon. Made ahead and chilled overnight for the bold heat to develop fully.

Greek poached oranges in spiced mavrodaphne wine syrup with bay leaf and clove. A jewel-toned, make-ahead dessert that lets winter citrus shine without the oven.

Three-ingredient banana condiment with lemon and raisins simmers into a thick, jammy spread for jolof rice. Make it ahead and store for weeks of West African flavor.

Light chicken salad sandwich filling with shredded carrots, celery, grated onion, and light mayo. Make it ahead and stash it in the fridge for quick lunches all week.

Homemade chicken nuggets fried golden in a Parmesan, paprika, and oregano coating. Crispy outside, juicy inside, and miles ahead of frozen. Makes 48 nuggets in just 30 minutes.

Whipped sweet potatoes with orange juice, brown sugar, and warm spices, baked inside hollowed-out orange halves. A stunning holiday side dish you can freeze ahead of time.

Crunchy low-fat coleslaw with shredded green apples, red and green cabbage, and a tangy honey-mustard yogurt dressing. No mayo needed for this crisp, make-ahead slaw.