Lots of Thanksgiving recipes to help you set the perfect table for one of the best days of the year. It’s all here: turkey, stuffing, vegetables, cranberries, desserts and breads! Included is a handy day-by-day, hour-by hour guide for a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner.
Isn’t Thanksgiving just the best? I love it! It’s a wonderful time to gather around the table with family and friends, appreciating each other and sharing good food. Take time to acknowledge the many ways we’ve been blessed.
Tips For Success
- Plan ahead. If you haven’t nailed down every last detail of your Thanksgiving meal, I hope this round-up of delightful recipes will help you plan your dinner. I’ve also included a guide with a day-by-day, step-by-step plan for preparing for the big day. Hopefully that will make the preparation just a bit easier for you. (It’s always a good idea to have a plan.)
- Ask guests to help out. Don’t hesitate to share the load. Your guests will love having the chance to bring their favorite sweet potatoes, salad, rolls, or dessert. Ask a younger member of the family to set the table or serve the dessert. Give everyone a chance to shine.
- Just enjoy yourself! This is my favorite tip: Don’t sweat the small stuff. It doesn’t matter if everything doesn’t go perfectly. I remember one Thanksgiving dinner when I forgot to take the stuffing out of the oven until dinner was completely over! Nobody even noticed, or if they did, they were too nice to mention it. Trust me, everything does not have to be perfect.
We’ve created an ultimate guide to hosting a stress-free Thanksgiving with your friends and/or family. It includes a menu to get you started, a grocery list, and a plan for time management and getting everything done at the same time.
Even if you don’t use the menu, I’m sure you’ll find the schedule super helpful!
Turkey, Gravy, and Stuffing (Dressing)
If you aren’t inclined to roast an entire turkey, here are a few alternatives, including a couple of recipes for a turkey breast which is perfect for families who don’t care for dark meat. I’ve also included a sheet pan turkey dinner (turkey and all the fixings on one pan!) and a roasted chicken recipe for those of you who may be cooking for fewer people.
This section also contains an easy, make-ahead gravy that you won’t want to miss!
Herb roasted turkey breast is a delicious and flavorful choice for special occasions, like Thanksgiving dinner, or for food prepping.
With lots of flavorful herbs, a quick-cooking Instant Pot turkey breast is always juicy, tender, and perfectly done. And the bonus? There’s no need to thaw it first!
Avoid the Thanksgiving last minute rush with make ahead turkey gravy. It’s rich and flavorful, with plenty of sage, thyme, and parsley.
Cooking a smaller dinner for Thanksgiving? You love this sheet pan Thanksgiving dinner with turkey breast, stuffing, potatoes, and asparagus all cooked on one pan. So delicious and such an easy clean up!
If you’re not a fan of turkey or want something smaller, a roasted chicken is a great idea for Thanksgiving!
Stuffing (Dressing), Mac & Cheese
Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without it. And many of you would say the same for mac & cheese!
Try crockpot stuffing this Thanksgiving and free up valuable oven space. Fix it and forget it, this stuffing never gets dried out.
Easiest ever baked macaroni and cheese – this is a go-to recipe of many of my readers and it will become the same for your family!
Perfect for Thanksgiving when oven space can be limited, crockpot mac and cheese is creamy, flavorful, and so easy to make. Ready to serve in just 2 hours!
Potatoes, Cheesy Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes
With no boiling or draining required, easy crockpot mashed potatoes are perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. The crockpot keeps the potatoes warm until you’re ready to serve them.
Fluffy and white, mashed potatoes are a classic favorite. Instant Pot mashed potatoes turn out perfectly every time. You’ll be amazed!
Creamy and buttery, with loads of flavor, mashed red potatoes are an easy side dish to prepare. Throw away the box and enjoy freshly made mashed potatoes!
Everyone’s favorite crockpot cheesy potatoes are a classic dish for holidays, including Thanksgiving. They’re so easy to make in a slow cooker!
Twice baked sweet potatoes have a sweet creamy filling with a crunchy streusel topping. If you’re feeding a crowd, the recipe can easily be made into a casserole, too.
Creamy and sweet, vanilla bean mashed sweet potatoes taste like dessert. They’re so easy to make and will quickly become a favorite!
Decadent scalloped sweet potatoes are an unforgettable side dish. Full of rich Gruyère cheese and flavorful bacon, they are sure to be a hit!
This sweet potato casserole is gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free, and so, so delicious!
Sweet and delicious, roasted Hasselback sweet potatoes make an impressive presentation yet are easy to make. No hassle required!
Vegetables
If you’re like me, you could skip the turkey and fill up on these wonderfully delicious vegetable side dishes.
Homemade green bean casserole with bacon, fresh mushrooms, and sharp cheddar cheese is deliciously creamy without canned soup.
A classic French recipe, green beans almondine elevates ordinary green beans into a memorable side dish with the addition of toasted almonds, browned butter, shallots, and lemon zest.
A match made in heaven, these green beans with bacon are completely irresistible. They very well might become your new favorite green bean recipe!
Roasted carrots with thyme and nutmeg are so sweet, flavorful, and good for you (but they taste almost like candy).
Sweet and gently spiced, slow cooker glazed carrots are perfect for Thanksgiving dinner: delicious and no-fuss.
With surprisingly sweet earthy flavors, ultra-creamy parsnip purée is sure to please. It pairs perfectly with Thanksgiving dinners!
Bubbling with a creamy Gruyère sauce, cheesy Brussels sprouts au gratin is irresistible. A perfect dish to serve for Thanksgiving!
Flavorful smoky Brussels sprouts with thinly sliced shallots and smoked paprika make a delicious and simple side dish.
Brightly colored, sweet and tangy, classic German red cabbage complements a rich turkey dinner, and is a memorable Thanksgiving side dish.
Salads
I don’t think I could choose a favorite from this list of salads, I love them all! Each of these recipes is made with seasonal ingredients that are abundant during the Thanksgiving season.
With crisp tart apples, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, this Brussels sprouts salad is a great holiday salad, easy to make and healthy, too.
Bursting with flavor, roasted cauliflower salad with sweet potato, arugula, and pomegranate is a feast for the eyes and taste buds. You’ll love this salad!
With the surprising addition of fresh mint leaves, this kale and pear salad combines tender kale, juicy ripe pears, briny feta cheese, and a sprinkling of savory granola, topped with a creamy yogurt dressing.
This sweet kale salad is a copycat of the popular bagged salad you find in grocery stores — but as always, homemade is way better!
Kale salad with apples and raisins is tangy, tart, sweet, and easy to make.
Cranberry Sauce
Kick the canned sauce to the curb! Cranberry sauce is easy to make and so much more flavorful than the canned sauces.
Kick your cranberry sauce game up a notch with this homemade cranberry orange sauce. This is an easy Thanksgiving recipe that you can make ahead (only 3 ingredients).
Don’t settle for cranberry sauce from a can – this flavorful cinnamon apple cranberry sauce is super simple to make and can even be made a day or two in advance!
Add this beautiful jewel toned side to your holiday menu! Cranberry sauce with roasted grapes, apples, and shallots provides a burst of flavor, both sweet and savory, that is unforgettable.
Breads and Rolls
Aka the only thing the kids eat, am I right?
Bake your own classic Parker House rolls, filling your kitchen with the tantalizing fragrance of yeast and butter. So soft and delicious! Even a novice baker can handle these.
Chewy, crunchy, and unbelievably satisfying, cranberry walnut bread might just become your new favorite. It’s amazing toasted!
Cinnamon scented apple cider muffins have double the apple flavor with apple cider in the batter and tender bits of apple in every bite. They go perfectly with hot apple cider!
Pies and Desserts
There’s a pumpkin dessert for everyone on this list, from classic pumpkin pie to easy four ingredient pumpkin pudding. Cranberries and apples make the dessert list, too. Make Thanksgiving an extra special occasion by whipping up a bowl of homemade whipped cream to top the desserts! So, so good!
Homemade pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving staple, but this recipe is so simple, you’ll be tempted to make it all year long!
It’s hard to beat a classic pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, but add crumbly brown sugar streusel on top and you’ve just succeeded in one-upping the original!
Tart cranberries contrast perfectly with rich pecan pie filling in this beautiful cranberry pecan pie.
Looking for a no-fuss alternative to pumpkin pie? Try a cranberry clafoutis, a classic custard-like pie that’s a cinch to make. Serve it warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.
This easy pumpkin poke cake recipe is the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert oozing with sweet cinnamon filling and smothered with tangy cream cheese frosting.
Bite-sized pumpkin pie tarts are a quick and easy no-bake treat and a delicious addition to a Thanksgiving dessert table!
This pumpkin pudding recipe is an easy alternative to pumpkin pie. It’s made with just 4 ingredients and filled with delicious pumpkin flavor.
Not a fan of pumpkin? Serve warm apple crisp filled with juicy, syrupy apples and a bright ginger kick. It’s a no-fuss dessert that’s sure to please!
White billows of rich whipped cream make even an ordinary dessert a special occasion. Elevate your desserts with this homemade whipped cream recipe!
Appetizers
Serve festive appetizers and a refreshing cocktail while dinner is cooking. These fall-inspired appetizer ideas are perfect for Thanksgiving get-togethers because they aren’t too rich or filling.
Butternut squash crostini appetizers elevate this humble fall gourd to super star status! Pomegranate seeds add a tart crisp note.
You’ll love these creamy kale bruschetta: crisp bread topped with warm, creamy sauteéd kale, enhanced by a hint of garlic and nutmeg.
Imagine ruby red beets and tangy goat cheese, flavored with orange zest and fresh tarragon, layered on crispy slices of toasted bread and sprinkled with walnuts. Beet bruschetta with orange tarragon goat cheese are irresistible!
These spiced pecans have everything you want in a spiced nut. They are sweet, crunchy, spicy, and unbelievably addicting.
Baked Brie with cranberry sauce and bourbon candied pecans is lovely to look at and so delicious with crackers.
With fresh herbs, garlic, and thinly sliced sweet shallots, marinated mushrooms are perfect for antipasto, charcuterie, or snacks.
Beautiful sausage pinwheels are a delicious appetizer flavored with apple, sage, and Gruyère, attractively packaged in flaky puff pastry. These could be served as a side on the Thanksgiving table, too.
Cocktails
Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with a festive easy-to-make cocktail!
Fortify red wine with orange liqueur, add soda water for bubbles, and serve on the rocks for a refreshing red wine spritzer. A perfect Thanksgiving cocktail, light and so easy to make.
A cranberry gin and tonic brings together cranberry and lime for a tart dance with bitter tonic water and herbal gin. You’ll love this easy cocktail!
This cranberry margarita is a festive addition to your Thanksgiving menu but is 100% delicious all year round!
An orange gin and tonic with cinnamon is a fall twist on a classic cocktail. Sweet orange slices, spicy cinnamon stick, and star anise pair well with the botanicals of gin and the bitter notes of tonic water.
Try an apple cider mule for the autumn version of your favorite cocktail. Served in a copper mug, and festively garnished with a cinnamon stick and apple slice.
Shake up a perfectly chilled spiced apple cider mocktail for Thanksgiving. It can easily be made into a cocktail too.
The woodsy flavor of pure maple syrup complements the vanilla, oak, and caramel notes of bourbon in a truly delightful and unique maple old fashioned.
Leftover Ideas (The Day After)
While you may enjoy simply reheating leftovers for an easy day-after Thanksgiving dinner, consider that those leftovers can be repurposed into another delicious recipe. Here are a few ideas for you. By the way, remember that leftover turkey can be used in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken.
Transform leftover turkey into a flavorful turkey salad. Serve it in a wrap, in a sandwich, or on lettuce.
Turkey sliders, aka Rachel sandwiches or turkey Reubens, are a delightful twist on a traditional Reuben. You’ll love these sliders stuffed with sliced turkey, creamy coleslaw and nutty Swiss cheese, baked in the oven until golden.
This creamy turkey soup with quinoa is easy to make and is a healthy and hearty way to repurpose leftover turkey or chicken.
Mashed potatoes are great on their own but just wait until you try this loaded mashed potato casserole with lots of cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions. It’s the best!
Use leftover cranberry sauce to whip up this unique salsa. The sweet and tangy combination is irresistible!
Have a bag of cranberries left over? Cranberry coffee cake with orange zest and cardamom will fill your home with scents of the holidays and is perfect for brunch.
Healthier Alternatives
Looking for recipes that are healthier adaptations of traditional recipes? Many holiday recipes can be lightened up with a few easy adjustments. Be sure to take a look at my list of 18+ healthy Thanksgiving recipes. It includes traditional favorites and lots of new recipes that you may not have considered before.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! I’m grateful for all of you and hope that this roundup of Thanksgiving recipes is a blessing to you and your family.