The festive season is here, and with it comes the joy of Thanksgiving cooking! You want to create a memorable Thanksgiving dinner, right? This post brings you 12 diverse, delicious, and easy thanksgiving recipes. Many hosts, about 42%, plan to prepare their entire Thanksgiving meal from scratch for their family. We know coordinating all those dishes can be a challenge, especially balancing oven space. Our easy thanksgiving recipes help you manage everything, from appetizers and main courses to classic sides and sweet desserts. Embrace the holiday spirit and make cherished family memories this Thanksgiving holiday!
Key Takeaways
Plan your Thanksgiving meal ahead of time to reduce stress.
You can choose from classic turkey, slow cooker turkey breast, or a vegetarian mushroom Wellington for your main dish.
Prepare classic side dishes like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and homemade cranberry sauce.
Finish your meal with traditional pumpkin pie or a warm apple crumble.
Personalize these recipes to make your Thanksgiving dinner special.
Festive Thanksgiving Appetizers
You want to greet your guests with delicious bites without feeling rushed. These easy thanksgiving recipes are perfect for that! Many popular make-ahead options exist. Think about Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites, a classic cheese ball, or even a simple spinach dip. The key is to have one or two appetizers ready to go. You can serve some cold, which lets you focus on the main Thanksgiving meal. You can also use small crockpots to keep dips warm if they need a little heat. Remember to keep portions small. You do not want to fill up your guests before the big dinner!
Cranberry Brie Bites
These little bites are always a hit. Imagine flaky pastry filled with creamy brie cheese and tart cranberry sauce. They look fancy, but they are surprisingly simple to make. These are perfect for your holiday gathering.
You can assemble these bites 30–60 minutes before your guests arrive. Just pop them in the fridge until you are ready to bake. If you want to get even further ahead, bake them first. Let them cool completely. Then, you can freeze them for up to two months. When it is time to serve, reheat them at 350℉ (175℃). If they are at room temperature, reheat for about 5 minutes. If they are frozen, reheat for 10 to 15 minutes. A little aluminum foil can protect them from burning. These thanksgiving recipes make your life easier!
Sweet Potato Crostini
Sweet potato crostini offers endless possibilities for toppings. You can go sweet or savory! First, you slice and roast sweet potatoes until they are tender. These slices become your delicious base.
Imagine creamy goat cheese with chopped strawberries and fresh basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze. Or try brie with sliced plums, pistachios, and a touch of honey. For a savory twist, consider a dairy-free chive spread with smoked salmon and capers. You can even use crumbled gorgonzola cheese with rosemary, thyme, toasted walnuts, and pomegranate seeds. A drizzle of balsamic glaze finishes it perfectly. You can easily switch up the cheese, nuts, and herbs. You can also swap honey or molasses for balsamic glaze. These versatile recipes let you get creative!
Thanksgiving Main Dishes
The main course is the star of your Thanksgiving feast. You want to impress your guests with a delicious centerpiece. This section gives you options for your Thanksgiving dinner, from the classic whole bird to a convenient turkey breast and a flavorful vegetarian alternative. You will find methods accessible for all home cooks, no matter your skill level.
Classic Roast Turkey
A classic roast turkey is the heart of many Thanksgiving celebrations. Roasting a whole turkey can seem daunting, but you can achieve a perfectly juicy and flavorful bird with a few tips. First, avoid common mistakes. Do not put a cold turkey straight into the oven; let it sit at room temperature for about an hour after thawing. This helps it cook more evenly. You also need to season all parts of the turkey, not just the outside. For savory meat, season both the outside and inside of the cavity.
Using a roasting rack is crucial. Without one, the bottom of your turkey can become dry or even burn. A rack allows air to circulate. You can even make a DIY rack with celery and carrots or foil logs. Try not to open the oven door too much; each time you do, heat escapes, making cooking time longer. Instead of frequent basting, consider brining or a dry rub. Use the oven light to check on your turkey.
Many people wonder about brining. Brining is a fantastic way to ensure a moist and flavorful turkey. You have two main options: wet brining or dry brining. Wet brining involves submerging the turkey in a solution of salt, water, and other flavorings like herbs or cider. This method adds moisture and infuses flavor. Dry brining means rubbing salt and seasonings directly onto the turkey. This draws out natural juices, which then mix with the salt and get reabsorbed, seasoning the meat deeply. Dry brining is also more space-efficient and can give you crispier skin.
Tip for Brining:
Choose your brine: Decide between wet or dry.
Prepare the turkey: Thaw it completely. Remove giblets and neck.
Apply the brine: For wet, submerge the turkey. For dry, rub salt and seasonings all over.
Refrigerate: Wet brine for 12–24 hours. Dry brine for 12–48 hours.
Rinse and dry: Rinse wet-brined turkey thoroughly. Pat both methods dry for crispy skin.
Brining helps the turkey retain moisture, seasons it from the inside out, and can even make it more tender. For a fully cooked classic roast turkey, the internal temperature should reach 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh. Always use a meat thermometer! Remove the turkey when the breast reaches about 160°F; it will continue to cook while resting. Don’t forget to make a delicious turkey gravy from the pan drippings, perhaps even a giblet gravy recipe to serve with your traditional thanksgiving dinner.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Perhaps you are hosting a smaller Thanksgiving gathering, or you want to free up oven space for other classic side dishes. A slow cooker turkey breast is an excellent solution! This method is incredibly easy and results in exceptionally moist meat. The slow cooker’s sealed environment traps moisture, continuously basting the turkey in its own juices. You get tender, juicy turkey without needing to brine.
This cooking method is very hard to mess up, which reduces the stress often associated with cooking turkey. It is perfect for families who do not need a large whole turkey. Plus, using your slow cooker for the turkey breast means your oven is available for all those other delicious thanksgiving recipes. You can still make a fantastic turkey gravy from the slow cooker juices. This makes your Thanksgiving dinner preparation much simpler.
Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington
For your vegetarian guests, or if you simply want a delicious alternative to turkey, a Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington is a compelling choice. This elegant dish features a rich, savory mushroom filling encased in flaky puff pastry. It looks impressive but is quite manageable to prepare.
You can use a variety of mushrooms to create a deep, earthy flavor. Popular choices include:
Chestnut (baby bella)
Shiitake
Oyster
Closed-cup white mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms
You will sauté these mushrooms with aromatics like onions and garlic, often with herbs, then bind them with breadcrumbs or nuts. This mixture gets wrapped in puff pastry and baked until golden brown and crispy. It is a hearty and flavorful main dish that will make your Thanksgiving meal inclusive and memorable. This classic dish offers a wonderful texture contrast and a satisfying umami flavor.
Classic Thanksgiving Sides
Thanksgiving dinner just isn’t complete without a spread of comforting side dishes. These classic thanksgiving recipes are the heart of your holiday meal. You want to make sure you have beloved staples that everyone looks forward to. Many of these thanksgiving side dish recipes are perfect for preparing in advance. This helps you reduce stress on Thanksgiving Day.
You can make your cooking process much more manageable. Try to stick to five or six core dishes. This helps you balance classic dishes with one or two new recipes. Create a prep schedule. Break down tasks into daily activities leading up to Thanksgiving. For example, you can chop vegetables on Monday, prep your stuffing on Tuesday, and make mashed potatoes on Wednesday. This approach makes the process more relaxed. Remember to label and organize everything. Label prepared dishes with their names and reheating instructions. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This maintains freshness and ensures you know what to do on Thanksgiving.
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy garlic mashed potatoes are a must-have for your Thanksgiving table. You want them fluffy, flavorful, and utterly delicious. To get the best texture, you can use a blend of potato varieties. Alton Brown’s recipe, for example, uses both russet and red potatoes. Russet potatoes give you that classic fluffy texture. Red potatoes, left unpeeled, add a rustic, chunky element. You get contrasting yet complementary textures in every bite.
You can enhance the flavor of your mashed potatoes in many ways. Butter adds a rich, tasty flavor. Milk or heavy cream gives you a more decadent texture. Garlic powder is a staple for adding significant flavor. You can also use dried herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Salt and pepper are essential for bringing out all the other flavors. For an extra layer of taste, you can even add Parmesan cheese. A combination of red potatoes, butter, sour cream, and minced garlic is divine. You get an extra kick of garlic from garlic powder and a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper to round out the flavors.
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a classic for a reason. This comforting dish brings together simple ingredients for a satisfying side. You will typically find green beans, mushrooms, and crispy French fried onion rings in this recipe. Cream of mushroom soup forms the creamy base. Some recipes add chicken broth, diced onions, and butter for extra depth. You might even find grated cheddar cheese in some versions. This traditional Thanksgiving dinner staple is easy to love.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Forget the can! Homemade cranberry sauce is surprisingly easy to make and tastes so much better. You can customize it to your liking. There are many variations to explore. You might try Tangerine Cranberry Sauce, which uses tangerine juice for a sweet and tangy flavor. For a hands-off version, an Instant Pot Classic Cranberry Sauce works wonders. If you like a little heat, Chipotle Lime Cranberry Sauce incorporates smoky spice. Simple Spiced Cranberry Sauce features ginger for a seasonal twist.
You can also get creative with other additions. Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce combines those rich flavors. Boozy Cranberry Sauce uses Grand Marnier for an alcoholic kick. Spicy Jalapeño Cranberry Sauce adds jalapeño for a sweet and spicy profile, often with brown sugar for depth. Vanilla Bourbon Cranberry Sauce includes vanilla bean paste, orange zest, and bourbon.
Orange Amaretto Cranberry Sauce features almond-flavored amaretto liquor. Pineapple Cranberry Sauce enhances citrus notes with crushed pineapple and juice. The World’s Easiest Cranberry Sauce uses just cranberries, sugar, water, and salt. You can customize it with orange zest and cinnamon.
Apple-Orange Cranberry Sauce uses chopped Granny Smiths, orange juice, and zest to amplify tartness and sweetness. Pear and Ginger Cranberry Sauce combines mild pear with fresh and crystallized ginger.
Cranberry Sauce With Candied Pecans adds textural contrast. Spiced Red Wine Cranberry Sauce uses red wine, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, molasses, and maple syrup. Cranberry-Pomegranate Sauce uses tart pomegranate juice and crunchy pomegranate seeds. Spiced Cranberry Sauce features fall flavors like orange, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and spiced rum. Smoky Jalapeño and Lime Cranberry Sauce offers a non-traditional twist with fresh jalapeños, lime juice, and mezcal for smokiness.
Savory Cornbread Stuffing
Savory cornbread stuffing is a beloved classic. You want your stuffing to be moist and flavorful, not dry. Key ingredients ensure this. You will start with cornbread, often from a 9×13 pan. Celery stalks and a medium white onion add aromatic depth. Sweet corn can provide a touch of sweetness. Fresh herbs like diced sage and thyme are crucial for that classic Thanksgiving flavor. Maple syrup can add a subtle sweetness. Vegetable broth and soy milk (or other milk) provide moisture. Sea salt and black pepper are essential seasonings.
To ensure a moist stuffing, combine the toasted cornbread with sautéed onion mixture, herbs, vegetable broth, and eggs. Mix until the cornbread is evenly moistened. Add more vegetable broth as needed if the mixture feels dry. Drizzle with melted butter before baking. This ensures a rich and tender stuffing.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts are a fantastic addition to your Thanksgiving spread. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and gives them a delicious crispy texture. You can season them in many ways. Olive oil, salt, and pepper are your basic starting points. For extra flavor, you can add balsamic vinegar or lemon juice. Feta cheese or Parmesan cheese can add a salty, tangy kick. Fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, cilantro, parsley, basil, thyme, or oregano work wonderfully. Red pepper flakes give them a little heat. Nuts or pepitas add crunch. Lemon Parmesan seasoning is also a great choice.
You can also use dry seasoning mixes like Italian Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, Za’atar Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, or Everything Bagel Seasoning. Fun salts and peppers, like smoked sea salt, can elevate the flavor. Fresh citrus juice (lemon, lime, orange) and/or grated citrus peel add brightness. Vinaigrettes or balsamic glaze can provide a tangy finish. Crumbled bacon bits are also a popular addition.
Sweet Thanksgiving Desserts
You have enjoyed the appetizers, savored the main course, and delighted in the classic side dishes. Now, you need a sweet ending to your Thanksgiving feast! These popular and comforting dessert options provide the perfect finish to your Thanksgiving dinner. You will find something for everyone, from a traditional favorite to a warm, inviting crumble.
Traditional Pumpkin Pie
A slice of pumpkin pie is a must-have for many Thanksgiving celebrations. It is a classic for a reason! People love its creamy texture and warm, spiced flavor. You can find many popular pumpkin dessert options for Thanksgiving. Think about Mrs. Sigg’s Fresh Pumpkin Pie or even cute Mini Pumpkin Pies. These are always a hit.
Making your own pie crust might seem tricky, but you can do it! You want a flaky, tender crust. Here is a great way to make one:
First, grate 1/4 cup of very cold unsalted butter. Add 6 tablespoons of very cold cubed shortening to a bowl. Put this bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes. This keeps everything super cold.
Next, add flour and salt. Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter and shortening into the flour mixture. Gradually add 2-3 tablespoons of ice-cold water. Bring the dough together with a rubber spatula or your hands. If it feels too dry, you can lightly spray it with water. Do not overwork the dough; this makes a tough crust.
Wrap the dough in plastic. Shape it into a round, flat disk. Refrigerate it for at least four hours. You can also freeze it until you are ready to use it.
Sprinkle flour on parchment paper. Dust your dough with flour. Slowly roll it out from the center outwards. Try to keep a round shape. If the dough crumbles, lightly spray it with water, re-ball it, and knead it briefly.
Check if your dough circle is big enough for your pie pan. Use a standard 9 1/2 inch pan, not a deep dish. Place the pan upside down on the dough. You want at least an inch of overhang.
Transfer the dough to the pie plate. Use the parchment paper to lift it. Carefully peel away the paper. Let the dough settle without stretching it.
Trim any extra dough. Fold the crust under itself. Crimp the edges. You can save trimmed dough for decorations, like leaf shapes cut with a cookie cutter. Place the pie crust and any decorations in the freezer for 30 minutes before you fill it.
For the filling, you will use a blend of warm spices. These spices give pumpkin pie its signature taste. Common spices include:
Ground cinnamon
Ground ginger
Nutmeg
Ground allspice
Ground cloves
A pinch of black pepper
This combination creates a rich, aromatic filling. Your homemade pumpkin pie recipe will be a true classic.
Warm Apple Crumble
If you want a comforting dessert that is not pie, a warm apple crumble is a fantastic choice. It is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. You get tender, spiced apples under a sweet, crunchy topping. This is a great alternative to an apple pie recipe.
Choosing the right apples makes a big difference. You want apples that hold their shape and offer good flavor when baked.
Honeycrisp apples are perfect. They stay firm and offer a great balance of sweet and tart flavors.
Golden Delicious apples become soft and jam-like when baked. They create an indulgent, almost sauce-like filling.
Jonagold apples are juicy and have a deep apple flavor. They make a moister filling.
You can also mix varieties. Combine a sweet, soft apple (like Golden Delicious) with a tart, firm one (like Granny Smith). This adds complexity to your crumble.
The crumble topping is simple to put together. You will need:
1 cup rolled oats (quick cooking works too)
1 cup plain or all-purpose flour
1 cup (loosely packed) brown sugar (you can use white sugar instead)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
125g / 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
A pinch of salt
Mix these ingredients together. Sprinkle the mixture over your prepared apples. Bake until golden brown and bubbly. Serve your warm apple crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is a classic, comforting dessert everyone will love.
You have explored many delicious thanksgiving recipes. Preparing a Thanksgiving dinner brings so much joy. Feel free to personalize these recipes. Make them your own culinary adventure! We wish you a wonderful and delicious Thanksgiving holiday. May your holiday be filled with warmth, family, and good food. Cherish moments with your family. This Thanksgiving, celebrate gratitude and togetherness with your family.
