The Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu
After ten+ years of blogging (and 30+ years of life), we’ve tried hundreds of Thanksgiving recipes and desserts! Below, is our All-Star Dream Team collection of recipes.
To make this menu more helpful for you, I’ve included symbols next to each recipe title indicating whether they are:
- (MA) Make Ahead Friendly,
- (GF) Gluten Free, or
- (V) Vegetarian.
Enjoy our favorites, and please share your own in the comments! We’re always looking for a plucky challenger to earn a spot on the list!
Every Thanksgiving Recipe You Need
The Holidays can be hectic enough without hunting down all the recipes you need to host a successful Thanksgiving dinner. Here's your one-stop-shop for Thanksgiving recipes. Enjoy!
THE TURKEY
Easy Garlic and Herb Oven Roasted Turkey Recipe (GF)
This easy garlic and herb oven roasted turkey takes all the stress out of making your Thanksgiving turkey! Using simple ingredients and directions, this turns out a juicy and flavorful turkey every time!
Turkey Gravy
This Turkey Gravy is the perfect wingman to your Thanksgiving bird.
THE ALTERNATE
Sweet Orange Glazed Ham
This Orange, Brown Sugar, and Honey Glazed Ham is a holiday classic that is delicious, attractive, and saves time versus a turkey or roast.
THE DRESSING
Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage
This gluten free cornbread dressing is dotted with celery, onion, apple, and sausage for a super flavorful dressing recipe that is MUSH FREE.
THE POTATO SIDE DISH
Creamy Mashed Potatoes (MA, GF, V)
This simple recipe makes creamy mashed potatoes every time.
Herbed Potatoes Anna (MA, GF, V)
This beautiful Herbed Potatoes Anna runs the whole gamut of yummy potato textures. Crispy and golden brown on the outside, fluffy and buttery on the inside, all held together with just the right amount of Gruyere cheese.
Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes (MA, GF, V)
It's easy to add some KABLAAM to your Yams! Just chop, add maple syrup & cinnamon, and roast until they reach caramelized perfection.
Easy Cheesy Potatoes (MA)
Easy, cheesy, and always crowd pleasey!
THE VEGETABLE SIDE DISH
Garlic Green Beans (GF, V)
Garlic Green Beans are a simple, four ingredient side dish you can make for a busy weeknight or a special holiday. With all the other heavier side dishes, I prefer to forego the canned soup laden green bean casserole in favor of this light and fresh option.
Corn Souffleย (MA, GF, V)
This Corn Souffle recipe is a fluffy, subtly sweet corn custard that's a perfect side dish for the holidays!
Southern Collard Greensย (MA, GF)
Southern Collard Greens are a traditional vegetable side that's perfect for holiday dinners. These collard greens are silky, tender, and delicious!
Roasted Carrots with Feta and Dill (GF, V)
These beautiful Roasted Carrots are tossed with a sweet and tangy dressing and topped with fresh feta cheese and dill for a perfect harvest-time ensemble.
Roasted Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Topping (GF, V)
Ok, I take back what I said about heavy Thanksgiving casseroles. This Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a holiday classic! Creamy, cheesy, crunchy, and salty; there's no better way to get your serving of veggies.
THE SALAD
Autumn Salad with Pears and Goat Cheese
Studded with juicy pears and grapes, crunchy pecans, and creamy goat cheese this Autumn Salad is ideal for Thanksgiving.
That Good Salad
It got it's name for a reason. This GOOD salad is packed with fresh veggies, plenty of crunch, salty bacon, and Parmesan cheese!
Easy Garden Salad Recipe (MA, GF, V)
This Fresh Garden Salad is so easy to throw together! Loaded with garden veggies, this is the perfect side dish for almost any meal!
THE PASTA SIDE DISH
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Panko Crumb Topping (MA, V)
Ultra creamy, rich baked mac and cheese with a crispy Panko crumb topping. Pasta + Bread crumbs = carb Inception!
Homemade Amish Chicken and Noodles
Sub the chicken for some turkey and you've got the ultimate Thanksgiving carb combo: silky egg noodles + mashed potatoes.
THE FRUIT SIDE DISH
Crock Pot Applesauce (MA, GF, V)
Grab your slow cooker, and a whole mess of apples. It's time to make some KILLER applesauce that you can freeze and enjoy all year long!
Cranberry Jello Salad (MA, GF, V)
This bright and festive Cranberry Jello Salad is made with raspberry jello, crushed pineapple, and fresh cranberry relish.
THE BREAD
Make Ahead Butterhornsย (MA, V)
These simple homemade crescent rolls are buttery, soft, and just a touch sweet. They're easy to make ahead or freeze, and they are SO worth it!
Easy Drop Biscuits Recipe (V)
Fluffy and buttery drop biscuits are made from scratch in less than 30 minutes. This Easy Drop Biscuits Recipe is a hearty holiday staple.
Easy Pumpkin Bread (MA, V)
This easy pumpkin bread recipe is super moist, subtly spiced, and made in a single bowl! It yields two loaves so it's perfect for freezing or gifting!
Homemade Amish White Bread (MA, V)
Classic and cloud-like Amish White Bread. It is fluffy, subtly sweet, and absolutely perfect for spreading with butter and jam (or for leftover turkey sandwiches).
Amish Peanut Butter Spread (MA, GF, V)
This dreamy Amish Peanut Butter made with marshmallow creme is a perfect dip for fruit and pretzels, or it serves as a table condiment to spread on your bread of choice.
THE APPETIZER
Roasted Balsamic Cranberry and Brie Crostini (V)
Sweet, tangy, colorful, and toasted. These Roasted Balsamic Cranberry and Brie Crostini make for the perfect Holiday appetizer.
Hot Crab Dip Recipe (MA)
This hot cheesy crab dip is spiced with Old Bay and studded with peppadew peppers for a sweet and tangy flavor that's irresistible.
RITZ Cracker Appetizer Platter
5 variations on Ritz Cracker Charcuterie form a colorful and flavor filled Hors d'oeuvre plate.
THE DRINK
Fall Sangria (MA, GF, V)
This Fall Sangria with apple cider, bourbon, and wine is loaded with fresh apples, pears, and plums for a gorgeous boozy fall beverage!
Brunch Punch (MA, GF, V)
Brunch Punch (with ginger ale, orange juice, and cranberry juice) is the perfect non-alcoholic punch recipe for the holidays. Oh no - this bottle of champagne tipped over into the punch and now it's ruined (*wink)
THE DESSERT
Mini Pecan Pies
These tasty little pecan tassies start with a simple three ingredient cream cheese pie crust and are filled with a delicious brown sugar pecan filling! They're a perfectly poppable pie for the holidays!
Caramelized Apple Pie
Caramelized Apple Pie has a unique fried apple filling that results in a rich, caramely flavor and incredible homemade pie!
Chewy Spiced Apple Cake (MA, V)
This chewy spiced apple cake is packed with dried fruits and nuts and warm, Fall spices for a decadent Autumn dessert.
Carrot Sheet Cake (MA, V)
Moist carrot sheet cake with cream cheese frosting is an easy dessert that's perfect for any occasion!
Buttermilk Pie Crust (MA, V)
This Homemade Buttermilk Pie Crust is flaky, flavorful, and the perfect easy pie crust recipe for both sweet and savory pies!
Pecan Pie Bars (MA, GF, V)
These easy Pecan Pie Bars pack the classic pie flavors into a perfect portable package.
The BEST Chocolate Bundt Cake (MA, V)
A rich, super moist chocolate bundt cake covered in a fluffy dark chocolate ganache made with coffee and sour cream.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll (MA, V)
Spiced pumpkin cake and velvety cream cheese filling make this easy and elegant holiday dessert a family favorite.
Deluxe Cheesecake (MA, GF, V)
This luxurious Cheesecake combines silky cream cheese filling with a sweet and tangy sour cream topping for an incredible dessert (with a Gluten-Free option).