50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (2024)

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (1)

Building your ultimate Thanksgiving menu can be a daunting task. But these Thanksgiving dinner ideas — from classic Thanksgiving turkey recipes to beloved Thanksgiving side dishes — will satisfy all your guests. We picked classic and simple dishes as well as unique options and vegetarian mains to make sure every single family member is well fed.

Don’t worry: We didn’t leave out any of the Turkey Day staples. After all, what is Thanksgiving food without a side of creamy mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce or plenty of stuffing recipes? But, if you’re looking to switch it up this year, we’ve got you covered. With creative variations on classic veggie sides to new ways to present your favorite dishes, this spread will be your most impressive yet.

From rich, decadent dishes to healthy Thanksgiving sides and Thanksgiving salads, there are ideas here to please each and every appetite. If Thanksgiving prep seems a bit overwhelming — no stress! Quick and easy recipes (including make-ahead dishes and under 30-minute sides) will keep your holiday as stress-free as possible. Or, go the no-cook route completely and order Thanksgiving dinner to-go.

Whether you stick to the basics or love to get creative with your holiday fare, these recipes will ensure this year’s Thanksgiving dinner is truly unforgettable. Don’t forget to make use of extras with our favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipes!

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1

Quinoa-Stuffed Honeynut Squash

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (3)

Vegetarians at the table? Serve up this stunning main that will seriously satisfy.

Get the Quinoa-Stuffed Honeynut Squash recipe.

RELATED: 55 Healthy Vegetarian Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Dinner

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2

Whipped Ricotta Three Ways

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (4)

The only thing better than one easy, cheesy appetizer at Thanksgiving is three different variations. Pick one or whip up all the options for a stunning spread.

Get the Whipped Ricotta Three Ways recipe.

RELATED: 50+ Easy Appetizers and Snacks to Get the Party Started

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3

Best Ever Turkey

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (5)

This turkey is all about fresh herbs and aromatics! Stuff the main cavity with onions, garlic, bay leaves and more for a super flavorful bird.

Get the Best Ever Turkey recipe.

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4

Sweet Potato Baked Pasta with Hazelnut Brown Butter

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (6)

This comforting, vegetarian dish has all the fall flavors! With pasta tossed in a creamy sweet potato sauce and topped with hazelnut browned butter, everyone will be reaching for seconds!

Get the Sweet Potato Baked Pasta with Hazelnut Brown Butter recipe.

RELATED: 56 Best Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Perfect for Any Fall Occasion

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5

Spinach-Herb Polenta

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (7)

If you still can't think about peeling another potato after last year's Thanksgiving, may we suggest polenta? It's creamy, rich and makes a great base for roasted turkey and all the fixins'.

Get the Spinach-Herb Polenta recipe.

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6

Classic Roast Turkey

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (8)

Calling all turkey purists: This bird, simply seasoned with fresh herbs and garlic, is a serious showstopper, thanks to its golden-brown buttery exterior and juicy interior. Seconds please!

Get the Classic Roast Turkey recipe.

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7

Red Onion and Cheddar Bread Pudding

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (10)

If you're on the hunt to upgrade your stuffing game this year, we suggest this cheesy bread pudding. It's the perfect way to use up leftover focaccia.

Get the Red Onion and Cheddar Bread Pudding recipe.

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8

Apple and Thyme Galettes

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (11)

Thyme, lemon zest and a touch of nutmeg are a welcome change of pace in this autumnal dessert.

Get the Apple and Thyme Galettes recipe.

RELATED: 79 Best Fall Desserts That Are Perfect to Make for Autumn

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9

Roasted Root Vegetables

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (12)

Make the most of fall’s harvest with a sheet pan full of purple potatoes, onions and squash. Plus, it's all seasoned beautifully with aromatic coriander and cumin.

Get the Roasted Root Vegetables recipe.

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10

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Ginger Meringue

Think of these cupcakes as individual marshmallow-topped sweet potato casseroles… in dessert form.

Get the Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Ginger Meringue recipe.

RELATED: 25 Best Fall Cupcakes and Decorating Ideas Filled With Autumn Flavor

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11

Apple Sausage Rolls

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (14)

This crowd-pleasing app is like pigs in blankets but filled with a quick homemade sausage instead of franks. Dunk them in apple butter mustard for a *chef’s kiss* moment worth savoring.

Get the Apple Sausage Rolls recipe.

RELATED: 40 Best Finger Food Ideas to Serve at Your Next Party

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12

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

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Break out the air fryer to make these delicious and crispy Brussels sprouts that are tossed in maple-sriracha glaze.

Get the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe.

RELATED: 38 Brussels Sprouts Recipes That Will Have You Asking for Seconds

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13

Cranberry Curd Tart

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (16)

This tart doubles as decor and dessert! From the sugar-dusted pie leaves and cranberries to the piped whipped cream on top, there is no doubt that this will be a showstopper.

Get the Cranberry Curd Tart recipe.

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14

Cranberry Baked Brie

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (17)

Who said that your cranberry dish can’t have Brie? This bright cranberry syrup spooned over cheese and baked until melted equals perfection.

Get the Cranberry Baked Brie recipe.

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15

Jammy Pie Twists

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (18)

Only five ingredients and you've got a fun festive Thanksgiving dessert with all the flavors of your favorite pie, without all the effort.

Get the Jammy Pie Twists recipe.

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16

Mashed Potatoes with Buttery Sliced Scallions

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (19)

Brighten up your mashed potatoes with this lemony, scallion relish.

Get the Mashed Potatoes with Buttery Sliced Scallions recipe.

RELATED: 58 Easy Potato Recipes For Weeknight Dinners, Thanksgiving and More

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17

Apple-Cranberry Pie

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (20)

This tart is just what you need after Thanksgiving dinner. With apples, cranberries and warm seasonings like nutmeg and cinnamon, you can’t go wrong. Pro tip: Instead of weaving a lattice pie crust top, cut the dough into squares and arrange on top.

Get the Apple-Cranberry Pie recipe.

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18

Thyme-Roasted Turkey

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (21)

This timeless turkey recipe even includes a matching gravy to perfectly complement the bird.

Get the Thyme-Roasted Turkey recipe.

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19

Roasted Cranberry Sauce

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This hands-off recipe is a huge help during Turkey Day chaos: Just toss everything together on a baking sheet, transfer to the oven and walk away.

Get the Roasted Cranberry Sauce recipe.

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20

Northwest Fruit Stuffing

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This classic recipe comes from the 1956 Good Housekeeping Cookbook, but we updated it with dried cranberries and pecans for even more flavor.

Get the Northwest Fruit Stuffing recipe.

50 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Feast of the Year (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 Thanksgiving dishes? ›

Top 10 Thanksgiving Dishes
  1. Turkey.
  2. Stuffing/Dressing.
  3. Pumpkin Pie.
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole.
  5. Mashed Potatoes.
  6. Ham.
  7. Green Bean Casserole.
  8. Cranberry Jelly.
Nov 22, 2023

What is a good menu for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

IF you mean a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner: roast turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, string beans, rolls, cranberry sauce; mushroom dish, maybe a salad or 2, maybe wild rice; pumpkin pie and/or apple pie.

What are 3 items that were most likely on the first Thanksgiving menu but probably aren t on most menus today? ›

So while our Thanksgiving dinner table has a big ol' turkey plated in the center, the first Thanksgiving table was likely filled with ducks, geese, eels, lobster, and venison.

What is the most popular dessert at Thanksgiving? ›

In general, pie reigns supreme as a Thanksgiving dessert. While some families have their nice selections of pie servings, tradition says apple, pumpkin pie, and a southern pecan pie are the go-tos, typically made with a buttery pastry pie crust.

What are the 5 most common sides served on Thanksgiving Day? ›

  • 01 of 21. Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • 02 of 21. Bacon-Topped Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • 03 of 21. Buttered Stuffing with Mushrooms. ...
  • 04 of 21. Classic Dinner Rolls. ...
  • 05 of 21. Bacon-Mushroom Twice-Baked Potatoes. ...
  • 06 of 21. Best Four-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese. ...
  • 07 of 21. Bourbon and Cider Pan Gravy. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Nov 9, 2023

What are the 3 traditional foods Americans eat during Thanksgiving? ›

Millions of people across the United States will sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes, squash, corn, and cranberries. These foods have become synonymous with Thanksgiving, but how did they end up on tables from Maine to California?

What is the most important meal on Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey. Some would say a turkey is the most important food item at the table. A turkey is the center of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, 88 percent of Americans eat Turkey on Thanksgiving, with 46 million Turkeys eaten on the holiday.

What is a true Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes but the First Thanksgiving likely included wildfowl, corn, porridge and venison.

What is served at a Black Thanksgiving dinner? ›

You will likely be eating roast turkey, barbecued turkey, deep fried turkey, glazed country ham, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes mashed and covered with marshmallows, corn, cornbread, yeast/potato rolls, black eyed peas, rice, gravy, potato salad, cranberry sauce from ...

How many side dishes should you have for Thanksgiving? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

Which president refused to celebrate Thanksgiving as a national holiday? ›

While Thanksgiving technically isn't a religious holiday, the “giving thanks” part of it struck Jefferson as being far too religious for his tastes. As our nation's third president, he stirred controversy by refusing to recognize Thanksgiving.

What two food items were not present at the original Thanksgiving? ›

It is also worth noting what was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast. There were no cloudlike heaps of mashed potatoes, since white potatoes had not yet crossed over from South America. There was no gravy either, since the colonists didn't yet have mills to produce flour.

What did the Pilgrims drink on Thanksgiving? ›

“The Pilgrims drank water,” she says. “They drank it at the first Thanksgiving, they drank it every day.” The Pilgrims had reasons other than the lack of beer, she notes, for cutting their voyage short.

What are 3 main foods on Thanksgiving? ›

Many Americans would regard Thanksgiving dinner as "incomplete" without stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and cranberry sauce. A recipe for cranberry sauce to be served with turkey appeared in the first American cookbook, American Cookery (1796) by Amelia Simmons.

What is the least favorite dish for Thanksgiving? ›

Among the many side dishes enjoyed by Americans during Thanksgiving, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole made the list of least-liked side dishes.

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