Hosting Thanksgiving this year? Whether you have a full house or are limiting it to just your family members, this full Thanksgiving Dinner Menu and Recipe Guide is here to make planning and cooking on the biggest food day of the year a breeze.
These are some of the star dishes I plan on serving on Turkey Day, and I hope you do, too!
Why Should You Plan Your Thanksgiving Menu Ahead of Time?
Like any holiday, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of family, good food, and cheer. But it can also be stressful — especially if you’re hosting.
Taking the time to plan ahead will make your job as host easier and allow you to enjoy the days leading up to Thanksgiving as well as Thanksgiving day, even if you spend most of it in the kitchen.
Below are my go to dishes to serve during the holidays! They are all very easy to make an include step by step pictures as well as variations to make it your own!
Cocktail hour: Get everyone in high spirits for the big meal with drinks like my Pomegranate Cranberry Champagne Punch! You can also leave out the alcohol and make mocktails for anyone who wants one.
Appetizers/finger foods: Nothing too heavy, but it’s great to have tasty bites for people to graze on in anticipation of the forthcoming feast.
Salad: This helps cleanse the palette and give people some clean veggies before they dig into all of the delicious brown foods.
Entree: It’s not Thanksgiving without a roasted turkey! We’ve perfected our recipe to yield a juicy, tender, crispy-skinned bird that will be the star of your holiday meal.
Sides: Some argue that the best part of Thanksgiving is the sides, and we won’t hate it! We’ve included some of our favorite side dishes like homemade cranberry sauce and creamy mashed potatoes that will round out your holiday spread.
Breads: You need some sort of bread on your Thanksgiving plate to sop up all of that goodness from your meal!
Dessert: No feast is complete without something sweet at the end. These recipes are sure to leave your family smiling and content after such a delicious meal!
I’ve taken all of the work out of planning your Thanksgiving meal! Follow my menu for a variety of recipes to choose from and feature in your holiday meal.
Deviled Eggs are a southern staple that have become popular across the country because of their rich flavor, simple assembly, and classic look. They make a wonderful appetizer or side dish at any get-together with family and friends. Even better — start them in your Instant Pot!
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels loaded with sliced ham, swiss cheese and cheddar cheese. All wrapped up in a homemade pizza dough and brushed with a dijon butter sauce! These are addicting!
Berry Spinach Salad with Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette
Super colorful and light Berry Spinach Salad drizzled with a Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette. Loaded with berries, pecans and goat cheese. Takes less than 15 minutes to throw together!
Grilled BLT Wedge Salad with Creamy Blue cheese Dressing. Everything you love about a BLT sandwich in salad form! Takes less than 20 minutes to throw together!
Peach, Feta and Blackberry Salad drizzled with a sweet and tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Loaded with fresh peaches, blackberries, walnuts and mixed greens!
Roasted Broccoli is the perfect side dish to serve alongside any meal! This broccoli is roasted over high heat until golden brown and tender then tossed with lemon juice and parmesan cheese! This recipe will convert any broccoli haters!
Rich and Creamy Mashed Potatoes make the perfect side dish to go with any meal! Loaded with sour cream, butter, heavy cream AND milk these potatoes are rich, creamy and fluffy!
Learn how to make the BEST soft and fluffy Mashed Sweet Potatoes! These sweet potatoes are made with butter and cream to make them super rich! I've included two fun variations below to serve these potatoes: A sweet option and a savory option!
Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts tossed with lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Quick and easy side dish that can be made in less than 30 minutes.
Skip the can and make delicious, flavorful creamed corn at home with a few pantry staples. Trust me, you'll never go back to the pre-made stuff after you try this recipe! It's perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals.
Cranberry Sauce doesn’t have to come out of a tin can. This homemade recipe makes for the perfect holiday side dish. Fresh cranberries are cooked with orange zest, orange juice, and brown sugar to create a thick, colorful, sweet, delicious fruit reduction that your guests are sure to love.
Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Tender elbow macaroni in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce baked until golden brown. The perfect side dish to go with any meal!
The BEST Scalloped Potatoes made with thinly sliced russet potatoes layered in a creamy cheese sauce then baked until golden brown. The perfect side dish!
Soft and Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls. They are buttery, flakey and perfectly golden brown on the outside. They are the perfect roll to serve alongside your holiday meals, soups or favorite dinners!
Homemade Pretzel Rolls baked to perfection and topped with sesame seeds, salt and poppy seeds. They are a lot easier to make at home than you think![/i
Bacon Cheddar Biscuits loaded with crispy bacon, green onions, sharp cheddar cheese and garlic! These savory biscuits make the perfect side dish to any meal!
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars made with a homemade graham cracker and gingersnap crust. Topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It is the perfect dessert for fall!
This Pumpkin Coffee Cake with its crunchy streusel topping and sweet glaze is perfect for breakfast or dessert, and only requires a few staple holiday baking ingredients.
Thick Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies. A copycat version of the Levian Bakery cookies we all love! They are incredibly soft on the inside and firm around the edges. These chocolate chip cookies are super thick and fluffy and loaded with tons of chocolate chips and walnuts!
Planning to make any of these recipes this Thanksgiving? I’d love to see them! Follow me on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram, and then post them on your feed with me tagged. I can’t wait to see what everyone makes this holiday season!