The Complete Thanksgiving Menu and Recipe Guide
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!
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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!
Key Components of a Successful Thanksgiving Meal
- 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!
A Complete Thanksgiving Menu and Recipe Guide
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.
Cocktails
Holiday Cranberry Pomegranate Mojito
Holiday Cranberry Pomegranate Mojito made with fresh mint, cranberry reduction, pomegranate juice and fresh lime. Perfect cocktail for the holidays!
Check out this recipe
Red Wine Sangria
Simply and Fruity Red Wine Sangria. Made with fresh fruit, red wine, brandy and pomegranate juice. Perfect Fall or Winter cocktail.
Check out this recipe
Cranberry Margaritas
Colorful Cranberry Margaritas. Tart and perfectly sweet. A festive cocktail to serve during the holidays!
Check out this recipe
White Wine Sangria
A simple fruity white wine sangria made with oranges, white peaches and fresh squeezed orange juice. Served with a splash of sparkling water.
Check out this recipe
Appetizers
Instant Pot Deviled Eggs
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!
Check out this recipe
Baked BLT Dip
Super Easy Baked BLT Dip. A creamy dip made with sour cream, mayonnaise and cream cheese. Topped with lettuce, tomato and bacon!
Check out this recipe
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
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!
Check out this recipe
Maple Candied Pecans
5 Ingredient Maple Candied Pecans. The perfect snack or appetizer to serve during the Holidays. These candied pecans are addicting!
Check out this recipe
5 Minute Spicy Chili Almonds
Super easy and ready in just 5 minutes, these pan-roasted, spicy almonds tossed with cayenne pepper and chili powder are the perfect anytime snack.
Check out this recipe
Warm French Onion Dip
Creamy Warm French Onion Dip made with caramelized onions, beef consomme, cream cheese and Swiss cheese!
Check out this recipe
Bruschetta
Learn how to make this Easy Bruschetta at home! It's super fresh, light and makes the perfect appetizer or side dish!
Check out this recipe
Easy 7 Layer Dip
Complete with fresh guacamole and vegetables, this easy 7-layer dip with tortilla chips is the perfect appetizer for parties or game day.
Check out this recipe
Salads
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!
Check out this recipe
Grilled BLT Wedge Salad with Blue cheese Dressing
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!
Check out this recipe
Chopped Kale Quinoa and Avocado Salad
Nutrient packed Kale Quinoa and Avocado Salad. Super healthy and loaded with tons of fresh flavor!
Check out this recipe
Peach Feta and Blackberry Salad
Peach, Feta and Blackberry Salad drizzled with a sweet and tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Loaded with fresh peaches, blackberries, walnuts and mixed greens!
Check out this recipe
Blue Cheese Dressing
The BEST Blue Cheese Dressing. Creamy, rich and tangy this blue cheese dressing goes perfectly on salads or as a dip! So much better than storebought!
Check out this recipe
Entree
Roast Turkey Recipe
This homemade roasted turkey is juicy, tender, flavorful, and crispy-skinned — what everyone wants in a Thanksgiving bird!
Check out this recipe
Sides
Sausage Stuffing
Easy Sausage Stuffing loaded with fresh herbs, carrots, celery, onions and garlic. The perfect side dish to go with your Thanksgiving meal!
Check out this recipe
Roasted Broccoli
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!
Check out this recipe
Green Bean Casserole
Lightened up Green Bean Casserole with a homemade mushroom cream sauce and crunchy panko onion topping!
Check out this recipe
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
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!
Check out this recipe
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
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!
Check out this recipe
Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts
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.
Check out this recipe
Creamed Corn Recipe
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.
Check out this recipe
Cranberry Orange Sauce
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.
Check out this recipe
Roasted Cauliflower
This roasted cauliflower is tossed with garlic and Parmesan cheese, and then baked until golden brown — making it the perfect side dish!
Check out this recipe
Corn Pudding
Creamy and Rich Corn Pudding made from scratch with brown butter, heavy cream and corn. No boxed jiffy corn mix or canned corn needed!
Check out this recipe
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
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!
Check out this recipe
Honey Butter Roasted Carrots
Easy 3 Ingredient Honey Roasted Carrots. Made with brown butter and honey then roasted until golden brown. The perfect side dish!
Check out this recipe
Scalloped Potatoes
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!
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potato Casserole
The BEST Sweet Potato Casserole. Creamy sweet potatoes baked with a crunchy pecan streusel topping!
Check out this recipe
Breads
Dinner Rolls
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!
Check out this recipe
Pretzel Rolls
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
The BEST Cornbread
The BEST Cornbread made with brown butter and buttermilk for a super moist and flavorful cornbread! Serve with a drizzle of honey and butter!
Check out this recipe
Garlic Cheese Biscuits
These Garlic Cheese Biscuits are super easy to make and take less than 30 minutes. Loaded with tons of garlic flavor!
Check out this recipe
Bacon Cheddar Biscuits
Bacon Cheddar Biscuits loaded with crispy bacon, chives, sharp cheddar cheese and garlic! These savory biscuits make the perfect side dish to any meal!
Check out this recipe
Desserts
Pecan Pie Bars
Super Addicting Pecan Pie Bars. Just like pecan pie but so much easier to make!
Check out this recipe
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
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!
Check out this recipe
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake. Tender spiced cake with a gooey caramel apple topping.
Check out this recipe
The BEST Chocolate Cake
The BEST Chocolate Cake with Creamy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting! The perfect cake for parties, birthdays or just because!
Check out this recipe
Individual Pumpkin Tiramisu
Everything you love about Tiramisu served up in individual glasses. This tiramisu has a fall twist with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spices!
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Super Easy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. Oreo Cookie Crust layered with a peanut butter filling and chocolate ganache!
Check out this recipe
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
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.
Check out this recipe
Carrot Cake
Amazing Layered Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Super moist, soft with the perfect amount of spice!
Check out this recipe
Thick Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
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!
Check out this recipe
Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Bread. Super soft, perfectly spiced and loaded with chocolate!
Check out this recipe
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!