Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I don’t know about you, but I’m getting started on planning out some delicious Thanksgiving recipes for my guests! I love all the traditional Thanksgiving dinner like sweet potato casserole, roast turkey obviously, homemade cranberry sauce, fluffy dinner rolls, green bean casserole and so much more! The best part is that there’s usually so much leftovers, so you can make leftover recipes for a few days after the holiday. There are endless delicious recipes out there and it really was a difficult task narrowing down what I want to make for the holiday meal, so I suggest going with your favorite Thanksgiving recipe and planning the rest around that! The perfect side dish does exist and it can be anything you’d like really.
Here are the best Thanksgiving recipes to make this holiday season.
Mains
Roast Turkey with Lemon and Garlic
We’re all here for the turkey! I get it! This recipe takes about 4 hours to make including prep time, which isn’t so bad considering the fact that a lot of people spend all day cooking the turkey. Friendly reminder to get your turkey in advance, they go pretty quickly within 48 hours of the holiday. This recipe makes your turkey incredibly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The perfect combination! Make sure to save the pan drippings for your gravy recipe!
Recipe/Image: Barney Desmazery c/0 BBC Good Food
Oven Roasted Turkey
How beautiful is this turkey?! She gives a ton of wonderful tips, as well like thawing times. All in all this recipe takes 5 and a half hours, including resting time, which is super important! This is the center of your classic Thanksgiving menu!
Recipe/Image: Bake it With Love
Vegetarian Option
For all the vegetarians, I found a meatless turkey roast that is actually so delicious! You can marinate it in your own mixture to keep it juicy and the texture is perfect! Add some fresh herbs and you are good to go! It’s one of the best non-turkey mains for sure!
One Pan Thanksgiving Dinner
Not only does this only take an hour, but it’s perfect if you have a smaller Thanksgiving this year. For instance, if there’s only 2 of you, this is the perfect recipe and the cleanup is minimal!
Recipe/Image: The Tasting Table
Pomegranate Glazed Salmon
If you’re not big on turkey, try fish! I’ve heard the Mediterranean based diet is a great way to base your meals off. This recipe has fresh herbs and oranges to go perfectly balanced with the fish.
Recipe/Image: Food & Wine
Side Dishes
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are necessary for every gathering, I think. Especially the holidays! They’re a crowd pleaser and more simple to make than you think!
Recipe/Image: Love & Lemons
Bacon and Pecan Stuffing Cornbread
I like to have cornbread as an option at my Thanksgiving feast! I think it’s a great fall addition and this twist on the classic recipe is even better than I could’ve imagined.
Recipe/Image: Miriam Nice c/o BBC Good Food
Green Bean Casserole
Now we’re talking! This is more of a traditional Thanksgiving side dish and it’s easy to make! I love the crunch fried onions on top of the tender green beans, they add for texture and the perfect crunch.
Recipe/Image: The Modern Proper
Creamed Spinach
This is one of those side dishes that you maybe forget about, but every time you have it, it’s so delicious! It’s a great way to put vegetables on the table and it pairs with all Thanksgiving foods very well.
Recipe/Image: Love & Lemons
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
You can totally have mac and cheese at your Thanksgiving dinner! In fact, it makes everything better! It’s a comfort food and I like the white cheddar option for the cheese, it’s a bit lighter on the stomach.
Recipe/Image: Bake it With Love
Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Squash
There’s a lot going on here, but in the best way possible! We begin with the crispiest brussels sprouts and roasted squash and then it gets topped with dried cranberries and a dijon vinaigrette to keep everything from drying out.
Recipe/Image: A Beautiful Plate
Homemade Dinner Rolls
There are few things better than a pillowy dinner roll. These look so amazing, I wish I could smell them through my screen. They’re great as a side to your table and aren’t difficult to make!
Recipe/Image: Love & Lemons
Stuffing
What I like about this recipe is how easy it is to prepare. It’s super simple ingredients explained really well and broken down step by step.
Recipe/Image: Bake it With Love
Corn Pudding
One of the best recipes I’ve found is for this corn pudding! It’s so decadent and delicious! There’s no way you can only have one helping of this!
Recipe/Image: Insanely Good
Cranberry Chutney
Cranberry sauce is a must for your meal! It keeps everything from drying out and adds a delicious tangy flavor to it all. One of my favorite ways to keep the food moist is by adding a dollop of cranberry sauce, especially to my turkey and Thanksgiving side dishes.
Recipe/Image: The Modern Proper
Desserts
Sweet Potato Pie
This is one of the more traditional pies for the holiday! It’s delicious and has the perfect crumbly pie base.
Recipe/Image: Adam Bush c/o BBC Good Food
Apple Pie Cheesecake with Caramel Topping
Excuse me while I devour this entire thing myself. Have you heard of anything more delicious?! It’s perfect for the end of fall, too.
Recipe/Image: Grits and Pinecones
Pumpkin Pie
No thanksgiving is complete without a pumpkin dessert. Specifically, pumpkin pie! This recipe is fantastic and it comes out looking just like the photos!
Recipe/Image: Insanely Good
Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This is another classic Thanksgiving dessert! You can never go wrong with this and the frosting itself is enough to try it!
Recipe/Image: The Recipe Critic
Pumpkin Custard
This is a great option if you’re not feeling a pie or cake. Custard is always a great option and this embodies fall perfectly!
Recipe/Image: Lil Luna
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32 thoughts on “The Best Thanksgiving Recipes”
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing
Enjoy!
These all sound mouthwatering! I will have to try some of these out.
I’m so excited to make these!
That one pan Thanksgiving dinner is absolutely genius! I have to try that one first.
So good for a dinner idea!
This list is really helpful for someone like me who isn’t so great with food ideas and recipes. I really like the roast turkey and dinner rolls, I’d love to try them out.
It’s so hard to find recipes that are easy to follow. I hope these help!
Such a comprehensive list of ideas for Thanksgiving dinner! I am particularly interested in the mashed potatoes – I always serve the same thing and this recipe would kick it up a notch!
I’m excited for those too!
This is quite the feast of recipes! I’ve never heard of fish being served for thanksgiving, but that one recipe sure looks tasty!
I haven’t tried it either but may be good for those who aren’t turkey fans!
Nnniiiccceeee…I love the sound of roast turkey! I don’t think I can ever have enough of it.
Agreed! The best leftovers too!
All the classic delicious Thanksgiving recipes here. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoy!
Ah, almost time to gather together for the feast. I am more than a little excited.
We are too!
These all look so tasty! I always make mac & cheese on Thanksgiving, because I don’t believe in everything having to be traditional, and I want the kids to enjoy the meal!
Great point!
These delicious, apple cheesecake is calling my name haha it looks so yummy and I want to save it for thanksgiving
It looks amazing!
All of your recipes sound so good! I am so glad I am not the one cooking on Thanksgiving!
It can be stressful sometimes!
I really want to try those foods one. In my place we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. It must be a good experience to do.
Try them!
Although we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving Day here in Australia, these recipes would be a perfect fit for our Aussie Christmas celebration. They all look delicious, and I reckon your kitchen is a happy place in your home.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy!
We don’t have thanksgiving here in the Philippines, but these all look like good food. Totally got hungry going through this blog post!
Thank you!
Those are some great recipes to check out and keep in mind for Thanksgiving. My kids absolutely love mashed potatoes so I know what I’m trying first for sure.
One of the best sides!