Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

This Thanksgiving Dinner Menu will inspire you with recipes for what to cook and the guide will help organize your feast to enjoy the holiday!

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If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving Dinner Menu and how to plan for the big day, this guide will show you what you need to do to prepare for the big feast and includes some of our favorite recipes! Thanksgiving is known as a family-bonding holiday, but the cooks in the family (i.e. me!) spend most of it stuck in the kitchen. Rather than taking the entire day to prepare one meal, you can prepare a number of Thanksgiving recipes in advance to serve or reheat the next day.

Yumna holding plate of carved turkey in front of dining room table horizontal version

Below are a few tips that will help you organize your Thanksgiving dinner with a menu to choose from and an action plan, whether you plan a large or small celebration with the Thanksgiving recipes you’ll need…desserts included!

Three weeks ahead

I know you just put away the Halloween decorations, but now is the time to get a jump on planning the next holiday menu. Time to get a jump on Thanksgiving.

  • Count your people: This year might be slightly larger than last year’s more intimate gathering. Whether it’s just your immediate family or a larger bubble, the first step is nailing down your number.
  • Plan a menu: Peruse your recipe collection and draw up a menu. Think about balancing your Thanksgiving dinner’s flavors, colors, and textures to provide pops of color like orange squash and green veggies among the beige turkey, gravy, and mashed potatoes.
  • Delegate: If guests are expecting, figure out what you want them to bring. Ask the less culinarily inclined to bring nuts, olives, a cheese platter, a bakery treat, or bottled drinks.
  • Start shopping: Stock up on non-perishables like drinks, canned pumpkin puree, baking supplies, canned stock, or anything you can freeze ahead of time. Choose your seasonal produce to add to the list, too.
  • Order up: If you order your turkey and or pies or rolls from a specific source, now is the time to make sure you are first on the list.
  • Cook or bake ahead: Lots of things, like homemade cranberry sauce or chicken stock (for gravy) and pie crust or even whole pies, can be made ahead and frozen. Refer to your particular recipes for guidance.
  • Check your non-food items: Did you shatter your gravy boat during last year’s Thanksgiving dinner? Do you have enough chairs, plates, glasses, and flatware? A reliable meat thermometer and a roasting pan? Want an excuse to order new placemats? Now is the time to buy or borrow whatever you might need.
Yumna seasoning mashed potatoes in a serving bowl nexty to baked macaroni and cheese and a large turkey platter with kale leaves.

One week before thanksgiving dinner 

  • Buy the food: At this point, you can purchase all but the most perishable fresh foods.
  • Schedule your defrosting: Did you buy a frozen turkey or freeze something substantial like a casserole or pie? Determine how long it needs to defrost and make room in the fridge. This chart gives tons of great turkey info, including defrosting times for turkeys based on weight.
  • Make gravy, pie dough, or cranberry sauce: If you haven’t made any of these very keepable items, get busy. Even gravy, if you aren’t wedded to making it the day of from pan drippings, can be made three to four days out with separately roasted turkey or chicken parts.
  • Get the kids involved: Literally, nothing is cuter than those turkeys that kids make by tracing their tiny hands. Use the drawings for place cards for the Thanksgiving dinner. Get out the googly eyes and pinecones, too. Can they help you with any baking projects? Check out my guide on tips for cooking with children.
  • Plan your pickups: Especially this year, with some restrictions happening around crowds, picking up pre-ordered items may be more time-consuming than usual. Plan ahead.

Two days ahead 

Transferring turkey drippings from pan to saucepan
  • Re-assess: Figure out what needs to be done and try and delegate anything you can, such as picking up extra drinks, ice, or ordering an extra pie.
  • Go through your recipes: Add any missing ingredients to your last-minute Thanksgiving dinner shopping list.
  • Pick up your fresh turkey: And other perishables you have waited on.
  • Brine away: If you subscribe to these methods, wet or dry, brine your bird.
  • Assemble serving ware: If you have room, haul out everything you need.
  • Set the table: If you have a separate dining room that is not in heavy use, consider starting to set the table or enlist your kids to do it.

One day ahead 

  • Breathe: You are probably in good shape!
  • Bake: If you haven’t baked ahead, the night before is a great time to do it.
  • Wash, chop, and prep: Which recipes are you making tomorrow, that you can prep ingredients tonight? Wash herbs, chop onions, dice squash, etc., to save time. Some dishes like dressing might be able to be fully assembled and refrigerated, ready to dress the salad the next day.
  • Create a schedule: It’s your stove’s busiest day of the year! Do a rough estimate of what needs to cook and when. Remember, slow cookers and Instant Pots can be deployed as extra burners to keep side dishes or soups warm!
  • Order pizza: Or another takeout, because it is hard to prep and cook a regular dinner, too.
Yumna removing potatoes from oven

Thanksgiving dinner day 🦃

  • Put final touches on recipes: This is the time to assemble everything that was washed, chopped, and prepped the day before.
  • Follow your schedule: You took the time to create a schedule, so follow it to keep it cool. This is especially important for the oven.
  • Enjoy and be grateful! 🙂
Guest holding Thanksgiving menu listing starters, main coures, and dessert over a dinner plate and table full of prepared recipes from the menu.

Thanksgiving dinner menu 2022

Pick and choose a few of these well-thought-out Thanksgiving recipes, from the sides to desserts, and the pièce de résistance, a beautifully roasted Turkey.

  • Dry Brined Turkey Breast – Juicy, tender, and packed with flavor! If you haven’t tried dry brining a turkey breast, I highly recommended it! This is a fantastic alternative to roasting a whole turkey.
  • Smashed Sweet Potatoes – A deliciously easy side dish that uses savory spices and parmesan cheese that creates a crispy crust and soft inside.
  • Vegan Mushroom Gravy – Scratch made with caramelized mushrooms and onions, this easy gravy recipe is perfect over creamy mashed potatoes and your holiday turkey.
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes – The best garlic mashed potatoes you’ll ever eat! This recipe infuses garlic in the cream sauce and adds roasted garlic to the final dish. Yum!
  • Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts – The many textures are what really elevate this clean, crisp salad with sweet pears, blue cheese crumbles, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, and a zesty citrus honey mustard vinaigrette.
  • Thanksgiving Stuffing – Made with sourdough bread and cooked outside the turkey it’s a vegetarian side that your guests are sure to gush about!
  • Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Crispy and delicious, this is a quick and easy Thanksgiving side dish that has all the flavor without the fuss.
  • Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Creamy, buttery, and cheesy macaroni is baked and topped with homemade breadcrumbs for a super simple side dish.
  • Cranberry Orange Sauce – Thanksgiving is better with cranberry orange sauce! Just 4 ingredients, and you have a delicious homemade side for the table.
  • Pecan Pie – This is a healthier version of the classic dessert that uses dates instead of corn syrup. Just as tasty, super simple to make, and a satisfying Thanksgiving dessert as you’d expect!
Table spread of Thanksgiving dishes.

Other Thanksgiving Recipes to Try

Pick and choose from an array of Thanksgiving recipes to build the perfect dinner menu with starters, soup and salad ideas, the main dish, sides, and desserts. I’ve included a few breakfast ideas to get your holiday morning started off right.

And if you’re looking to save some time on Thanksgiving day, consider making some of these dishes ahead of time. They can take a load off on the big day, and some actually taste better that way! Here’s a full list of Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes for you to narrow down your menu.

Starters for Thanksgiving

  • Baked Brie Cranberry in Bread Bowl –  This elegant baked brie cranberry in a pull-apart bread bowl for dipping is so easy to make and only uses 3 ingredients! 
  • Mushroom Tartlets – These cheesy mushroom tartlets are the perfect appetizer for holiday parties – made with onions, mushrooms, and cheese on top of a buttery, flaky mini pastry!
  • Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms – A perfect bite-size appetizer at your next holiday gathering. Stuffed mushrooms are crowd-pleasing finger food that you can prepare ahead of time.
  • Cream Cheese Spinach Dip – This Cream Cheese Spinach Dip is a rich, creamy dip that is made with greek yogurt instead of sour cream – great with bread and crackers!
  • Artichoke Tahini Dip – This creamy baked artichoke dip is meant for sharing! Served hot, bake it in the oven before being served to the table, or place it in a chafing dish.
  • Charcuterie Board – Cheese boards are perfect for displaying an array of finger foods like cheeses, fruits, nuts, crackers, and jams.
  • Butter Board with Fruit – This viral TikTok recipe may be the new charcuterie board fad, but you can really get creative with fresh fruit, nuts, and honey or try and savory topping instead.
  • Baked Brie Appetizer – Another cheese board option with creamy baked brie with pomegranate, nuts, and honey.
  • Candied Walnuts – Add these oven-roasted candied walnuts to a cheese board, on top of a salad or sweet potatoes, or as a crunchy sweet addition to dessert.
4 image collage of different appetizer ideas.

Soups and Salads

  • Roasted Pumpkin Soup – A healthy and delicious cozy soup perfect for the fall that’s made with roasted pumpkin and seasoned with cinnamon, sage, cayenne, and maple syrup.
  • Roasted Butternut Squash Soup – Another warm and comforting soup that is smooth, creamy, and only uses a few pantry staples. It’s a light starter to your Thanksgiving feast.
  • Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad – This is a fantastic make-ahead salad recipe that can be served as a started or a side dish with caramelized roasted butternut squash, kale, quinoa, pomegranate, and crumbled feta.
  • Fall Harvest Salad – A festive, delicious salad to include in your holiday spread that’s full of colors, textures, and tastes.
  • Roasted Beet Salad – Roasted Beet Salad is made with two types of seasonal beets and served over a bed of arugula.
  • Brussel Sprout Sweet Potato Salad – A veggie-loaded nutritious salad that can be served cold or hot, this is the perfect side for so many dishes, especially during the fall!
4 image collage of different soup and salad starters.

Mains

  • Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe – If you’re looking for a fail-proof turkey roasting method, try this Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe for a perfectly cooked bird with no fuss!
  • Roasted Chicken with Garlic & Herbs – An alternative to turkey, this easy-to-make whole-roasted chicken is full of flavor and wonderfully juicy.
Placing carved thanksgiving platter on table

Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas

  • Melting Sweet Potatoes – This lighter version of candied sweet potatoes literally melts and dissolves in your mouth for a delicious bite.
  • Roasted Parmesan Potatoes – These crispy oven-roasted parmesan potatoes are easy to make & taste amazing. The butter, parmesan, and spices soak right in while crisping up the outside!
  • Potato Cauliflower Bake – An easy cheesy side dish that is always a crowd favorite. It’s simple to make with a few ingredients and is great for pairing with your annual Thanksgiving feast!
  • Vegetarian Stuffing – Made with roasted vegetables and fresh herbs, it is also dairy free and vegan.
  • Healthy Mashed Potatoes – A must-have Thanksgiving side dish, these mashed potatoes are made lighter by using low-fat sour cream and made more flavorful with vegetable broth.
  • Creamed Corn – Delicious and easy, this vegetarian corn side dish is a must this Thanksgiving made with cream cheese and cheddar.
  • Healthy Green Bean Casserole – You’ll love the flavor of the scratch-made mushroom soup and fresh green beans in this casserole to serve on your Thanksgiving table.
  • Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts – Use the oven for other dishes and make these crispy Brussels sprouts in the oven in just 15 minutes!
  • Homemade Dinner Rolls – No Thanksgiving is complete without fresh rolls, and this recipe is easy to make and comes out perfectly light and fluffy.
  • Simple Gravy Recipe – This quick and easy gravy is made from scratch using drippings from your Thanksgiving turkey.
  • Baked Cranberry Sauce – Hands-off recipe? Yes, please! This easy holiday side dish is exactly what you want on your menu, so you can focus on creating other delicious recipes.
  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – A traditional mashed potato recipe for your holiday spread, cooks in under 10 minutes and comes out perfectly creamy, fluffy, and rich!
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes – This savory recipe is a lighter option to the sugar-loaded, marshmallow-topped counterpart and is still full of naturally sweet flavor.
  • Green Beans with Almonds – A light and crisp fresh side dish to serve on Thanksgiving and offers a nutritious and colorful dish to add to your meal.
6 image collage of tradtional side dish ideas.

Desserts

  • Mini Pumpkin Pies – These individual pumpkin pies are so easy to make and are the perfect treat for Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season.
  • Baked Apple Slices – Fill your house with amazing Fall spices and serve these warm baked apples with a scoop of ice cream.
  • Easy Apple Pie – This easy apple pie is a quintessential fall recipe that you can make with pre-made pie dough and basic ingredients- perfect for Thanksgiving
  • No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake –  If you love pumpkin pie and cheesecake, this recipe is for you! It’s creamy, pumpkin-y, and the perfect holiday dessert.
  • Apple Bread Pudding – This bread pudding has a creamy custard, and fresh apples baked into a decadent dessert and so good served warm with homemade ice cream on top!
  • No-Bake Cheesecake Cups – Perfect for making a day or two before the big holiday feast, this no-bake dessert is made with greek yogurt for a light version of cheesecake.
  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chips Cookies – These tasty morsels are perfect for using up leftover pumpkin from holiday baking with just a few pantry ingredients.
  • Apple Crisp – The perfect fall dessert made with juicy apples, cinnamon, and an oat topping!
  • Vegan Pumpkin Pie – With creamy coconut milk filling, it’s the perfect dairy-free dessert to serve for Thanksgiving.
5 image collage of dessert recipes.

What to have for Breakfast on Thanksgiving

The morning of Thanksgiving can be hectic, but these recipes are festive and easy to make to get your morning started. Consider baking muffins, loaves of sweet bread, and cinnamon rolls ahead of time for a grab-and-go breakfast option.

  • Cinnamon Apple Bread – An Autumn favorite, this recipe is packed with apple flavor and cinnamon that’s easy to make days before for a no-fuss breakfast on Thanksgiving morning.
  • Pumpkin Pancakes – These are rich, fluffy, and super easy to make. Wake up the household with the aromatic pumpkin spice pancakes to start the holiday off right!
  • Easy French Toast Casserole – This sweet breakfast casserole is a tasty holiday breakfast! It’s quick to prepare, and there’s no need for overnight chilling – perfect for a crowd.
  • Cranberry Lemon Muffins – Bursting with cranberries and citrus zest, these can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack.
  • Sweet Potato Waffles – Maybe save this one for the day after Thanksgiving as a way to use leftover sweet potatoes for a wholesome breakfast.
  • Vegan Cinnamon Rolls – Perfect to make the night before, these cinnamon rolls are easy to make and are wonderfully fluffy and sweet.
  • Broccoli and Cheese Quiche – Go ahead and bake this quiche recipe and freeze it until the night before Thanksgiving. Warm in the oven the morning of for a quick healthy breakfast.
  • Veggie Omelet – Chop the veggies during your prep day to whip up this cheesy omelet in no time.
4 image collage of breakfast ideas.

HOW TO KEEP FOOD WARM

  • Oven: Once you’ve baked everything, set it to 200°F and store dishes in there to keep them warm.
  • Aluminum Foil: If your oven is not free, you can simply use aluminum foil, which has reflective properties that protect the food from light and oxygen. The foil reflects the thermal energy back to the food, which maintains moisture, flavor, and texture.
  • Slow Cookers and Instant Pots: Think of recipes that can be made in your slow cooker or instant pot that will keep warm during the party. You can even use them to keep food warm even if you don’t cook in them.
  • Insulated coolers: You can use a cooler to keep food hot as well as cold. The insulation technology that keeps out the heat to maintain cold foods also works to trap heat in and keep food hot for hours at a time. You can even line the cooler with aluminum foil for even better results.
  • Chafing buffet set: You can use disposable chafing dishes to keep everything warm. Set up a table to display all the hot dishes for easy access and maintain temperature throughout your meal.

HOW TO STORE ALL THE LEFTOVERS

If you’re like me, you always end up with leftovers after any big gathering. And while I’m not complaining (leftovers are the best!), it can be tricky to know how to store all of them. Here are a few tips:

  • Cool it down. Make sure everything is cooled completely before storing.
  • Label everything with the name and date. This will help you keep track of what’s what and also ensure that nothing gets lost in the back of the fridge.
  • Use plastic containers or freezer bags. This will help keep your food fresh and prevent it from drying out.
  • Save or trash? If you have any perishable items (like meat or dairy), make sure to store them in the fridge. If they have sat out longer than 4 hours, it’s probably best to throw it out.

MUST-HAVE GADGETS FOR Thanksgiving Dinner

From baking and cooking wares and items to make serving easy and painless to common and super helpful gadgets for prepping, here are some of my go-to Thanksgiving day kitchen and serving items:

Cookware & Bakeware

  • roasting pan – A good roasting pan is a must when cooking a whole turkey. There are a variety of sizes to meet your needs.
  • ceramic baking dishes – For a lovely tablescape, grab a set of baking dishes that match your theme or are simplistic enough to let the food be the show stopper of Thanksgiving dinner.
  • wire baking rack – A wire rack is an excellent ware for baking bread, cookies, appetizers, and such.
  • glass pie plate – Homemade pies bake up great in glass pie dishes, and these can be used for gifting a pie to friends and family, too!
  • meat thermometer – One thing you want to ensure is food is cooked thoroughly. Invest in a good meat thermometer!

Serve Thanksgiving Dinner

  • carving set – Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without a beautiful turkey carving set.
  • chafing buffet set – Keep food warm throughout dinner and have a place for cooked dishes to keep temp while you finish baking and cooking all the food.
  • gravy boat – Where else would scratch-made gravy go if not in a traditional serving dish?

Gadgets for Prepping Food

  • garlic press – You can cut it all by hand if you want. Or, get a press to make preparing garlic a breeze.
  • vegetable peeler – Peel everything you need with a sturdy vegetable or y-peeler.
  • hand mixer – Have a reliable hand mix at the ready for potatoes, batters, and more.
  • food processor – Prepare so many recipes with ease using a food processor. Easy to use and clean, and it makes prepping that much easier.
  • mandoline slicer – Thanksgiving is a large meal; you could use an extra hand or get through prep using a slicer. Either way, you’ll get recipes together more quickly!
Yumna setting down cranberries on table

I hope the planner walking you through the week of Thanksgiving and these turkey day recipe ideas will help you plan your menu a little easier! It’s such a busy day in the kitchen; we can all use a little help!

FULL LIST OF RECIPES

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipe cards to take you directly to those recipes.

Overhead shot of sliced turkey breast on a large platter with fresh herbs with sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce nearby.
Entree

Dry Brine Turkey Breast

This dry brine, bone-in, skin-on turkey breast is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor! If you haven't tried dry brining your bird I highly recommended it!
 
1 day 2 hours 40 minutes
5 from 16 votes
Sweet potato rounds garnished with parsley and parmesan in a serving dish with turkey slices and cranberry sauce nearby.
Side Dish

Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Crispy smashed sweet potatoes roasted in the oven with savory spices and parmesan cheese! A way to cook sweet potatoes that actually yields a crispy outside!
 
55 minutes
5 from 47 votes
White gravy boat with the final vegan mushroom gravy and a spoon scooping some out.
Sauces, Side Dish

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Easy, Vegan Mushroom Gravy. Made from scratch with caramelized mushrooms & onions and fresh herbs. Learn how to make it for a versatile gravy option!
 
30 minutes
5 from 22 votes
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes in a large serving bowl with a side of smashed sweet potatoes nearby.
Side Dish

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

The best, most garlicky garlic mashed potatoes you'll ever eat! These roasted garlic mashed potatoes use two whole heads of garlic! You've got to try them!
 
1 hour 20 minutes
5 from 25 votes
Final plating of the pear salad with dressed kale, pear, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, and cleu cheese.
Salads

Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts

This kale and pear salad is topped with dried cranberries, candied walnuts, and tangy blue cheese. It's a great fall salad for kale and pear lovers alike!
 
10 minutes
5 from 67 votes
Thanksgiving stuffing in a baking dish garnished with fresh herbs.
Side Dish

Thanksgiving Stuffing

Homemade Thanksgiving stuffing with sourdough bread, fresh herbs and veggies. This is a vegetarian stuffing made outside the turkey everyone will enjoy!
 
1 hour 5 minutes
5 from 7 votes
Large bowl of roasted brussel sprouts with a spoon added in.
Side Dish

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts are an easy sheet pan side dish. They're simplistic in flavor with garlic, salt & pepper, letting the sprouts shine through!
 
35 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Large baking dish of baked macaroni cheese with breadcrumb topping, fresh herb garnishing, a serving spoon next to it with a scoop removed from dish.
Entree, Side Dish

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe is easy to make & topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs. It’s a kid favorite but sophisticated enough for adults!
 
45 minutes
5 from 66 votes
Bowl of cranberry orange sauce garnished with orange zest and fresh sprig of thyme with a spoon dipped in.
Side Dish

Cranberry Orange Sauce

Homemade cranberry orange sauce/relish! Fresh cranberries, orange juice, and zest make up an amazing sauce for Thanksgiving turkey, duck, and even lamb!
 
22 minutes
5 from 15 votes
Overhead shot of whole pecan pie.
Dessert

Pecan Pie

This easy pecan pie recipe is made without corn syrup and with dates instead. It's a healthier version of a traditional pecan pie but just as tasty!
 
1 hour 36 minutes
5 from 94 votes
Baked brie cranberry in bread bowl after baked. Slice of bread being pulled away
Appetizer

Baked Brie Cranberry in Bread Bowl

For your Thanksgiving, Christmas and any holiday parties, try this elegant easy 3 ingredient baked brie cranberry in a pull-apart bread bowl for dipping! 
 
25 minutes
5 from 124 votes
Plate of mushroom tartlets garnished with rosemary
Appetizer, Snacks

Mushroom Tartlets

These cheesy mushroom tartlets are the perfect appetizer for holiday parties – made with onions, mushrooms and cheese on top of a buttery flaky mini pastry!
 
35 minutes
5 from 183 votes
Small round dish of vegetarian stuffed mushrooms
Appetizer

Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms

These Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms are perfect to serve as appetizers at your next holiday gathering. They are flavorful, cheesy crowd pleasing finger foods
 
25 minutes
5 from 218 votes
Cream cheese spinach dip with toasted bread
Appetizer

Cream Cheese Spinach Dip

This Cream Cheese Spinach Dip is a rich creamy dip that is a made with greek yogurt instead of sour cream – great with bread and crackers!
 
25 minutes
5 from 77 votes
Artichoke tahini dip with pita crackers on the side
Appetizer

Artichoke Tahini Dip

Loaded with flavor, this spinach and artichoke tahini dip is a crowd pleasing appetizer. Baked in the oven; best served with pita or crackers!
 
40 minutes
5 from 22 votes
a beautiful cheese board laid out on a table
Appetizer

Charcuterie Board

Check out my step-by-step guide for How to Make a Cheese Board. All you need is a few ingredients and 15 mins to create a beautiful platter for entertaining
 
15 minutes
4.5 from 8 votes
Butter board topped with fruit, nuts, and mit with some smeared off and a few slices of bread nearby.
Appetizer

Butter Board

Need a butter board recipe that's sweeter for breakfast or brunch? I've got you covered! Fresh berries, honey & nuts atop softened butter with bread. Yum!
 
10 minutes
5 from 13 votes
Close up shot of the baked brie appetizer plate
Appetizer

Baked Brie Appetizer

This Baked Brie appetizer is a cheese platter that will leave your guest speechless. Served on a Charcuterie board with apples, nuts, and crackers!
 
20 minutes
5 from 24 votes
Candied walnuts in a small bowl with a spoon dipped in and baking sheet with more on it nearby.
Tutorial

How to Make Candied Walnuts

Learn how to make candied walnuts from scratch with egg white, spices and of course sugar. Baked in the oven for a crunchy, caramelized coating!
 
50 minutes
5 from 4 votes
Close up shot of the pumpkin soup topped with pumpkin seeds and sage leaves
Soup

Pumpkin Soup

This roasted pumpkin soup is a delicious and easy recipe that the whole family will love. Simple to make and packed with veggies for a healthy vegan meal.
 
1 hour 15 minutes
5 from 7 votes
Bowl of soup garnished with coconut milk and pumpkin seeds with spoon inside bowl and another bowl nearby.
Soup

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

This roasted butternut squash soup is healthy, vegan, and comforting! The coconut milk adds an additional depth of flavor and creaminess.
 
1 hour 5 minutes
5 from 94 votes
Top down shot of Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
Salad

Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

This Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad is a seasonal recipe that is perfect for holiday gatherings and Thanksgiving- bursting with color & flavor
 
1 hour
5 from 144 votes
Fall harvest salad in a large bowl with an orange linen towel nearby
Salads

Fall Harvest Salad

This Fall Harvest Salad is inspired by the seasonal veges that are popular in autumn – including kale, sweet potatoes and beets tossed in a tahini dressing!
 
50 minutes
5 from 25 votes
Final plating of the pear salad with dressed kale, pear, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, and cleu cheese.
Salads

Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts

This kale and pear salad is topped with dried cranberries, candied walnuts, and tangy blue cheese. It's a great fall salad for kale and pear lovers alike!
 
10 minutes
5 from 67 votes
Brussels Sprouts Sweet Potato Salad in a white bowl
Salad

Brussels Sprout & Sweet Potato Salad

No more boring salads! Easy to make, this Brussel Sprout Sweet Potato Salad is full of flavor, color and texture – pairs with many main dishes
 
40 minutes
5 from 14 votes
Final easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe on a serving plate
Entree

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

If you're looking for a fail-proof turkey roasting method, try this Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe for a perfectly cooked bird with no fuss!
 
3 hours 10 minutes
5 from 53 votes
White plate with roasted chicken with lemon and herbs
Main Course

Roasted Chicken with Garlic & Herbs

Easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, this whole roasted chicken is cooked with garlic and herbs for a flavorful family meal.
 
1 hour 15 minutes
5 from 344 votes
Large serving dish with melting sweet potatoes and pecans on the side
Side Dish

Melting Sweet Potatoes

Melting Sweet Potatoes are a lighter version of candied sweet potatoes! They are "just right" in the sweet department without losing the caramelization!
 
50 minutes
5 from 23 votes
Large baking dish of baked macaroni cheese with breadcrumb topping, fresh herb garnishing, a serving spoon next to it with a scoop removed from dish.
Entree, Side Dish

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe is easy to make & topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs. It’s a kid favorite but sophisticated enough for adults!
 
45 minutes
5 from 66 votes
Top down shot of Potato Cauliflower Bake
Side Dish

Potato Cauliflower Bake

This cheesy Potato Cauliflower Bake is a delicious side dish that's quick and easy – pair it with weeknight dinners or Thanksgiving turkey!
 
1 hour
5 from 164 votes
Final vegetarian stuffing in a large casserole dish
Side Dish

Vegetarian Stuffing

Vegetarian stuffing is perfect to serve with your turkey for Thanksgiving. Made with roasted vegetables and fresh herbs, it is also dairy free and vegan.
 
2 hours
5 from 8 votes
Final plate of healthy mashed potatoes served with fresh chives and a dab of butter
Side Dish

Healthy Mashed Potatoes

These Healthy Mashed Potatoes are light in calories since they’re made with low-fat sour cream, but loaded with flavor – must-have Thanksgiving side dish!
 
29 minutes
5 from 371 votes
Large bowl of creamed corn with spoon inside for serving
Side Dish

Creamed Corn

This vegetarian homemade creamed corn recipe is an easy 15 minutes side dish that works with so many meals and made quickly on the stovetop!
 
15 minutes
5 from 55 votes
Healthy green bean casserole with panko breadcrumbs on top
Side Dish

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Made from scratch with a homemade mushroom soup, this green bean casserole is healthier and lighter but still big on flavor for Thanksgiving!
 
35 minutes
5 from 50 votes
Air fryer Brussel sprouts in a white bowl
Appetizer, Side Dish

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

It's so quick and easy to cook Brussel Sprouts in the air fryer! Ready to serve in 15 minutes, they have perfectly crispy edges and they are perfect to serve with so many meals.
 
15 minutes
5 from 14 votes
Homemade dinner rollers
Side Dish

Homemade Dinner Rolls

Simple and easy to make, for non bakers, these classic homemade dinner rolls are made from scratch and come out perfectly light and fluffy!
 
2 hours 45 minutes
5 from 147 votes
Homemade gravy from turkey drippings
Condiments

Simple Gravy Recipe

Learn how to make gravy from scratch with your turkey drippings this Thanksgiving. Quick and easy, you can make it while your turkey is resting.
 
10 minutes
5 from 20 votes
Baked Cranberry Relish in a white bowl and spoon, garnished with orange slices and pecans
Side Dish

Baked Cranberry Sauce

This Baked Cranberry Sauce is a great thanksgiving side dish that practically makes itself in the oven! Leftovers can be used like jam after!
 
1 hour 2 minutes
4.9 from 43 votes
Final instant pot mashed potatoes served with extra butter
Side Dish

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Try these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes for your holiday spread – they cook in under 10 minutes and come out perfectly creamy, fluffy and rich!
 
23 minutes
4.9 from 13 votes
Large oval casserole dish with healthy mashed sweet potatoes topped with butter and thyme
Side Dish

Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes are similar to a casserole but without the sugary topping. It's a lightened up savory recipe that pairs well with any protein!
 
20 minutes
5 from 248 votes
Large plate of green beans with almonds - Thanksgiving side dish
Side Dish

Green Beans with Almonds

If you’re looking for something lighter than green bean casserole for Thanksgiving, try my pan-roasted crisp and tender Green Beans with Almonds side dish!
 
15 minutes
5 from 86 votes
Mini pumpkin pies on a large plate with whipped cream in the middle
Dessert

Mini Pumpkin Pies

These Mini Pumpkin Pies are individualized portions of pumpkin pie, which are perfect for serving for Thanksgiving or during the holidays!
 
45 minutes
4.9 from 32 votes
Small bowl of baked apple slices with ice cream scooped on top and extra apples to the side.
Dessert

Baked Apple Slices

These cinnamon brown sugar baked apple slices are made with a secret ingredient – ginger! Perfect as-is, topped with ice cream, or baked in a crisp!
 
55 minutes
5 from 18 votes
Slice of easy apple pie served a la mode with ice cream on top
Dessert

Easy Apple Pie

This easy apple pie is a quintessential fall recipe that you can make with pre-made pie dough and basic ingredients- perfect for Thanksgiving
 
2 hours
5 from 65 votes
No bake pumpkin cheesecake with bite taken out and cheesecake in background
Dessert

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

This easy no-bake pumpkin pie cheesecake is creamy and delicious. If you love pumpkin pie and cheesecake, this recipe is for you!
 
20 minutes
5 from 55 votes
Plate of the apple bread pudding with ice cream on top and caramel sauce drizzle over
Dessert

Apple Bread Pudding

Apple bread pudding is an easy fail-proof dessert to enjoy during colder months – made with french bread, a creamy custard and fresh apples!
 
1 hour
5 from 54 votes
Greek Yogurt Cheesecake in two small clear glass bowls topped with strawberries
Dessert

Greek Yogurt Cheesecake

These No Bake Cheesecake Cups are a lightened up recipe of the classic dessert that is light on calories and fat; easy to make and perfect for entertaining!
 
20 minutes
5 from 147 votes
Hand grabbing a cookie from a plate full of pumpkin chocolate chips cookies
Dessert

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are chewy, moist and perfect treat for fall – made healthier by using applesauce and whole wheat flour, but no butter!
 
15 minutes
5 from 55 votes
Apple crisp served with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce and spoon inside bowl
Dessert

Easy Apple Crisp

For a quick and cozy treat, try this easy Apple Crisp recipe – the perfect fall dessert made with juicy apples, cinnamon and an oat topping!
 
50 minutes
5 from 166 votes
Pumpkin pie with slices cut out in a round glass baking dish.
Dessert

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

This vegan pumpkin pie is the best! An easy dump coconut cream & pumpkin filling makes it the perfect dairy-free pumpkin dessert to serve at Thanksgiving.
 
1 hour 5 minutes
5 from 104 votes
Half a loaf of Apple Bread sliced into thick pieces with remaining loaf uncut with a knife nearby.
Breakfast

Cinnamon Apple Bread

This moist cinnamon apple bread tastes amazing and is so easy to make! If you're looking for an amazing apple cinnamon loaf, this is it!
 
1 hour
5 from 43 votes
Final plating of recipe on a round white plate with butter and syrup on top, a fork to the side, and small pumpkin decoration around.
Breakfast

Pumpkin Pancakes

These fall-inspired Pumpkin Pancakes are made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. They are rich, fluffy, and are so easy to make!
 
25 minutes
5 from 135 votes
Close up shot of slice of easy french toast casserole with maple syrup getting poured on top.
Breakfast

French Toast Casserole

This easy french toast casserole is a tasty holiday breakfast/brunch! It’s quick to prepare & there’s no need for overnight chilling – perfect for a crowd.
 
55 minutes
5 from 95 votes
Muffin tin with baked cranberry muffins, and cranberries added in two of the muffin tins
Breakfast

Cranberry Lemon Muffins

This easy recipe for Cranberry Lemon Muffins is perfect for last minute holiday guests. They have a zesty tangy flavor and a moist texture.
 
37 minutes
5 from 79 votes
Sweet potato waffles stack on small white plate with fork and knife next to it.
Breakfast

Sweet Potato Waffles

These sweet potato waffles are a simple low-carb breakfast idea. They are a great way to use up leftover sweet potatoes, and each waffle is only 80 calories
 
10 minutes
5 from 427 votes
Spoon glazing vegan cinnamon rolls in white pan
Breakfast

Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

Treat yourself to the most delicious breakfast! These homemade vegan cinnamon rolls are so easy to make and are wonderfully fluffy and sweet.
 
2 hours 40 minutes
5 from 101 votes
Completed quiche made with broccoli and cheese after it comes out of the oven with slice removed
Brunch, Main Course

Broccoli and Cheese Quiche

It's so easy to make quiche from scratch! This broccoli and cheese quiche is made with cheddar cheese and is a perfect weekend brunch recipe.
 
1 hour 30 minutes
5 from 424 votes
Veggie omelette stuffed with red onions, peppers, mushrooms, spinach and cheese
Breakfast

Veggie Omelet

This veggie omelet is a delicious and filling breakfast made with eggs and stuffed with vegetables and shredded cheese – easy & versatile!
 
20 minutes
5 from 82 votes

For more similar roundups of recipes, be sure to check out:: Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes, Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes, Healthy Appetizers for the Holidays, Tips for Holiday Baking with Kids, Favorite Winter Recipes, and Fall Pumpkin Recipes.

If you find this guide for Thanksgiving Meal Plan useful, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below! It helps to create a dialogue with others who find this article. And if you snapped some shots of any of these tips and tricks, please share them on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!

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Comments

  1. This is a great article, so many useful tips!!! With one oven at home, I try to reduce the meals that need oven as much as the menu allows because the Turkey will occupy it for a long period of time and some times I cook ahead and preheat where possible. Thank You so much for sharing 🙂

  2. Thanks for sharing such healthy and yummy health ideas for dinner. This is one of the best articles I have crossed.