Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner or attending as a guest, there comes the time each year that we have to decide what to make for Thanksgiving. It may be the turkey, side dish, dessert or everything in between, this guide is a great starting point for recipe inspiration for the ultimate turkey day feast.
Thanksgiving Menu
Here we are guys, in the crucial weeks approaching Thanksgiving. The dinner is fast approaching you are in the age-old-dilemma of “what to make?!” Well fear not, I’ve got you covered. Consider this post your go-to guide and starting point for choosing winning Thanksgiving recipes.
I’ll be breaking this post down by thanksgiving food type. In each section I’ll start by expanding on some of my favorite options in that category, with certain tips and tricks and then at the end, I’ll share a list of all the recipe on my site that I have in that section.
NAVIGATION!
Thanksgiving Appetizers
Ahhhh, the classic debate! To have or not to have appetizers at Thanksgiving (that is the question!). Some people stand firmly on the side of not wanting hors d’oeuvres at the Thanksgiving Gather in fear that they might take away from the main event; the dinner. Others, like me say “the more the merrier!” and welcome a few apps to start their dinner off right.
Whichever side you fall on, rest assured that when you need ideas for Thanksgiving appetizers, I’ve got you covered!
Favorite overall Thanksgiving appetizer
Apple Bacon Brie Bites– These are one of my most popular fall and with good reason. They have all the components that people live for: creamy cheese, smoky bacon, tart apples and a sweet drizzle of honey. Not only that, but they’re seriously easy to assemble and taste great hot or cold. Expert tip: use pre-made phyllo cups for easy assembly.
Favorite make-ahead appetizer
Grandma’s Shrimp Dip– This is a major family favorite for us! My Grandma Eve has made this for years and it’s one of those apps that we all fight for. Rest assured that it’s every man for himself: if you’re late, you may miss out on the famous Shrimp Dip. This is completely make ahead so you can throw it together the day before and bring it with a bag of chips. Give it a quick stir and then watch with pride while your family devours it!
Favorite appetizer that travels well
Easiest Ever Artichoke Dip– Who doesn’t love a Hot Artichoke Dip? This option is excellent to make-and-take because It tends to stay warm, and also tastes good warm without it having to be piping hot. I like to serve it with tortilla chips but you can also go with sliced and toasted baguette. Expert tips: you can totally bake this and put it in the crockpot and keep it on warm.
Thanksgiving Main Dish
If you’re one of the lucky one’s who gets the job of hosting, don’t worry, I’ve got you. You have a variety of options to make a successful Thanksgiving Turkey, and don’t feel like you need to limit yourself to the whole bird!
Favorite whole turkey recipe
Orange Rosemary Roast Turkey– Not only is this a fantastic basic turkey recipe, it’s also the best go-to guide for how to cook a turkey. Trust me when I say it answers every possible question that may come up and even has troubleshooting options.
Most tender turkey recipe
Citrus Brown Sugar Smoked Turkey Breast– Why make a whole bird when a turkey breast (or a few) will feed a crowd? This smoked turkey breast recipe is by far the most render and juice turkey recipe I’ve every tasted! If you have a smoker, this recipe is for you (and if not, you can easily roast it in your oven for a different, but still delicious flavor). Expert tip: the big takeaway is to cook it until it’s just under 165 degrees and then rest it for 10 minutes. Not only will the juices redistribute but the temperature will get up to 165 as it rests giving you a super juicy turkey that isn’t over cooked.
Best turkey options for 1-2 people
Roast Turkey Thighs for Two– Now don’t let the name fool you, this recipe is written in a way that you can easily double, triple or quadruple the recipe for as many people as you need. It’s also an excellent option if you want a bit more dark meat to serve with your full bird (in my family we fight for the dark meat).
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
We all have that family member who is all, “I’m just here for the sides.” I feel this deep in my soul, because Thanksgiving (out of all the eating holidays out there) tends to have the widest variety of different sides to sample and I’m all about variety!
Favorite vegetable side dish
Easy Garlic Green Beans– This recipe comes from my husband’s Nanou and it is the stuff of legends in our family. This crowd pleaser can convert even the pickiest of eaters to a green bean lover (just ask my daughter Alice!) and uses the most . simple of ingredients.
Favorite starch side dish
Italian Ciabatta Dressing– This is a recent addition to my site (as of 11/19) and as a person who doesn’t really love dressing it’s a total winner! Amazing flavor, moist on the inside with a perfectly crispy crust on top: everyone who tasted this when I was testing it begged for the recipe!
Favorite Salad
Beet Salad– I’m really not a fan of beets, but I’d eat this salad every day. It really is that good. Light and super fresh tasting with lemon and dill plus a great zing from the feta cheese! Expert tip: sprinkle the feta on top just before serving so that it doesn’t turn purple!
Favorite make-ahead side dish
Harvest Rice Salad– I know this sounds strange, but trust me when I say that once you try this, you’ll want a rice salad at every family gathering. Full of the great flavors of fall- it’s refreshing but still satisfying and tastes best when made ahead.
Favorite side dish that travels well
Grandma’s Baked Artichoke Hearts– Each year, people go crazy over this recipe! It’s all the great flavor of a stuffed artichoke with out all the mess and hassle that goes into making and eating it. It’s rare to come across a holiday meal in our family that doesn’t feature this dish and it travels amazingly well!
Thanksgiving Desserts
If you don’t have desserts, is it even Thanksgiving?! Nothing caps off your thanksgiving feast like something sweet and I’ve got some tasty options to choose from!
Best twist on a traditional Thanksgiving dessert
Apple Cranberry Crisp with Gingersnap Topping– This is one of the recipes I’m most proud of. The flavor combo is unmatched and its super easy to make. Bonus points because the leftovers make a great excuse to eat dessert for breakfast (I won’t tell if you don’t).
Best pie
Cherry Cheese Pie– Now I know that I could have gone with a more traditional option, but I want you to have the best of the best and this my friends is the best. This actually won an award at the senior center when my Grandma made it, so you know it means business! Expert tip: place the cherries on one-by-one. It only takes slightly longer but that extra step ensures a delicious cherry in every single bite!
Best non-pie dessert
Cream Cheese Pumpkin Crunch Cake– Pumpkin cake and cheese cake and crunchy streusel topping? This is basically the cake of my dreams. And it’s a cake mix hack, so it’s totally easy to make. People will be begging for the recipe but I won’t tell i you don’t!
Best show stopper
Rice Krispie Treat Turkey– I couldn’t possibly make this list without sharing this Rice Krispie Treat Turkey. The kids will love it and you’ll look like a total boss. What they won’t know is how easy it is to make!
Best make ahead dessert
Orange Cranberry Tort– This is adapted from a famous New York Times recipe and comes out incredible every single time. It’s also seriously pretty which is never a bad thing. But most importantly (for this category) It actually tastes better if you make it ahead.
Pssst… are you Hosting Thanksgiving?
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Thanksgiving Recipes
In case that wasn’t enough inspiration, I’ll leave my full list of Thanksgiving-inspired recipes here for you to peruse. Be sure to bookmark or pin this and check back because it will get updated whenever I post a Thanksgiving-appropriate recipe!
You can find a full index of my recipes here.
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