Thanksgiving Recipes to carry you through the whole day: the turkey, gravy, stuffing, a selection of sides, pies, and delicious ways to use leftovers all week long.
After many Thanksgivings in the kitchen, I can tell you the day becomes much easier when you plan what goes in the oven and when. Below is a curated collection of the recipes I actually make each year, organized so you can build a practical, stress-free holiday menu.
Start with the turkey, choose three or four sides, and bake at least one pie ahead of time to keep the day relaxed and enjoyable.
Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
The turkey is the centerpiece — and the thing that makes most cooks nervous. Pick the method that suits your time and guest list. Each option sets a different oven schedule and level of effort.
Easy Spatchcock Turkey
Easy Spatchcock Turkey — a flattened bird that roasts faster and browns evenly across the entire surface. Ideal when you want juiciness without a long roast time.
How To Cook A Turkey
How To Cook A Turkey — a straightforward guide to a classic roast turkey from start to finish. Great when you want a traditional centerpiece and dependable results.
Maple Butter Glazed Turkey Breast
Maple Butter Glazed Turkey Breast — perfect for a smaller table. The maple-butter glaze gives a sweet, savory finish and the breast cooks in much less time than a whole bird.
Roast Tandoori Turkey
Roast Tandoori Turkey — a spiced, yogurt-marinated turkey for when you want bold flavor and a change of pace from the usual Thanksgiving roast.
Your Thanksgiving Day Game Plan
Most stress comes from timing, not from the cooking itself. Decide which dishes need oven time, which can be made ahead, and which can cook on the stovetop. A clear schedule keeps the day calm and lets you enjoy your guests.
Thanksgiving Dinner Schedule
Thanksgiving Dinner Schedule — a no-stress cooking timeline that maps out what to prepare and when, so the oven and stovetop are used efficiently.
Gravy Worth the Trouble
Gravy makes the meal. You can prepare gravy ahead of time so it’s ready as soon as the turkey comes out of the oven.
Turkey Giblet Gravy
Turkey Giblet Gravy — a rich gravy built from the neck and giblets, so you don’t have to wait for pan drippings and can have sauce ready when the bird is done.
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy — a gravy you can prepare days in advance and reheat, freeing up the stovetop during the big meal.
Stuffing, Rolls and Cornbread
These comforting starches form the heart of the Thanksgiving table. Choose one or two crowd-pleasers that you can mostly prepare ahead.
Turkey Stuffing with Apples
Turkey Stuffing with Apples — an unstuffed herbed mixture that bakes in its own dish, studded with sweet-tart apples for balance.
Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
Pumpkin Dinner Rolls — soft, fluffy rolls with pumpkin folded into the dough, adding color and subtle sweetness.
Cornbread Casserole
Cornbread Casserole — a spoonable, tender cornbread made from scratch that’s easy to serve to a crowd.
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Sweet Potato Cornbread — made with buttermilk and mashed sweet potato for a moist, tender loaf that stays fresh for days.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Pick three or four sides for a balanced plate. I intentionally include stovetop and slow-cooker options alongside oven dishes, because oven space vanishes quickly on the holiday.
The Best Mashed Potatoes
The Best Mashed Potatoes — creamy, well-seasoned mashed potatoes that pair perfectly with gravy and turkey.
Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions
Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions — the classic comfort casserole topped with crisp fried onions for texture.
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts — roasted until crisp at the edges, tossed with bacon and a touch of maple for sweet-savory balance.
Glazed Carrots
Glazed Carrots — a simple, three-ingredient side that cooks on the stovetop and brightens the plate.
Cauliflower Casserole
Cauliflower Casserole — a creamy, cheesy baked side that works as a lighter alternative to heavier potato dishes.
Maple Five-Spice Butternut Squash
Maple Five-Spice Butternut Squash — roasted squash with maple and warm five-spice for fragrant, caramelized cubes.
Au Gratin Potatoes
Au Gratin Potatoes — thinly layered potatoes baked until tender beneath a golden, cheesy top.
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes — cook sweet potatoes in the pressure cooker to save oven space and deliver tender results quickly.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Cheesy Potato Casserole — creamy hash brown potatoes under a crunchy buttered cornflake topping. It holds well refrigerated or frozen, which makes it convenient to prepare ahead.
Classic Waldorf Salad
Classic Waldorf Salad — crisp apples, grapes, and walnuts tossed in a honey-sweetened Greek yogurt dressing. It brings a fresh, crunchy contrast to a table of richer sides.
Need more ideas? Look through a larger collection of Thanksgiving side dishes to find plenty of make-ahead and oven-free options.
Thanksgiving Recipes to Start the Meal
Keep appetizers light and mostly make-ahead so guests arrive hungry for the main course.
The Brie Appetizer Everyone Loves
The Brie Appetizer Everyone Loves — an easy baked brie that usually disappears before dinner is even served.
Goat Cheese with Pomegranate and Pistachios
Goat Cheese with Pomegranate and Pistachios — a bright, colorful cheese starter that takes minutes to assemble and looks festive on the table.
Baked Brie with Prosciutto and Cranberries
Baked Brie with Prosciutto and Cranberries — wrapped in puff pastry, it combines savory prosciutto and tart cranberries for an elegant starter.
Camembert Crostini with Roasted Grapes
Camembert Crostini with Roasted Grapes — warm, melty cheese paired with sweet roasted grapes on crisp toast.
Squash, Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese Tart
Squash, Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese Tart — a savory tart that also works well as a vegetarian main for some guests.
Thanksgiving Pies and Desserts
Bake at least two pies — one is rarely enough. Desserts are some of the easiest items to make well in advance, and they reward your planning.
Best Easy Pumpkin Pie
Best Easy Pumpkin Pie — a reliable, smooth pumpkin pie that sets consistently and is a crowd favorite.
Easy Apple Pie
Easy Apple Pie — a six-ingredient apple pie that’s simple to prepare and full of classic flavor.
Chai Apple Pie
Chai Apple Pie — apple pie spiced with chai flavors for warm, aromatic depth.
Nut-Crusted Cranberry Tart
Nut-Crusted Cranberry Tart — a bright, tangy filling set in a nutty crust that complements richer desserts.
Libby’s Pumpkin Roll
Libby’s Pumpkin Roll — the classic rolled pumpkin cake filled with tangy cream cheese, easy to slice and serve.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars — rich, creamy bars that are easier to serve than a whole cheesecake and travel well.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Cheesecake — a silky cheesecake on a spiced gingersnap crust that chills overnight, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert.
Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Sweet Potato Cheesecake — a creamy, autumnal twist on cheesecake that uses sweet potato for flavor and texture.
Sugar Pie (Tarte au Sucre)
Sugar Pie (Tarte au Sucre) — a rich French Canadian sugar pie with deep caramelized sweetness.
Apple Tart with Almond Frangipane
Apple Tart with Almond Frangipane — thinly sliced apples layered over almond frangipane in a crisp pastry shell for a refined finish.
Pumpkin Spice Cake
Pumpkin Spice Cake — warmly spiced and ideal for serving a crowd, with comforting fall flavors.
Pie Crust, Two Ways
Both a rolled crust and a press-in crust work well. Choose the method you prefer — one requires rolling, the other is pressed into the pan for speed.
How to Make Pie Crust
How to Make Pie Crust — a step-by-step approach to a flaky rolled crust that holds up to wet fillings when baked correctly.
No-Roll Press-In Pie Crust
No-Roll Press-In Pie Crust — an all-butter crust pressed directly into the pan for a quick and reliable shell.
What to Make with Thanksgiving Leftovers
The days after Thanksgiving can be the best part. Transform leftover turkey and sides into simple, satisfying meals that stretch your effort further.
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole — one-dish comfort that uses up turkey, stuffing, and potatoes together for an easy family meal.
Turkey Pot Pie
Turkey Pot Pie — leftover turkey baked under an all-butter pie crust for a cozy, comforting dinner.
Leftover Turkey Stew with Mashed Potato Dumplings
Leftover Turkey Stew with Mashed Potato Dumplings — a warming stew that repurposes leftover mashed potatoes into tender dumplings.
Leftovers Poutine
Leftovers Poutine — fries topped with gravy and leftover turkey for an indulgent, quick treat.
Turkey Chow Mein Casserole
Turkey Chow Mein Casserole — a crunchy-topped casserole that gives the last bits of turkey a delightful Asian-inspired twist.
One Drink to Pour
Offer a warm, spiced drink as guests arrive to set a cozy tone for the evening.
Holiday Spiced Apple Cocktail
Holiday Spiced Apple Cocktail — a warm, spiced apple drink that’s easy to make in a batch and perfect for welcoming guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common Thanksgiving planning questions to help you stay organized and confident.
You can begin about a week ahead. Cranberry sauce, gravy, and pie dough hold well. Casseroles can be assembled a day or two early and baked the day of. Save the turkey and mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving morning for best texture and flavor.
Plan on about 1 to 1½ pounds of raw turkey per person. Bone and skin add weight, so the higher estimate ensures plenty and leftovers.
Roast a whole turkey for eight or more guests and if you want leftovers. A turkey breast suits a small gathering, cooks faster, and is easier to carve. Spatchcocking a whole bird is a good middle option.
Choose stovetop or slow-cooker sides: glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, and pressure-cooked sweet potatoes all avoid the oven and free space for the turkey and casseroles.
Yes. Giblet gravy uses the turkey neck and giblets instead of drippings, so you can make it ahead and have gravy ready when the turkey comes out.
Keep ingredients cold, and bake pies on a preheated baking sheet in the lower third of the oven so the bottom crust sets quickly. For very wet fillings, blind bake the shell first.
Reheat turkey gently, covered, with a splash of broth to prevent drying. Reheat stuffing and casseroles uncovered in the oven to restore a crisp top. Avoid the microwave for items you want to stay crisp.
Cooked turkey and most sides keep 3–4 days in the refrigerator. Freeze anything you won’t eat within that timeframe. Turkey freezes well for a couple of months, especially when stored with gravy or broth.
Other Holiday Collections You’ll Love
- Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
- Unique Apple Recipes
- Easy Christmas Appetizers
- Easy Crock Pot Recipes
- Chocolate Christmas Desserts
- Butternut Squash Recipes for Fall
