50+ Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

Whether you like turkey or ham, pumpkin or apple, pie or cake, we’ve got you cover with these 50+ delicious Thanksgiving recipes to help you plan your Thanksgiving dinner menu. 

Happy November! This month is my absolute favorite month of the year. One, it is my birthday month. And two, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. As soon as October is on its way out, Ryan and I are compiling our list of things we need to prepare for our yearly Thanksgiving dinner that we host our family. This includes cleaning out the freezer and fridge of all the food we still have, which means no extra grocery for days until we finish our stock of things we didn’t know we have. Then we get new stock of food, things like stuffing bread, chicken stock, flour, spices, fun stuff!

In this post, I’ve compiled a list of Thanksgiving recipes with almost everything you need from appetizers all the way to desserts. I said almost, because I don’t have a whole list of turkey gravy. You can easily pick out your favorite from each category in this comprehensive list and make a complete Thanksgiving dinner menu for your holiday dinner.

Appetizers

We don’t actually serve appetizer on Thanksgiving but I’m guessing we aren’t quite the norm. These appetizer recipes will come in handy if you were a guest who’s contributing a dish to the dinner menu, or for a potluck Friendsgiving.

1. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms from Savory Tooth

I’ll eat mushroom any day. And I’ll be hanging out by the appetizer table if you’re serving these delicious Crab Stuffed Mushrooms.

2. Crockpot Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze from Savory Nothings

This Crockpot Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze will take you just 5 minutes of prep time and 5 ingredients to make.

3. Mushroom Wellington from Delicious Everyday

I have to admit I’ll eat anything wrapped in puff pastry. But really though, this beautiful Mushroom Wellington can even be a main dish option for your vegetarian and vegan guests this Thanksgiving.

4. Mini Chicken Pot Pies from Sugar Salt Magic

Chicken pot pie filling encased in a buttery shortcrust pastry. The perfect finger food for any dinner party.

5. Piglets in Milk Bun Blankets

Mini pigs in a blanket are always great appetizer for any get together. You can use store bought bread dough, crescent roll dough, or puff pastry to save time.

Bread & Rolls

Bread & rolls are my jam. I absolutely have to make them homemade every year, because nothing beats freshly baked dinner rolls. I prepare the dough in the night before, let it rise overnight in the fridge. Then the next day, I shape the rolls for their second rise and bake them just before dinner is served.

6. Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

Dinner rolls made with sweet potato and spiced with cinnamon. I just love the color of these rolls!

7. Hawaiian Dinner Rolls

We all love Hawaiian Dinner Rolls. This homemade version is sweet, soft, delicious and will not disappoint.

8. Orange Cranberry Sweet Buns

These dinner rolls are flavored with orange zest and filled with dried cranberries throughout. They’re perfect for your holiday dinner parties.

9. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls and Cinnamon Butter from Finding Zest

I can eat these Texas Roadhouse Rolls and cinnamon butter all dinner long.

10. Dinner Rolls

If you just want good ‘ole dinner rolls, without nothing extra and fancy, yet soft and delicious, these are for you. The recipe is a small batch but can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a large party.

Main Dishes

The star of the show is turkey or the ham if that’s what you prefer. From whole turkey, to instant pot turkey, to fancy turkey roulade, I’ve got you covered. And for you ham eater, I’ve got that too.

11. Super Juicy Turkey from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch

It’s definitely not Thanksgiving dinner without the beautiful turkey. This Super Juicy Turkey baked in a cheesecloth will have your mouth water as soon as you look at it. Goodbye dry turkey, hello to moist, juicy, flavorful and delicious!

12. Apple Herb Turkey Brine from Striped Spatula

Do you brine your bird? We always do, overnight. The brine infuses flavor into the meat and keep it juicy while roasting. Try this Apple Herb Turkey Brine.

13. Instant Pot Turkey Breast & Gravy from The Pinning Mama

If you’re looking for smaller portion, quick and easy, two in one recipe, this instant pot turkey breast & gravy is the one. Instead of roasting a whole turkey, this makes just 3 lbs of turkey and you can knock out that gravy as well.

14. Slow Roasted Turkey Roulade from The Flavor Bender

Another great alternative to a whole turkey is this beautiful Sage and Rosemary Slow Roasted Turkey Roulade. You can expect a juicy, succulent and flavorful dish to serve up at your Thanksgiving dinner this year!

15. Brown Sugar Ham Glaze from Noshtastic

If it’s not Thanksgiving dinner to you without ham on the table, you will love this easy Brown Sugar Ham Glaze on a ready cut spiral ham. Step aside Honeybaked Ham, this year yours will be the talk of the night.

Side Dishes

And here comes the supporting characters. Pick one of each or two of each, we’ve got vegetables, salad, soup, casseroles, all kind of potatoes, stuffing and don’t forget the cranberry sauce. One year, we actually forget the cranberry sauce, someone realized it after we had finished dinner…

Vegetables & Lighter Fare

16. Garlicky Green Beans from My Kitchen Love

Save time in the kitchen with this quick and easy Garlicky Green Beans recipe.

17. Green Bean Almondine from Beyond the Chicken Coop

Fresh green beans with almond, sauteed in a light butter and lemon sauce, is perfect for a special holiday dinner.

18. Harvest Wild Rice Salad from Savory Nothings

This Harvest Wild Rice Salad is made with pumpkin, pomegranate and feta. It’s light and fresh and full of Fall flavors for a delicious Thanksgiving side dish.

19. Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts from Kristine’s Kitchen

This Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts is an easy side dish for Thanksgiving dinner. It can be prepared in just one pan!

20. Sweet Potato Soup from Savory Simple

Onions, carrots, tart apples and seasonal spices round out the flavors of this delicious sweet potato soup. Add it to your Thanksgiving menu.

Potatoes & Casserole

21. Creamed Corn au Gratin

This is one of my favorite side dishes that I make every single year for Thanksgiving without fail.

22. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow & Pecan Streusel from Celebrating Sweets

I absolutely love sweet potato. This casserole is made with mashed sweet potatoes topped with toasted marshmallows and a brown sugar cinnamon pecan streusel, a sweet little side dish for Thanksgiving.

23. Cranberry Sweet Potato Casserole from Homemade Interest

This festive Sweet Potato Casserole is filled with cranberries, pecan and pomegranates. Perfect for the holidays!

24. Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Squash & Apple from Happiness is Homemade

One dish, three beautiful Autumn’s ingredients.

25. Broccoli Casserole from Kristine’s Kitchen

This Broccoli Casserole is made with fresh broccoli, mushrooms, cheese, homemade cream sauce and a cheesy breadcrumb topping. This lighter side dish is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dinner menu.

26. Roast Pumpkin Mac and Cheese from Sugar Salt Magic

We are debating whether to add Mac and Cheese to our Thanksgiving dinner menu this year. I think there is really no debate here because this Roast Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, ’nuff said!

27. Scalloped Potatoes from Recipes from a Pantry

These creamy, cheesy and most decadent Scalloped Potatoes can be made in the oven or your instant pot. Set, go!

28. Mashed Red Potatoes from Pinch and Swirl

We can’t serve Thanksgiving dinner without mashed potato. This one is so easy, you’ll want to make it everyday.

29. Hedgehog Roasted Rosemary Potatoes from Sprinkles and Sprouts

These Hedgehog Roasted Rosemary Potatoes are crispy on the outside, buttery and soft on the inside and packed with rich rosemary flavors. You won’t be able to resist.

30. Buttery Garlic Potatoes with Crispy Prosciutto from Sugar Salt Magic

These potatoes are delicious yet quick and easy, something we all need during the busy preparation of Thanksgiving dinner.

Stuffings

31. DIY Stuffing Cubes from OMG Yummy

If your family is anything like ours, then you love stuffing. But have you ever trying making stuffing cubes instead of buying the box? Try it with this easy recipe.

32. Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Cups from Play Party Plan

How clever are these Stuffing Cups? I’m a sucker for individual size food so these are perfect for me!

33. Cranberry Pecan Stuffing from Striped Spatula

This Cranberry Pecan Stuffing screams holidays with whole wheat and country croutons, sweet-tart cranberries, toasted pecans and herbs. You’ve gotta try it this Thanksgiving!

34. Pear, Sage and Sausage Stuffing from The Flavor Bender

I think pear is such an underrated Fall ingredient. It blend beautifully in this Pear, Sage and Sausage Stuffing recipe.

35. Savoury Kale Bread Pudding from My Kitchen Love

This Savoury Kale Bread Pudding has got Gruyere cheese in it. Say no more!

Cranberry Sauce

36. Orange Cranberry Sauce or Jelly

Skip the can version this Thanksgiving and make whole cranberry sauce or cranberry jelly for those picky eaters who don’t like whole berries.

37. Homemade Cranberry Sauce from Sugar Spun Run

Thanksgiving dinner won’t be complete without this Homemade Cranberry Sauce, made with fresh cranberries and just a handful of other ingredients.

38. Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce from Sugar and Soul

Bourbon in my cranberry sauce? How can I say no?

39. Mulled Wine Cranberry Sauce from Striped Spatula

The perfect adult cranberry sauce this holiday season.

40. Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce from Savory Tooth

A simple Cranberry Sauce recipe that’s sugar free and low carb.

Drinks

My family is not too picky about drinks, I love hot spiced apple cider, my uncle just wants coffee, grandma just wants hot water, so no one is bringing out the cocktail shaker. But here are some awesome cocktails for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.

41. Autumn Pimm’s Cup

Need a last minute quick party drink put together? This one is for you. It’s light enough that your guests can sip on it all night without getting too tipsy either.

42. Apple Rosemary Whiskey Cocktail from Sidewalk Shoes

Make this easy Fall cocktail in a pitcher and let your guests serve themselves.

43. Pumpkin Kentucky Mule from Beyond Mere Sustenance

This Pumpkin Kentucky Mule is made with real pumpkin butter!

44. Baileys Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini Cocktail from A Tipsy Giraffe

Get fancy with this Baileys Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini Cocktail at your holiday dinner party!

45. Spiced Apple Cider

Here’s a non-alcoholic drink option that will please all of your guests.

Desserts

This is my favorite section, desserts. If it was up to me, pie would be the star of the show. But I know everyone saves a little room for dessert, especially when they know it’s gonna be out of this world.

46. Pumpkin Pie with Decorative Crust

I make this Pumpkin Pie every Thanksgiving. It’s a cross between a pie and a cheesecake. The filling is creamy and so good. Spruce it up with decorative crust or skip the fancy crust to save time.

47. Apple Tart with Almond Paste Filling

This Apple Tart is my husband’s favorite. He’ll make a beeline for this one before anything else on the dessert table. It’s got a layer of almond paste at the bottom with slices of apple on top, and generous sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.

48. Pear Pistachio Frangipane Tart

This Pear Tart is a new favorite. I think pear is so underrated but can be wonderful in dessert. It paired beautifully with pistachio in this Pear Pistachio Frangipane Tart.

49. Adorable Turkey Crust Pumpkin Pie from Kudos Kitchen by Renee

Here’s another beautiful pumpkin pie that you might not want to cut into.

50. Apple Butter Empanadas (Hand Pies)

If you want to skip over the big pies, I’ve got an easy hand pie recipe for you. These Apple Butter Empanadas have apple butter for the filling, homemade or store bought, encased in my favorite pie crust.

51. Pecan Pie Pumpkin Cheesecake from Sweet and Savory Meals

This Pecan Pie Pumpkin Cheesecake has so many layers of decadent goodness: graham cracker crust, pecan pie filling, pumpkin cheesecake, then topped with a pecan caramel sauce.

52. Bourbon Butter Pecan Cake with Maple Frosting from The Flavor Bender

How about some Bourbon Butter Pecan Cake for dessert? Are you all for pie or would you like cake for Thanksgiving instead? 

53. Pumpkin Pie Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Speaking of cakes, would you like to opt for some Pumpkin Pie Spice Cupcakes instead? These cupcakes are made with real pumpkin and warm spices, topped with a tangy, creamy, not too sweet cream cheese frosting.

54. Pumpkin Pie Cookies from Savory Nothings

These Pumpkin Pie Cookies are basically mini pumpkin hand pies, perfect for a small bite of sweet after a big dinner.

55. Pumpkin Salted Caramel from Recipes from a Pantry

Chewy, decadent, yet so easy to make. These Pumpkin Salted Caramel will make wonderful treats after dinner and in your guests’ to-go boxes.

Phew, what a list! I’m seriously salivating all over these dishes as I’m compiling this list for you. I hope you’ll find something you like, need or want to make here. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!