Easy Thanksgiving Recipes
Easy Thanksgiving recipes make it possible to serve a memorable holiday meal without spending the entire day in the kitchen.
This collection includes simple appetizers, comforting side dishes, festive main courses and plenty of Thanksgiving desserts.
If you’re wondering what to make for Thanksgiving, use this page to plan your entire menu or find one special dish to bring to dinner.
You’ll find family favorites, make-ahead options and easy recipes that work for both small gatherings and crowded holiday tables.
What to Make for Thanksgiving
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner usually includes a main dish, several sides, bread, cranberry sauce and dessert. You can keep your menu manageable by choosing:
- One main dish
- Three or four side dishes
- One bread or roll
- One or two desserts
- A simple appetizer or drink
Choose a few recipes that can be prepared ahead of time so you aren’t trying to cook everything on Thanksgiving morning. Cold sides, dips, cheeseballs, pies and many other desserts can usually be finished before the holiday.
Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers
Thanksgiving appetizers should be simple enough to prepare without taking time or oven space away from the main meal. A seasonal dip, cheeseball or small snack board gives everyone something to enjoy while dinner finishes cooking.
Thanksgiving Main Dish Recipes
Turkey may be the traditional centerpiece, but it isn’t the only option for Thanksgiving dinner. Baked ham, turkey breast and other comforting family dinners can all work, especially when you’re serving a smaller group.
Choose your main dish first because its cooking time will help determine when the sides need to go into the oven.
Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
For many families, the side dishes are the best part of Thanksgiving dinner. This collection includes holiday classics along with easy vegetable dishes, bread recipes and make-ahead options.
Choose a mix of creamy, savory and fresh sides to balance the meal. Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, corn, roasted vegetables, carrots, biscuits and cranberry dishes all pair well with turkey or ham.
- Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- No Cook Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
- Baked Carrots
- Thanksgiving Carrot Recipes
- Honey Butter Corn
- Instant Pot Mac & Cheese
- Homemade Crescent Rolls
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Breaded & Baked Cauliflower
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Pumpkin Cheeseball
- Cold Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Thanksgiving Desserts
Finish your holiday meal with a dessert recipe everyone will look forward to. These Thanksgiving holiday recipes include traditional pie recipes, pumpkin desserts, apple treats, cheesecake recipes, cake recipes, cupcakes and more!
If oven space is limited, choose a dessert that can be baked the day before or try one of the no-bake Thanksgiving treats. Mini desserts are another good option when you want guests to be able to sample more than one treat.
- Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
- Easy Turkey Themed Desserts
- Turkey Brownies
- Thanksgiving Cupcake Recipes
- Chocolate Thanksgiving Desserts
- Mini Pumpkin Pies
- Pumpkin Roll Recipe Made with Cake Mix
- Pumpkin Cheesecakes
- Pumpkin Dip
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Apple Pie
- No Bake Thanksgiving Desserts
- No Bake Pumpkin Recipes
- Thanksgiving Apple Pie Recipes
- Apple Pie Filling
- Apple Tart
- Pecan Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Spice Mini Bundt Cakes
- Mini Pecan Pie Cupcakes
- Mini Pecan Pies
- Fall Cake Recipes
- Cranberry Layer Cake
- Cranberry Fluff Salad
- Cranberry Poke Cake
- Cranberry Recipes
Thanksgiving Drinks
A seasonal drink makes the meal feel a little more special without adding much work. Apple cider, cranberry drinks, fall punches and cozy warm drinks can all be prepared before guests arrive.
Plan Your Thanksgiving Dinner
Once you’ve chosen your recipes, work backward from the time you plan to serve dinner. Make desserts and cold dishes first, prep vegetables the day before and save Thanksgiving morning for the main dish and anything that tastes best fresh from the oven.
Use my printable Thanksgiving cooking schedule to organize your menu, prep work and cooking times so everything is ready together.
Don’t Forget the Leftovers
Thanksgiving leftovers can become easy meals instead of sitting forgotten in the refrigerator. Extra turkey, vegetables, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce can be used in sandwiches, casseroles, soups and other simple meals.
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Popular Thanksgiving foods include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie. Every family has its own traditions, so your menu can include any dishes your guests enjoy.
For a smaller dinner, serve a turkey breast or baked ham instead of a whole turkey. Add two or three side dishes and one dessert for a complete meal without creating too many leftovers.
Pies, cheesecakes, cranberry sauce, cold side dishes, dips and many casseroles can be prepared at least one day ahead. Vegetables can also be washed and chopped early to save time on Thanksgiving.
Three or four side dishes are usually enough for a smaller gathering. For a larger group, offer four to six sides so guests have more variety. Plan for a combination of potatoes, vegetables, bread and one additional family favorite.
