48 Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas for the Ultimate Turkey Day Menu
Fill your plate up with all the classics — including turkey, mashed potatoes, veggies and more!
Deciding what makes the cut for the most important meal of the year (a.k.a. Thanksgiving) is a tough task. Plan the most epic holiday feast with these triple-tested Thanksgiving dinner recipes — everything from delicious Thanksgiving turkey recipes to beloved Thanksgiving side dishes — and your whole table will thank you! We've even included some Thanksgiving cocktail ideas so your menu will really be complete by the time November 24 rolls around.
Don’t worry: We didn’t forget any of the classics. You’ll find all of your festive favorites here, from mashed potatoes to cranberry sauce to sweet potatoes and plenty of stuffing recipes. But, if you’re looking to switch it up this year, we’ve got you covered too. With creative variations on classic veggie sides to new ways to present your favorite dishes, this spread will be your most impressive yet. From rich, decadent dishes to healthy Thanksgiving sides and Thanksgiving salads, there are ideas here to please each and every appetite. If Thanksgiving prep seems a bit overwhelming — no stress! Quick and easy recipes (including make-ahead dishes and ready in under 30 minute sides) will keep your holiday as stress-free as possible.
Whether you stick to the basics or love to get creative with your holiday fare, these recipes will ensure this year’s Thanksgiving dinner is truly unforgettable. Don’t forget to make use of extras with our favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipes!
Best Ever Turkey
This turkey is all about fresh herbs and aromatics! Stuff the main cavity with onions, garlic, bay leaves and more for a super flavorful bird.
Get the Best Ever Turkey recipe.
Sweet Potato Baked Pasta with Hazelnut Brown Butter
This comforting, vegetarian dish has all the fall flavors! With pasta tossed in a creamy sweet potato sauce and topped with hazelnut browned butter, everyone will be reaching for seconds!
Get the Sweet Potato Baked Pasta with Hazelnut Brown Butter recipe.
Roasted Root Vegetables
Make the most of fall’s harvest with a sheet pan full of purple potatoes, onions and squash. Plus, it's all seasoned beautifully with aromatic coriander and cumin.
Get the Roasted Root Vegetables recipe.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Break out the air fryer to make these delicious and crispy Brussels sprouts that are tossed in maple-sriracha glaze.
Get the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Cranberry Curd Tart
This tart doubles as décor and dessert! From the sugar-dusted pie leaves and cranberries to the piped whipped cream on top, there is no doubt that this will be a showstopper.
Get the Cranberry Curd Tart recipe.
Cranberry Baked Brie
Who said that your cranberry dish can’t have Brie? This bright cranberry syrup spooned over cheese and baked until melted equals perfection.
Get the Cranberry Baked Brie recipe.
Mashed Potatoes with Buttery Sliced Scallions
Brighten up your mashed potatoes with this lemony, scallion relish.
Get the Mashed Potatoes with Buttery Sliced Scallions recipe.
Apple-Cranberry Pie
This tart is just what you need after Thanksgiving dinner. With apples, cranberries and warm seasonings like nutmeg and cinnamon, you can’t go wrong with this sweet treat. Pro tip: Instead of weaving a lattice pie crust top, cut the dough into squares and arrange on top.
Get the Apple-Cranberry Pie recipe.
Thyme-Roasted Turkey
You can't go wrong with this timeless combination. It even includes a matching gravy recipe to perfectly complement the turkey.
Get the Thyme-Roasted Turkey recipe.
Roasted Cranberry Sauce
This hands-off recipe is a huge help during Turkey Day chaos: Just toss everything together on a baking sheet, transfer to the oven and walk away.
Get the Roasted Cranberry Sauce recipe.
Northwest Fruit Stuffing
This classic recipe comes from the 1956 Good Housekeeping Cookbook, but we updated it with dried cranberries and pecans for even more flavor.
Get the Northwest Fruit Stuffing recipe.
Glazed Green Beans
Sherry wine and vinegar simmered with brown sugar creates a sweet-sour glaze for fresh green beans.
Get the Glazed Green Beans recipe.
RELATED: 21 Green Bean Recipes For Thanksgiving That Will Make These Veggies the Life of the Party
Herbed Mashed Potatoes
Infuse milk with the flavors of fresh thyme and parsley to upgrade a crowd-favorite Thanksgiving side.
Get the Herbed Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Balsamic Roasted Red Onions
With only 6 ingredients, this roasted veggie dish is a simple side to whip up on Thanksgiving day.
Get the Balsamic Roasted Red Onions recipe.
Pear Gin Fizz
Homemade pear syrup — made with honey and thyme — only takes 15 minutes!
Get the Pear Gin Fizz recipe.
RELATED: 24 Totally Delicious Classic Cocktails to Make at Home
Air Fryer Squash Soup
Roasting your veggies and herbs in the air fryer before blending makes this soup quick, easy and stress-free.
Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.
RELATED: 40+ Best Air Fryer Recipes For Lightning-Fast Meals
Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Brown Butter
Roasted butternut squash recipes may be no big deal, but using the hasselback technique totally takes things to a new level. As does the sage-scented maple brown butter.
Get the Hasselback Butternut Squash With Maple Brown Butter recipe.
RELATED: 36 Irresistible and Easy Butternut Squash Recipes You Need to Make
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
With cheese, crispy breadcrumbs and meaty mushrooms, this classic side will be the one thing on the table that no one will be able to resist.
Get the Fresh Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Best-Ever Buttermilk Biscuits
Is it even Thanksgiving without buttermilk biscuits? This recipe will make flaky, crispy and fluffy biscuits in no time!
Get the Best-Ever Buttermilk Biscuits recipe.
Roasted Kale and Mushrooms
This delicious roasted side will be your new favorite way to sneak in some nutrients to your Turkey Day table.
Get the Roasted Kale and Mushrooms recipe.
RELATED: 45 Different Ways to Eat Kale When You Can't Get Enough Leafy Greens
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Taylor Worden is Delish's Assistant Digital Food Producer, where she creates recipe galleries, recipe updates and more. She was previously a freelance editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributed entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism and a lifelong love of writing. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, testing out a new pasta recipe, or rewatching one of her favorite shows.
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