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    Our 50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes (The Complete Holiday Menu)

    By Julia | Updated: Oct 24, 2024 | Published: Nov 01, 2023 | 18 Comments

    2.7K shares
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    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.

    If you're looking for a complete Thanksgiving menu that features everything: Fall-inspired holiday appetizers, side dishes, salads, main courses, pasta recipes, desserts, and even breakfast, you've come to the right place. This holiday menu includes proven, tried, and true Thanksgiving dishes (our top 50 holiday recipes) that have been reader favorites for years (I've been publishing recipes since 2012). Impress your family and friends by trying some (or all!) of these dishes for your next Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving party. Give them a test run before the turkey day and see how you like them!

    Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Pecans, and Cranberries - on a baking sheet.

     

    This menu highlights traditional Fall ingredients that we associate with Thanksgiving: green beans, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin, pecans, cranberries, Brussels sprouts, and, of course, poultry (turkey, chicken, or duck). And so much more!

    What makes this Thanksgiving menu different from others is that many of the dishes I've selected have a unique twist to them while still featuring traditional and classic Thanksgiving ingredients but in a slightly new way. Most holiday recipes here are super easy to make. They all make a beautiful presentation and will add vibrancy and festive colors to any holiday menu! Are you ready to try some of our 50 best Thanksgiving recipes?!

    Fall Pasta Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries - in a white bowl.

    Table of Contents

    Jump to:
    • My other Thanksgiving Recipe Collections
    • Thanksgiving Side Dishes
    • Thanksgiving Potato Side Dishes
    • Thanksgiving Appetizers
    • Thanksgiving Salads
    • Thanksgiving Stuffing
    • Thanksgiving Main Courses
    • Thanksgiving Gravy
    • Thanksgiving MEATLESS Main Courses
    • Thanksgiving Pasta Dishes
    • Thanksgiving Desserts
    • Thanksgiving Day Breakfast
    • Bonus Recipes
    • What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

    My other Thanksgiving Recipe Collections

    • If you're looking for side dish recipes to add to your holiday feast, check out my 60 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes collection. 
    • If you're looking for festive, colorful, and fresh Thanksgiving salads, check out my collection of 30 Best Thanksgiving Salads.
    • For a MEATLESS, VEGETARIAN holiday menu that features many vegetarian holiday main dishes and side dishes, don't miss my 40 Best Meatless Thanksgiving Recipes.

    Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    This selection includes my most popular holiday sides that use classic Thanksgiving ingredients, such as butternut squash, acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, green beans, pecans, pumpkin seeds, apples, and more.

    • Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries in a white bowl.
      Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries
    • Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Bacon, and Cheese
    • Christmas Brussels Sprouts and Bacon on a white plate
      Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans, and Cranberries
    • Green Beans with Pine Nuts
      Green Beans with Pine Nuts
    • 4 acorn squash halves stuffed with apples on a baking sheet
      Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries - on a white plate.
      Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries
    • close-up of Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Gruyere cheese, Garlic, and Bacon
      Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Gruyere cheese, Garlic, and Bacon
    • Thanksgiving Green Beans with Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries in a white bowl.
      Green Beans for Thanksgiving and Christmas
    • Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze and Pine Nuts in a cast-iron pan
      Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
    • Garlic Green Beans with Parmesan
      Garlic Green Beans with Olive Oil and Parmesan
    • Stuffed Acorn Squash
    • Roasted Veggies (Green Beans and Butternut Squash) with Bacon and Pumpkin Seeds - in a white bowl.
      Thanksgiving Roasted Veggies (Green Beans and Butternut Squash) with Bacon and Pumpkin Seeds
    • Parmesan Spaghetti Squash, Spinach, and Bacon with Pine Nuts
      Parmesan Spaghetti Squash, Spinach, and Bacon with Pine Nuts
    • Stuffed Roasted Butternut Squash (2 halves) with Feta Cheese, Spinach, and Bacon - on a white plate.
      Stuffed Butternut Squash with Feta Cheese, Spinach, and Bacon

    Thanksgiving Potato Side Dishes

    If you want to prepare your holiday potatoes in a slightly different way than regular mashed potatoes, give these recipes a try for your upcoming Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving:

    • mashed potatoes with roasted garlic in a white bowl
      Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
    • Easy Scalloped Potatoes

    Thanksgiving Appetizers

    Thanksgiving side dishes certainly take center stage on turkey day, overshadowing even the turkey (at least for me and my family). But let's not forget about appetizers. Here are reader-favorite apps that feature traditional holiday ingredients, such as cranberries, pecans, and apples.

    • Baked Brie with Cranberry Balsamic Sauce
      Baked Brie Recipe with Cranberries, Pecans, Pomegranate
    • Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Baked Brie with Apples
    • Strawberry Baked Brie - 30-Minute Appetizer
    • chicken and spinach in puff pastry
      Chicken and Spinach in Puff Pastry
    • spaghetti squash fritters with bacon - on a white plate.
      Bacon, Spaghetti Squash Fritters Recipe

    Thanksgiving Salads

    Thanksgiving salads deserve a separate category on the menu as they are not quite side dishes (even those you can serve them as sides). These festive salads are bursting with colors and will add a festive look to any holiday table!

    • Apple Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Goat Cheese in a white bowl.
      Apple Spinach Salad
    • 30-Minute Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
    • Christmas Salad
    • Winter Vegetable Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, Beets, Pecans, and Cranberries
      Winter Vegetable Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Beets
    • Creamy Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries - in a white bowl.
      Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries
    • Arugula Salad with Apples, Cranberries, Pecans, and Balsamic Dressin
      Arugula Salad with Apples, Cranberries, and Pecans
    • Beet Salad with spinach, mandarin oranges, red onion, pine nuts, feta cheese, and homemade Honey-Mustard Lemon Vinaigrette - in a white bowl.
      Beet Salad with Spinach and Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing
    • Fall Harvest Salad with Apples, Pecans, Spinach, and Maple-Lime Dressing
    • Butternut Squash and Spinach Salad with Pecans, Cranberries, Pomegranate Seeds and Poppy Seed Honey-Lime Dressing on a white plate
      Butternut Squash and Spinach Salad with Pecans, Cranberries, Pomegranate
    • Beet Salad with Spinach, Cashews, and Goat Cheese
    • strawberry spinach salad with blueberries, pecans, feta cheese, and balsamic glaze in a bowl
      15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad
    • Fall Harvest Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apple, Pear, Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds, Bacon, Feta Cheese, Pomegranate Arils in a white bowl.
      Fall Harvest Salad
    • Mango Salad with Spinach and Blueberries
    • Winter Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing, with red apples, pears, clementine oranges (or mandarin oranges), kiwi fruit, dried cranberries, and pomegranate seeds
      Winter Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
    • Berry Spinach Salad with Blueberries, Raspberries, Pecans, Feta Cheese, and Balsamic Dressing - in a white bowl.
      Berry Spinach Salad with Blueberries and Raspberries
    • Spinach and Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
      Spinach and Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing

    Thanksgiving Stuffing

    Thanksgiving stuffing comes in many forms. I actually prefer to cook stuffing not inside the turkey but in a separate side dish. It's a safer cooking practice and also prevents stuffing from getting mushy. And, what about stuffing butternut squash or spaghetti squash instead, as carrying vessels of this traditional Thanksgiving staple? Try these stuffing recipes below for your next holiday menu, and you might never do traditional stuffing the old way again:

    • Italian Sausage Stuffing with Apples, Cranberries, Pecans, and fresh herbs
    • Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Pecans, and Cranberries
    • Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
    • Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with spicy Italian Sausage, Spinach, Apples, Cheddar, and Pepper Jack Cheese - on a white platter.
      Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
    • Southwestern Ground Beef Stuffed Butternut Squash
    • Italian Sausage Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Mushrooms

    Thanksgiving Main Courses

    While turkey is a traditional main course, it seems like everyone already has their own preferred way of cooking the turkey for Thanksgiving. Cooking the turkey takes a long time but it is a pretty easy, straightforward process. If you're looking for some alternative holiday main dishes, you might like my very popular Roast Duck, Cornish Hens, and some other less traditional main courses.

    • Whole Roasted Duck
      Roast Duck Recipe
    • Roasted Cornish Hens
    • Duck Breast with Cranberry Sauce and Green Beans on a white plate.
      Duck Breast with Cranberry Sauce
    • Chicken Orzo with Butternut Squash and Spinach in a cast iron skillet.
      Creamy Chicken Orzo with Butternut Squash and Spinach
    • lamb chops with mustard thyme sauce
      Lamb Chops with Mustard-Thyme Sauce
    • seared chicken, tortellini with roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts in a cast-iron skillet
      Autumn Chicken Dinner with Roasted Vegetables
    • Spaghetti Squash Halves (two) stuffed with Chicken, Cherry Tomatoes, Spinach, and Feta Cheese - on a baking sheet.
      Spaghetti Squash with Chicken, Tomatoes, Spinach, and Feta Cheese
    • Chicken and Wild Rice with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Mushrooms
    • Garlic Butter Steak with Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash in a cast-iron skillet
      Garlic Butter Steak with Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
    • garlicky lamb chops with cranberry balsamic reduction
      Garlicky Lamb Chops with Cranberry Balsamic Reduction
    • Mediterranean Salmon with Rice, Chickpeas, Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, and Feta Cheese - in a cast iron skillet.
      Mediterranean Salmon (One-Pan, 30-Minute Meal)
    • Trout with herbs in a butter garlic sauce in a stainless steel skillet
      Trout with Garlic Lemon Butter Herb Sauce

    Thanksgiving Gravy

    Here are 2 creamy sauces that go with just about anything: turkey, duck, chicken, cornish hen, pasta, vegetables, etc.

    • Creamy Mushroom Sauce with Bacon and Thyme - in a stainless steel pan.
      Creamy Mushroom Sauce with Bacon and Thyme
    • caramelized onion sauce with spinach and mushrooms in a stainless steel pan.
      Sautéed Spinach, Mushrooms, and Caramelized Onions

    Thanksgiving MEATLESS Main Courses

    Below is a selection of tried and true meatless main courses that have been popular with the readers of this food blog. These vegetarian Thanksgiving main dishes include Autumn ingredients, such as butternut squash, pecans, sweet potatoes, and more.

    • Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna
    • Vegetarian Enchiladas with Butternut Squash and Black Beans in a cast iron pan.
      Vegetarian Enchiladas with Butternut Squash, Black Beans, and Bell Pepper
    • Black Bean and Butternut Squash Casserole
    • Butternut Squash Ravioli with Browned Butter and Pecan Sauce
      Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce and Pecans
    • Roasted Butternut Squash Halves (two) stuffed with Feta Cheese and Spinach, topped with pine nuts - on a white platter.
      Roasted Butternut Squash with Feta and Spinach
    • 30-Minute Ravioli and Sweet Potato Veggie Skillet
    • creamy orzo pasta with butternut squash and spinach in a white bowl.
      Creamy Orzo Pasta with Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach
    • Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi (One-Pan, 20 Minutes)

    Thanksgiving Pasta Dishes

    Consider these delicious pasta recipes as Thanksgiving sides or even as the main course. All of these pastas feature Fall-inspired seasonal ingredients that will make a perfect addition to your holiday menu.

    • Fall Salad with roasted butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, baby spinach, creamy goat cheese, and bow-tie pasta - in a white bowl.
      Fall Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
    • Butternut Squash Pasta Shells Stuffed with Sausage, Spinach, Tomatoes in a cast iron skillet.
      Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Shells Stuffed with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes
    • Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries in a white bowl.
      Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries
    • butternut squash, spinach, and sausage pasta - in a stainless steel pan.
      Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
    • Butternut Squash Ravioli with Browned Butter and Pecan Sauce
      Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce and Pecans
    • Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage in a stainless steel pan
      Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage, Thyme, and Sage
    • Creamy Ground Turkey Pasta with Butternut Squash and Spinach
    • Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna

    Thanksgiving Desserts

    The Thanksgiving menu is not complete without desserts. Every family has their own favorite recipe for a pumpkin pie or a pecan pie. Consider adding these simple desserts to your regular menu:

    • A slice of apple pumpkin pecan bundt cake - on a white plate.
      Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake
    • cranberry apple pecan bundt cake.
      Cranberry Apple Pecan Bundt Cake
    • Apple Cake in springform baking pan.
      Simple Apple Cake
    • Crepes stuffed with cooked apple chunks with cinnamon - on a plate.
      Apple cinnamon crepes, or apple pie - in a crepe!
    • Apple Bundt Cake
      Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Bundt Cake
    • Apple squares
      Easy Apple Squares (Cake Bars)
    • browned butter pecan sandies.
      Browned Butter Pecan Sandies
    • Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake slice on a white plate.
      Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake

    Thanksgiving Day Breakfast

    Don't forget to make something seasonal, Fall-inspired, and special for the Thanksgiving Day Breakfast. Here is a mix of both savory and sweet breakfast recipes that are sure to set you in the mood for the Thanksgiving dinner later.

    • Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole with shredded hash brown potatoes, broccoli, cheddar cheese, sausage and eggs (slice of it on a plate).
      Hash Brown, Broccoli, Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
    • Apple cinnamon yogurt pancakes
    • blueberry lemon bread with lemon glaze.
      Blueberry Lemon Bread with Lemon Glaze
    • Breakfast Egg Muffins with Bacon and Spinach - on a plate.
      Breakfast Egg Muffins with Bacon and Spinach
    • Southwestern Breakfast Casserole
    • pumpkin banana bread with apples
      Pumpkin Banana Bread with Apples

    Bonus Recipes

    Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup with Orzo and Spinach

    Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup with Orzo and Spinach in a white bowl.

    Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage, Spinach, Dried Cranberries, and Pecans

    stuffed acorn squash with sausage, dried cranberries, spinach, pecans on a white plate

    Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Dried Cranberries, and Pumpkin Seeds

    Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, and Cranberries on a white plate.

    What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

    Maybe it's from this menu, or it's something else. Either way - let me know in the comments what you're cooking this Thanksgiving!

    Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries in a white bowl.
    « Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Smoked Sausage, Roasted Bell Peppers, and Zucchini
    60 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes (Festive, Vibrant, and Tasty) »
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Molls

      November 13, 2024 at 12:08 pm

      In an effort to appeal to vegetable haters, I find that sugared butternut squash and sweet potatoes with warm spices might be a gateway flavor profile. I am so impressed with the collection of salads, sides, and meatless dishes you have featured in your Thanksgiving Menu. These dishes demonstrate your talent for taking those simple one ingredient sides like squash or Brussels sprouts (which some of us are sure we hate) and combining them with a complimentary palette of berries, nuts and greens (and sometimes bacon or sausage) making them a perfect balance of savory and sweet. I discovered the power of maple syrup, Ponzu + stone ground mustard for pan roasted sprouts about 10 years ago. and more recently converted a squash hater with Tahini, and maple syrup. as a dressing for oven roasted cubes of butternut. I bookmarked your Roased Butternut & Sprouts salad with cranberries and pumpkin seeds a year ago and I'm looking forward to sharing it with family at this year's dinner.

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 15, 2024 at 2:12 pm

        Hi Molls, thank you so much for your kind words and for recognizing the effort I put into creating this menu! I absolutely love blending sweet and savory flavors, and glad you enjoy this approach to cooking and serving veggies too. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Veronica

      November 25, 2023 at 6:15 pm

      I made several of Julia’s Thanksgiving recipes, which were all fantastic! I can not wait for the Christmas season lineup of recipes!

      Reply
      • Julia

        December 02, 2023 at 8:39 am

        Veronica, thank you very much for sharing your feedback - so glad you're finding the recipes you like on my site! ❤️

        Reply
    3. Chris

      November 22, 2023 at 4:43 pm

      Happy Thanksgiving. Keep those recipes coming. They are easy, yummy, affordable, and healthy!

      Reply
      • Julia

        December 02, 2023 at 1:14 pm

        Thank you, Chris, for your encouragement! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Peggy S

      November 15, 2023 at 10:36 am

      I plan on trying these. Any suggestions on Brussels sprouts substitution?

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 16, 2023 at 12:04 pm

        Roasted green beans or broccoli!

        Reply
    5. Cynthia

      November 15, 2023 at 6:31 am

      Can you make it easier to actually get to the recipe? So many ads and so hard to read. You scroll down and I get pop ups and then the page just goes blank?!

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 16, 2023 at 12:05 pm

        Cynthia, you can try using "jump to recipe" button at the top of all my recipes to go straight to the recipe card.

        Reply
    6. Teresa

      November 14, 2023 at 2:32 pm

      Your recipes are amazing! My favorite is actually sweet potato casserole (which you don't have, LOL). Would love to see your version of it!

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 16, 2023 at 12:06 pm

        Teresa, thank you! 🙂 I definitely should add sweet potato casserole to my recipe repertoire!

        Reply
    7. Tracy

      November 13, 2023 at 7:16 pm

      All your dishes look so colorful. Thanks for sharing these great recipes Julia. I've tried a few and they all have been a hit!

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 16, 2023 at 12:07 pm

        Tracy, I love to hear that! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to share your super positive feedback! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Sandra

      November 09, 2023 at 2:09 pm

      Julia, I already have quite a few of your recipes saved into my FB folder for this Thanksgiving, but this menu is very helpful. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 10, 2023 at 10:39 am

        Sandra, I hope you use this menu for the upcoming Thanksgiving and let me know how the dishes turn out! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Lindsay

      November 09, 2023 at 8:31 am

      The menu looks great. I already know I am making several side dishes you included (I have been making them for years now). I just signed up for your recipes by e-mail, and look forward to new ones. 🙂

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 10, 2023 at 8:12 am

        Lindsay, I am glad to have you here! 🙂 Let me know how the dishes turn out if you try them!

        Reply

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    Julia is the author of JuliasAlbum.com (a food blog focused on easy dinner recipes, pasta dishes, salads made with seasonal ingredients). In this photo, Julia is pictured wearing a yellow sweater against an Autumn background.

    Hi, I'm Julia!

    I am a full-time food blogger living in beautiful Colorado. I focus primarily on savory recipes (protein-based & fiber-rich main dishes, pasta, salads) using fresh & seasonal ingredients. A food blogger since 2012, I help home cooks create well-balanced and visually appealing dinners (many of which are 30-minute ONE-PAN meals). Find out more about me and my cooking philosophy. 

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