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Planning the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner menu just might be the most important meal you plan all year, and with this collection of delicious and traditional Thanksgiving recipes, your feast will be the best on the block.
Nothing beats the classics, and we’ve got everything you need to plan a traditional Thanksgiving menu. Whether you host a family dinner on the big day or a “Friends-Giving” over the weekend, we’ve got you covered with all the classics for the perfect Thanksgiving feast.
There are ideas for both traditional and unique appetizers, side dishes, bread and rolls, desserts, and the all-important turkey, so let’s get cooking!
There are plenty of menu ideas under each category, so you can choose recipes you love to help round out the plan you’ve already got in your head. Got a question? Leave me a comment and I promise I’ll get back to you! How can I help you make this the best Thanksgiving dinner ever?
What Should Be on Your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu?
Planning the perfect Thanksgiving dinner menu for your friends and family doesn’t have to be a stressful, complicated thing. With these easy Thanksgiving recipe ideas, you can whip up a delicious meal that everyone will be crazy for.
Top Ten Thanksgiving Foods (in no particular order)
Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing/Dressing
Green Bean Casserole
Bread or Rolls
Cranberry Sauce
Turkey
Turkey Gravy
Sweet Potatoes
Pumpkin Pie
Vegetables: Green beans, carrots, or corn
Appetizers for Thanksgiving
Let’s start with appetizers. These are the small bites, finger foods, and dips that everyone can munch on while waiting for other guests to arrive, watching football, or just while the main meal is still being prepared.
Cranberry Brie Bites are a sweet and tangy bite-sized appetizer. Creamy baked brie in a flaky crescent roll cup topped with sweet cranberry orange sauce.
Roasted grapes are an impressive, sophisticated appetizer that can be ready in about 40 minutes.
Salads
A couple of cold salads are a great way to add veggies or just a simple cold side to the meal. I’ve included a couple of sweet dessert-type salads because we love them.
7 Layer Salad is a classic potluck dish great for feeding a crowd. These layers of deliciousness can be made ahead of time for these easiest side dish ever!
This Winter Salad is hearty, delicious and full of rich, earthy texture and flavors. A tangy homemade vinaigrette adds a smooth, tart finish.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
In my opinion, the sides you serve on Thanksgiving are just as important, if not more important, than the actual turkey. They can make or break your meal, so choose wisely. I recommend having at least 3 sides, including 1 vegetable for every 6-8 people.
These Garlic Mashed Potatoes are creamy and delicious. Made with minced garlic and cream cheese, it’s the best side dish and one that everyone will love!
Homemade Stuffing has dried bread cubes tossed with celery, onions, fresh herbs and broth, then baked until it's moist and fluffy, and crispy on the outside.
101+ Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Find all the sides you could possibly want for the perfect Thanksgiving menu!
One of the most popular recipes on this website is my Thanksgiving Turkey. But in case you’re looking to feed a smaller crowd, or just a few more mouths, we’ve got 3 different roast turkey breast recipes to choose from, too.
A Thanksgiving Turkey that's so juicy with a crispy skin. Easy step-by-step tutorial, even first time cooks can pull this turkey recipe off stress free!
This fast and easy Instant Pot Turkey Breast cooks in a fraction of the time and is so tender and juicy every time. Make your own gravy in the pot, too!
Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread is cheesy and spicy and goes perfectly with a big bowl of chili, soup or stew! Enjoy plain or with a slather of honey butter.
Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.
I really enjoy your website. I never comment, I am sorry for that. I do try many of your recipes and they are great. You really save me time trying to figure out what to cook. I was just trying to do a menu for Thanksgiving, and you did it for me. Your great. Georgia
Every year my family usually have a party for Thanksgiving. I like it and wanna to cook some special recipe for thwm. But sometime I will get out of idea for that. Your share help me so much!
I really enjoy your website. I never comment, I am sorry for that. I do try many of your recipes and they are great. You really save me time trying to figure out what to cook. I was just trying to do a menu for Thanksgiving, and you did it for me. Your great. Georgia
Thank you Georgia! Thank you for the kind comment.
Every year my family usually have a party for Thanksgiving. I like it and wanna to cook some special recipe for thwm. But sometime I will get out of idea for that. Your share help me so much!