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Planning Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be stressful! This collection of 35+ tested Thanksgiving dinner menu ideas has everything you need – complete menu plans, crowd-pleasing mains, tasty sides, and desserts that always impress. Whether you’re hosting for the first time or just need a little help pulling it all together, this guide will help you plan with ease.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out my Thanksgiving guide for small gatherings, list of all my best Thanksgiving sides, and leftover turkey recipes to keep the celebration going all weekend.

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Quick Menu Planning Guide

Complete Thanksgiving Menus

Simplify your planning process with my done-for-you menu plans! Each one includes a full lineup of recipes that work beautifully together — from appetizers to dessert — so you can skip the guesswork and focus on enjoying the day.

Classic Traditional Menu (Serves 8-10)

Bring everyone’s favorite dishes to the table with a classic spread that never fails. Perfect for families who love the traditional flavors of the holiday.

Menu

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Prep cranberry sauce, pie, and stuffing up to 2 days ahead.
  • Green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and dinner rolls can be made a day ahead.
  • Roast turkey the morning of and rest for 30-45 minutes before carving.

Small Gathering Menu (Serves 4-6)

A cozy, stress-free version for smaller families or intimate dinners — all the flavor, none of the overwhelm.

Menu

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Stuffing can be assembled up to 2 days prior.
  • Prepare my Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling, if desired, up to 2 days in advance and bake it the day of.
  • Assemble salad ingredients in advance and dress just before serving.
  • Roast the turkey breast and sides together in the same oven for efficiency.

Make-Ahead Friendly Menu

This plan is designed to make your Thanksgiving day as hands-off as possible. Most of these dishes can be prepped ahead, reheated beautifully, and still taste freshly made.

Menu

Timing Tips

  • 2-3 days ahead: Make cranberry sauce and pecan bars.
  • 1 day ahead: Prep sides and store in airtight containers, make pumpkin cheesecake, thaw and bake frozen dinner rolls.
  • Day of: Reheat everything while turkey finishes cooking, make gravy.

Planning Success Tips

  • Count backward from dinner time – Most sides need 30-45 minutes; plan your oven schedule accordingly
  • Choose 1 dish per category for groups under 8, 2 dishes for larger gatherings
  • Pick 2-3 make-ahead sides to reduce day-of stress
  • Prep serving dishes the night before – label with sticky notes for each dish
  • Set up a beverage station away from the kitchen to reduce traffic

Appetizers and Starters

Kick off the feast with easy, crowd-pleasing bites that keep everyone happy while the turkey finishes roasting. These starters are make-ahead friendly and perfect for grazing.

Cranberry Meatballs
An easy 3-ingredient appetizer recipe for cranberry bbq meatballs made with cranberry sauce, spicy bbq sauce, and fresh or frozen meatballs.
Cranberry Brie Bites
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.
Veggie Tray
The best veggie tray is full of colorful vegetables, and a variety of flavorful dips. A vegetable tray is a must have at parties!
Deviled Eggs
My Easy Deviled Eggs is a simple recipe made with classic ingredients like eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper.
Charcuterie Board
How to plan the perfect Charcuterie Board, with tips for ingredients and assembling.
Cheese Board
Hosting a dinner party or having a few friends over? This Cheese Board is the perfect appetizer for entertaining.
white plates with salad on them

Salads

Fresh, colorful salads balance out all those cozy, baked dishes. Crisp greens and bright flavors bring a little freshness to the table.

Butter Lettuce Salad
Butter Lettuce Salad is fresh, flavorful, and simple, with tender and delicate butter lettuce, radishes, croutons, and homemade vinaigrette.
Winter Salad
Winter Salad is hearty and delicious, full of crisp apples, tangy goat cheese, and pomegranate seeds with a tangy homemade vinaigrette.
Kale Salad
Kale Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette is versatile, flavorful, and easy. It’s loaded with texture from dried fruit, nuts, goat cheese,and apples.
Kale salad, social media image.
Garden Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing
A colorful bowl of veggies makes up this healthy salad and an easy homemade ranch dressing tops it off.
A bowl of salad with ranch dressing.
Wedge Salad
A Wedge Salad is a crisp and refreshing. Iceberg lettuce wedges topped with homemade thousand island dressing, bacon, tomatoes and pepper jack cheese.
A plate of wedge salad with dressing, bacon, cheese, and tomatoes on top

Dessert Salads

Call it a dessert, call it a salad, these sweet and creamy dessert salads are classics!

Cranberry Fluff Salad
Cranberry Fluff Salad is a creamy cranberry salad side dish or dessert with cranberry sauce, marshmallows, oranges, pineapple and Cool Whip.
Mandarin Orange Salad
Mandarin Orange Salad is a fluffy, sweet treat that's light & refreshing. With just 5 ingredients, this Jello Salad takes 10 minutes to make!
Classic Pistachio Fluff Salad
Pistachio Salad is a classic dessert recipe made with pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows, cool whip and nuts.

Classic Thanksgiving Sides

The comfort-food favorites everyone expects – creamy potatoes, buttery stuffing, roasted veggies, and more. These tried-and-true recipes are the heart of any Thanksgiving spread.

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with chives on top.

Potatoes

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Want to know the secret to the best mashed potatoes? Keep it simple, no fancy ingredients – just the right ratio of butter, cream and salt.
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes are fluffy, creamy and loaded with 3 kinds of cheese. So versatile, you can serve right away or make ahead and freeze.
A bowl of mashed potatoes
Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are smothered in a rich cheddar cheese sauce and baked until bubbly and golden. Par-boiling the potatoes first means this comforting side dish is ready in under an hour.
Hasselback Potatoes
Quick and easy hasselback potatoes topped with bacon, cream cheese and herbs.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
My Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallows recipe is a classic Thanksgiving side dish with fresh sweet potatoes, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are the easiest way to make perfectly cooked sweet potatoes with little effort and in a fraction of the time.
Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Make perfectly roasted sweet potatoes with crispy edges and a naturally sweet flavor. Quick prep, family-friendly, and great for holidays or weeknights!
A close up of roasted sweet potatoes
green beans in sauce with onion topping in white casserle dish

Vegetables

Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole with Bacon is a salty, smoky update on the classic Thanksgiving side dish. Made with fresh green beans or canned.
Green Bean Casserole From Scratch
Green Bean Casserole from Scratch is easy to make with fresh ingredients and no canned soup! It's the best side dish for your holiday meal.
green bean casserole social media image
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon are slightly sweet, savory, and irresistibly crispy. They’re an easy side dish to serve with any dinner.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad is a perfect side dish for your fall get-togethers and especially Thanksgiving! Serve it hot or cold – it's sure to please!
A plate of brussels sprouts salad
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Make this slow cooker creamed corn with just a few ingredients! A rich, creamy side that’s great for family dinners or holiday gatherings.
Honey Butter Roasted Carrots
Roasted Carrots are the perfect side dish for the holidays! Tender and delicious carrots are caramelized with a sweet honey butter glaze.
Roasted carrots on a white serving platter with a black serving spoon.
Candied Carrots
Perfectly tender and glazed in a brown sugar sauce, this Candied Carrots recipe an easy holiday side dish that takes 30 minutes to prepare.
white baking dish with homemade stuffing

Stuffing

Homemade Stuffing
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.
Classic Sausage Stuffing
Sausage Stuffing has savory Italian sausage, bread, vegetables, herbs and spices. It's the perfect side dish for all of your holiday meals.
Cornbread Stuffing
Southern Cornbread Stuffing is a moist and fluffy dressing with chunks of sweet cornbread and veggies soaked in an herb infused broth.
Creamy Cornbread Casserole
This from-scratch Cornbread Casserole is made with a homemade Jiffy cornbread mix. It's perfect for holiday meals or any day of the week.

Sauce

Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce
Cranberry Orange Sauce is a delicious combination of sweet and tart, and the perfect accompaniment to all your holiday meals.

101+ Thanksgiving
Side Dishes

Find all the sides you could possibly want for the perfect Thanksgiving menu!

Read More →
Thanksgiving turkey, roasted and stuffed with onions, in a roasting pan

Turkey and Gravy

Whether you’re cooking a traditional whole bird or a simple turkey breast, these foolproof recipes deliver juicy, flavorful results every time – plus the perfect gravy to go with it.

Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
A Thanksgiving Turkey that's so juicy with a crispy skin. With an easy step-by-step tutorial, even first time cooks can pull this turkey recipe off stress free!
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Learn how to make the most tender and juicy air fryer turkey breast. Includes tips for boneless or bone-in, and with or without the skin.
Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
This Roast Turkey Breast has the most flavorful, juicy meat and crispy skin. It's the perfect alternative to a full-size turkey.
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
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!
Turkey breast, browned skin, sliced and sitting on top of large pieces of parsley. Image for social media.
Turkey Gravy
Learn how to make the best homemade turkey gravy from scratch with just a few simple steps. You'll never resort to store bought again!
Baked Rhodes rolls in a cast iron skillet.

Bread and Rolls

No Thanksgiving table is complete without something warm and fluffy to soak up the gravy. From soft dinner rolls to cornbread, these recipes are always worth the extra effort.

One Hour Dinner Rolls
These one hour dinner rolls are soft and fluffy, and really do take only about an hour from start to finish, including rising time. They are the perfect compliment to any meal.
Cornbread Muffins
Sour Cream Cornbread Muffins are fluffy and moist. Smother with butter and honey and pair them with your favorite bowl of soup or chili.
Buttery Rhodes Rolls with Garlic and Rosemary
Frozen Rhodes rolls are the easiest frozen dinner rolls! No kneading or mixing, just 3-4 hours of rise time for soft, and fluffy dinner rolls.
Sourdough Bread Recipe
This easy to make sourdough bread recipe is amazingly good with that authentic sourdough taste.
Cheddar Herb Biscuits
These Cheddar Herb Biscuits are fluffy and tender and oh so easy to make! Filled with cheddar cheese, rosemary and thyme they will make a beautiful addition to your holiday table!
overhead image of pecan bars sliced into squares

Desserts

Finish strong with pies, crisps, and sweet treats that everyone saves room for. From pumpkin desserts to cozy apple and pecan pies, these desserts guarantee happy endings all around.

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
This No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake is creamy and smooth, the perfect dessert for fall, and it's easy to make with no oven required!
Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet Potato Pie has a creamy sweet potato filling in a flaky, buttery crust. Serve with whipped cream for a crowd favorite holiday dessert.
Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This easy pumpkin sheet cake is moist, perfectly spiced, and topped with cream cheese frosting. Perfect for fall gatherings and feeds a crowd!
Southern Pecan Pie
This Southern Pecan Pie Recipe is filled with tons of crunchy pecans baked with a sweet filling, for the perfect holiday dessert.
Classic Apple Pie Recipe
This Classic Apple Pie is perfect for dessert all year round. Sweet cinnamon apples tucked into a flaky pie crust and baked until golden.
A close up of a slice of Apple Pie
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Pumpkin Dump Cake is my go-to fall dessert! You just dump the ingredients into a dish and bake. It's a pumpkin pie and cake all in one!
Pecan Bars
Pecan Bars bring you the flavor of pecan pie in an easy-to-eat bar! Made with a buttery shortbread crust topped with a sweet pecan filling.

Storage, Timing & Reheating Tips

These general guidelines will help you plan ahead and keep everything tasting fresh from prep to leftovers. Every recipe is a little different, so be sure to check individual notes for exact storage and reheating instructions.

  • Most sides reheat well – make 1-2 days ahead
  • Turkey needs 24 hours to thaw per 4-5 pounds
  • Reheat most covered dishes at 350°F for 20-30 minutes
  • Crispy-topped casseroles: uncover last 10 minutes for browning

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a traditional Thanksgiving menu?
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pumpkin pie make the classic lineup.

How many sides should I make?
Plan 3-4 sides for groups under 8, and 5-6 for larger gatherings. Include at least one vegetable.

What can I make ahead?
Most casseroles, cranberry sauce, pie, and rolls can be made 1-2 days ahead. Prep vegetables the night before.

How much turkey per person?
Plan 1-1.5 pounds per person for whole turkey (includes bones), or ½ pound for turkey breast.

What if I don’t want to make turkey?
Try a roasted turkey breast or whole chicken for smaller groups, or consider ham or roast beef as tasty alternatives.

More Thanksgiving Resources

Kristin Maxwell

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.

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Comments

  1. Georgia Jones says:

    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

    Reply
    1. Kristin says:

      Thank you Georgia! Thank you for the kind comment.

      Reply
  2. Julie Saldana says:

    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!

    Reply