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Get all the best recipes to plan an incredible Thanksgiving feast! These are tried and true recipes that stand the test of time…classics, fresh ideas, and everything in between!
Find new family favorites and celebrate your favorite food traditions with an incredible array of recipes to enjoy for two or a crowd! There’s a wide array of cocktails, Thanksgiving appetizers, side dishes and more!

Don’t miss The Ultimate Guide to Hosting Thanksgiving full of free printable planners, Thanksgiving Activities and more!
Thanksgiving might not look quite the same for many of us this year, and that’s okay! We are making the best of it.
Don’t skip my Virtual Thanksgiving Guide if you’re seeing some of your family through your screens… there are so many new ways to connect now.
While each of these recipe links opens directly to the post and printable recipe card, you’ll also find a simplified selection of the most popular recipes in the printable card at the end of this post!
It’s an instant menu of my most treasured recipes to create a Thanksgiving menu your guests will LOVE!
This post was originally shared November 14, 2020 and updated with fresh content November 20, 2021.
Table of Contents
The Best Thanksgiving Recipes
These recipes include drinks, breads, appetizers and side dishes – it’s a little something for everyone.

Thanksgiving Cocktails and Drinks
The best way to start any gathering! These easy Thanksgiving cocktails are fun and festive!
Easy Spiked Apple Cider with Bourbon
This classic cocktail is always a hit and easy to make for one or 16 in less than 5 minutes!
Apple Cider Sangria
All the flavors of fall in one easy to sip, easy to serve 5 minute drink for a few or a crowd!

Apple Cider Bourbon Slush
This frozen concoction is easy to sip. It’s an adult slushy you don’t want to miss! Serve it with a cinnamon stick to stir.
Homemade Apple Cider
Homemade apple cider is incredibly easy to make and adds the most wonderful aroma to your home! Serve it alone or with bourbon, rum, tequila or vodka. It’s the perfect twist to your favorite cocktail!
Pear Cider
Pear cider is deceivingly easy to make and so fragrant! A hint of spice, vanilla notes and pear make it irresistible. Serve it chilled or warm!
Mulled Wine
Red wine simmers with Mulling Spices to make this incredible sip! It’s a great way to kick off dinner!

Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine
Everyone can partake in the festivities with this non-alcoholic version of the classic! It’s simple and delicious!
Cinnamon Toast
Cinnamon Schnapps adds an extra dose of fall spice to apple cider. The glass is rimmed with cinnamon sugar to add a hint of sweetness.
Oatmeal Cookie Cocktail
This creamy cocktail tastes like an oatmeal cookie in a glass! Rim the glass with crushed cookies to take it over the top!
Apple Butter Old Fashioned
This is my go to Thanksgiving cocktail. It’s a delicious twist on a classic old fashioned. Apple butter and cinnamon add the best fall flavor!

Breads
Homemade Cornbread
If you only get to make one dish, make it stand out! This homemade cornbread is topped with sweet maple, salty bacon, thick flakes of black ground pepper and all the butter!

30 Minute Dinner Rolls
Yeast makes these dinner rolls light and fluffy! You can make this effortless recipe start to finish in just 30 minutes!
Cornbread Muffins
Jalapeño and cheddar make these cornbread muffins memorable! They’re perfectly portioned and easy to serve.

Crostini
This simple recipe made with fresh or stale baguette is delicious on its own or topped with your favorite fruits, cheeses and jams. It pairs well with dips, too!
Beer Bread
This beer bread is made in just 5 minutes hands on time with staple ingredients and your favorite beer! It’s foolproof! If you’re celebrating virtually, you can deliver Beer Bread Mix and a bottle of beer so family and friends can all make it “together”!

Honey Butter
A luxuriously creamy butter sweetened with honey is an easy way to elevate store-bought rolls or take homemade breads and rolls over-the-top!
Thanksgiving Appetizers
Dill Dip
My mom’s dill dip recipe is a Thanksgiving staple with savory herbs. Make ahead in just 5 minutes and let the magic happen as it marinates overnight! Serve with fresh cubes of rye bread and an array of veggies.
Blue Cheese Dip
This creamy blue cheese dip is made with just 5 ingredients in minutes! Serve with chips, veggies or wings!

French Onion Dip
Caramelized onions are folded into a creamy dip for amazing flavor in every bite. This dip will make you skip the mix forever.
Spinach Dip with Cream Cheese
The creamy spinach dip is made with cream cheese, monterey jack and freshly grated parmesan for a luxurious consistency. It’s a one dish, no fuss easy recipe you’ll make again and again!
Artichoke Dip
This easy artichoke dip is mixed and baked in a casserole dish for easy cleanup. It’s made with a blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, artichokes, cream cheese and spices and served with beer bread and veggies.

Mac and Cheese Cups
It’s everyone’s favorite comfort food in the perfect bite-sized portion! Easy to make and even easier to eat, I dare you to try and stop at just one mac and cheese cup!
Bacon Cheese Dip
Bacon Cheese Dip has been one of my most popular recipes for nearly 10 years! It’s no wonder why! It’s a savory dip that’s so delish!
Sour Cream Dip
Sour Cream Dip is the perfect chip dip. It’s simple, beautiful and full of flavor!

Vegetable Dip
Get the secret that makes this vegetable dip stand above the rest! A blend of herbs is folded into the this creamy dip perfect for all of your favorite veggies.
Fruit Dip
This creamy fruit dip is always a hit with kids and adults alike! It’s heavenly texture is hard to resist!
Fruit Plate
Get tips and tricks to make a creative fruit plate that stands out!
Boursin
A blend of herbs and cheese make this one-of-a-kind spread to serve with crackers or stuff mushrooms, top burgers and more!

Onion Tart
This is one of my favorite easy recipes from when I catered parties – you can serve them warm or at room temperature. Thick pillows of puff pastry are topped with creamy goat cheese and caramelized onions.
It’s an amazing flavor combination you can’t get enough of! Use cookie cutters to make them into your favorite shapes for a memorable Thanksgiving appetizer.
Baked Brie

Baked Goat Cheese
This beautiful appetizer is deceivingly easy to make and looks so elegant! Smply wrap a goat cheese log in puff pastry, brush it with egg wash for golden brown color and drizzle with honey!
Pear Appetizer with Blue Cheese and Walnuts
This healthy Thanksgiving appetizer is the perfect pairing of fruit, cheese and nuts in an easy-to-enjoy bite-sized format.

Baked Cheese Pear and Prosciutto Crescent Roll Appetizers
Cheese, prosciutto and pear are wrapped in crescent rolls for a beautiful, single serve hors d’oeuvres you can serve passed or on a platter.

Cheese Tarts
White cheddar cheese and herbs fill a simple 3 ingredient savory cream cheese pie crust. They’re beautiful, delicious and easy to reheat.
Soups and Salads
Cheddar and Apple Soup
Add fall flavor to your pre-dinner game with this incredible, unique soup recipe! This delicious white cheddar cheese and apple soup is sure to warm your soul! Easy to make with simple ingredients, it all comes together in one pot and requires minimal prep time.

Apple Salad
A delicious mix of butter lettuce, crisp apples, creamy blue cheese, red onion and candied nuts are tossed in Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing.
Roasted Beet Salad
A mix of tender root veggies, creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and dry fig are tossed with balsamic vinaigrette.
Pear Salad
Arugula is topped with ripe pears, creamy gorgonzola, candied walnuts and tossed with a White Wine Vinaigrette.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
For me, Thanksgiving is all about the side dishes! Whether you make one or five, make them the star of the show!

Baked Apple Slices
Baked Apple Slices are one of my most popular recipes – they’re so quick, easy and delicious, it’s no wonder why! Serve them up as a sweet and savory side dish or a la mode for dessert!
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet and salty Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes is an easy crowd-pleasing side dish. You only need 4 simple ingredients and 10 minutes to prep.

Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet and savory side dish is so good you could call it dessert! Buttery sweet potatoes are topped crunchy pecan streusel!
Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Garlic Smashed Potatoes are perfectly portioned crisp and flavorful potatoes seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic and herbs.

Caramelized Shallot Mashed Potatoes
Mix up your mashed potatoes this holiday season! Caramelized shallots add immense fall flavor and texture into traditional mashed potatoes.
Mashed Cauliflower
A no carb twist on the classic dish – mashed potatoes. This creamy mashed cauliflower recipe is the perfect addition for your Thanksgiving dinner. It’s so good you’d never know we snuck veggies in it!

Cheesy Corn Casserole
Double this recipe because this cheesy corn casserole is a creamy crowd pleaser that has everyone coming for seconds.

Potato Gratin Stacks
Individual servings of the creamiest, cheesiest potato gratin! It’s the ultimate indulgent side dish!
Truffle Mac and Cheese
Truffle Mac and Cheese is one of our family’s favorite recipes! A hint of truffle oil takes traditional mac made with creamy gouda, ham and peas to the next level.

Bacon Mac and Cheese

Crispy Brussel Sprouts
Get the tips and tricks to make crispy Brussel sprouts with pancetta and shallots. They are sautéed into a fragrant side dish that will leave your family begging for more.

Green Beans with Bacon
This is my most popular Thanksgiving recipe year after year. It’s simple, delicious and has become a staple in so many homes year after year since it went viral on Facebook.
The one, the only, Firehouse Green Beans. Others have copied but you can get the original right here!

Candied Carrots
Candied carrots are a simple, sweet and savory side dish. These show stoppers are coated in a butter and brown sugar glaze and pair well with all of your Thanksgiving favorites!
Baby Roasted Carrots
Roasted baby carrots are braised with fresh dill. They are flavorful, crisp-tender and add beautiful color to your Thanksgiving table.
Cranberry Sauce
This festive side dish is a fun twist to the traditional Thanksgivings recipe. Drunken cranberry sauce is made with just 3 ingredients in minutes!
If you’re looking for Thanksgiving desserts, I’ve got that covered too! Get my complete FREE recipe round-ups for Apple Recipes, Pumpkin Desserts, and the Best Fall Cookies!
More Thanksgiving Inspiration
- Thanksgiving Appetizers
- 20 Thanksgiving Table Settings
- Thanksgiving Playlist
- 20 Easy Hors d’oeuvres
- Dried Corn Centerpiece
- Thanksgiving Kids Table
- Free Printable Thankful For Cards
- Thanksgiving Crossword
Did you make this? Rate the recipe and tag me on social @julieblanner!

Easy Thanksgiving Menu
Instructions
- STARTERS
- Make your dip the day before and warm as guests are arriving. Crescent roll app will need to be made just before serving!
- SALAD
- Prep the day before, slicing apples and tossing with dressing and toppings just before serving.
- MAIN DISH
- Prep the day before, leaving the honey baked ham in the oven low and slow the day of.
- BREAD
- These dinner rolls can be made in advance. Make this dough as directed, allow rolls to rise, and instead of baking, simply refrigerate. You can hold them (covered) in the fridge for 10-12 hours. Simply remove from the refrigerator for two hours before you’re ready to throw them in the oven.
- SIDE DISHES
- Each of these side dishes can be prepped ahead, with the exception of the green beans with bacon, which need to be sautéed at the last minute for the best crispy flavor. Everything else can stay in the oven for an hour or two prior to serving to keep them warm.
- DRINK
- Sangria can be prepped up to 48 hours in advance. If making ahead, combine and add fruit and ginger beer just before serving. This prevents the Apple Cider Sangria from losing its bubbly and the sangria fruit from becoming mealy. Allow flavors to marinate 15 minutes before serving, (up to six hours before).
Tips
TIPS
- If you prefer to simply browse around and find your own version of a perfect Thanksgiving menu, hop on over to the Thanksgiving category.
- Get 30+ of the best Thanksgiving appetizers here.
- Plus, 20 of the easiest Thanksgiving Centerpieces!
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Maureen Harrigal says
Where is your gravy recipe??
Julie Blanner says
I don’t have one 😬
Geace says
I still make your easy Lasagna all the time and everyone just loves it. Thanks for all your wonderful ideas and receipts.😀
Julie Blanner says
So happy to hear that! Thank you!
Makenna says
These look beautiful. The baked apples dish looks like a good dessert I could give my baby boy if I substituted the sugar for something like date sugar. 🙂
Julie Blanner says
You can absolutely do that!