If you are planning your Thanksgiving menu, we have all of our favorite recipes as well as a FREE printable Thanksgiving dinner menu template and cooking schedule!
Need more help planning your Thanksgiving recipes? Browse my Thanksgiving appetizers, Thanksgiving side dishes and finish with the best Thanksgiving desserts!
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Table of Contents
Printable Thanksgiving Hosting Guide and Dinner Menu
To help plan out your meal, download this free printable Thanksgiving dinner menu template, cooking schedule and shopping list to help make your turkey day a success. The document is editable so that you can create your own menu and type in your favorite dishes.
Appetizers
I like to serve a few small appetizers to start off the meal. I usually always set out a big fruit and veggie platter or fall charcuterie board for guests to snack on. Both are lighter options and include a little something for everyone!
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Crowd-pleasing bacon ranch cheese ball is the ultimate party appetizer! It's loaded with cream cheese, bacon, ranch seasoning, cheese and then coated in pecans.
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Cranberry Salsa
Sweet and spicy cranberry salsa served over cream cheese is the best holiday appetizer. This easy dip pairs well with chips or crackers and will be a hit at holiday parties!
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
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Thanksgiving blessing mix
Thanksgiving blessing mix- a sweet and salty snack mix that is perfect for gift giving or holiday snacking. printable available.
Total Time: 5 minutes
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Cranberry Meatballs
These slow cooker cranberry meatballs with jellied cranberry and chili sauce are so easy to make in the crockpot. The perfect 3-ingredient appetizer for any holiday party!
Total Time: 3 hours
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Turkey Veggie Tray
This cute turkey veggie tray is a fresh and colorful appetizer centerpiece that is the perfect holiday addition to your Thanksgiving spread. Kids love to help!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Cranberry Brie Bites
These cranberry brie bites are easy to make with a homemade cranberry sauce, creamy brie and flaky puff pastry. A unique bite-sized appetizer for the holiday season!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
These chocolate covered strawberry turkeys are the cutest Thanksgiving treat and great way to have the kids help in the kitchen. They are so fun to make!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Thanksgiving Punch
This Thanksgiving punch is an easy fall beverage favorite made with apple cider, caramel syrup and pumpkin pie spice. It's a fun and festive crowd-pleasing drink!
Total Time: 5 minutes
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Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Now for the main event! Roasted turkey or turkey breast is traditionally served at Thanksgiving dinner, although I have to admit that I actually prefer a baked ham or even a smoked turkey.
Honey Baked Ham
Tender, moist, and smothered in a sweet and tangy glaze, this honey baked ham with a candy-like caramelized outer crust is a must-try for your next special gathering.
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
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Oven Roasted Turkey
Juicy and tender oven roasted turkey that will be the star of the holiday table! Easy to prepare with fresh herbs and garlic butter for the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe.
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
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Homemade Turkey Gravy
Make a delicious, silky smooth, and flavorful homemade turkey gravy in a few simple steps. Avoiding store-bought gravy packages has never been easier!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Thanksgiving Sides
Next come the sides! There are so many delicious options to choose from, some are cheesy, creamy or even bacon wrapped green bundles to name a few!
Easy 3-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce
An easy 3-ingredient cranberry sauce recipe made with fresh cranberries, sugar and an orange. It's simple to make from scratch and tastes better than the canned version.
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Sausage Stuffing
This sausage stuffing recipe will convert anyone who tries it into a stuffing lover! The bread is soft with lightly toasted edges and the flavor is incredible!
Total Time:
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Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Rich and creamy mashed potatoes are whipped smooth and fluffy with cream cheese, butter and heavy cream! A favorite side dish at any meal or holiday table.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
This easy cheesy potatoes recipe is going to be your new go-to side dish for the holidays. Flavorful potatoes in a simple cheddar cheese sauce is creamy and comforting!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole is the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish with a delicious creamy filling of tender sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar and streusel pecan topping.
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Fresh Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This fresh green bean casserole is a classic holiday favorite! This version is just as creamy as the original with fresh green beans, cream of mushroom soup and fried onions.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Jiffy Corn Pudding Recipe
This jiffy corn pudding is a simple, classic, and easy side dish recipe that fits with any holiday menu. Only 5 simple ingredients and ready in under an hour!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Maple Roasted Vegetables Recipe
These maple roasted vegetables are sweetened with maple syrup and bacon for a crowd-pleasing side dish worthy of the holidays but easy enough for a weeknight meal!
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Pear Salad
Fresh pear salad filled with mixed greens, juicy sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, feta cheese and topped with a balsamic dressing. This is the perfect salad to serve at your holiday dinner this year!
Total Time: 5 minutes
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Beet Salad with Arugula and Balsamic Dressing
This beet salad is beautiful and bold with fresh arugula, crunchy candied pecans then tossed in a zesty balsamic dressing. It's stunning on any holiday table!
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Creamed Corn
Rich and creamy with a hint of sweetness crockpot creamed corn is easy to make hands off in the slow cooker!
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
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Lion House Roll Recipe
These Lion House Rolls may have originated in Utah, but you can now make them at home with the same soft, fluffy and buttery taste. The perfect dinner roll!
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
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Desserts
Make sure to save room for dessert! Every Thanksgiving I look forward to a big slice of pie with homemade whipped cream. There’s truly no better way to finish off the meal. Mmmmm!
Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
This easy pumpkin pie recipe is a classic for Thanksgiving dinner. If you can't imagine the holidays without a slice of Libby's pumpkin pie, this recipe is fail proof!
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Pecan Pie Recipe
This easy pecan pie recipe is a classic with a flaky pie crust, sweet, creamy filling and pecans. This traditional homemade dessert recipe is a family favorite!
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
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Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
Easy chocolate pecan pie is a twist on classic pecan pie and has a gooey pecan filling with chocolate chips in a flaky crust. It's a favorite pie for the Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
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Raspberry Jello Pretzel Salad
Raspberry jello pretzel salad is sweet, salty and crowd-pleasing! A cream cheese and Cool Whip mixture sits on a pretzel crust layered with Jell-O for an irresistible dessert salad.
Total Time: 4 hours
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Brown Bag Apple Pie
Easy brown bag apple pie with a crumb topping, tender apples and golden brown pie crust. The brown paper bag seals in all of the delicious flavors and no oven mess!
Total Time: 2 hours
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Pumpkin Crisp
This pumpkin crisp has a creamy pumpkin filling like pumpkin pie but is easy to make like a crisp. The crunchy streusel topping will make it your new favorite fall dessert!
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe
Learn to make homemade whipped cream with only 3 ingredients in less than 5 minutes! Skip store-bought, this is so easy to make and the perfect topping for desserts.
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Apple Cranberry Pie
This homemade apple cranberry pie is filled with juicy apples and fresh, tart cranberries in a flaky buttery pie crust. The perfect holiday dessert for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Total Time: 5 hours 35 minutes
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Mixed Berry Crumble Pie
It's part crisp, part crumple, and all pie! This amazing berry crumble pie is a sweet, tart, and crispy crowd-pleaser filled with juicy berries and a buttery crispy streusel topping!
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
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Easy Banana Cream Pie
Quick and easy banana cream pie is an old-fashioned favorite done in minutes! Sliced bananas and instant banana pudding make this no bake dessert amazing.
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
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Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Recipes
Categorized as: Kitchen Tips, Miscellaneous, Recipe Roundup, Thanksgiving
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing. Happy Turkey Day to you and your family!
Happy Turkey Day to you too, Caryn. I hope you are able to use many of these recipes to enjoy the day with your family
Thank you for sharing! These are awesome! Happy Thanksgiving!