Need help planning your Thanksgiving dinner? Then, here are 80 plus Thanksgiving recipes. From appetizers to desserts, along with tips and suggestions to ensure that you deliver the best dinner that family and friends will talk about for a long, long time.
I love entertaining, but it also is quite stressful because I am alone. And, the only reason I manage everything successfully is that I plan ahead. In addition, I also choose make-ahead dishes, as much as I can. And, most important, pick recipes that I know I can do. No experiments!
Today, I want to share with you a few tips that I have learned (some by trial and errors) from my own experience. I hope you will find them useful.
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Tips for planning the best Thanksgiving dinner
- First, decide how many people are going to be at the dinner table so you don't have to recalculate your menu over and over again. In addition, plan for at least 2 extra servings, so you don't run short. It's always better to have a few leftovers than to run short at dinner
- Then, choose a theme or style that is not too contrasting. For example, if you choose to make a Middle Eastern style main course, don't make a French-style side-dish or appetizer. Because, while they may be absolutely delicious on their own, often these flavors don't complement each other.
- Also, choose dishes that look pretty, colorful, and offer a variety of textures and tastes.
- And, make a few classics for those who are more conservative, and try a few new recipes so people get something different. As a result, they will remember it a long time later.
- Don't repeat the main ingredients. For example, if you are making one main-course lamb (red meat), make the other chicken or fish. Or, if you choose one pumpkin pie, don't make the second dessert with pumpkin or pie. For example, try an apple cake, brownies, etc.
- Also, give a mix of different textures. For example, if you make mashed potatoes don't make mashed peas. Rather, try oven-baked or sautéed veggies.
- Try to use as many make-ahead dishes as you can such as desserts, side dishes, and appetizers. That way, you can concentrate on the main course and setting the table.
- Most important, make sure to take into account those in the family with special dietary needs, and allergies, such as vegans, or egg and dairy allergies.
- And, if you are new to cooking, choose recipes that are easy and you are confident making or have tried before. And, if you are a seasoned cook, choose 70% tried and tested recipes, and, in addition, choose two to three that will stretch your cooking skills.
- Don't skip salads, bread, and condiments. In fact, bread is easy to make or buy ahead. And, salads add color and texture to the dinner table. Also, condiments are often what people need to add a little something to their main dish, like cranberry sauce with roast turkey or chicken.
- Lastly, make sure to offer your guests drinks, and appetizers that will encourage mingling. This is especially important when you have guests that don't know each other. For example, pre-snacks such as chips with salsa, cheese, and crackers are a great way to build an appetite, but too much of that can also become unnecessary fillers.
Here are a few examples of how I plan my menu
Menu 1
Drinks - Cranberry margarita, wine
Appetizer - Roasted red pepper goat cheese crostini
Salad - Make-ahead cherry tomato mozzarella salad
Main-course - Roast turkey & Beef in red wine
Side dish - Mashed potatoes, oven-baked carrot sticks, and corn fritters
Condiments - Cranberry sauce, red pepper tamponade, roasted garlic
Bread - Pumpkin dinner rolls and whole wheat walnut raisin bread
Dessert - Apple pie and chocolate chip pumpkin cake
Aperitif or after-dinner drinks - Baileys, Butterscotch baileys or bailey's chocolate martini, pumpkin spice latte, chai spice latte, hot chocolate (kids)
Menu 2
Drinks - Strawberry vodka cocktail, wine
Appetizer - Roasted red pepper goat cheese crostini
Salad - Make-ahead cranberry cabbage salad,
Main-course - Roast leg of lamb & chicken in mushroom sauce
Side dish - Butternut squash fries, Crispy garlic roasted potatoes, sauteed sesame green beans
Condiments - cranberry sauce, red pepper tamponade, roasted garlic,
Bread - Braided challah and skillet buttermilk cornbread
Dessert - Pecan pie and Caramel apple cake
Aperitif or after-dinner drinks - Baileys, Butterscotch baileys or bailey's chocolate martini, pumpkin spice latte, chai spice latte, hot chocolate (kids)
Menu 3
Drinks - Strawberry vodka cocktail, wine
Appetizer - Roasted red pepper goat cheese crostini
Salad - Make-ahead celery salad
Main-course - Roast Chicken & Beef Burgundy
Side dish - Lemon dill roasted potatoes, carrot zucchini fritters, sauteed asparagus
Condiments - Cranberry sauce, red pepper tamponade, roasted garlic,
Bread - Soft dinner rolls and no-knead crusty bread OR Cloverleaf rolls and no-knead beer bread
Dessert
Apple crumble pie and pumpkin cake or pumpkin souffle Or Pumpkin pie and pecan blondies or pecan pie brownies
Aperitif or after-dinner drinks -
Baileys, Butterscotch baileys or bailey's chocolate martini, pumpkin spice latte, chai spice latte, hot chocolate (kids)
Thanksgiving recipes
Drinks
Cocktails are a great way to start before dinner. Then, move on to wine for dinner. Most importantly, choose wines that will complement the main course you are cooking. Often, the wine seller will be able to guide you on what wine is best to serve with your course. That is why planning becomes very critical.
Cranberry Margarita
Strawberry Vodka Cocktail
Appetizers
When choosing appetizers, pick things that are light as compared to filling. Also, avoid spicy, or very strong flavors that will contradict the meal.
Roasted Red Peppers Goats Cheese Crostini Antipasti
Roasted Red Pepper Garlic Tapenade
Salads
Personally, I choose salads that I can make ahead of time and ones that will stay well as leftovers. That way, there is less to do and things don't get wasted.
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Quick Carrot Salad
Easy Celery Salad Recipe with Cranberries and Pecans
Main courses
In one of my tips above, I mentioned paying attention to variety and textures but also to avoid repetition. For example:
- Don't make two lamb dishes. Instead, make one lamb and one chicken or turkey.
- Also, don't make two roast dishes make one roast and the second a slow-cooked, braised, or stewed.
- And, don't forget to accommodate the people with allergies and special diets like vegetarians, vegans, etc.
How to roast Leg of Lamb
Boneless Leg of Lamb
Standing Prime Rib Roast
Leg of Lamb
Perfect Roast Chicken
Beef Chuck Roast
Maple Roast Chicken
Roast Leg of Lamb
Grilled Lamb Chops with Cilantro-Mint Sauce
Braised Lamb in Red Wine
The BEST Beef Burgundy aka Beef Bourguignon
Lamb Chops with Balsamic Glaze
Slow cooked Roast Lamb Shoulder in Red Wine Sauce
Beef in Red Wine
Slow Cooked Lamb with Creamy Polenta
Side-dishes
Some side dishes are great to make ahead of time. For example, quiches. And, some can be made a few hours ahead like the patties and fritters. So, if possible, choose a mix of both so you are not overwhelmed at the last hour.
Oven-Baked Carrot Sticks
Crispy Corn Fritters
Easy Swiss Chard Patties aka Swiss Chard Cakes
Butternut Squash Fries
Spinach Potato Patties aka Spinach Cakes
Leek and Asparagus Quiche
The BEST Mushroom Quiche Recipe
Caramelized Onions Roasted Red Peppers Quiche
Garlic Sautéed Asparagus with sesame seeds
Breadcrumb Stuffed Mushrooms
Skinny Mashed Potatoes
Quick and Easy Sesame Green Beans with Just Three Ingredients
Roast Potatoes(Rosemary and Lemon)
Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Potatoes (Lemon and Dill)
Bread
Of course, you can easily buy bread. And yet, if you are a seasoned cook like me, then you want to show your baking skills. In addition, a great thing about bread is that you can make it a few hours ahead of time. Also, I like to add a seasonal touch to my bread, such as pumpkin in fall, which is also perfect for Thanksgiving.
Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe
Soft Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
Pumpkin Crescent Rolls - No knead
No-Knead Bread - Crusty White Bread
Challah Bread Recipe - 3 Braids
Whole Wheat Bread raisins and walnuts
Yeast Beer Bread - No-Knead
Desserts
First, you can never have enough desserts. In fact, I usually make at least two. Also, it is important to know your guests and take into account any nut, dairy, or egg allergies.
- Make two different dishes - for example, instead of making two pies, make one pie and one cake or panna cotta.
- And, use different main ingredients. Avoid two fruits. For example, if you use pumpkin in one dessert, make the second with chocolate or vanilla.
BEST Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
Dutch Apple Pie
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Pecan Pie
Pecan Pie Recipe
Cardamom Cake with Mocha Buttercream
Caramel Apple Cake Recipe with Caramel Buttercream
Pumpkin Cake with Whipped Cream Buttercream
Pumpkin Creme Brûlée Recipe
Upside Down Pecan Pie Cake
Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Tart
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake with Maple Buttercream Frosting
Creme Caramel - Flan
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Coconut Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Individual desserts
Mini treats mean you don't need to cut and serve. Just leave them on the table so people can help themselves. Also, you can buy the tartlet shells readymade or make them yourself.
Cream Cheese Chocolate Mousse Tarts - Mini Tarts
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Tarts
Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Tarts Recipe
Chocolate Pumpkin Caramel Tarts
Chocolate Cheesecake Tarts
After dinner drinks - Aperitif
I like to choose liquors that are delicate and help calm you down rather than strong alcohol. Of course, these are great when accompanied with hot beverages.
Homemade Baileys Irish Cream
Butterscotch Irish Cream Recipe
Baileys Chocolate Martini
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Chai Spice Latte
Homemade Hot Chocolate
What do you take with you to a thanksgiving dinner?
I thought it was important to give you a few options that would be perfect to take with you if you are invited to Thanksgiving dinner. Many people take wine along with a dessert.
- Choose something that travels wells.
- Choose a dessert that will stay well the next day in case of leftovers.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Ultimate Pecan Blondies
Chocolate Pecan Squares
The Ultimate Pecan Pie Brownie
Moist Apple Pie Cake with Crumble Topping
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake Recipe
Back to basics
Here are a few basic recipes you may need to create some of the dishes above.
Pie Crust Recipe
Pie Crust with Shortening
Flaky Homemade Pie Crust Recipe (Pâte Brisée)
Homemade Quiche Crust
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix
Homemade Sour Cream
Homemade Whipped Cream 4 Methods
Sweet Shortcrust Pastry aka Pate Sucree
Rich Shortcrust Pastry (Pate Sablee)
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Well, I hope you found my tips useful and I hope my recipes and menus give you some ideas for your Thanksgiving dinners. And, if you do try my recipes, I'd love to hear which and how they came out. Also, if you found any of my tips useful, and have any of yours to share, I'd love to hear them too. Feel free to let me know in the comments below.
Happy Thanksgiving!
erotik izle
Amazing! Its a genuinely amazing post, I have got much clear idea concerning from this post.
Chef Dennis
Wow, you shared so many delicious recipes, I don't know where to begin!
Jo
Everything you need for Thanksgiving is all here. What a collection!
Chandice Probst
Wow 85 recipes! Definitely Thanksgiving recipe for everyone… The way you formatted it made it so easy to go look at all of them too, thank you!
Veena Azmanov
You are welcome Chandice
Amanda
These recipes all look delicious! I think I'll have to start with the balsamic maple roast chicken, but I definitely plan on making my way through the list.
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Amanda.