Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday; it’s a cherished annual tradition, a time for reflection, gratitude, and, of course, an unforgettable feast. Over the years, our family has experienced Thanksgiving in countless ways – from road-tripping to visit relatives across states to hosting loved ones from afar. We’ve gathered with dear friends when extended family couldn’t brave the winter chill of Wisconsin or Northern Minnesota (and honestly, who could blame them?). We’ve sought solitude in cozy cabins nestled deep in the woods, and some years, we’ve simply celebrated with just our little family. Each and every one of these celebrations holds a special place in my heart, filled with unique memories and delicious moments.
This year, the joy of Thanksgiving will be shared in a wonderfully moderate-sized gathering. My family, my sister’s family, and our beloved Aunt Marilyn (along with my uncle and cousin) will all be under one roof. The excitement is palpable, and I find myself brimming with enthusiasm. There’s just something truly magical about Thanksgiving that resonates deeply with me, a holiday that perfectly blends heartwarming company with comfort food.
Naturally, my mind has already shifted into full menu-planning mode – full disclosure, I started weeks ago! While I’ve been known to break with tradition in the past, like last year when we delightfully veered off course with spaetzle and stroganoff, followed by an afternoon movie (which, I must admit, was incredibly awesome and memorable), this year, we’re embracing our most treasured, traditional favorites. There’s a certain comfort and nostalgia that comes with classic Thanksgiving dishes, and I’m eager to recreate those beloved flavors.
Below, you’ll find the mouth-watering lineup for our festive spread! The only slight deviation I’m considering is smoking our turkey on the pellet grill this year to infuse it with a wonderful smoky flavor. However, even if I go that route, I’ll likely still prepare my incredibly easy and delicious slow cooker turkey. Why? Because it’s perfect for ensuring we have plenty of freezer-friendly leftovers, and it’s simply too good and too effortless to pass up. Furthermore, I have a couple of exciting new Thanksgiving recipes – a fantastic roll recipe and some delectable desserts – that I’ll be sharing in the coming weeks, which might just make their way onto our final menu. Oh, the delicious decisions!
On the topic of desserts, especially pies, if you’ve ever dreamt of mastering the art of pie making, I highly recommend checking out the step-by-step pie making boot camp series I launched last year. It’s a comprehensive guide designed to answer every single one of your pie-making questions, helping you conquer the crust and perfect the filling like a pro. Get ready to impress your holiday guests with your newfound baking prowess!
With such an abundance of incredible options for Thanksgiving, deciding what to make can sometimes feel almost overwhelming! The sheer variety of dishes, from savory mains to delightful desserts, makes narrowing down the menu a delightful challenge. While the list below outlines our specific menu for this year, I understand that inspiration can always be helpful. Therefore, I’ve compiled a few other posts featuring past Thanksgiving menus and recipe ideas to help spark your culinary creativity, should you need a little extra guidance:
- My Thanksgiving Menu 2017: A look back at a previous year’s successful spread.
- Thanksgiving Menu 2016: More ideas for classic and contemporary dishes.
- The Perfect Thanksgiving Menu 2015: Notice how our beloved Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon has truly become an indispensable staple on our T-day table over the years? It’s a testament to its deliciousness!
- Thanksgiving Dinner At-a-Glance (2012): A visual compilation of delightful dishes from a decade ago.
I’m genuinely eager to hear what culinary delights will be gracing your Thanksgiving menu this year! Please share your plans in the comments below – I always love to see how other families celebrate with food. And definitely stay tuned, because next week I’ll be unveiling a truly helpful and comprehensive guide dedicated to making tons of Thanksgiving recipes ahead of time! This will be your ultimate resource for a stress-free holiday, allowing you to enjoy more precious moments with your loved ones.
P.S. For those of you who might be (haha) panicking because you don’t see sweet potatoes or yams explicitly listed on my main menu, please rest assured! That’s largely because I’m preparing to post a brand new, utterly delicious sweet potato recipe next week that will most likely be making its grand debut on our Thanksgiving table. Also, to be completely honest, none of us here are particularly fond of the overly sweet, marshmallow-laden, sugary sweet potato casseroles that often flank traditional Thanksgiving menus. (I hope we can still be friends despite this culinary confession!). If, for some unforeseen reason, the new recipe doesn’t make the cut, I’ll definitely be falling back on this incredible Stuffed Sweet Potato Bacon Casserole, because it is, without a doubt, straight-up amazing and offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet.
Our Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu: Tried, Tested, and Loved Classics
Thanksgiving dinner can be chaotic, but your mashed potatoes don’t have to be! These Instant Pot mashed potatoes are truly “life-changing.” They come out perfectly creamy and fluffy every single time, without the hassle of boiling a giant pot on the stovetop. The Instant Pot locks in moisture and flavor, making these spuds incredibly rich and satisfying. Plus, using this method frees up valuable stovetop space, allowing you to focus on other delicious holiday preparations. You can even make them ahead and keep them warm, ensuring hot, ready-to-serve mashed potatoes for your festive feast.
Amidst the rich and hearty dishes of Thanksgiving, a fresh, vibrant salad is an absolute must to balance the meal. Our Amazing Spinach Salad offers a delightful medley of textures and flavors. Crisp spinach forms the base, complemented by crunchy sweet-spicy nuts, crisp apple slices, tangy feta cheese, and savory bacon. It’s a burst of freshness that cuts through the richness of the other dishes, providing a refreshing and highly addictive component to your holiday spread. This salad truly elevates the entire dining experience.
No Thanksgiving table is complete without a basket of warm, tender rolls. These Buttery Cornmeal Crescent Rolls are a revelation, offering a slight hint of sweetness and a delicate texture that makes them irresistible. They’re incredibly soft, generously brushed with melted butter, and possess that perfect crescent shape that’s just begging to be pulled apart. Ideal for soaking up every last drop of gravy or simply enjoying on their own, these rolls are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a staple for any holiday meal.
Our Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon is a dish that consistently steals the show and has rightfully earned its place as a perennial Thanksgiving favorite. It’s a delightful side that combines the sweetness of corn with a rich, creamy sauce and the irresistible crunch and saltiness of bacon. The “confetti” part comes from the colorful array of peppers, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious. This dish offers a comforting sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the savory elements of the holiday meal and is always eagerly anticipated.
Forget the canned soup version – our Homemade Green Bean Casserole is a sophisticated upgrade to a beloved classic. Made from scratch with fresh green beans, a rich, savory mushroom sauce, and an incredibly satisfying “extra crunchy topping,” this dish is truly a revelation. The homemade elements elevate it far beyond its humble origins, delivering deep flavors and a delightful textural contrast that makes every bite memorable. It’s a comforting, essential side dish that proudly stands out on any Thanksgiving table.
Stuffing is, for many, the quintessential Thanksgiving side, and our Homemade Stovetop Stuffing is the epitome of comfort food. This recipe captures all the savory, herbaceous goodness of classic stuffing, with perfectly toasted bread cubes, aromatic vegetables, and a rich broth. It’s incredibly flavorful and moist, offering that familiar, nostalgic taste that brings everyone to the table. Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit and a cornerstone of your holiday meal, easily prepared on the stovetop to save oven space.
Adding a touch of refreshing sweetness to the savory feast, our Raspberry Ribbon Salad is a beautiful and delicious choice. This layered gelatin salad features vibrant raspberry flavors, a creamy middle layer, and a light, airy texture that makes it a perfect palate cleanser. It’s a beautiful, colorful addition to the table, offering a nice contrast to the heavier dishes. Kids and adults alike will adore this sweet and tangy side, which brings a delightful element of nostalgia and fun to the holiday spread.
While the main turkey might be smoked this year, our Slow Cooker Turkey with No-Fuss Gravy remains a true lifesaver, especially for foolproof leftovers or smaller gatherings. This method ensures an incredibly moist, flavorful turkey every time, and the best part? The gravy practically makes itself, simmered right alongside the turkey in the slow cooker! It’s an ingenious solution for freeing up oven space and reducing holiday stress, guaranteeing succulent turkey and rich, delicious gravy with minimal effort. It’s a versatile recipe perfect for any time of year, but especially invaluable during the busy holiday season.
And of course, a separate category for our most anticipated Dessert Delights!
For those who adore the rich, spiced flavor of pumpkin pie but prefer a lighter, more manageable dessert, our Amazing Crustless Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes are an absolute dream. These individual servings deliver all the creamy, aromatic goodness of classic pumpkin pie without the crust, making them wonderfully light and easy to serve. Topped with a dollop of whipped cream, they are elegant, flavorful, and perfectly portioned, ensuring everyone gets a taste of this quintessential fall dessert without feeling overly full.
Who says pie has to be traditional fruit or cream? Our Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie is a decadent, fun, and incredibly easy dessert that combines two beloved classics into one irresistible treat. Imagine a warm, gooey, chocolate-chip-filled cookie baked into a pie crust – it’s pure bliss. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it becomes an ooey-gooey, utterly satisfying experience that will bring smiles to faces of all ages. This pie is a delightful deviation from the norm and always a huge hit.
While classic apple pie is always welcome, our Toffee Crumble Caramel Apple Pie takes this beloved dessert to an entirely new level of deliciousness. This pie features tender, spiced apples nestled in a flaky crust, generously drizzled with rich, buttery caramel, and crowned with a delightful toffee crumble topping. The combination of sweet apples, gooey caramel, and crunchy toffee creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is truly unforgettable. It’s an indulgence that’s perfect for a grand holiday meal.
You simply cannot have Thanksgiving without a magnificent Classic Pumpkin Pie. This recipe delivers that iconic, spiced pumpkin flavor that evokes warmth and nostalgia with every bite. Featuring a silky-smooth, perfectly seasoned pumpkin custard baked into a crisp, buttery crust, it’s the timeless dessert that truly completes the holiday meal. Simple, elegant, and utterly satisfying, our classic pumpkin pie is the perfect sweet ending to a joyous day of feasting and gratitude, often enjoyed with a generous dollop of whipped cream.