Complete Thanksgiving Menu: 8 Must-Try Dishes
A comprehensive, stress-free Thanksgiving menu featuring appetizers, main courses, side dishes, breads, salads, desserts, and drinks, with make-ahead tips for a seamless celebration.
- Prep Time: 4-6 hours (spread over several days)
- Cook Time: 4-8 hours (depending on turkey size)
- Total Time: Over 10 hours
- Yield: Serves 10-12 people
- Category: Holiday Meal
- Method: Baking, Roasting, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian (with modifications for meat dishes)
Ingredients
- Cranberry Brie Bites: Frozen puff pastry cups, brie cheese, cranberry sauce, fresh thyme
- Deviled Eggs with a Twist: Eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, paprika, crispy bacon
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Shooters: Butternut squash, maple syrup, vegetable broth, cream, nutmeg, cinnamon
- Herb-Butter Roast Turkey: Whole turkey, butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, black pepper
- Cajun Turkey Breast: Turkey breast, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, thyme
- Maple Glazed Ham: Fully cooked spiral-cut ham, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, cloves, apple cider vinegar
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes, garlic cloves, whole milk, butter, salt, fresh chives
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel: Sweet potatoes, brown sugar, cinnamon, cream, pecans, oats, flour, butter
- Homemade Cornbread Dressing with Sausage & Apples: Cornbread, breakfast sausage, onions, celery, apples, broth
- Green Bean Casserole from Scratch: Fresh green beans, mushrooms, garlic, thyme, flour, butter, crispy fried onions
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic & Pecans: Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, pepper, balsamic glaze, toasted pecans
- Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest: Fresh cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, orange juice
- Fluffy Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls: Flour, yeast, sugar, salt, butter, milk
- Honey Cornbread: Cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, butter, honey
- Harvest Salad: Mixed greens or arugula, apple, goat cheese, dried cranberries, candied pecans, apple cider vinaigrette
- Maple Dijon Roasted Carrots: Carrots, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, olive oil
- Classic Pumpkin Pie: Pumpkin puree, eggs, cream, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, pie crust
- Southern Pecan Pie: Corn syrup or maple syrup, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, toasted pecans
- Apple Crisp with Oat Streusel: Apples, sugar, cinnamon, oats, flour, brown sugar, butter
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars: Cream cheese, pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, gingersnap crust
- Spiced Apple Cider: Apple cider, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves
- Cranberry Mimosas: Cranberry juice or cocktail, champagne or prosecco
Instructions
- Make-Ahead (Week Before): Prepare cranberry sauce and salad dressing. Bake cornbread, cool, and cube for dressing. Toast and chop nuts.
- Make-Ahead (2-3 Days Before): Prepare desserts (pies, cheesecake bars). Make butternut squash soup and plan to reheat.
- Make-Ahead (Thanksgiving Eve): Brine turkey. Assemble green bean casserole and dressing (do not bake). Chop vegetables for sides and store.
- Thanksgiving Day (Morning): Start roasting the turkey according to its weight.
- Thanksgiving Day (Afternoon): While the turkey rests, bake casseroles, dressing, and roasted vegetables. Warm dinner rolls.
- Thanksgiving Day (One Hour Before Serving): Bake appetizers.
- Serve: Present the complete Thanksgiving menu and enjoy.
Notes
- For Cranberry Brie Bites, use store-bought or homemade cranberry sauce.
- For Deviled Eggs, consider adding paprika and crispy bacon for variations.
- For Herb-Butter Roast Turkey, brining overnight is recommended for juiciness.
- For Sweet Potato Casserole, marshmallows can be added for the last 5 minutes of baking if desired.
- For Green Bean Casserole, use store-bought crispy fried onions for a classic touch.
- For Harvest Salad, a simple apple cider vinaigrette is suggested.
- For Classic Pumpkin Pie, ensure the center is just set with a slight jiggle.
- For Spiced Apple Cider, serve hot with a cinnamon stick or chilled over ice.
- For Cranberry Mimosas, use chilled cranberry juice and dry champagne or prosecco.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Varies by dish
- Calories: Varies by dish
- Sugar: Varies by dish
- Sodium: Varies by dish
- Fat: Varies by dish
- Saturated Fat: Varies by dish
- Unsaturated Fat: Varies by dish
- Trans Fat: Varies by dish
- Carbohydrates: Varies by dish
- Fiber: Varies by dish
- Protein: Varies by dish
- Cholesterol: Varies by dish
Find it online: https://yummywords.com/complete-thanksgiving-menu/