Whip up an unforgettable Thanksgiving feast with our easy yet impressive menu recipes that will leave your guests in awe. Cook a memorable meal with love this holiday.
Best Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Recipes
Are you ready to make this Thanksgiving dinner the best one yet? We've put together a list of the most amazing recipes that are not only easy to make but will leave everyone at the table asking for more. From the juiciest turkey to the most mouth-watering sides, these recipes are guaranteed to impress your guests. You don't have to be a professional chef to whip up these delicious dishes. Follow our simple list, and get ready to enjoy a feast that will be remembered for years to come. Let's make this Thanksgiving dinner a spectacular showcase of your cooking skills!
Crockpot Turkey Breast
The Crockpot Turkey Breast recipe transforms a simple meal into a feast with its impeccable blend of herbs and spices, all slow-cooked to tender perfection. This delightful dish not only promises succulent flavors but also ensures a juicy, fall-off-the-bone experience with every bite. Its hassle-free preparation makes it a perfect choice for both special occasions and everyday meals, saving oven space and offering guaranteed satisfaction.
Ingredients
Main:
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 1 5-6 pounds bone-in, skin-on turkey breast, completely thawed (Note 1)
- 3-5 stalks celery
- 2 small yellow onions, cut in half (no need to peel)
- 4 large carrots (or 12 baby carrots)
- 1 head garlic, cut in half (no need to peel)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Optional: fresh thyme, for garnish
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons each: seasoned salt & paprika (smoked if desired)
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon each: dried parsley, dried thyme, dried rubbed sage
- 2-½ tablespoons olive oil
Optional: Gravy:
- 4 tablespoons each: butter & white flour
- If needed: chicken broth, salt & pepper
Juicy Roast Turkey Recipe
This Juicy Roast Turkey Recipe truly sets the bar high, offering a magnificently moist and flavorful bird every time. The ingenious use of herb-infused butter and thoughtful preparation suggestions promise to deliver an undeniably succulent centerpiece for any holiday table.
Ingredients
Servings: 12 people
- 12 lb turkey (Anything from 11-15 lbs will work, but bake time will vary)
- Salt & Pepper for the inside and outside of the bird
For the Flavored Butter:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoon olive oil, not extra virgin, plus more to drizzle top
- 4 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, from 1 large lemon, plus ½ tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 large garlic cloves, pressed
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley
- ½ tablespoon salt, I used sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Stuffing:
- 1 large onion, quartered (no peeling)
- 4 garlic cloves, halved (no peeling)
- ½ bunch parsley
- 1 lemon, quartered
What you'll need:
- Kitchen String
- Heavy duty foil
- A heavy roasting pan that accommodates your bird, but isn't over-sized
- A temperature probe, to ensure a fully-cooked turkey
Balsamic Roasted Cranberry Chicken
The Balsamic Roasted Cranberry Chicken recipe offers a marvelous blend of sweet and savory flavors, making it a must-try for any holiday feast. Its use of fresh cranberries and a unique cranberry marinade not only infuses the dish with a sumptuous depth of taste but also turns it into a visually stunning centerpiece.
Ingredients
Marinade:
- ⅓ cup fresh cranberries or previously frozen and thawed
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 1 clove)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cranberry Chicken:
- 2 ½ pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (4 to 6 chicken thighs) *see notes for substitutes
- ½ cup – 1 cup fresh cranberries or previously frozen and thawed
- 1 Tablespoon each maple syrup and balsamic vinegar mixed together to coat chicken during roasting
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh thyme leaves, dried herbs or ground black pepper
Melting Potatoes
The Melting Potatoes recipe captivates with its crispy exterior and creamy, soft center, mastering a delightful contrast in textures. The addition of chicken broth introduces a unique flavor that sets these potatoes apart from any other. Whether served alongside a succulent steak or a tender roasted pork loin, these potatoes promise to elevate any meal into a gourmet experience.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed and peeled
Melting Sweet Potatoes
The Melting Potatoes recipe captivates with its crispy exterior and creamy, soft center, mastering a delightful contrast in textures. The addition of chicken broth introduces a unique flavor that sets these potatoes apart from any other. Whether served alongside a succulent steak or a tender roasted pork loin, these potatoes promise to elevate any meal into a gourmet experience.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of sweet potatoes
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the maple pecan sauce:
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup chopped pecans
The Best Stuffing Recipe
This stuffing recipe is truly a standout, with its perfect blend of simplicity and traditional flavors, making it an instant classic at any Thanksgiving table. The use of fresh herbs and a golden, buttery top layer that's soft underneath, promises a dish that's rich in flavor and beautifully textured.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, divided
- 1 pound day-old white French bread, diced into ½-inch cubes and dried
- 1 extra-large sweet Vidalia or yellow onion, diced small (about 2 ½ cups)
- 1 ½ cups celery, diced small
- ⅔ cup Italian flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely minced
- ¼ cup fresh sage leaves, finely minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, sticks discarded, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, sticks discarded, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
- 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 2 large eggs
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing
Grandma's Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing is a heartwarming blend of traditional flavors and comforting aromas that truly embodies the essence of family holidays. This time-honored recipe, passed down through generations, encapsulates the perfect balance of savory and homely, ensuring every bite is as memorable as it is delicious.
Ingredients
- 13-15 cups dry bread cubes (about 2 one-pound loaves; heavier bread such as French bread is preferred as it soaks up more juice)
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter
- 2 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoons poultry seasoning
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock (low sodium broth recommended)
- 2 large eggs
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
This Slow Cooker Creamed Corn recipe is absolutely divine! It's incredibly easy to prepare, creating a creamy, comforting side dish that's sure to win over anyone's taste buds. Every bite is a delightful blend of sweetness and creaminess, making it a perfect addition to any meal.
Ingredients
- 3 (15.25-ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into thin slices
Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
Enjoy the delightful combination of textures and flavors in these Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles, which elevate a classic side to an extraordinary level of deliciousness. The perfect blend of tender beans and crisp, smoky bacon with a touch of sweetness makes this dish a crowd-pleaser, ideal for both a weeknight dinner and a special gathering.
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 ½ pounds green beans (6-8 beans per bundle)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Parmesan Roasted Carrots
The Parmesan Roasted Carrots recipe transforms humble carrots into a savory, mouth-watering side dish that's impossible to resist. With the perfect blend of sweetness from roasting, rich garlic flavor, and a delightful Parmesan cheese crust, these carrots elevate any meal to gourmet level.
Ingredients
- 8-10 carrots, peeled, cut in half or quarters if large carrots (bigger than ¾ inch)
- 2 tablespoon butter, melted
- 2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
