What is served at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner?
Thanksgiving is definitely a holiday that one cannot miss! It is a day of celebrating with your family, friends, and loved ones. It is also a day where you can freely decorate your house with Fall-themed Thanksgiving decorations! And more importantly, this is the day where the family brings out the turkey and other appetizing dishes that are specially made for this day!
With that said, here are some classic Thanksgiving dinner meals and some Thanksgiving recipes with a twist! There is nothing wrong with trying out new recipe twists as it will prevent you from serving the same dishes every year.
Surprise your guests and family with meals that are not only delicious but also pleasing to look at!
Roasted Turkey
Is it really a Thanksgiving celebration without a turkey on the dining table? Of course, your turkey is probably one of the main attractions at your dining table so it is best to make it look and taste magnificent!
Gravy
Add more flavor to your turkey with a nice dip of gravy. There are countless ways where you can experiment with your gravy recipe to make it taste new and even more delicious every year!
Casserole
Casseroles are not only fulfilling to the tummy, but one bite of it always makes you feel like home! One classic casserole recipe is the sweet potato casserole. You can also opt for more greens with a green bean casserole for the vegans!
Pumpkin Pie
Nothing beats a classic pumpkin pie for dessert! This easy yet always satisfying dessert will leave your guests wanting more. Just as they say, there will always be (more) room for dessert!
Turkey Cake
No, this isn’t an actual turkey mixed into cake batter. Add more desserts to your dining table with this turkey cake that is sure to grab the attention of your guests! Design your turkey cake as much or as little as you like!
Apple Pie
This is another no-brainer dessert during Thanksgiving. You can never be too safe with only one selection for dessert, right?
Mashed Potato
Nothing can beat a homemade mashed potato. This simple yet hearty dish will prevent you from leaving the dining table! You can always spice it up and make a roasted garlic mashed potato or transform it into a vegan mashed potato without the dairy!
With these tasty Thanksgiving recipes (from classic dishes to meals with a twist), your dining table will not only be a sight to look at, but your guests will also leave with a happy smile and a happy tummy! Your Thanksgiving celebration will surely be one for the books!
Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
You can never go wrong with traditional Thanksgiving meals but putting in a bit of twist once in a while won’t hurt as well! And if you are looking for some great Thanksgiving dinner recipes, I have an amazing list of basic Thanksgiving menu ideas popular on Pinterest. Save your favorite recipes to the Thanksgiving board on Pinterest!
21. Easy Air Fryer Acorn Squash Recipe for Thanksgiving Dinner Table
If you’re on the hunt for a fantastic fall recipe, look no further than acorn squash—especially when you use an air fryer! This method isn’t just quick and easy, it also keeps your meal healthy and low-carb by minimizing oil use.
Plus, cooking with an air fryer means you won’t be juggling a bunch of pots and pans, so clean-up is a breeze.
Here’s a simple way to make acorn squash in your air fryer:
This dish is ideal for those seeking a speedy, nutritious meal without the hassle of lengthy clean-up. You can enjoy the squash straight from its shell, making it an effortlessly elegant option.
With its delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors, acorn squash is perfect on its own or as a wonderful side dish for Thanksgiving celebrations!
20. Keto and Low Carb Pumpkin Pie – Best Thanksgiving Dessert!
Keto and Low Carb Pumpkin Pie is the creamy, thick dessert you must have for the holidays, best enjoyed with a generous dollop of whipped cream on top!
Featuring a coconut flour crust, this sugar-free pumpkin pie is perfect for your Thanksgiving table. It offers a delightful way to stick to your low-carb diet throughout the festive season.
The rich pumpkin filling shines in this recipe, promising to be a hit year after year—even with those in your family who don’t follow a low-carb diet.
The first time I tasted pumpkin pie, it was absolutely magical—a buttery, flaky crust paired with a sweet, cinnamon-spiced pumpkin filling so smooth it was almost like mousse. It was love at first bite!
This keto pumpkin pie delivers all the classic flavors you love about this Thanksgiving staple. And with the holidays around the corner, having a great sugar-free pumpkin pie recipe is essential.
The best part? It tastes just like traditional pumpkin pie, so everyone at your table will be asking for a slice!
19. Best Green Bean Casserole – Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe!
This Green Bean Casserole with Bacon and Fried Shallots is my homemade spin on the classic favorite.
Crafted with crisp green beans and a rich, creamy gravy from scratch, it’s finished off with crunchy bacon and golden fried shallots for that perfect savory touch.
Over the last few Thanksgivings, I’ve taken on the challenge of making green bean casserole from the ground up.
I ditched the canned cream soups in favor of fresh green beans and earthy mushrooms, paired with homemade gravy because let’s be honest—nothing beats the homemade kind.
Each year, I’ve tweaked my recipe, refining it based on past notes to nail the perfect dish.
Initially, my husband was skeptical. As a steadfast fan of the traditional casserole served at most Thanksgiving dinners, he wondered, “Why change something that’s already good?”
But I love giving classic dishes a fresh, modern twist, and I was determined to make this one shine. While this version takes more effort than the original, it’s worth it. Because truly great things come to those who wait.
Now, this Green Bean Casserole with Bacon and Fried Shallots has earned its enduring spot on our Thanksgiving table.
18. Amazing Thanksgiving Dinner Idea: Lightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole
Growing up, my Thanksgiving plate was a sight to behold—piles of stuffing drenched in gravy and a generous helping of cranberry sauce overshadowing everything else, including the turkey and mashed potatoes.
Not much has changed, except that sweet potatoes have now secured nearly as much real estate on my plate as the stuffing. Almost. My dad’s stuffing is hard to beat, after all!
While the classic marshmallow-topped sweet potato casseroles are a holiday staple, I’ve always leaned towards a more savory topping to offset the sweetness of the potatoes.
This year, I’m jazzing up the topping with panko breadcrumbs, fresh sage, and a good sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan cheese.
If you haven’t tried panko breadcrumbs yet, you’re missing out! Available at most grocery stores, they offer a delightful crunch that’s perfect for toppings or breading.
I went with the whole wheat version for a bit more fiber, but the regular kind works great too. Give it a try and see the difference it makes in balancing out the flavors in your holiday dishes!
17. Try Spiced Cabernet Cranberry Sauce
This Cabernet cranberry sauce is the perfect upgrade from the traditional, canned variety we’re all used to. Spiked with cinnamon, cloves, and a dash of nutmeg, it’s the ultimate accompaniment for your Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas goose.
Not only does it boast a bright, complex flavor, but it’s also incredibly easy to whip up—in just about 15 minutes!
What’s even better? This sauce can stay fresh in the fridge for a week and a half, and it freezes beautifully for months, thawing just as vibrant and tasty as when it was first made.
This recipe is a delightful twist on a holiday classic. Sprucing up traditional dishes is always fun, and it’s amazing what a splash of Cabernet can do to enhance cranberry sauce.
Plus, it’s all-natural—no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or dyes. Just the good stuff, simple and delicious.
16. Garlic Brussels Sprouts Pasta – Perfect Thanksgiving Meal
Garlic Brussels Sprouts Pasta is one of those dishes that’s super quick and easy but totally hits the spot!
With the holiday season in full swing, and after all the elaborate meal planning for Thanksgiving, I’m all about simple, satisfying dinners for the in-between nights. This pasta, with its delicious garlic sauce and hearty Brussels sprouts, is just perfect.
It’s fast to whip up, absolutely delicious, and still manages to impress anyone who tries it. Ideal for those evenings when you want a crowd-pleaser without the fuss!
15. Wonderful Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Wake up to the cozy comfort of this Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal on chilly winter mornings.
Combining oats, pumpkin, maple syrup, and aromatic spices like pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon, this dish is not only gluten-free and vegan but also irresistibly tasty.
14. Make Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe
Perfect your holiday meals with this Easy Stuffing Recipe! It’s a classic mix of celery, onions, and butter tossed with dried bread cubes, then soaked with broth and baked until golden. It’s the ideal side dish for any festive gathering.
13. Super Easy Parmesan Roasted Carrots
These Parmesan Roasted Carrots are so simple and delicious, you’ll find yourself making them again and again. Just peel the carrots, drizzle them with butter and garlic, and roast to perfection.
12. Classic Thanksgiving Apple Pecan Stuffing
This Apple Pecan Stuffing is a delightful twist on traditional Thanksgiving stuffing.
It features buttery bread cubes generously mixed with crisp apples and crunchy pecans, creating a perfect blend of textures and flavors that complement any Thanksgiving meal.
This stuffing is not just tasty but also brings a festive flair to the dinner table, making it a must-try for your holiday feast.
11. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe for Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner
Elevate your Thanksgiving meal with this decadent Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole. It’s enriched with cream cheese for a velvety texture, and loaded with crispy thick-cut bacon, sharp freshly grated Cheddar, and chopped green onions for a burst of flavor.
This casserole is not only delicious but also a great make-ahead side dish that simplifies your holiday cooking, ensuring you have more time to spend with family and friends.
10. Potato Casserole With Smoky Bacon
This Potato Casserole with Bacon is the ultimate comfort food, ideal for a Thanksgiving side dish. It consists of creamy mashed potatoes topped with smoky bacon and crispy breadcrumbs, creating a savory profile that’s irresistibly appealing.
It’s a fantastic make-ahead option that can help ease the cooking rush on Thanksgiving Day, allowing you to enjoy a warm, hearty side dish that’s both convenient and delicious.
9. Make for Thanksgiving Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes are a staple at many Thanksgiving tables, and this recipe makes them even more appealing by ensuring the entire cooking process is as simple as possible.
Everything is done in the same pot — from boiling the potatoes to mashing them with garlic, which not only enhances the flavor but also minimizes cleanup.
This efficient method allows you to enjoy more time with family and less time washing dishes, making these mashed potatoes a must-have for your holiday meal.
8. Easy and Delicious Oven-Baked Maple Squash
Oven-Baked Maple Squash is a versatile side dish that’s as suitable for a casual weeknight dinner as it is for a festive holiday table.
The natural sweetness of the squash is enhanced by a hint of maple, creating a dish that’s not only easy to prepare and cost-effective but also delicious.
Plus, it can be made ahead of time, adding convenience to its many virtues and making it a stress-free addition to any meal.
7. Cranberry Fluff Salad with Pineapple & Marshmallow
If you’re a fan of Ambrosia Salad, you’ll love this Cranberry Fluff Salad. It’s an easy-to-make dish that serves as the perfect holiday side.
This salad combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of pineapple and marshmallows, all blended together with Cool Whip for a creamy, dreamy texture.
The combination of flavors and textures makes this Cranberry Fluff Salad a delightful treat that adds a pop of color and a burst of flavor to any holiday spread.
6. Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Pears – Great Side Dish
Combining the earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes with the mellow, juicy flavor of pears, this Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pears recipe is a delightful addition to any Thanksgiving table.
This dish brings a unique twist to traditional holiday sides, offering a sweet and savory flavor profile that complements a variety of main dishes.
5. Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Roll Recipe for Beginners
There’s something irresistibly comforting about freshly baked dinner rolls, especially when they’re made from scratch. This recipe is perfect for beginners, guiding you through the process of creating soft, fluffy rolls that are sure to impress your guests.
Homemade dinner rolls not only add a touch of warmth to your meal but also show the extra love and care put into the feast.
4. Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash – Best Thanksgiving Recipe!
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash is a standout side dish that’s perfect for the holiday season. The warming hint of cinnamon complements the squash’s natural sweetness, making it a favorite at any Thanksgiving table.
Not only is this dish incredibly flavorful, but it also packs a nutritional punch, adding a healthy element to your festive spread.
3. Corn Casserole for the Thanksgiving Table
Corn Casserole is a cherished side dish that combines the sweetness of corn with a savory, bread-like texture. It’s incredibly easy to make and pairs beautifully with other Thanksgiving staples.
This dish is often a family favorite, known for its comforting flavor and crowd-pleasing appeal.
2. Easy Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich
Make the most of your Thanksgiving Leftovers with this easy sandwich recipe. It’s a delicious way to enjoy all your holiday favorites, like turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, packed between two slices of bread.
This sandwich is a fun and tasty solution for enjoying the flavors of Thanksgiving any time.
1. Sweet and Savory Rosemary Apricot Glazed Turkey
The Rosemary Apricot Glazed Turkey is a stunning centerpiece for your Thanksgiving meal. The combination of savory rosemary and sweet apricot glaze creates a beautifully balanced flavor profile that enhances the natural juiciness of the turkey.
This recipe not only delivers on taste but also makes for a visually impressive presentation at your holiday gathering.
20+ Best Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
Discover 21 traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipes, featuring classic and delicious menu ideas for your holiday feast.
Ingredients
- Stuffing Recipe
- Parmesan Roasted Carrots
- Apple Pecan Stuffing
- Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
- Portabella Bacon Green Bean Casserole
Instructions
- Choose any Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I like your recipe for carrots. I like to mix it up and I think the family will like this way. Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m happy to enjoy this recipe! 🙂