The Carefree Kitchen
menu icon
search icon
×

Thanksgiving Menu Plan

By · Published November 17, 2021 · Updated February 20, 2023 · 8 Comments

collection of thanksgiving recipes

Sharing is caring!

Here's a collection of some of our best Thanksgiving Menu Ideas to help plan your holiday dinner. It includes everything you need from an easy turkey recipe to rolls and holiday desserts galore. Thanksgiving is my favorite food holiday and there just isn't anything better than gathering with your friends and family and enjoying everyone's favorites.

The best thing about eating with a crowd is that everyone can participate too. There are easy recipes, perfect for young kids to make. It's so fun for them to be helpers for the day. That's where I learned to cook, alongside my Mom and Grandma's and hope to give that to my kids too.

If you need some ideas when planning your menu this year, check out our collection of classics and a few maybe you haven't thought of. It includes all of our favorite holiday appetizers, amazing entrees, side dishes, and desserts galore. Most of these are easy and can be made ahead of time.

I know how busy the holidays are and sometimes we need easy recipes that can be made in advance or take only a few ingredients. I hope this helps to make your Thanksgiving dinner a success and you get to spend some quality time with your friends and family.

Jump to:

Appetizers

I like to have a few appetizers on hand. These are easy recipes you can bust out when everyone is feeling snacky or your need a little something to tide them over until dinner is ready. I love making a big veggie and fruit tray for everyone to snack on. It's a great way to start the day off with something a little lighter. I hope your family loves these appetizers as much as we do.

image for vegetable tray shaped like a bunny
Holiday Veggie Tray Recipe
This Holiday Veggie Tray is full of crisp and colorful veggies, served with homemade ranch dressing on the side.  It’s the perfect appetizer to serve at your next holiday party or gathering.
Total time: 30 minutes
Go to recipe
Fruit Charcuterie Board for breakfast, brunch , baby shower, bridal shower, or holiday dinner idea.
Fruit Board with Dips
This Fruit Charcuterie Board is a great idea for dinner parties and get-togethers all year long.   Served with a side of cream cheese dip, it’s a beautiful and simple option that takes very little preparation and is easy to adapt.
Total time: 20 minutes
Go to recipe
Bacon ranch cheese ball
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball is a quick and easy appetizer.  It's a 5 ingredient easy cheeseball recipe with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, hidden valley ranch seasoning, bacon bits, and green onions.  It's a bacon cheddar ranch cheeseball everyone will love.  
 
Total time: 10 minutes
Go to recipe
jalapeno artichoke dip served with crackers
Jalapeño Artichoke Dip Recipe
This warm and cheesy Jalapeño Artichoke Dip is simple to make and a total crowd-pleaser.  It’s sure to be a hit for your next game day or Super Bowl party, and can be served with any of your favorite crackers, chips or raw veggies.
Total time: 40 minutes
Go to recipe
Caramel Apple Punch Recipe
This Caramel Apple Punch is the perfect fall drink to make for holiday get-togethers.  It's made with apple cider, ginger ale, caramel sauce and fall spices and tastes just as good as it looks.
Total time: 10 minutes
Go to recipe
Holiday Punch Recipe
This Holiday Punch is bright and cherry, simple to make and doubles as a beautiful centerpiece. It's the perfect drink to make for parties and get-togethers all holiday season long.
Total time: 10 minutes
Go to recipe
homemade slow cooker wassail drink, recipe for wassail.
Wassail Recipe
This warm Wassail drink recipe is made with spiced apple cider that’s been infused with baking spices and fresh citrus.  It’s the perfect cozy holiday drink to make during the winter months.
Total time: 6 hours
Go to recipe
turkeys with candy corns for thanksgiving
Chocolate Turkeys Recipe
These homemade Chocolate Turkeys make the most adorably easy Thanksgiving table decoration.  Using simple candies, chocolate-covered cherries and frosting, this recipe will show you how to make delicious edible works of art.
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Go to recipe

Dinner Menu

Now for the main dish. Roasted Turkey is a great option. If you're cooking for a smaller group or maybe you don't want to fuss with a whole turkey, try a crockpot turkey breast recipe. It's so easy to make and takes only a fraction of the time.

Smoked Turkey and Baked Honey Ham are also favorites at our house. They're really easy to make and sometimes it's just fun to have options. I like to make both when there's a big crowd or I have the time.

Turkey Breast Recipes, on a platter with fruit and garnish
Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe
This Herb Crusted Turkey Breast is quick, easy, and makes the juiciest oven-roasted turkey breast recipe.  It’s seasoned with butter, fresh herbs, and spices. It's a perfect Thanksgiving turkey for a smaller crowd or if you don't feel like dressing an entire bird.  It's so easy to make and turns our tender and juicy every time. 
Total time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Go to recipe
Recipe: How to Cook a Spiral Sliced Ham
These easy step-by-step instructions will guide you through How to Cook a Spiral Ham that is juicy, moist and super flavorful. Add our honey glaze, a couple of your favorite sides and you’ll have yourself the perfect easy, delicious holiday dinner.
Total time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Go to recipe
how to make smoked turkey recipe, best thanksgiving recipe
Smoked Turkey Recipe
This Smoked Turkey is flavored with a simple brown sugar spice rub and cooked low and slow in the smoker until perfectly tender and juicy.  It’s an impressive way to save precious oven space and couldn’t be easier.
Total time: 4 hours 50 minutes
Go to recipe

Now for the sides. Is there anything better than Thanksgiving Sides? There are so many potato recipes to choose from. There are so many amazing options to choose from. It's hard to narrow it down but here are our absolute favorites. Some are healthy, some cheesy, there's a little bit of something for everyone.

Sides

stuffing recipe from scratch
Grandma's Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing is a classic stuffing recipe that has withstood the test of time.  It’s got the perfect balance of chewy and moist, sweet and savory and can be made entirely from scratch, or with some simple shortcuts.
Total time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Go to recipe
the best sausage and apple stuffing for thanksgiving
Best Sausage And Apple Stuffing Recipe
This is the Best Sausage And Apple Stuffing Recipe. No need to be intimidated with homemade stuffing.  This Thanksgiving dressing recipe is easy and turns out great every time.  It's a homemade stuffing recipe made with simple and fresh ingredients, maple sausage, fresh apples, and a perfect balance of fresh herbs and spices.  It's a must-have for every holiday feast!
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Go to recipe
cornbread stuffing recipe in a glass baking dish, best cornbread stuffing recipe
Cornbread Stuffing Recipe
This savory Cornbread Stuffing is a perfect side dish to serve for Thanksgiving or any other winter holidays. It combines both cornbread and French bread to make the most chewy, moist, flavorful, and delicious stuffing.
Total time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Go to recipe
leafy green salad with a white bowl
Fall Harvest Salad Recipe
This Fall Harvest Salad is crunchy, sweet, salty and hearty.  It’s loaded with apples, feta cheese and candied pecans and tossed in a homemade honey mustard vinaigrette for the perfect Thanksgiving or holiday salad.
Total time: 15 minutes
Go to recipe
cranberry orange sauce in a saucepan
Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe
This Cranberry Orange Sauce uses just 5 simple ingredients and puts any store bought canned sauce to shame.  It’s sweet and tangy, flavored with orange juice and orange zest, and makes a delicious quick and easy side for any classic holiday dinner.
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Go to recipe
cheesy potato casserole
Cheesy Potato Casserole
This easy potato casserole is a hit for the holidays and dinners with your family and friends. It's so easy to make and everyone loves it!
Total time: 40 minutes
Go to recipe
scalloped potatoes on fork
Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
This Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes recipe couldn't be easier.  It's an au gratin potatoes crockpot recipe made with russet potatoes, a homemade cream sauce, ans fresh herbs. It's perfect for a family dinner, holidy meal or a great leftover ham recipe.
Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Go to recipe
mashed red potatoes in a large white bowl, ready to be served, ed potato mashed potatoes.
Mashed Red Potatoes Recipe
These Mashed Red Potatoes are pure comfort food and a simple side dish.  Mashed with simple ingredients like butter, sour cream, garlic, and milk, they are bursting with flavor and pair well with just about anything.
Total time: 40 minutes
Go to recipe
Sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel topping
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
This Sweet Potato Casserole is rich and buttery with a sweet crunchy pecan topping.  It’s a southern classic that can pass as either a side dish or dessert at your next holiday dinner.
Total time: 50 minutes
Go to recipe
Sweet Potato Casserole in a glass baking dish, covered with marshmallows.
Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This Sweet Potato Casserole is our favorite version of the slightly sweet classic holiday side dish.  It’s filled with warmed mashed potatoes, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and topped with ooey gooey mini marshmallows.
Total time: 45 minutes
Go to recipe
fruit salad with fruit glaze
Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Glaze Recipe
This Winter Fruit Salad is refreshing, simple, stunning and totally delicious.  Made with brightly colored winter fruits and finished with a tangy citrus glaze drizzle, this salad makes the perfect holiday dinner side dish.
Total time: 30 minutes
Go to recipe
Homemade Crescent Rolls in a bowl
Homemade Crescent Rolls
This Homemade Crescent Rolls Recipe is Grandma's Yeast Rolls Recipe.  Yes, it's that good. It's buttery and soft and is the perfect side for your holiday meal. 
Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Go to recipe
Quick Dinner Rolls Recipe
These Quick Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, buttery and so simple.  All you need are a few simple ingredients and a minimal amount of prep to have these ready and on the table in no time.
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Go to recipe

Desserts

Here's the best part, dessert! There isn't anything better than a homemade pie with freshly made whipped cream. It's the perfect way to finish off a great meal....and bonus, pie for breakfast! Yesssss! There are all kinds of great dessert recipes and candy recipes you can have on hand too.

pumpkin pie recipe from scratch
Pumpkin Pie Recipe
This is the ultimate Pumpkin Pie recipe, complete with step-by-step instructions for making your very own homemade flakey pie crust.  It’s smooth and creamy with the perfect blend of pumpkin pie spice all wrapped up in a buttery, flakey crust.
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Go to recipe
Pumpkin Roll Recipe
This classic Pumpkin Roll is made with a soft and tender pumpkin cake filled with a silky smooth cream cheese filling.  It’s an easy, beautiful and delicious fall dessert that is perfect for serving at Thanksgiving, Christmas or anytime in between.
Total time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Go to recipe
Apple Pie Recipe
This classic homemade Apple Pie is filled to the brim with juicy, buttery cinnamon-spiced apples all baked into a tender, flaky pie crust.  Follow this step-by-step Apple Pie Recipe, instructions on how to make everyone’s favorite Apple Pie from scratch in no time.
Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Go to recipe
a slice of coconut cream pie on a white plate
Coconut Cream Pie Recipe
This old-fashioned Coconut Cream Pie is full of creamy coconut custard set in a flaky homemade pie crust and topped with fresh whipped cream and toasted coconut.  It’s a must-try for any coconut lover.
Total time: 45 minutes
Go to recipe
Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe
This homemade Chocolate Cream Pie is made with a silky smooth chocolate pudding tucked into a crisp Oreo crust and topped with freshly whipped cream.  It’s super decadent with a rich chocolate flavor and is insanely simple to make.
Total time: 40 minutes
Go to recipe
banana cream pie slice on a white plate
Best Banana Cream Pie Recipe
This Banana Cream Pie uses our homemade flaky pie crust and fills it with fresh bananas and the most creamy, dreamy banana cream filling.  Topped with freshly whipped cream, this classic dessert is absolutely heavenly.
Total time: 45 minutes
Go to recipe
Razzleberry Pie Recipe
This delicious Razzleberry Pie is bursting with raspberries, blackberries and blueberries all baked into a flakey homemade pie crust.  Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a big dollop of freshly whipped cream for a perfect summer dessert, or make with frozen berries and enjoy all year long.
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Go to recipe
easy no bake cheesecake
No Bake Cheesecake
This Easy No Bake Cheesecake recipe is the best recipe for a cheesecake.  It's simple to make and only takes a few ingredients.  It's light and fluffy and oh, so creamy.  It's an easy no-bake dessert the entire family will love. 
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Go to recipe
homemade whipped cream, how to make whipped cream
Fresh Whipped Cream Recipe
This Homemade Whipped Cream takes just 5 minutes to make and is worlds better than anything you can buy at the store.  It’s super fluffy, lightly sweetened with just a touch of vanilla extract added to make it the perfect accompaniment to pies, cakes, tarts, French toast and more.
Total time: 5 minutes
Go to recipe

Do you have loads of Ham or turkey leftover? Try these easy recipes...

And if you're looking for more holiday recipes, we have loads to choose from. Pull up a seat and find some new favorites.

«
»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth

    This is wonderful with so many options that i'm going to have to do at least 2 Thanksgivings to get through them all! Not complaining, just stating a fact!

    Reply

    • Jill Baird

      Thanks for checking them out. Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply

  2. Natalie

    Amazing list. Everything looks super delicious and perfect for Holidays. I'm definitely going to bake that apple pie. Yum!

    Reply

    • Jill Baird

      This apple pie is so easy. I hope you love it!

      Reply

  3. Jenni

    This is such an amazing list of recipes! You really don't need to go anywhere else, everything I need is right here! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Jill Baird

      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  4. Gina

    Wow - what a great resource! That sweet potato casserole looks amazing and I'd love some with a scoop of the orange cranberry sauce on top!

    Reply

    • Jill Baird

      I hope you love it as much as we do!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *