20 Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes for Holiday Feast

ByKiainaman

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and celebration. Whether you’re hosting or attending a gathering, the right recipes can elevate the meal to a whole new level. From savory side dishes to sweet desserts, here are 20 Thanksgiving recipes that will impress your guests and make your holiday meal unforgettable.

Table of Contents

1. Roast Turkey with Herb Butter

The Star of Your Thanksgiving Table

A perfectly roasted turkey is the centerpiece of any Thanksgiving meal. This herb butter roast turkey recipe combines fresh rosemary, thyme, and garlic for a juicy, flavorful bird with crispy skin.

Ingredients:

  • Whole turkey
  • Butter, herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage), garlic, and lemon
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Rub the turkey with herb-infused butter and season generously.
  3. Roast for 3-4 hours, basting occasionally, until golden brown.

2. Stuffing with Sausage and Sage

A Savory Side You Can’t Skip

This hearty stuffing with sausage and sage is a must-have on your Thanksgiving table. The sausage adds depth of flavor, while fresh sage gives it that perfect autumn taste.

Ingredients:

  • Sausage, breadcrumbs, onions, celery, sage
  • Chicken broth
  • Eggs

Instructions:

  1. Brown the sausage and sauté onions and celery.
  2. Mix with breadcrumbs, broth, and herbs.
  3. Bake at 350°F until crispy on top.

3. Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Cream Cheese

Creamy, Buttery Perfection

No Thanksgiving is complete without mashed potatoes! This recipe adds a bit of garlic and cream cheese for a rich, velvety texture your guests will love.

Ingredients:

  • Potatoes, garlic, cream cheese, butter
  • Salt, pepper, and milk

Instructions:

  1. Boil potatoes with garlic until tender.
  2. Mash with cream cheese, butter, and milk until smooth.
  3. Season to taste and serve hot.

4. Green Bean Almondine

A Crisp and Nutty Side Dish

Green beans almondine is a classic side dish made by sautéing green beans with almonds, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. It’s a simple yet elegant dish to complement your Thanksgiving feast.

Ingredients:

  • Fresh green beans, sliced almonds, garlic
  • Lemon, butter, and olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Blanch green beans until tender.
  2. Sauté garlic and almonds in butter until golden.
  3. Toss with green beans and finish with lemon juice.

5. Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Ginger

A Zesty and Sweet Addition

Homemade cranberry sauce with orange zest and fresh ginger adds a sweet and tangy contrast to your Thanksgiving meal, making it a must-have on your holiday table.

Ingredients:

  • Fresh cranberries, orange juice, ginger
  • Sugar, water

Instructions:

  1. Boil cranberries with sugar, water, and ginger until berries pop.
  2. Stir in orange juice and zest.
  3. Let it cool before serving.

6. Pumpkin Pie

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dessert

Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving classic. Its spiced, creamy filling and flaky crust make it the perfect way to end the meal. Top it off with a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate treat.

Ingredients:

  • Pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg
  • Pie crust

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Mix pumpkin, eggs, sugar, and spices in a bowl.
  3. Pour into pie crust and bake for 45-50 minutes.

7. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping

Sweet, Savory, and Creamy

Sweet potato casserole with a gooey marshmallow topping is the perfect combination of sweetness and savory flavors, making it a crowd favorite every Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

  • Sweet potatoes, marshmallows, brown sugar, butter
  • Cinnamon, eggs, milk

Instructions:

  1. Boil and mash sweet potatoes.
  2. Mix with eggs, sugar, butter, and milk.
  3. Top with marshmallows and bake until golden.

8. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic Glaze

A Savory Side That Will Convert Brussels Sprouts Haters

These roasted Brussels sprouts are enhanced with crispy bacon and a balsamic glaze, turning them into a flavorful side dish that even picky eaters will love.

Ingredients:

  • Brussels sprouts, bacon, balsamic vinegar
  • Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Roast Brussels sprouts with olive oil and seasoning.
  2. Fry bacon until crispy, crumble it.
  3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with bacon.

9. Macaroni and Cheese

The Creamiest, Dreamiest Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food staple. This rich, creamy version uses a blend of cheeses to create the ultimate cheesy goodness for your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients:

  • Macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, butter, flour
  • Breadcrumbs

Instructions:

  1. Cook macaroni and set aside.
  2. Make a cheese sauce with milk, butter, and flour.
  3. Combine with pasta, top with breadcrumbs, and bake.

10. Buttermilk Biscuits

Fluffy, Soft, and Perfectly Golden

These soft, flaky buttermilk biscuits are perfect for soaking up gravy or enjoying on their own. Serve them warm, straight from the oven.

Ingredients:

  • Flour, buttermilk, butter, baking powder
  • Salt, sugar

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients and cut in cold butter.
  2. Add buttermilk and form dough.
  3. Bake at 425°F until golden.

11. Gravy

The Essential Finishing Touch

A rich, flavorful gravy made from turkey drippings adds the perfect finishing touch to your Thanksgiving plate. Pour it over mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey for extra flavor.

Ingredients:

  • Turkey drippings, flour, chicken stock
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Whisk flour into turkey drippings to create a roux.
  2. Gradually add stock and cook until thickened.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.

12. Cornbread

Sweet and Savory Perfection

This moist, slightly sweet cornbread is the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving meal, offering a comforting bite that everyone will love.

Ingredients:

  • Cornmeal, flour, milk, eggs
  • Butter, sugar, baking powder

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately.
  2. Combine and pour into a greased pan.
  3. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

13. Pecan Pie

A Sweet, Nutty Dessert

Pecan pie is a rich, sweet dessert with a buttery, caramelized filling. The crunchy pecans on top make each bite irresistible.

Ingredients:

  • Pecans, corn syrup, eggs, butter
  • Brown sugar, vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix all ingredients and pour into pie crust.
  3. Bake for 50-60 minutes until set.

14. Roasted Carrots with Honey and Thyme

A Sweet and Savory Side Dish

Roasted carrots with honey and thyme are a simple yet delicious addition to your Thanksgiving table. Their natural sweetness pairs beautifully with the earthy thyme.

Ingredients:

  • Carrots, honey, thyme
  • Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Toss carrots with honey, olive oil, and seasonings.
  2. Roast at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

15. Apple and Pear Salad with Candied Pecans

A Refreshing Salad to Balance Rich Flavors

This apple and pear salad with candied pecans adds a refreshing and slightly sweet contrast to the heavier dishes on your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients:

  • Apples, pears, mixed greens
  • Candied pecans, balsamic vinaigrette

Instructions:

  1. Slice apples and pears.
  2. Toss with greens and candied pecans.
  3. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.

16. Autumn Roasted Squash Salad

A Warm, Nutritious Salad

This autumn roasted squash salad is a warm, satisfying dish with roasted butternut squash, cranberries, and feta, making it a perfect side for your Thanksgiving spread.

Ingredients:

  • Butternut squash, feta, cranberries
  • Mixed greens, walnuts

Instructions:

  1. Roast squash with olive oil and seasoning.
  2. Toss with greens, cranberries, feta, and walnuts.
  3. Serve warm or at room temperature.

17. Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

A Healthy Twist on Classic Mashed Potatoes

This roasted garlic mashed cauliflower offers a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes without sacrificing flavor. It’s creamy, garlicky, and perfect for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

  • Cauliflower, garlic, butter, cream cheese
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Roast cauliflower and garlic until tender.
  2. Blend with butter and cream cheese until smooth.

18. Creamed Spinach

A Rich and Velvety Side Dish

Creamed spinach is a rich, velvety side that adds a touch of elegance to your Thanksgiving table. This version uses heavy cream and Parmesan for extra creaminess.

Ingredients:

  • Fresh spinach, cream, Parmesan
  • Garlic, butter, flour

Instructions:

  1. Sauté garlic in butter.
  2. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
  3. Stir in cream and Parmesan, then season with salt and pepper.

19. Stuffed Mushrooms

A Savory Appetizer for Your Feast

Stuffed mushrooms are a savory appetizer that can be filled with a variety of fillings. This version uses cream cheese, garlic, and herbs for a delicious bite-sized treat.

Ingredients:

  • Mushrooms, cream cheese, garlic, herbs
  • Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

  1. Remove mushroom stems and chop.
  2. Mix cream cheese, garlic, and herbs, then stuff mushrooms.
  3. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.

20. Pumpkin Cheesecake

A Creamy, Decadent Dessert

Finish your Thanksgiving meal with this luscious pumpkin cheesecake, a rich dessert with the perfect balance of pumpkin spices and a buttery graham cracker crust.

Ingredients:

  • Cream cheese, pumpkin puree, eggs
  • Cinnamon, graham crackers, sugar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Mix all ingredients for the filling and pour into crust.
  3. Bake for 50-60 minutes, then cool and refrigerate.

These 20 Thanksgiving recipes cover everything you need for a memorable holiday feast, from appetizers to desserts. Enjoy your cooking and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!