Thanksgiving Menu Ideas - 28 Delicious Recipes To Wow Your Guests

It is the time of the year to bring families and friends together to share a table laden with delicious food. Let us inspire you with 28 Thanksgiving menu ideas that will make everyone happy and full.

Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays in the U.S. and Canada. What I like is that it is not as commercialized as other holidays, and the main focus is still on bringing families and friends together. It is also a time to reflect on our blessings and express gratitude for the harvest and the people in our lives. What better way to do it than slowing down and sharing a meal with those around us?

So gather your loved ones, fill up your Thanksgiving menu with favorite dishes - or try a new recipe or two from Earth Food and Fire, and enjoy the day of Thanksgiving!

Ready to build up your Thanksgiving menu? Here are 28 fantastic ideas to inspire you, from Thanksgiving appetizers, through the main dishes and sides, all the way to amazing Thanksgiving desserts and drinks.

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas - 28 Delicious Recipes To Wow Your Guests - stuffed mushrooms, Garlic & Herb Roasted Turkey Breast, Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread, Pumpkin Pie, Mulled Apple Cider

Takeaways for Thanksgiving Menu Success

Creative appetizers like Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread are a great start to your Thanksgiving menu.
Simple, flavorful recipes like Garlic & Herb Roasted Turkey Breast and Skillet-Cooked Apple and Sage Stuffing impress guests but are easy to make.
Add a new twist to traditional dishes - the Pineapple & Honey Glazed Ham offers a sweet take on classic ham.
Don't forget about the side dishes. The Roasted Root Vegetable Medley or Sweet Potato add color and variety to the main dish.
Desserts make the feast memorable for both kids and adults. Try making Old-Fashioned Apple Pie from scratch or Dairy-Free Maple Pumpkin Ice Cream for something different.
Choose unique drinks to complement your menu, such as Old Fashioned Lemonade or Homemade Mulled Apple Cider.

Now let's dive into the detailed list of Thanksgiving meals and recipes:

Main Thanksgiving Meals Ideas

Garlic & Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

Don't want the hassle of cooking a whole turkey? Or simply feeding a smaller group of people? Swap the whole bird for a juicy and flavorful roasted turkey breast.

This recipe is perfect for smaller gatherings and cooks much quicker than whole turkey. Let us show you how.

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garlic and herb roast turkey breast sliced and served on a white platter

Skillet-Cooked Apple and Sage Stuffing

For a twist on traditional stuffing, try this easy to make, moist, and flavorful skillet stuffing made with apples and sage.

It's a delicious and easy side dish that is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

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Easy to make, moist, and full of flavor, this apple and sage stuffing cooked in a cast iron skillet will become your new favorite dressing!

Pineapple & Honey Glazed Ham

Looking for an alternative to turkey? This bone-in ham glazed with pineapple and honey is sweet, succulent, and full of flavor.

Serve it as a delicious and impressive centerpiece for your Thanksgiving meal. Or make it an addition to feed more people along with the nicer and faster turkey breast recipe above.

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a honey a pineapple glazed ham on a serving platter with a carving fork stuck in the top

Thanksgiving Dinner Sides and Salads

Add color, flavors, and textures to complement your main dishes with our Thanksgiving sides recipes. These mouthwatering accompaniments are a simple expansion of your Thanksgiving menu and will have your guests craving for more.

Whole Baked Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are a must-have for any Thanksgiving meal. A simple, healthy side dish, whole baked sweet potatoes are easy to make, warm and comforting, and best of all, versatile!

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whole baked sweet potatoes garnished with butter and chives on a rustic plate

Roasted Root Vegetable Medley

One of the easiest side dishes around, these oven roasted root vegetables - beets, carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes - are seasoned with just garlic and herbs.

This colorful, healthy, and hearty dish is perfect to serve alongside the turkey and ham meats.

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oven roasted root vegetable medley in a white porcelain bowl

Oven Roasted Baby Carrots

Simple and delicious, oven-roasted baby carrots are a great way to add some sweetness to your Thanksgiving meal. They cook in just under 30 minutes and are an easy way to add veggies to the supper.

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oven roasted baby carrots on a sheetpan garnished with chives

Dairy Free Cornbread

This super simple cornbread recipe offers a delicious option for those with dairy restrictions, perfectly complementing your Thanksgiving meal. Simply mix everything together and bake!

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top down shot of golden brown dairy free cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Rosemary & Garlic Biscuits

Light and fluffy biscuits flavored with rosemary and garlic make a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving dinner spread.

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Try these homemade biscuits flavoured with rosemary and garlic tonight! Easy to prepare in 20 minutes.

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with a Creamy Black Peppercorn Dressing

Full of vitamins and minerals this raw shaved brussels sprout salad is tossed with a creamy black peppercorn dressing and garnished with dried cranberries, roasted sunflower seeds, and goat cheese!

This recipe adds a light and refreshing side dish option to your Thanksgiving meal. The creamy black peppercorn dressing adds a nice kick.

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Overhead shot of shaved brussels sprout salad in a rustic wooden bowl, garnished with dried cranberries and goat cheese

Kale Slaw (With A Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing)

A refreshing crunchy and flavorful kale slaw salad dressed with a creamy tangy lemon and garlic dressing that complements the richness of Thanksgiving meat dishes.

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A simple kale slaw ready o be served at a family bbq or potluck

Shredded beet salad with carrot, apple, and walnuts

A colorful and festive salad with a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors.

Using just a simple box grater, this healthy shredded beet salad with, carrots, apples, and walnuts is a great healthy Thanksgiving dinner side.

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Using just a simple box grater, this healthy shredded beet salad with, carrots, apples, and walnuts is a great side to any meal. Clean eating and Paleo friendly

Crispy Apple Chip, Pecan, Chicken Spinach Salad (with a Sweet Cranberry Balsamic Vinaigrette)

A simple chicken spinach salad with a crispy twist!

Martin's Crispy Apple Slices are mixed with baked chicken, pecans, cherry tomatoes, and feta, to create the perfect side salad or light Thanksgiving meal.

A sweet and tangy cranberry balsamic vinaigrette ties everything nicely together.

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a chicken spinach salad garnished with crispy apple chips, feta, cherry tomatoes and pecans on a wooden table

Thanksgiving Appetizers

With the main Thanksgiving meal and sides sorted, it is time to add some unique appetizers to your Thanksgiving menu.

From the savory goodness of Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread to the delightful aroma of Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, the best Thanksgiving appetizers will impress your guests and tantalize their taste buds for the feast to come.

Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

A flavorful Thanksgiving appetizer made with portobello mushrooms filled with a creamy mixture of roasted garlic, tangy goat cheese, and fresh herbs.

Simply bake the mushrooms until they are tender and golden brown. Then add the cheese filling.

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Goat cheese stuffed mushroom caps served on lettuce greens as an appetizer

Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

This festive appetizer is a crowd-pleaser. The cranberry brie pull-apart bread is baked with rich triple cream brie, and topped with a savory cranberry sauce, and fresh thyme.

Best served sizzling hot, right out of the oven!

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Close up image of cranberry brie pull apart bread in a cast iron skillen in an outdoor patio setting.

Thanksgiving Desserts

I don't know about you, but for us, the best part of the Thanksgiving menu is the Thanksgiving desserts. While we cannot go without the traditional pumpkin and apple pie, we have also some new alternatives for you.

Try a dairy-free version of the pumpkin pie or maple pumpkin ice cream for some unique flavors and textures. Without further ado, here are the best Thanksgiving desserts on Earth, Food, and Fire.

Old Fashioned Pie Dough Recipe

Master the art of making your own pie crust with this step-by-step guide. Perfect for all your Thanksgiving pies.

A basic easy to make homemade pie dough with step-by-step instructions.

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an overhead view of from scratch pie dough with crimped edges on a wooden table

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Step-by-step instructions make this surprisingly easy homemade pumpkin pie from scratch.

A holiday favorite, and no-fail recipe even for the most novice baker.

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A sliced and garnished homemade pumpkin pie made from scratch, sitting on a wodden table . one pice of pie has been removed.

Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie

Don't miss out on pumpkin pie just because you're lactose free!

This delicious pumpkin pie is made using coconut milk which makes it a creamy and flavorful pumpkin pie without any dairy products.

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close up shot of a slice of dairy free pumpkin pie

Old Fashioned Apple Pie

For a taste of homemade goodness, try this classic apple pie recipe.

Make a simple cooked apple filling and impressive looking from lattice from scratch.

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A beautiful lattice topped homemade apple pie, this recipe is great for beginners.

Perfect Cranberry Scones

Tangy and delicious, these homemade cranberry scones are easy to make.

Just the right combination of sweet and tart to round off your Thanksgiving menu feast.

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These cranberry scones are exceptionally easy to make, perfect for breakfast or tea time, and just the right combination of sweet and tart. A simple recipe, any level baker can attempt! #cranberry #scones #breakfast #baking #brunch

Maple Pumpkin Ice Cream

Another dairy-free Thanksgiving dessert, this dairy-free pumpkin ice cream is the perfect and refreshing end to the Thanksgiving meal menu.

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Thanksgiving Drinks

With the food for our Thanksgiving menu organized, Thanksgiving drinks are the last bit of the puzzle. Here are a few suggestions to warm you up and spice up the day beyond the simple beer and wine (not that there is anything wrong with them): our Homemade Mulled Apple Cider and Mulled Red Wine. For a non-alcoholic drink, you cannot go wrong with the Old Fashioned Homemade Lemonade.

Homemade Mulled Apple Cider

Mulled Apple Cider is easy to make. It is the perfect warm and festive drink for a chilly Thanksgiving evening.

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A warm spiced up apple cider, perfect to relax with on a cool fall day.

Mulled Red Wine (German Glühwein)

German mulled red wine is another classic winter warmer.

Spiced with cinnamon, oranges, cloves, and black tea, just the smell of the drink brings relaxation and peace at the end of a long Thanksgiving day.

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Two glass mugs filled with mulled red wine and garnished with cinnamon sticks and orange.

Old Fashioned Lemonade (Made From Scratch)

A simple old fashioned lemonade recipe made with only fresh squeezed lemons, sugar, and water. A classic refreshing non-alcoholic beverage to balance the richer flavors of the Thanksgiving meal.

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old fashioned lemonade served in a glass with a metal straw on a table outside

Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

Now, you are bound to have some Thanksgiving leftovers if you have cooked up everything from the Thanksgiving menu ideas above. After all abundance of food is a part of the celebrations.

Here are some creative ways to use up Thanksgiving leftovers, including Leftover Turkey & Wild Rice Soup and Slow Cooker Turkey Stock. Extend the feast for a few more days and make the most of your Thanksgiving menu meal extras.

Leftover Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

Don't let leftover turkey go to waste! This recipe turns leftover turkey into a hearty and comforting wild rice soup. Perfect for a post-Thanksgiving meal.

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a bowl of leftover turkey wild rice soup

Slow Cooker Turkey Stock

Don't throw away those leftover turkey parts! Make a rich and flavorful turkey stock from any leftover turkey carcass or bones.

An easy recipe to brew a rich started stock for making gravy or soups.

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slow cooker turkey stock in glass mason jars on a rustic wood backdrop

Preparation Tips for a Smooth Thanksgiving

All of that cooking for a large party takes a lot of time and coordination. Here is a small preparations checklist to make your Thanksgiving day successful and memorable in a positive way.

Plan ahead

Plan the menu: choose your Thanksgiving menu meals and create a shopping list based on the number of guests.
Divide and conquer: Get your family and friends involved. Split the cooking and decide who is going to cook which dish and bring it over to share.
Plan the cooking: Plan out the time when you'll cook each dish. Coordinate oven use and schedule dishes that require baking or roasting to keep everything warm and ready for serving.
Create a to-do list: a simple checklist created in advance will help you stay organized.

Prepare Early

Shop ahead: Purchase non-perishable items ahead of time.
Cook ahead: Prepare any dishes that can be frozen, like pie crusts or bread rolls, in advance.
Prepare the table: Arrange the table and prepare serving dishes a day before to save time on the big day.

On the day

Organize your workspace: Lay out ingredients and tools to avoid last-minute scrambles. Keep the place as organized as possible throughout the day.
Assign tasks: Get help from family members or friends setting the table, stirring pots, or handling any last-minute details.
Set a timer: Keep track of cooking times for each dish to prevent overcooking or undercooking.
Don't overcook the turkey: A dry turkey is a Thanksgiving disaster. Use a meat thermometer to cook it to the right temperature.
Stay calm and have fun: While organizing a feast for a large group is always a challenge, remember to enjoy the time with your family and friends. If you get everyone to help, you will share a good time not just over the meal, but in the kitchen as well. Enjoy the day and everything it brings!
Have a backup plan: If things don't go according to plan, have an extra meal on the Thanksgiving menu list as a backup. Laugh a lot - best memories with friends are made over the little accidents in the kitchen and life as well.

That's a wrap

There you have it - 28 mouthwatering Thanksgiving menu ideas to help you celebrate the Thanksgiving day with family and friends over some great food. All our recipes are easy, even if you're a beginner in the kitchen. Yet they are creative and full of flavors to make your Thanksgiving meal memorable.

Plan to get your family and friends involved in preparations and in the kitchen. It will be less work for you and more fun and experiences together.

And don't forget, it's about balancing traditional flavors with a twist that's uniquely yours! So get ready to create a Thanksgiving menu that everyone will love!

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