Your Ultimate Guide to 33 Easy & Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes for a Flawless Feast
As Thanksgiving approaches, the anticipation of a grand feast fills the air. To help you create an unforgettable holiday meal without the stress, we’ve compiled our top 33 easy Thanksgiving recipes that are currently taking the internet by storm! These dishes have been meticulously tested, tasted, and wholeheartedly loved by countless readers, ensuring your celebration is not only special but also effortlessly delicious. Dive into a collection spanning everything from the most succulent roast turkeys and fluffy bread rolls to savory hams, delightful appetizers, an array of essential sides, and, of course, show-stopping desserts!
Happy Thanksgiving! Get Ready for a Culinary Celebration
Prepare to delight your family and friends with a menu designed for flavor and ease. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you to a truly remarkable Thanksgiving experience.
The Heart of the Feast: Main Courses That Impress
Perfect Roast Turkey
Forget the fear of dry turkey this holiday season! Our Roast Turkey recipe promises a juicy, flavorful bird without the need for complicated brining. Coated generously with a fragrant garlic herb butter, then perfectly oven-roasted, this turkey emerges with incredibly tender meat and a glorious, golden-brown crispy skin. It’s the quintessential centerpiece your Thanksgiving table deserves, ensuring every slice is as moist and delicious as the last.
Crispy Skin Slow Cooker Turkey
Free up valuable oven space this Thanksgiving by letting your slow cooker handle the turkey! This incredibly easy and unbelievably juicy Slow Cooker Turkey requires no brining, just a generous rub of buttery, garlicky herb mixture. It cooks to perfection, yielding tender, moist meat and surprisingly crispy skin, proving that convenience doesn’t mean compromising on flavor or texture for your main dish.
Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken
While turkey is traditional, a perfectly roasted chicken can be an equally stunning main or a fantastic alternative for smaller gatherings. This Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken is incredibly easy to prepare and yields an unbeatable flavor. Roasted with a rich garlic butter, fresh rosemary, fragrant parsley, bright lemon, and a hint of white wine, it develops a deep, savory taste that far surpasses any store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s truly a dish that will impress your guests.
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Elevate your holiday spread with this irresistible Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham. Boasting a perfect sticky, sweet, and savory glaze, this ham is baked to tender, juicy perfection with deliciously crisp edges. The incredible depth of flavor makes it a fantastic addition to any Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table, offering a delightful contrast to traditional turkey.
Honey Baked Ham
Kick off the festive season with a mouthwatering Honey Baked Ham! Each slice is wonderfully juicy and succulent on the inside, beautifully complemented by crispy, charred, and sticky-sweet edges. This recipe creates the perfect ham to grace your Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner table, promising a burst of sweet and savory flavors in every bite.
Irresistible Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Sausage & Herb Stuffing
If you’re looking for a stuffing that stands out on its own (or perfectly complements your bird), this Sausage & Herb Stuffing is an absolute must-try. Bursting with savory sausage meat and a medley of aromatic herbs, it’s packed with so much flavor that it could easily be the star of your side dish spread. Serve it generously with gravy for an ultimate comfort food experience.
Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Say hello to ultimate comfort food with our Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes. These fluffy, rich, and perfectly seasoned potatoes are the quintessential Thanksgiving side. If you haven’t experienced the sheer delight of this recipe, you’ve truly been missing out on the good stuff. They’re simple to make and guarantee a creamy, velvety texture that everyone will adore.
Homemade Turkey Gravy
A Thanksgiving meal is incomplete without rich, savory gravy. Our quick and easy homemade Turkey Gravy is incomparably delicious, whether made with or without leftover pan drippings from your Roast Turkey or Roast Chicken. It’s vastly superior to any canned or instant alternative, infusing every mouthful with those incredible roast flavors for a truly authentic taste experience.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts & Bacon
Prepare to discover your new favorite way to eat Brussels sprouts! These Creamy Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts & Bacon are pan-fried to perfection with smoky bacon, then baked in a rich, cheesy garlic sauce. Topped with bubbling mozzarella and Parmesan, this indulgent side dish transforms often-maligned Brussels sprouts into an irresistible holiday delight that even skeptics will adore.
Parmesan Roasted Carrots
Quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful, these Parmesan Roasted Carrots are the perfect last-minute side dish. With just 5 minutes of prep time, you can toss them in the oven and let the magic happen. The carrots caramelize beautifully, infused with garlic and savory Parmesan, creating a simple yet utterly delicious accompaniment to your main meal.
Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes
These Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes are a side dish marvel – simple, incredibly flavorful, and perfect with virtually any main course. Each potato piece boasts a buttery, garlicky exterior with irresistible crispy edges, while remaining wonderfully fluffy on the inside. The best part? You can prep and cook them all on a single pan, making cleanup a breeze and ticking all the boxes for a perfect holiday side.
Easy Buttermilk Cornbread
With its crispy, buttery edges and a wonderfully soft, fluffy center, this Easy Buttermilk Cornbread, enhanced with a hint of honey, is the quintessential side for your Thanksgiving dinner. It’s simple to make and adds a delightful texture and subtly sweet flavor that complements any savory holiday dish. This cornbread is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Easy Creamed Spinach
This Easy Creamed Spinach recipe proves that simple can be incredibly satisfying. Far superior to any store-bought version, this homemade side dish is rich, creamy, and ready in no time, making it a perfect, stress-free addition to your holiday menu. Its vibrant flavor and comforting texture will make it a new family favorite.
Last-Minute Sweet Potato Casserole
This Sweet Potato Casserole is a holiday game-changer, especially for last-minute preparations. Thanks to a clever trick that cooks sweet potatoes in a fraction of the usual time, you can enjoy this lightened-up, comforting dish without the extended wait. It’s perfectly sweet, wonderfully spiced, and absolutely essential for your Thanksgiving table.
Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup
Once you try our Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup, you’ll never reach for a can again. This recipe is bursting with rich, earthy flavor and is surprisingly easy to make from scratch. Its creamy texture and robust taste make it a perfect starter or a versatile ingredient for other holiday casseroles, truly elevating your festive cooking.
Green Bean Casserole (Oven Baked)
Transform your traditional Green Bean Casserole into an elevated holiday hit with our oven-baked recipe. You’ll never want to use canned mushroom soup or beans again once you taste this easy-to-make version featuring fresh green beans and a rich, homemade sauce. This creamy, savory casserole is guaranteed to be a holiday favorite, offering a delightful upgrade to a classic dish.
Honey Dijon Apple Bacon Cranberry Salad
This Honey Dijon Apple Bacon Cranberry Salad truly screams Thanksgiving! It’s an explosion of festive flavors and textures, combining crisp apples, fresh spinach, crunchy walnuts, tart cranberries, and savory bacon. All of these delightful ingredients are drizzled with the most perfect Honey Dijon Dressing, creating a salad so absolutely amazing you won’t be able to stop eating it!
Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms
These simple yet incredibly flavorful Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms are an ideal addition to any holiday table. Quickly cooked to tender perfection with aromatic garlic, they offer a savory, umami-rich complement to your main dishes. They’re easy to prepare and add a touch of gourmet elegance without any fuss, making them a superb choice for a bustling Thanksgiving kitchen.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
There are scalloped potatoes, and then there are *SCALLOPED POTATOES* – the kind so utterly addictive, you might just devour half the pan. These Garlic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes are soft, tender, and smothered in a thick, creamy sauce, then crisped to perfection under your oven broiler. In that glorious moment, even turkey takes a backseat to this extraordinary side dish, promising a comforting and unforgettable experience.
Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots
While oven-roasted carrots are delicious with just olive oil and garlic, these Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots take simple to an irresistible level. Bathed in a luscious honey-garlic butter glaze, these tender carrots caramelize beautifully in the oven, offering a sweet and savory side that will disappear from the table quicker than you can say “Thanksgiving feast.”
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mac And Cheese
Does homemade mac and cheese get any better than this? We think not! Transform your favorite macaroni cheese into this glorious dish of flavored comfort food. Featuring macaroni coated in a rich, creamy garlic Parmesan cheese sauce and topped with crispy Parmesan-fried bread crumbs, this recipe is guaranteed to become your new favorite, delivering indulgent flavor with a clever twist.
Savory Cornbread Dressing
No Thanksgiving table is complete without a generous plate of stuffing or cornbread dressing alongside your Roast Turkey, Gravy, and all the delicious trimmings! Our Cornbread Dressing is made with optional savory sage sausages, sautéed onions and celery, a delicious cornbread base, and fragrant fresh herbs. It’s the perfect harmony of textures and flavors, guaranteed to satisfy every guest.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Discover how incredibly easy it is to make your own cranberry sauce from scratch, days in advance! With only three essential ingredients and optional flavor suggestions, this homemade version will convince you to never buy store-bought again. Its fresh, vibrant taste and perfect balance of sweet and tart notes will be a delightful counterpoint to your rich holiday meal.
Creamy Corn Casserole (Pudding)
Present a delightful Corn Casserole, also known as Corn Pudding, on your holiday table, complete with your choice of cheese and chives. This creamy, soft corn pudding features a delicious cornbread base, generously filled with two kinds of corn, sour cream, and melted butter. You’ll be amazed by how easy it is to prepare, and every guest will surely be asking for the recipe, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These Roasted Sweet Potatoes are so incredibly easy to make, requiring just 5 ingredients to get you completely hooked! Right up there with crispy roasted potatoes, these baked sweet potatoes are an amazing side dish that pairs wonderfully with absolutely anything on your Thanksgiving menu. They offer a naturally sweet and tender bite, a perfect balance to savory main courses.
Stove Top Green Bean Parmesan Casserole
Save precious oven space with this incredibly easy Stove Top Green Bean Parmesan Casserole! Made entirely from scratch on your stovetop, it features a rich, creamy mushroom sauce that envelops fresh green beans. This recipe is a brilliant way to enjoy a beloved holiday classic without tying up your oven, ensuring every element of your feast is perfectly timed and delicious.
Easy Soft Dinner Rolls
Nothing beats the joy of a soft, fluffy dinner roll, especially when it’s perfect for soaking up every last drop of gravy or sauce on your plate. Our Easy Soft Dinner Rolls recipe requires no mixer, minimal kneading, and no eggs! With just two simple rising times and a clever trick for faster proofing, these rolls come out incredibly fluffy and soft, both inside and out. The perfect salt and sugar ratio makes them miles better than any store-bought alternative, guaranteeing a delightful addition to your holiday bread basket.
Appetizers & Festive Starters for a Welcoming Spread
Antipasto Cheeseball
A sophisticated and easy-to-make welcome addition to any gathering, this Antipasto Cheeseball is perfect for serving with wine and champagne. It’s packed with delightful antipasto ingredients on the inside and beautifully covered with them on the outside! Serve it artfully arranged on a platter with an assortment of cold meats like salami and prosciutto, alongside your favorite crackers, for an impressive and flavorful start to your holiday meal.
Loaded Thanksgiving Cheeseboard
Kick off your Thanksgiving day or evening with an impressive yet incredibly easy Loaded Thanksgiving Cheeseboard. This starter requires zero culinary skill and absolutely no strenuous prep work. Simply arrange a delightful assortment of cheeses, fruits, nuts, crackers, and savory bites for a visually stunning and delicious appetizer that will keep your guests happy while the main feast is being prepared.
Decadent Thanksgiving Desserts to Sweeten Your Celebration
Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake
Move over, traditional pumpkin pie! Our Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake is here to revolutionize your Thanksgiving dessert table. This exquisite cheesecake features a decadent Oreo cookie base, a rich, creamy pumpkin filling, and a hint of chocolate, offering a sophisticated and utterly irresistible alternative to classic holiday sweets. It’s a guaranteed showstopper that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Easy Cinnamon Apple Crisp (Apple Crumble)
This Easy Cinnamon Apple Crisp, often called Apple Crumble, is the kind of dessert you’d happily eat for every meal. It features tender, soft apples spiced with warm cinnamon, topped with a buttery, crispy baked oat crumble and a hint of brown sugar. It’s the effortless answer to apple pie, delivering all the comforting flavor with minimal fuss, making it a perfect, crowd-pleasing end to your holiday feast.
Irresistible Chocolate Pecan Pie
This is not just any chocolate pie; our Chocolate Pecan Pie is a sublime fusion of traditional pecan pie, rich chocolate fudge, molten brownies, and a decadent hot fudge chocolate pudding. Optionally spiked with bourbon for an extra kick, this recipe is uniquely addictive and utterly irresistible. It promises to be the most memorable dessert on your Thanksgiving table, a true indulgence for chocolate and pecan lovers alike.
Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake
Dare to do something different this year and treat your guests to a Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake that is absolutely to die for! This dessert is incredibly easy to assemble, and while it bakes, a rich, molten chocolate fudge sauce magically forms beneath a layer of tender chocolate cake. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s a simple, comforting, and utterly decadent finish to your holiday meal.
More Thanksgiving Inspiration: A Culinary Collage
Still looking for more inspiration? This collage showcases a wider array of dishes that complete the ultimate Thanksgiving experience, from savory classics to unexpected delights. Let it inspire your holiday menu planning and ensure a feast that caters to every taste and preference.
With these 33 incredibly easy and much-loved recipes, you’re all set to host a Thanksgiving feast that’s both stress-free and spectacular. Each dish, from the succulent main courses to the comforting sides and indulgent desserts, has been chosen to help you create lasting memories around the dinner table. We hope this guide brings joy and deliciousness to your holiday celebration. Happy cooking and Happy Thanksgiving!