Hosting Thanksgiving this year? Don't worry, these well-tested recipes will help you put out a full spread that will look and taste great!
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays to cook for. My husband loves Thanksgiving food, and there's just something special about gathering around a table filled with comforting dishes and family traditions. I've been making Thanksgiving recipes for decades now, and for the last several years, our home has hosted multiple families and friends so these recipes are well-tested!
Whether you're hosting or simply bringing a side dish, these recipes are meant to make the holiday both memorable and manageable.
You'll find a mix of classic dishes, fresh ideas, and several that can be prepped ahead of time to make the day a little easier. With a bit of planning and the right recipes, you can enjoy the best part of Thanksgiving, the food, the laughter, and the time spent together (without all the stress).
Entrees
Crock Pot Ham
Crock pot ham with spiced honey is an easy hands-off recipe to prepare for your holiday table! Made with spiral cut ham, honey, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg - this recipe only requires ten minutes of prep work!
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Instant Pot Turkey Breast (Juicy with Crispy Skin!)
Quick and easy, this Instant Pot turkey breast is great to cook a smaller batch of turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas! With a dry brine, the turkey breast is juicy and flavored through with crispy skin.
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Best Dry Brine Turkey Recipe
This dry brined turkey with garlic sage butter is juicy and delicious! Made with fresh herbs, apple, celery, and a dry brine for the best juicy flavor.
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Side Dishes
Brussels Sprouts Gratin with Butternut Squash
Brussels sprouts gratin with butternut squash is so delicious, even the pickiest of eaters will love it! Made with a luxurious cheese sauce and twice baked with melted gruyere cheese on top. A perfect side dish for your holiday or Thanksgiving table.
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Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries, Pecans and Butternut
Make the holidays easier with these slow cooker Brussels sprouts with butternut, pecans and cranberries. Instructions to prepare them in a slow cooker or on a sheet pan, so you can maximize your oven space!
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Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
This Instant Pot cranberry sauce takes only 5 minutes to cook, and leaves your hands free to prepare other things! Made with three simple ingredients: cranberries, sugar, and water.
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Twice Baked Sweet Potato Casserole
This twice baked sweet potato casserole is a delicious, single-serve side dish for your holiday table! Featuring a creamy yogurt mashed sweet potato stuffing that is sweetened with maple syrup, and topped with a pecan butter streusel.
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Make Ahead Sage Apple Stuffing
This make ahead apple sage stuffing can be prepared a day in advance for an easy and delicious Thanksgiving side dish. Bursting with flavors from the fresh herbs, apple and celery, this recipe is twice baked for a fun twist on an old classic.
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Perfect Pumpkin Biscuits
These buttery pumpkin biscuits are easy to make and pair perfectly with whipped honey butter, or alongside a cozy soup.
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Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetables
Rosemary roasted root vegetables is a beautiful, hands-off side dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner, or for your Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving table. Vegan, gluten-free and paleo!
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Best Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Sautéed green beans with garlic butter is a classic and easy side dish! Made with 4 simple ingredients, it comes together in 10 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
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Maple Butter Acorn Squash
This easy roasted acorn squash is the perfect fall side dish! Brushed with a delicious maple butter and baked to sticky perfection.
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Herb & Garlic Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Herb & garlic Instant Pot mashed potatoes are simple to prepare and can be made ahead and kept warm in the Instant Pot. Perfect for a weeknight meal or holiday feast.
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Stuffed Acorn Squash with Mushrooms and Cranberries
This stuffed acorn squash with mushrooms and cranberries is a delicious vegan option for your Christmas dinner! Made with rice, fresh herbs, pine nuts, and topped with crispy bread crumbs, it can be served as an entree or side dish.
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Honey Roasted Carrots (4 ingredients)
Honey roasted carrots are a beautiful and simple side dish that is perfect for Easter, or for an everyday dinner. With four simple ingredients, they are sweet, buttery and delicious!
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Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
Brussels sprouts with bacon is simplicity at its finest: tender on the inside, but caramelized on the outside, the brussels sprouts are sautéed in bacon grease for extra flavor. Four simple ingredients!
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
This shaved brussels sprouts salad is made with toasted almond slices, sweet pomegranate seeds, and a tangy white wine vinaigrette. Perfect for a holiday side dish. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, paleo.
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Instant Pot Carrots with Honey Glaze
Instant Pot carrots with honey glaze is an effortless 15-minute side dish that is perfect for an everyday weeknight dinner or holiday meal! Made with just 5 simple ingredients this recipe is low carb, vegan, and gluten-free.
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Cauliflower Gratin
Cheesy yet crispy, this cauliflower gratin is the best of both worlds! With a delicious cheese sauce made with gruyere, butter, garlic and milk, it's a delicious side dish worthy of your holiday table!
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Desserts
Bourbon Pumpkin Pie with a Salted Brown Butter Pecan Streusel
This crowd favorite bourbon pumpkin pie has a salted brown butter pecan streusel. A creative and delicious way to level up your pumpkin pie game this Thanksgiving!
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Mini Pear and Cranberry Pies with Brown Butter Glaze
These mini pear and cranberry pies are personal sized, and so easy to make! Make them for a party, girls night, or for a fun treat...and don't skip the brown butter glaze.
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Make Ahead Apple Crisp
Make ahead apple crisp is the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving...make it the day before, store in the fridge, and reheat in the oven while your guests enjoy turkey dinner!
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Mini Pumpkin Greek Yogurt Cheesecake
Creamy and rich, this mini pumpkin greek yogurt cheesecake recipe tastes like pumpkin pie, but has only 130 calories per serving. Individual sized, and SO easy to whip up!
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Cream Cheese Swirl Blackberry Coffee Cake
I'm just going to say it: this is the absolute BEST blackberry coffee cake out there! Tender and soft, with juicy blackberries, a tangy cream cheese swirl, and crumb topping. Perfect to serve after dinner or with a cup of tea (or coffee).
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Leftover Cranberry Sauce Mini Cheesecake Recipe
Leftover cranberry sauce mini cheesecakes make the most of any leftover cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Swirled into the batter and served with a dollop on top!
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Hi, I'm Annie. With a Bachelor of Science degree, a minor in nutrition and nearly 20 year of both classical training, and self-taught experience, I've spent my career proving that home cooking can be practical, delicious and inspiring. What started in 2013 as one food blog has grown into a full-time business. Today, my husband Clayton and I run five food websites that connect with millions of home cooks every month.
When I'm not in the kitchen or behind the camera, I'm using fueling my love of travel, or chasing down new ideas that keep food fun and fresh.
