Thanksgiving is famous for classic dishes like roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and more. But there are plenty more dishes you can enjoy during a Thanksgiving meal!
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Give these 26 Thanksgiving dinner ideas a try to spice up your holiday meal this year!
Deviled Eggs
Don't overlook appetizer recipes! Deviled eggs are a classic Southern Thanksgiving dish that will always be on the table. Egg yolks are mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings until creamy and smooth.
It's easy to eat and won't fill you up too much, so you'll have plenty of space for the main event!
Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
These are some of the best vegetarian-friendly Thanksgiving recipes to make this year. The mushrooms are packed with umami goodness and filled with cream cheese. It's simple to prepare, but is full of flavor.
Thanksgiving dinner isn't usually vegetarian-friendly, but this dish will change the minds of many at the table.
Christmas Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is an amazing way to serve lots of small bites for guests while the turkey cooks.
The best thing about charcuterie recipes is that you can add whatever you like to them! Cured meats, bread, olives, cheese, and dried fruits are traditional additions, but use whatever you like.
With its beautiful layout, charcuterie might look like the main dish!
Hoisin & Honey-Glazed Sausages
Chipolatas are one of my favorite side dishes on a Thanksgiving menu. The meat is flavorful, and the hoisin-honey glaze takes it to the next level. It has sweet and savory notes that pair well with all the wonderful dishes of a classic Thanksgiving dinner.
Be careful not to eat too many sausages, though. You won't have room for the Thanksgiving turkey!
Devils on Horseback
This delicious appetizer is also known as bacon-wrapped dates. The dates are filled with cream cheese which gives a nice tanginess that works beautifully with the salty bacon.
It's the perfect finger food to enjoy at a Thanksgiving dinner because lots of people can pick at it throughout the night. And who doesn't love bacon?
Whole Roast Turkey
One of the most traditional Thanksgiving foods has to be a roasted turkey. When done right, they're wonderfully juicy and full of flavor.
The best part about roast turkey is that you have plenty of leftovers to enjoy the next day.
Make sure to brine the meat before cooking to get the best roast turkey. Brining the turkey in the fridge overnight will help prevent the meat from drying.
Roast Chicken
For those who don't like turkey, try roast chicken for the main course this Thanksgiving day. It's a great choice for smaller parties and is quicker to cook.
One great thing about having chicken is that it still feels like a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
Just like turkey, roasted chicken benefits a lot from brining. Using a brine adds lots of juiciness to the meat, making the dish an absolute delight.
Apricot Stuffing
What Thanksgiving menu is complete without stuffing? This apricot stuffing is salty, sweet, rich, and easy to make. The texture is just as delightful!
Thanks to the mix of dried fruits and spices, the stuffing pairs well with any main course, whether it's turkey, chicken, or pork.
Add this vegetarian mushroom stuffing to your Thanksgiving spread to make all your guests happy!
Roast Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are one of my favorite recipes to cook for the Thanksgiving table. Their gentle flavor pairs well with any protein, gravy, or vegetable. It's the perfect side dish for any holiday gathering.
These delicious potatoes are taken to the next level with roasted garlic and plenty of butter. Each bite is packed with roasted notes that make the dish feel like a main course!
Herbed Garlic Butter Rice
If you want to veer from the traditional Thanksgiving menu recipes, try making this amazing garlic butter rice. It will soak up the flavors of everything it's paired with.
With a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this recipe has a subtle freshness to it that balances the heavier parts of the meal.
Serve this awesome dish at your next dinner and see how quickly it gets eaten!
Baked Oyster Dressing
It's time to add oyster recipes to Thanksgiving tables. These are baked with cheese, onion, celery, olive oil, and plenty of herbs. It's got so many flavors going on that each bite is like a party in your mouth.
It is one of the fancier recipes on this list, but it's easier to make than you think. And it takes less than two hours to cook!
Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach is indulgent, creamy, and incredibly delicious. The velvety dish is a great side to add to the Thanksgiving dinner menu. It tastes best with roasted and grilled meats which is perfect for turkey day!
Vegetarian-friendly recipes don't have to be boring! Create new recipes by using creamed spinach as filling in pies and pastries.
Sweet Potato Casserole
One of the most traditional dishes for Thanksgiving is sweet potato casserole. The dessert is so sweet, and decadent, and has a slight kick from the spice blend.
It's the perfect way to round out all the dishes from the Thanksgiving menu.
This recipe skips marshmallows for a coconut topping, but feel free to use marshmallows! If you're not a fan of desserts, try making this savory sweet potato gratin instead.
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is packed with green beans, mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. This is one of the quintessential Thanksgiving dishes that everyone fights over. It's got layers of flavor and textures that are simply addictive.
If you want a lighter side dish with fresh green beans, make these roasted green beans with garlic. They're just as yummy!
Roasted Vegetables
It can be hard to think of what dishes to cook during the holidays, but roasted squash will never go wrong. You can switch up the ingredients to make different roasted recipes.
For Thanksgiving, I recommend using seasonal ingredients like squash and bell peppers. Season the squash with smoked paprika for the best results.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are beautifully caramelized with plenty of butter and seasonings to make for one of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes. The mini cabbages have a crispy exterior but stay soft inside.
These brussels sprouts show that healthy recipes do have a place on the Thanksgiving table!
Candied Yams
Candied yams are a classic dessert to enjoy during the Fall. The yams become soft and velvety, making the crunch of the pecans stand out even more.
With each bite, you can taste the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. The addition of salty butter balances out all the sugar, so it's not overwhelming.
It's one of the most delicious dessert recipes!
Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are the ultimate cheese recipe. Like gratin, fresh potato is thinly sliced and cooked with plenty of cheese and cream to make for a decadent side. It pairs wonderfully with any main course but tastes best with a meaty meal.
Cranberry Sauce
You simply can't have a Thanksgiving dinner without cranberry sauce! Cranberries have a lovely tartness that cuts through all the fattiness of the turkey and hefty sides that are typical of Thanksgiving.
Add a fun twist to the cranberries by making a cranberry chutney or dried cranberry sauce!
Cornbread Pudding
Make cornbread tastier by turning it into a pudding. The cornbread mix soaks up all the sour cream and cheese for a soft and crumbly bite. The corn gives the bread a subtle sweetness that pairs well with the main course.
Try baking the pudding in a cast iron skillet to get a nice crispy exterior.
Homemade Gravy
Gravy recipes are easy to make. This simple gravy only needs three ingredients, but you can add seasonings to make it your own.
Try making gravy from turkey giblets to have a zero-waste Thanksgiving. It's so good, you'll want to eat it with just bread!
Raspberry Cheesecake
This is one of the easiest dessert recipes to make for the holidays. Not only is the raspberry cheesecake delicious, it's a no-bake recipe!
Each bite is filled with an indulgently sweet and tart taste that no one will be able to resist.
Sopapilla Cheesecake
Sopapilla cheesecake is the perfect Fall dessert.
With plenty of cinnamon, the cheesecake tastes like a warm autumn day.
It's an awesome way to satisfy your sweet tooth, without too much effort!
Sweet Potato Pie
Thanksgiving is the best time to enjoy sweet potatoes in a bunch of different recipes. Sweet potato pie is no exception. Its subtle sweetness makes it a hit at any holiday party.
Top off the freshly baked sweet potato pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a hint of creaminess.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is one of the best recipes to end the night with. The pumpkin pie filling is filled with warm spices and creamy goodness. With a shortbread crust, this pie feels perfectly balanced.
Apple Pie
Apple pie might be synonymous with July 4th, but it works for Thanksgiving, too. Apples are baked with sugar and spices until caramelized. Out of all the pie recipes, this is one you have to try making at home.
Use green apples to get the best results.
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