A delicious selection of Thanksgiving menu ideas inspired by what’s delicious and in-season in the late fall, plus tips and tricks for easier Thanksgiving meal prep.
Updated: November 2024
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Thanksgiving is nearly upon us and many home cooks are already making their plans and beginning their prep. I’m still deciding on my ideal menu – this year, I’m leaning toward a less-traditional and simpler menu. We’ll see if I actually have the discipline to keep things simple! In the meantime, I’m starting a big pot of vegetable stock so I’m sure to be prepared in the coming days.
Creating a Menu
Keep your menu simple (or try to, anyway). If there are dishes that you or others simply must have, make those. But if you feel some obligation to have an orange vegetable or green bean casserole just to hold on to an idea of tradition, skip it.
Thanksgiving is a feast and you should make what you want! If that’s a big old turkey, great. But if it’s some other special food you’d love, make that. Below, I have a few ideas for turkey, but also a host of feast-worthy proteins and vegetarian dishes.
Prep and Make Ahead
Stagger your Thanksgiving prep so you’re not cooking everything at the last minute. Broth, pumpkin puree, pastry dough, and gravy can all be made ahead. The day before, casseroles and stuffing can either be assembled or prepped in parts. Cut up all the onions, carrots, and celery that you’ll need and divide them into containers, so you can grab what you need as you cook.
My schedule is something like this:
- The weekend before: Make at least 4 quarts of turkey or chicken stock; make vegetable stock; make pumpkin puree; thaw turkey if needed
- Four days ahead: Dry rub turkey; make pastry dough and other dessert element like ice cream; make cranberry sauces or relish
- Three days ahead: Make cornbread for stuffing; make gravy (I prep the base and stir in drippings day-of)
- Two days ahead: Put the dry rub on non-turkey proteins; prep and chop all vegetables; assemble casseroles
- Day-of: Bake pies; get the turkey in the oven; bake casseroles; freak out and wish I’d done even more prep; try not sweat the small stuff; try to remember to get everything I made to the table.
Fitting It All Together
The day-of is always chaotic. I start by baking my pies, and then proceed down a detailed list. I always hope to have a little downtime, and someday, if I can actually keep myself to a simple menu, maybe I will? Until then, me and my fellow Thanksgiving maximalists will be cooking all day – a little stressed but loving every moment.
Our Best Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
Mains
- Maple-Bourbon Glazed Turkey
- Roast Turkey Breast
- Rosemary-Orange Turkey
- Yogurt-Marinated Turkey with Cumin, Coriander, and Garlic
- Turkey Gravy
- Grilled Lamb Chops and Acorn Squash with Fennel Tzatziki
- Roasted Rack of Lamb with Orange Sauce and Roasted Root Vegetables
- Roasted Sheet Pan Half Chicken
- Classic Roast Goose
Cranberries
Stuffing and Other Carbs
- Vegan Wild Rice and Cornbread Stuffing
- Mac and Cheese with Greens
- Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing
- Celery Root and Meyer Lemon Stuffing
- Butternut Squash Gratin
- French Onion Mac and Cheese
Potatoes
- Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Loaded Smashed Potatoes
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes and Chive Waffles
Vegetables
- Paprika Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Prosciutto and Pimentón Aioli
- Maple-Roasted Kabocha Squash Wedges with Ricotta and Chili Oil
- Parmesan Green Beans with Fried Shallots
- Cauliflower Puree with Crispy Shallots and Mushrooms (Vegan)
- Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Braised Cabbage Wedges
- Celery Root Soup
Salads
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
- Couscous and Roasted Delicata Squash Salad with Pomegranate
- Green Salad with Radishes and a Classic Vinaigrette
- Radicchio Salad Cup with Apple-Fennel Slaw
- Shaved Brussels Sprout and Kale Salad with Toasted Sesame Seeds
- Roasted Delicata Squash and Radicchio Salad
- Beet and Citrus Salad with Toasted Sesame Seeds
- Orange and Pomegranate Salad
Desserts
- Buttermilk Pumpkin Pie
- Asian Pear and Apple Pie
- Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie
- Pumpkin Panna Cotta with Vanilla Bean (from my Substack)
- Vegan Sweet Potato Tart
- Kabocha Squash Pie with Black Pepper and Ginger
- Sarah’s Cream Cheese and Pumpkin Bars
- Rye Crust Apple Slab Pie
- Pumpkin Cupcakes with Brown Sugar-Molasses Frosting
- Cranberry Pear Pie
- Ginger Ice Cream with Black Pepper
- Asian Pear Galette with Rye Crust
- Chocolate Chess Pie
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