Use these delicious Thanksgiving menu ideas to plan your holiday dinner this year. Includes a FREE printable menu template and cooking schedule to help you stay organized!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Food is definitely my love language and I love to be able to dedicate a day to making all of my family’s favorites. My kids also enjoy being my little helpers for the day. Some of the best memories are made in the kitchen!
If you need a little inspiration when planning your Thanksgiving menu this year, check out the list below. It includes our all-time favorite Thanksgiving appetizers, entrees, side dishes and desserts. Most of these are super easy, delicious and can even be prepped in advance.
I also created a free printable Thanksgiving menu template and cooking schedule (download below) to help you stay organized. Things get super busy this time of year, so planning ahead can make all the difference. I hope this helps makes your turkey day a success!
Appetizers
I like to serve a few small appetizers to start off the meal. Nothing too big…you don’t want your guests to get full before the main course. I usually always set out a big fruit and veggie platter for guests to snack on. It’s a lighter option and includes a little something for everyone!
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
A creamy cheese ball coated in bacon pieces, Chex cereal and pecans. Full of flavor and has the perfect crunch.
Sweet and spicy cranberry salsa with cream cheese is the ultimate holiday dip! This delicious combination of flavors is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
This clever turkey veggie tray is a festive and colorful appetizer display that brings a healthy balance to your holiday dessert indulgence. Best of all, kids love it!
This easy, fall beverage favorite will be a delicious option this Thanksgiving when entertaining your family and friends! Enjoy all the best flavors of fall with this amazing Thanksgiving punch for a crowd!
Now for the main event! Roasted turkey is traditionally served at Thanksgiving dinner, although I have to admit that I actually prefer a baked ham or even a smoked turkey. Sometimes I make both if I have the time.
Next come the Thanksgiving side dishes. There are so many delicious options to choose from, but these are my absolute favorites. Some are cheesy, creamy and all things in between.
Oven Roasted Turkey
Juicy and tender oven roasted turkey stuffed with fresh herbs and coated in a flavorful garlic butter. This delicious dish will become the star of your holiday dinner table!
A fresh and delicious homemade cranberry sauce recipe made with only 3 simple ingredients! Just as easy as the canned sauce, but with so much more flavor!
Mashed sweet potatoes topped with toasted pecans and a delicious brown sugar crumble. Add in marshmallows to make this sweet potato casserole the ultimate holiday side dish.
This green bean casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish that everyone loves! Tender green beans covered in a creamy mushroom sauce, then topped with cheese and crispy fried onions.
These lion house rolls are hands-down my very favorite homemade roll recipe! Soft, fluffy and have a nice buttery taste. Perfect for the holidays or anytime you want an amazingly, delicious roll with dinner!
My favorite recipe for cheesy potatoes – aka funeral potatoes or cheesy potato casserole. This dish is so comforting, always a crowd pleaser and perfect for any holiday dinner!
Using only 4 ingredients, these easy slow cooker carrots are a definite crowd-pleaser. Coated in a butter and a brown sugar glaze, it's the perfect balance of tender and crunch in every bite!
Fresh pear salad filled with mixed greens, juicy sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, feta cheese and topped with a balsamic dressing. This is the perfect salad to serve at your holiday dinner this year!
This classic crockpot stuffing has timeless flavors and mouthwatering aromas! Add a little calm to the holiday chaos by making a simple delicious slow cooker stuffing!
Make sure to save room for dessert! Every Thanksgiving I look forward to a big slice of pie with homemade whipped cream. There’s truly no better way to finish off the meal. Mmmmm!
Homemade Pumpkin Pie
This homemade pumpkin pie is super smooth and velvety with the perfect blend of spices. An easy and delicious holiday dessert that will be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner!
Raspberry jello pretzel salad is a little sweet, a little salty and a LOT of deliciousness! The cream cheese mixture and salted pretzel crust mixed with the raspberry jello is the absolute perfect combination.
Easy brown bag apple pie with a delicious crumb topping and flaky pie crust. The brown bag helps seal in all of the delicious flavors and leaves you with the best apple pie you've ever tried.
Pumpkin crisp is made with the classic flavors of a pumpkin pie and the simplicity of a crisp. Topped with a sweet cinnamon streusel topping, this easy dessert is sure to please any crowd at your next holiday party!
Made with only 3 ingredients in less than 5 minutes! So light, fluffy and absolutely delicious. You'll never go back to the store-bought version once you try this easy recipe!
Celebrate the holidays with this delicious homemade apple cranberry pie. Filled with caramelized cinnamon apples and cranberries and a flaky, golden pie crust. There is fresh fruit flavor in every bite!
It's part crisp, part crumple, and all pie! This amazing berry crumble pie is a sweet, tart, and crispy crowd-pleaser filled with juicy berries and a buttery crispy streusel topping!
This recipe has all the delicious flavors of good old-fashioned banana cream pie but is literally done in minutes. Takes only 5 ingredients and is an easy no bake pie that tastes amazing!
To help plan out your meal, download this free printable Thanksgiving menu template, cooking schedule and shopping list. The document is editable so that you can create your own menu and type in your favorite dishes. This would also make a great addition to your Thanksgiving table setting. Place a copy of the menu on each plate so that your guests know what’s in store for the big day.
Amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing. Happy Turkey Day to you and your family!
Happy Turkey Day to you too, Caryn. I hope you are able to use many of these recipes to enjoy the day with your family
Thank you for sharing! These are awesome! Happy Thanksgiving!