Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner

So, what type of food for Thanksgiving meal should you make?

Here I’ll give you all the traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipes and tell you how to meal plan to make this year’s Thanksgiving be stress-free and run as smoothly as possible…. aside from family drama.

All Recipes Below!

Keep it simple with these traditional Thanksgiving food items:

Turkey
Stuffing (aka dressing)
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Green bean casserole
Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Relish
Dinner Rolls

Thanksgiving Food Variations

Here’s a way to add variety or pizazz to your Thanksgiving dinner:

Prime Rib
Veggie Mix, Robust Carrots
Stuffing variations
Scalloped Potatoes
Cheesy Side (ex: Mac N Cheese)

Thanksgiving Meal Planning

As part of a big family, my mom is the oldest girl of 5 (with an older brother), we’ve always seen how a large Thanksgiving dinner is made.

Now, I’ve been making Thanksgiving since I was around twenty-four, the only one of all my cousins to actually make it all on my own.

My very first time was at a place I lived with a roomate and I invited about 7 people. It wasn’t a huge guest list, but, it was my first time so it was plenty!

And, well, I had my mom and one of her sisters, my auntie Sandy on the phone most of that first Thanksgiving because I was so afraid I was going to mess something up! But, it went really well…. except for the salad. I tried to add a little healthy variety to the dinner….

I’ve learned that no one really cares about salad at Thanksgiving! Ha-Ha…. Except me I guess, but Oh well!

Over the years of making Thanksgiving dinner I have learned a few tricks to make it EASIER on me and go much smoother in kitchen so I actually have time to enjoy the company.

Time-saving Thanksgiving Meal Tips & Tricks:

Prepare Ahead of Time

Talk about saving time and planning ahead!

See more at the end of this article below!

Alright – Let’s get to my best Thanksgiving food recipes!

Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes:

Main Dish – Thanksgiving Turkey

When it comes to the size of turkey to feed a certain number of guests, I’ve always gone as big as my roaster will go (23-ish lbs), because, let me be honest here, in my experience, the cook (me) doesn’t get to eat much and depends on leftovers. And most often your dinner guests LOVE to take leftovers themselves.

Here’s how to make the perfect, juiciest Thanksgiving turkey recipe:

Ingredients:

1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage)
1 lemon, halved
1 large onion, quartered
4 cups chicken broth or water

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Pat the turkey dry with paper towels, then rub it with butter, salt, and pepper.
Stuff the turkey cavity with fresh herbs, lemon, and onion.
Place the turkey in a roasting pan, pour in the chicken broth, and cover with foil.
Roast for about 3 hours, basting every hour with pan drippings.
Remove the foil for the last hour to let the skin get crispy. The turkey is ready when a thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part.

Tip: Allow the turkey to rest for 20 minutes before carving so the juices redistribute. This helps keep the meat moist and flavorful.

Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing (Dressing)

Stuffing is a Thanksgiving meal essential and one of the favorite Thanksgiving side dishes for many people.

You can stuff a turkey with this or make it in a dish all on it’s own.

👉 PRO TIP: Stuffing made inside the turkey will be very soft, sometimes even a bit on the soggy side. Dish made stuffing may be dryer and need additional 1/2 cup broth.

I like to have both options for people who may not like a softer stuffing.

Here is how to make a great out-of-turkey stuffing recipe:

Ingredients:

1 loaf French bread, cubed
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 large onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon thyme
3 cups chicken broth
cut up giblets from the turkey pouch (optional!)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté the onion and celery until soft.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread, cooked vegetables, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth until the mixture is moist but not soggy.
Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden on top.

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving dinner staple.

Here’s a foolproof recipe for creamy potatoes and rich gravy.

Ingredients:

5 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup unsalted butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Gravy:

Pan drippings from the turkey
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth

Instructions:

Boil potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash.
Add heavy cream, butter, salt, and pepper, mashing until smooth and creamy.
For the gravy, pour pan drippings into a skillet and heat over medium heat.
Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes.
Slowly add chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps, simmering until thick.

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side that adds a hint of crunch to your plate.

Just remember that you can use fresh, canned or frozen green beans. Don’t feel obligated to make everything from fresh ingredients. I actually prefer the canned green bean casserole.

Here is my favorite green bean casserole recipe:

Ingredients:

4 cups *fresh green beans, trimmed (*use fresh, canned or frozen)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain.
Mix the soup, milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir in green beans and half the fried onions.
Pour into a baking dish and bake for 25 minutes. Top with remaining onions and bake another 5 minutes.

Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

Sweet potatoes add a hint of sweetness and make one of the best Thanksgiving day sides.

You can choose to either mash them up as the following recipe shows, or you can just slice them up if you prefer.

Ingredients:

4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Mini marshmallows (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Boil sweet potatoes until tender, then drain.
In a mixing bowl, combine potatoes, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
Spread in a baking dish and top with marshmallows.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until marshmallows are golden.

Cranberry Relish People Will Eat

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without the tangy taste of cranberry relish. Whether you are plopping down a can mold from the store, OR, you can make a cranberry relish people will actually really like!

This is the ONE DISH that I make that is always requested that we have enough of.

Ingredients:

12 oz fresh (or frozen) cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 oranges (use Zest and juice too!)
1/4 Apple
1/4 Lemon

Instructions:

In a food processor, blend cranberries, sugar, apple, lemon and oranges, orange zest, and all orange juice until well mixed.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let flavors meld.
OPTIONAL – heat up slightly to give it a smoother texture instead of chunky cold relish

Soft Dinner Rolls

Warm, fluffy dinner rolls are essential for Thanksgiving dinner.

👉 PRO TIP: Just buy some Hawaiian rolls from the store or ones already done from the bakery at your grocery store. You just need to pop them in the oven for about 5 minutes to heat up right before serving the food for Thanksgiving meal.

There’s nothing like homemade bread and rolls, so if you want to tackle that, here is a great homemade dinner roll recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup warm milk
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1 large egg
4 cups flour
1 tsp salt

Instructions:

Mix milk, yeast, and sugar, and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Add butter, egg, flour, and salt, mixing until smooth. Knead for 5 minutes.
Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
Shape into rolls, place on a baking sheet, and let rise again for 30 minutes.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Bonus Side Dish – Cheesy Side (ex: Mac and Cheese)

This cheesy side dish is a crowd-pleaser that kids and adults alike will love.

Ingredients:

8 oz elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour, and whisk until smooth.
Slowly add milk, stirring constantly until thick.
Add cheese, stirring until melted and creamy.
Combine cheese sauce with macaroni and pour into a baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

Here are some of my best Thanksgiving dinner time-saving tips & tricks for an easy & smooth meal:

Planning and prepping ahead can make Thanksgiving dinner much smoother and less stressful. Here are some of the best time-saving tips and tricks to help you pull off a delicious and organized Thanksgiving meal with ease.

1. Plan Your Menu Early

A week or two before Thanksgiving, finalize your menu. This helps you create a detailed grocery list, see what you already have, and avoid last-minute trips to the store. Make sure to include essentials like:

Turkey
Key ingredients for each side
Spices and fresh herbs
Baking items (butter, flour, sugar)
Drinks and appetizers

2. Prep Ingredients a Few Days Ahead

Spend a couple of days leading up to Thanksgiving chopping, measuring, and organizing ingredients.

Talk about saving time and planning ahead!

Here are a few ideas:

Chop and Label Vegetables: Dice onions, celery, carrots, and garlic for stuffing and other dishes. Store each in separate containers or bags, labeled with the dish they’re for.
Pre-Wash and Trim Herbs: Trim, wash, and dry your herbs like parsley, thyme, and sage, then store them in the fridge wrapped in a damp paper towel.
Measure Out Spices: If you’re using a blend of spices for your dishes, measure them out ahead of time and keep each blend in a small, labeled container.

3. Make Dishes That Can Be Cooked in Advance

Certain dishes can be made a day or two ahead of time and reheated before serving, which saves oven space and allows you to focus on the main event.

Stuffing and Mashed Potatoes: Both stuffing and mashed potatoes can be fully prepped the day before and reheated in the oven or on the stovetop.
Cranberry Relish: Cranberry relish tastes even better after the flavors meld, so make it 1-2 days in advance.
Sweet Potato Casserole: Prepare your sweet potatoes, add the topping, and cover it in the fridge. All you’ll need to do on Thanksgiving is pop it in the oven.
Desserts: Pies, like pumpkin or pecan, can be baked the day before and served at room temperature.

4. Brine the Turkey Ahead of Time

Brining your turkey adds flavor and moisture, but it also saves you time on Thanksgiving day.

Dry Brine: Rub salt and herbs over the turkey 1-2 days before Thanksgiving and leave it in the fridge. This dry brine enhances the meat’s flavor and texture.
Wet Brine: Submerge the turkey in a salted water solution with herbs overnight. Rinse it well before cooking to avoid overly salty meat.

5. Set Up a “Prep Station”

Organize your workspace so everything is within reach:

Have all necessary tools (cutting boards, knives, measuring cups, etc.) nearby.
Arrange ingredients by dish and keep the recipe visible.
Use containers or bowls to separate ingredients by recipe, so you’re not hunting down items during cooking.

6. Organize Cooking Times and Oven Space

With limited oven space, timing is key. Make a timeline and assign cooking times and methods to each dish.

Prioritize Oven Use: Schedule the turkey and casseroles first. When the turkey is done, cover it with foil to keep warm while you bake sides.
Use the Stovetop or Slow Cooker for Side Dishes: Make mashed potatoes on the stovetop and green beans in a slow cooker to free up oven space.
Prep and Bake Rolls Last: Dinner rolls can go into the oven while the turkey rests, ensuring they’re warm and fresh for serving.

7. Use Slow Cookers and Pressure Cookers

Slow cookers and pressure cookers are fantastic for Thanksgiving, as they free up stove and oven space.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes: Make mashed potatoes in the slow cooker, keeping them warm until serving.
Stuffing: Slow cookers are ideal for stuffing, helping you avoid competing for oven space.
Cranberry Sauce: Cranberry sauce can simmer in a slow cooker for a few hours, saving you time and stovetop space.

8. Get Serving Platters and Utensils Ready Ahead of Time

Set out all your serving platters, bowls, and utensils the day before Thanksgiving. Label each one with a sticky note that indicates what dish it’s for. This way, you won’t be searching for platters at the last minute.

9. Set the Table the Night Before

If you’re hosting, set the table the night before to save time on Thanksgiving Day. Arrange the plates, silverware, glassware, napkins, and any centerpieces or candles so that your table is completely ready.

10. Delegate Where Possible

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a one-person show! Get family members or friends involved:

Beverage Station: Ask someone to be in charge of drinks, making sure guests have water, wine, or any other drinks they’d like.
Appetizers: If someone wants to help, ask them to bring a simple appetizer, like a cheese platter or veggie tray, so guests can snack while you finish cooking.
Dish Duty: Assign someone to manage cleanup for a smoother post-dinner experience.

11. Use Disposable or Reusable Storage Containers for Leftovers

Have plenty of containers ready for leftovers to make cleanup easier. Guests will love taking some of the Thanksgiving feast home, and you won’t have to worry about scrambling for containers at the last minute.

👉 Pro Tip: I save a lot of my take out dinner containers to use for Thanksgiving guests. This way I can use them myself or have plenty for when family wants to take leftovers.

12. Keep a Cooler Ready for Extra Storage

If you’re short on fridge space, clean out a large cooler and fill it with ice packs. Store drinks or less-perishable items like cranberry sauce and pies in the cooler, freeing up precious fridge space for dishes that need to stay cold.

13. Make a Thanksgiving Day Schedule

For the ones who really want a controlled day, create a timeline for Thanksgiving Day, breaking down cooking times and activities hour-by-hour. Here’s a sample timeline:

8:00 am – Prep the turkey and put it in the oven.
10:00 am – Prep side dishes and desserts that will go in the oven.
12:00 pm – Set up appetizers and drinks for guests.
1:00 pm – Finish up sides and keep warm.
2:00 pm – Take the turkey out to rest; put rolls in the oven.
2:30 pm – Carve the turkey and serve!

Following these time-saving Thanksgiving dinner tips will keep you organized and make hosting Thanksgiving a joy. Enjoy the holiday with your loved ones, knowing you’ve done everything you can to keep the meal smooth and stress-free!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving leftovers are almost as exciting as the big meal itself! With all that delicious food, you have the perfect ingredients to make new, creative dishes that extend the holiday flavors for days. Here are some tasty ways to transform your Thanksgiving dinner leftovers into delicious new meals.

Don’t forget, you can easily save any turkey in a gusseted vacuum seal bag or separate into individual-sized portions using the pint-size or quart size vacuum seal bags.

Check out “12 Creative Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes You’ll Love – Easy & Delicious Ideas!”

~~ And as always friends, take care, be kind to yourself and others, and always keep learning to be better and do better.

COMMENTS QUESTION:

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner?

Let me know what you think👇 in the comments below!

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