Thanksgiving Recipes and Planning Guides

Thanksgiving is easier to enjoy when the menu fits the time, space, and appliances you have. Use these Thanksgiving recipes and planning guides to build a meal that works for your kitchen and your guests—from appetizers and turkey to sides, desserts, and drinks.

buttermilk brined turkey is one of our excellent Thanksgiving Recipes

Plan your menu before you plan your cooking day

Before you choose a turkey cooking time, write down everything you hope to serve. Then work backward from dinner and consider what each dish needs.

A large turkey may take several days to thaw in the refrigerator, so make sure there’s room for it along with the make-ahead dishes and ingredients you’ll need to keep cold. Check which recipes need the oven, stovetop, slow cooker, or air fryer—and when. If the turkey, casseroles, rolls, and dessert all need the oven near serving time, the schedule may need adjusting.

Choose a few dishes you can make ahead or serve at room temperature. Decide which tasks you’ll handle and which ones you can assign to family or guests. Asking someone to set out appetizers, warm a side, or help with serving can make the day run more smoothly.

Start with the Thanksgiving turkey timeline to plan thawing, prep, roasting, and resting. For party food ideas that can work before dinner, browse our Fall Appetizer Menus and Holiday Entertaining Guide. Planning a holiday gathering? Visit our Holiday Recipes & Entertaining hub for recipes and helpful guides for celebrations throughout the year.

Thanksgiving Planning guides:

For official advice on preparing a safe Thanksgiving meal, see FoodSafety.gov’s Thanksgiving food-safety resources. Our guides will also cover how to safely thaw and prep a turkey.

Thanksgiving turkey timeline

Thanksgiving sides help build a meal that suits your family and the turkey you’re serving. Choose a mix of casseroles, potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and cranberry dishes, and consider which recipes can be prepared ahead or reheated without competing for oven space. For dessert, browse pies, cakes, bars, cookies, and other shareable sweets. A pie or cake makes a familiar centerpiece, while bars and cookies are easy to portion when guests want a taste of several treats. Choose a few favorites, then browse the recipes below by type.

Thanksgiving Recipes for turkey and main dishes

Choose the turkey method that suits your plans and give yourself time to thaw, season, roast, and rest the bird.

Thanksgiving Recipes-appetizers

A few well-chosen appetizers give guests something to enjoy while dinner finishes. Choose make-ahead or room-temperature options when you want to keep the oven free.

Thanksgiving Recipes- side dishes and rolls

Build your side-dish list around your family favorites, then check how much oven and stovetop time each one needs. These recipes can help you get started.

Thanksgiving Recipes-desserts

Sweet potato pumpkin pie — Sweet Potato Pumpkin Pie

Caramel Apple Pie with Fall leaves Motif — Sweet Potato Pumpkin Pie

Make dessert part of your plan early. Pies, bars, and chilled desserts can often be prepared before Thanksgiving Day, be sure to plan for needed oven and fridge space when the turkey is thawing or the main meal is underway.

Pies

Cookies

White Cranberry rosemary Mimosa Recipe — Cranberry mimosa

Thanksgiving Recipes-drinks

Offer a festive drink that you can prepare ahead, or set up a simple drink station so guests can help themselves.

non alcoholic sangria — Non Alcoholic Sangria

Apple Pie Spiced Coffee — Non Alcoholic Sangria

Nonalcoholic Thanksgiving drinks

Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Sangria — great for large crowds
Easy Berry Mint Bubbler Mocktail
Sparkling Peach Bellini Mocktail
Strawberry Bubbler Mocktail
Apple Pie Spiced Coffee — a warm after-dinner option.
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix — another cozy option for later in the day.

Make something new with Thanksgiving leftovers

When the feast is over, turn the remaining turkey and sides into another meal. Our Leftover Holiday Pie is a flexible way to use leftover meat, stuffing, gravy, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Make Bone Broth with the bones.