10+ Thanksgiving Meal Recipes to Delight Your Guests

Thanksgiving is a special time when family and friends gather to celebrate with food and gratitude. Preparing a memorable Thanksgiving meal can be both fun and rewarding.

Discovering a variety of delicious Thanksgiving meal recipes will help you create a feast that everyone will enjoy.

From traditional favorites to unique twists, there are many options to satisfy different tastes. This article will guide you through some tasty ideas to help make your Thanksgiving dinner unforgettable.

Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter

Roasting a turkey with herb butter brings flavor and juiciness to your Thanksgiving meal.

Start by preparing a delightful herb butter. Combine softened butter with fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Next, gently separate the turkey skin from the meat. Rub the herb butter under the skin and on the outside. This helps keep the meat moist and packs in the flavor.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Place the turkey in a roasting pan and add some broth to keep it from drying out.

Roast the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Let the turkey rest before carving. This helps the juices settle, making it even tastier.

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Make herb butter by mixing butter and herbs.
3. Rub herb butter under and over turkey skin.
4. Place turkey in roasting pan; add broth.
5. Roast until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Let turkey rest before carving.

Classic Stuffing with Sausage

Classic stuffing with sausage is a warm and flavorful addition to your Thanksgiving meal. It’s packed with savory ingredients that your family will love.

To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). You’ll need to butter a baking dish to prevent sticking.

Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. After it’s fully cooked, set the sausage aside.

In the same skillet, sauté some chopped onions and celery until they soften. Combine the sausage with the vegetables, along with fresh herbs like sage and thyme.

Mix this with cubed bread in a large bowl. Pour in some chicken or vegetable broth to moisten everything. Stir well to combine.

Transfer your stuffing into the baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes, until it’s golden brown on top.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 8 cups bread cubes
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Butter a baking dish.
3. Cook the sausage in a skillet until browned.
4. Sauté onions and celery in the same skillet.
5. Combine sausage and veggies with bread cubes and herbs.
6. Add broth and mix well.
7. Transfer to the dish and bake for 30 minutes.

3) Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions

Green bean casserole with crispy onions is a classic dish you can’t miss during Thanksgiving. This comforting side dish combines tender green beans in a creamy sauce, topped with crunchy fried onions.

You can use canned, frozen, or fresh green beans, depending on what you have. The creaminess from the mushroom sauce makes every bite enjoyable.

To make it, simply mix the green beans with the sauce, place it in a baking dish, and add the crispy onions on top. Bake until it’s hot and bubbling.

This dish is perfect for family gatherings and always brings a smile to the table. Get ready for a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the green beans, soup, milk, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
4. Top with fried onions.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until heated through and onions are crispy.

4) Cranberry Orange Relish

Cranberry Orange Relish is a bright and flavorful addition to your Thanksgiving meal. It’s easy to prepare and adds a fresh, tangy taste that complements turkey and other dishes.

To make this relish, you only need a few simple ingredients. It’s sweet, tart, and has a hint of citrus that everyone will enjoy. You can also use it as a topping for leftover turkey sandwiches or mix it into yogurt for a delicious snack.

This relish can be made ahead of time. It tastes even better after it sits for a day or two, allowing the flavors to meld.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1 medium navel orange
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the cranberries and remove any bad ones.
2. Cut the orange into quarters and remove the peel.
3. Chop the orange and cranberries together in a food processor.
4. Add sugar and cinnamon, then mix well.
5. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

5) Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes are creamy and full of flavor. They make a perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving meal.

Start by peeling and cubing your potatoes. Yukon Gold or russet potatoes work well. Boil them until they’re tender. You can even add garlic cloves while boiling for extra flavor.

Once cooked, drain the potatoes. Mash them up with some warm milk and melted butter. This will make them really creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For a twist, you can roast garlic beforehand. Wrap a garlic bulb in foil with olive oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) until soft. Then, mix this roasted garlic into your mashed potatoes for a rich flavor.

Enjoy these delicious garlic mashed potatoes with your Thanksgiving turkey or ham!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold or russet potatoes
• 4 cloves garlic
• ½ cup milk (or to taste)
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and cube the potatoes.
2. Boil the potatoes and garlic in a pot of salted water until tender.
3. Drain and mash the cooked potatoes and garlic.
4. Mix in warm milk and melted butter until creamy.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Optionally, mix in roasted garlic for more flavor.

6) Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey glazed carrots make a sweet and colorful side dish for your Thanksgiving meal. They are simple to prepare and add a lovely flavor to your plate.

To make them, start by washing and peeling your carrots. You can cut them into sticks or leave them whole if they are small. The choice is yours!

Next, toss the carrots with honey and a bit of butter. You can also add a sprinkle of salt for balance. For extra flavor, consider adding some garlic or rosemary.

Roast the carrots in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes. Stir them occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.

The result will be tender, caramelized carrots with a delicious glaze.

Ingredients

• Carrots
• Honey
• Butter
• Salt
• Garlic (optional)
• Rosemary (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash and peel the carrots.
3. Cut them into sticks or leave them whole.
4. Toss the carrots with honey, butter, and salt.
5. Add garlic or rosemary if desired.
6. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7) Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

Pumpkin pie with whipped cream is a classic dessert that brightens up any Thanksgiving table. It combines smooth pumpkin filling with a flaky crust. The whipped cream adds a light, sweet touch that makes the pie even more enjoyable.

To start, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

Mix the ingredients for the pie filling, including pure pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, sugar, and spices. You can use ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg for flavor.

Once your filling is ready, pour it into a prepared pie crust.

Bake in the oven until the pie is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Let it cool before serving.

Top each slice with fresh whipped cream for the perfect finish. The creamy texture complements the pie’s spices, creating a delightful bite.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust
• 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin puree
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) evaporated milk
• 3/4 cup (150 g) sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt to taste
• Whipped cream for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, eggs, evaporated milk, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Pour the filling into the pie crust.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35-40 minutes.
5. Cool before serving, and top with whipped cream.

Pecan Pie with Bourbon

Pecan pie with bourbon is a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving table. The twist of bourbon adds depth to the sweet filling, making it even more special.

To make this pie, you’ll need a flaky crust. You can either make your own or use a store-bought version.

The filling combines eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, and, of course, bourbon for that rich flavor.

When you bake your pie, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your pie cooks evenly.

Bake until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.

As the pie cools, the flavors meld together beautifully. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. Your family will love this classic dessert!

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust
• 4 large eggs
• ¾ cup (150 g) dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup bourbon
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups pecans
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, bourbon, and salt.
3. Stir in the pecans.
4. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes until set.
6. Allow to cool before serving. Enjoy!

9) Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a classic dish for Thanksgiving. Its sweet and creamy flavor pairs well with turkey and stuffing. The marshmallows add a delightful chewy topping.

To get started, you’ll want to roast sweet potatoes until they’re soft. This step really brings out their natural sweetness.

After mashing them, mix in butter, sugar, and spices for extra flavor.

Once mixed, spread the sweet potato mixture in a baking dish. Top with marshmallows and bake until they’re golden brown and fluffy. The warm, gooey marshmallows create the perfect finish.

This dish will surely impress your family and friends during your holiday feast.

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Roast the sweet potatoes in foil for 50-60 minutes.
3. Let them cool, peel, and mash.
4. Mix the mashed sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Spread the mixture in a baking dish.
6. Top with marshmallows.
7. Bake for 15 minutes or until the marshmallows are golden.

10) Butternut Squash Soup with Sage

Butternut squash soup is perfect for Thanksgiving. It’s warm, comforting, and has a lovely flavor. The addition of sage brings out the sweetness of the squash nicely.

To make this soup, start by peeling and dicing your butternut squash. You’ll need about 2 to 2½ pounds, which is around 6 cups when chopped.

Next, chop an onion and some apples to add a fruity contrast. Granny Smith apples work great for this.

You can sauté the onion and apples in a little olive oil until they are soft. Then, add the squash and vegetable broth.

Let everything simmer until the squash is tender. Finally, blend it all until smooth.

For a tasty twist, you can add some fried sage leaves on top right before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 butternut squash (2-2½ pounds)
• 2 medium Granny Smith apples
• 1 large onion
• Olive oil
• Vegetable broth
• Fresh sage

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and dice the butternut squash.
2. Chop the onion and apples.
3. Sauté onion and apples in olive oil until soft.
4. Then, add butternut squash and vegetable broth.
5. Simmer until the squash is tender.
6. Blend the mixture until smooth.
7. Top with fried sage leaves before serving.