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Ready to start planning your Thanksgiving dinner menu? You've come to the right place! The Pioneer Woman is your one-stop shop for all things Thanksgiving-related. We have tons of tips and tricks for cooking a turkey, Thanksgiving table settings, and even a complete Thanksgiving cooking timeline. Not to mention, there's this list of Thanksgiving menu ideas for any style feast. Some are traditional Thanksgiving recipes, while others will inspire you to try something new. Heck, maybe you just want to throw everything out the window and make Thanksgiving brunch instead! The great thing about cooking for the holidays is that you can choose whatever your heart desires. Pick one of the Thanksgiving menu ideas below or use them as inspiration to mix-and-match a few holiday recipes.
Here, you'll find holiday appetizers, main courses, stuffing recipes, and Thanksgiving desserts. Oh, and we didn't forget about the Thanksgiving side dishes either—there are *so* many options ahead! You can serve up a super-casual menu, a vegetarian menu, a Southern Thanksgiving menu, or a menu inspired by Drummond family favorites. There are even some non-traditional Thanksgiving recipes for new flavors like the bacon lover's menu and the spicy dinner menu that kicks up the heat. Just don't forget to print out a copy of our Thanksgiving shopping list before you head to the grocery store!
1
First-Timer's Thanksgiving Menu
Hosting your very first Thanksgiving dinner might seem stressful. After all, there are lots of dishes to be cooked, the table needs to be set, and you have to have enough wine for all your friends and family. But there's no reason to be intimidated when you're armed with our menu for first-time hosts. Here, you'll find easy recipes, crowd-pleasing favorites, and plenty of tricks for staying stress-free (Ree's turkey recipe will give you perfect results even if you’re a novice chef).
Main Course:
Starters:
Sides:
Desserts:
Drink:
2
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Menu
Whether you're looking for some healthier Thanksgiving recipes or just a way to give your oven a break, this menu of air fryer Thanksgiving dishes is just the thing to make your holidays easier. Plus, you'll be surprised by the results of the air fryer turkey—it's moist on the inside and has the crispiest skin. Serve it up with a few healthy air fryer sides, like green beans, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and more.
Main Course:
Starters:
Sides:
Desserts:
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Drink:
3
Super Casual Thanksgiving Menu
There's nothing fussy about this Thanksgiving menu. You can even keep on your favorite sweatpants while you eat. It's great for families who would rather have a low-key holiday without all the bells and whistles. Don't worry, there are still some traditional dishes to keep everyone in the family happy.
Main Course:
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Starters:
Sides:
Broccoli Cheese and Cracker Casserole
Desserts:
Drink:
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4
Bacon Lover's Thanksgiving Menu
Calling all, bacon lovers! This menu is loaded with all the salty, smoky, crispy goodness of bacon. Even the turkey is covered with bacon. Not only will the bacon in these dishes impart a ton of flavor, but it also gives your Thanksgiving recipes plenty of moisture. Just look at Ree's cornbread-bacon dressing—it's anything but dry. Plus, the candied bacon on her green bean casserole is one of the best things you'll ever eat!
Main Course:
Starters:
Butternut Squash Soup with Bacon
Sides:
Green Bean Casserole with Candied Bacon
Dessert:
Whiskey Maple Sundaes with Bacon
Drink:
5
Thanksgiving Brunch Menu
Looking to serve Thanksgiving on the earlier side this year? Here's your chance to make Thanksgiving brunch! You can include both breakfast and lunch favorites, like Ree's cinnamon rolls, cranberry mimosas, and a big ham (just like on Easter).
Main Course:
Sheet Pan Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches
Cinnamon-Pecan Yeasted Waffles
Starters:
Sides:
Desserts:
Pecan Pie French Toast Casserole
Drink:
6
Everything But the Turkey Menu
Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is all about the sides! "Sometimes, I even forget to put the turkey on my plate," Ree says. That's why we've come up with a holiday menu that focuses only on the side dishes (and a few starters, desserts, and drinks, too). You won't have to stress out about making a big turkey, but you'll still find plenty of hearty options that work for your Thanksgiving main course.
Main Course:
Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi
Starters:
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Sides:
Desserts:
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Drink:
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7
Potluck Thanksgiving
Whether you're attending a potluck or hosting one, you can't go wrong with these potluck-friendly dishes. They're easy to transport, easy to reheat, and great for feeding a crowd. The best part is—you don't even need to make a turkey! Go for the chicken and stuffing casserole instead, then enlist the help of your family and friends to bring one of the creative side dishes.
Main Course:
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Starters:
Sides:
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow
Baked Mashed Potatoes with Crispy Shallots
Desserts:
Drinks:
8
Cranberry Thanksgiving
It's cranberry season! You'll likely see stores stock up on fresh cranberries around Thanksgiving (although frozen cranberries can be found year-round). Of course, they're often used for classic holiday cranberry sauce, but they're also a versatile ingredient in so many other dishes, like cranberry-brie bites, apple-cranberry stuffing, and cranberry cake. Check out this cranberry menu filled with tons of sweet-tart flavor.
Main Course:
Turkey and Cranberry Flatbreads
Starters:
Sides:
Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries
Mini Corn Loaves with Cranberries and Pecans
Dessert:
Drink:
9
Around the World Thanksgiving Menu
If you're looking for recipes that go beyond the traditional American dishes, this global-influenced menu is the perfect fit. You'll find recipes inspired by a variety of cuisines, such as British beef wellington, Mediterranean green bean salad, Irish colcannon, and Jamaican jerk chicken.
Main Course:
Starters:
Sides:
Mediterranean Green Bean Salad
Curried Veggie Lattice Pot Pie
Dessert:
Drink:
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10
Thanksgiving for a Crowd
If there's anyone who knows a thing or two about feeding a crowd, it's Ree Drummond. She often makes a big 20-pound turkey for her crew at the holidays. You can also make more than one main course—like both turkey and ham! Check out our tips for how much turkey per person you need, then reach for the crowd-friendly recipes below. There are tons of casseroles, sheet pan recipes, and big platters of veggies.
Main Course:
Starters:
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Sides:
Roasted Vegetables with Pecan Crumble
Desserts:
Drink:
11
Spicy Thanksgiving Menu
Looking to kick things up this Thanksgiving? Try a menu filled with spicy, hot dishes! Whether it's a chipotle-glazed turkey, cajun green bean casserole, or a cornbread garnished with jalapeño peppers, these recipes are for anyone who can handle a bit of heat. And don't think we forgot about the dessert either—there's a spiced pecan pie made with ancho chile powder that'll have you reaching for a glass of milk.
Main Course:
Honey-Chipotle Glazed Turkey with Gravy
Starters:
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies
Sides:
Stuffing with Chorizo and Poblanos
Dessert:
Drink:
12
Retro Thanksgiving Menu
Add a bit of nostalgia to your Thanksgiving table with these holiday recipes that are a blast from the past. It's everything you loved about Thanksgiving as a kid, including tried-and-true classics like co*cktail meatballs and rustic dinner rolls, plus updated versions of green bean casserole and cranberry jello salad that make them worthy of a comeback.
Main Course:
Starters:
Sides:
Broccoli Cheese and Cracker Casserole
Desserts:
Drinks:
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13
Shortcut Thanksgiving
If you'd rather spend more time with family than in a hot kitchen, this shortcut Thanksgiving menu is for you! With recipes like self-rising biscuits and a quick and easy apple tart, you'll be surprised by how simple a Thanksgiving dinner can be (while still being special enough to impress your guests). All of the dishes are ready in under an hour and some recipes even put your kitchen appliances to good use. Air fryer turkey, anyone?!
Main Course:
Starters:
Sides:
Dessert:
Drinks:
14
Ree Drummond-Inspired Thanksgiving Menu
"In the Drummond family, Thanksgiving is not a time to tinker with tradition," Ree says. So, many of the dishes on this menu are classics, like her beloved late mother-in-law's cornbread dressing and the mashed potatoes that her family simply can't do without. For the main event, Ree likes to brine her turkey—it's surprisingly easy to do!
Main Course:
Starters:
Sides:
Cornbread Thanksgiving Dressing
Delicious, Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Dessert:
Drink:
15
Sweet and Savory Thanksgiving Menu
Calling all dessert lovers! This sweet and savory menu has a big emphasis on the sweet! It's loaded with ingredients like maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, and marshmallows. Even the roasted vegetables are topped with a sweet pecan crumble. Of course, there are plenty of dessert options to choose from, but the recipe that will have everyone jumping for joy is the caramel apple martini.
Main Course:
Starters:
Sides:
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow
Maple-Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Dried Cranberries
Skillet Biscuits with Cinnamon-Honey Butter
Candied Carrots
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16
Thanksgiving With a Twist
Tired of the same-old Thanksgiving dishes? Switch things up with this unconventional menu of surprising new dishes. You'll find updated twists on your favorite holiday recipes like stuffing stuffed mushrooms, turkey wrapped in bacon, and a pumpkin-cookie mash-up that will become an instant new favorite.
Main Course:
Turkey and Cranberry Flatbread
Starters:
Sides:
Dessert:
Drink:
17
Small-Batch Thanksgiving
Sometimes cooking on a small-scale can be harder than cooking for a crowd—especially on Thanksgiving when recipes are usually made to feed a big table. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy an intimate meal featuring some of your favorite holiday flavors. For the main course, skip the big turkey and try individual stuffed acorn squash instead. For the sides, there are plenty of options that will feed two or four guests. And don’t forget, if you have Thanksgiving leftovers, that’s okay, too!
Main Course:
Turkey Meatballs with Cauliflower Mash
Starters:
Butternut Squash Soup with Bacon
Sides:
Drinks:
18
California-Inspired Thanksgiving
There's something about California cuisine that feels so fresh and inviting. Here, you'll find simple dishes using herbs, citrus, and farm-to-table ingredients just like you would in the Golden State. Of course, no Cali-inspired menu would be complete without wine so we've included a spiced Cabernet cranberry sauce, red wine poached pears, and a white wine spritzer to tie the whole menu together.
Main Courses: Starters: Roasted Grape, Brie, and Rosemary Flatbread Sides:
Citrus-Brined Roast Turkey
Creamy Whipped Feta Dip
Fig and Blue Cheese Bruschetta
Butternut Squash Risotto Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Spiced Cabernet Cranberry Sauce Holiday Wild Rice Salad Desserts: Ricotta Cheesecake Drinks:
Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction and Walnuts
Red Wine Poached Pears
White Wine Spritzer
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19
Southern Thanksgiving Menu
You don't have to live in the South to partake in this down-home holiday dinner. It's filled with comfort food favorites and a few Southern-inspired BBQ classics like skillet biscuits, mac and cheese, fried okra, and corn pudding. Finish off the meal with pecan pie and everyone will be fixin' for an extra slice.
Main Course:
Starters:
Sides:
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow
Dessert:
Drink:
20
Elegant Thanksgiving
It's not often we get to wow our guests with sophistication, but if there was ever a time to show off your elegant dinnerware, it would be for Thanksgiving! And you'll likely want to have a menu that's equally dignified with recipes like stuffed turkey breast, roasted beet salad, and homemade pumpkin ravioli. Don't worry—these recipes are still surprisingly easy (your guests just don't have to know).
Main Course:
Starters:
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Sides:
Roasted Beet Salad Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce
Dessert:
Drink:
