Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
‘Tis the season of pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts and time to get inspired and get menu prepping! I’ve got all the Thanksgiving menu ideas you need—from whole turkey, turkey breast, and turkey alternatives to cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green beans, pecan pie, and so much more!
The holiday season has arrived and you can never start too early planning your full menu and a lot of turkey is going to be eaten. I just read actually how much turkey, over 46 million of them! If you’re looking for an easy recipe, this is the place to start. From Thanksgiving sides to the main course and unique Thanksgiving desserts.
Who will be at your holiday table this year? A crowd, or are you keeping it small. Either way I have so much for you to choose from. You can even customize my recipes like turn my Maple Sweet Potato Pie into Pumpkin Pie (with homemade pie crust).
Feeding a Crowd or a Small Gathering
American Thanksgiving is the biggest meal day of the year and it is important to plan your menu with enough time so you’re not stressing out on the day. I have some creative Thanksgiving recipes like a Spatchcock Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey (which roasts quickly) and some traditional and non-traditional recipes like Slow Cooker Green Beans with Shallots and Almonds and Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Sage Pecan Butter.
I have a lot of make-ahead dishes like Cornbread Sage and Onion Stuffing, lots of veggies and even taking some help from the slow cooker to free up oven and stovetop space.
Not everyone loves turkey, so I have some delicious alternatives like Herb Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Pork Tenderloin, Lamb and something for the non-meat eaters, Mushroom Wellington with Gravy.
Thanksgiving Leftovers
Now, when you’re all done and stuffed with dinner, don’t forget about the Thanksgiving leftovers (and we all know how much leftover turkey we will have). I have you covered in this arena. Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Sausage Rolls are always popular as well as my Turkey Shepherd’s Pie.
Thanksgiving Appetizers
Onion, celery, fresh sage and cornbread are cooked in vegetable stock/broth then blended.
Homeade crusty bread rolls perfect for dipping into bacon and sage cooked in melted butter.
Pre-made puff pastry shells are filled with blended avocado and shrimp salad with delicious flavors and herbs.
Creamy brie is baked in puff pastry, then topped with roasted pistachios, pomegranate seeds and fresh rosemary
A wheel of brie is baked with wine and rosemary, served fondue style.
Tender roast pork tenderloin slices with sweet cranberry sauce, sage mustard on crispy baguette slices.
Mushrooms are sautéed with rosemary and wine and serve on crusty bread.
Simple toasted baguette slices are topped with apricot preserves, sharp cheddar cheese and a pretty garnish.
Turkey and Alternatives
From whole turkey to turkey breast and vegetarian turkey alternative.
Herb Butter Roast Turkey Breast with Gravy for Two
Fresh herbs are mixed into softened butter that is rubbed onto a turkey breast and roasted over a bed of vegetables.
Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington with Gravy
Chopped mushrooms, vegetables and herb are shaped into a loaf and covered in puff pastry, served with mushroom gravy.
Herb Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Coated in fresh herbs for maximum flavor, this beef tenderloin is roasted to tender perfection and serve with all of your favorite sides.
Mandarin Orange Spiced Glazed Ham
Spiral ham is baked with a mandarin and warm spice glaze and baked until golden and crispy.
Spatchcock Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey
Spatchcock cranberry orange glazed turkey is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get your Thanksgiving dinner on the table. The cranberry orange glazed gets a delicious flavor boost from Soy Sauce and seasonal spices.
Perfect Roast Turkey
The turkey is brined to retain as much moisture in the meat, then roasted to crispy, juicy perfection.
Sage Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is rubbed with fresh sage and spices, then roasted to juicy perfection.
Maple Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is seasoned with fresh rosemary, wrapped in bacon and brushed with maple syrup.
Rosemary Garlic Roasted Lamb with Potatoes and Fennel
Boneless leg of lamb is studded with garlic cloves and fresh rosemary then roasted over sliced potatoes, fennel and onion.
Herb Roasted Cornish Hens with Root Vegetables
Individual Cornish hens are crusted with fresh herbs, then roasted on a bed of root vegetables and apple for a delicious, pan roasted meal.
Sides
Thanksgiving side dishes like sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, green breans, Brussels sprouts and stuffing/dressing.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Sage Pecan Butter
Creamy sweet potato casserole, topped with a chopped pecan topping with butter, sage and maple syrup.
Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Pecans
A whole butternut squash thinly sliced, roasted and coated with sage butter and maple pecans.
Slow Cooker Green Beans with Shallots and Almonds
Green beans are slow cooked in bath of butter and vegetable stock, topped with sweet shallots and toasted almonds.
Sausage Stuffed Potato Dumplings
Mashed potato is turned into dumplings that are stuffed with sausage meat.
Potato and Celery Root Gratin
Sliced potatoes and celery root are baked in a creamy cheese sauce with garlic and rosemary.
Roasted Carrot and Parsnip Purée
Carrots and parsnips are roasted with spices then blended until smooth into a puree.
Cornbread, Sage and Onion Stuffing
Delicious cornbread is mixed with fresh sage, onion and celery, moistened with stock then baked to achieve a crispy crunchy top.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberry Glaze
Brussels sprouts are halved and seasoned simply with oil, salt and pepper until golden and crispy.
Cheesy Rosemary Mashed Potato Casserole
Mashed potato with fresh rosemary and cheese is soft and creamy. Topped with breadcrumbs and Parmesan then baked.
Crockpot Orange, Honey and Herb Glazed Carrots
Crockpot orange, honey and herb glazed carrots are a stunning side dish that will be a stunning addition to your holiday or Sunday dinner table.
Butternut Squash and Sage Gratin
Sweet and creamy butternut squash, fontina & parmesan cheese sauce with fresh sage.
Quick Cranberry Orange Sauce
Fresh cranberries are simmered with sugar and water along with fresh orange zest and juice.
Desserts
Choose from a maple sweet potato pie or bourbon pecan pie and cheesecake.
Maple Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Classic sweet potato pie filling gets a flavor boost from good maple syrup and decorated with pastry maple leaves and maple glazed pecans.
Bourbon Pecan Pie
Traditional pecan pie gets taken to the next level! Bourbon pecan pie is a grown-up Christmas or Thanksgiving dessert and as a result, will have everyone craving seconds.
Pumpkin Turtle Cheesecake
Extra creamy cheesecake with a graham cracker crust made New York style. Topped with caramel, chocolate sauce and toasted pecans.
Apple and Blackberry Crumble
Apple and blackberry crumble is so 'fall-like', from the seasonal fruit to the spices and it's all topped off with vanilla ice cream and homemade apple spiced caramel sauce.
Leftovers
Leftovers are just as good as the main meal. Get creative and turn them into shepherd's pie or wrap in puff pastry.
Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Sausage Rolls
Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sausage rolls are a great use of Thanksgiving & Christmas leftovers all rolled up in flaky puff pastry. A little savory, a little sweet, it's that delicious Thanksgiving taste in sausage rolls.
Thanksgiving leftovers turkey shepherd’s pie
Leftover turkey, vegetables, mashed potato, stuffing and gravy are transformed into this stunning pie.
