Simple Thanksgiving Menu

Today I’m sharing my Simple Thanksgiving Menu that I’ll be serving this year; all family favorites straight from my kitchen.

Each recipe is filled with comforting flavors, and guaranteed to help you feel calm and confident on the biggest cooking day of the year.

And best of all, these are recipes I’ve been making for years. Several can even be prepped ahead and frozen so they’re ready to bake as soon as the turkey comes out of the oven.

They’re all part of the easy recipes for Thanksgiving you’ll find here to help you put together a delicious meal everyone in your family will love.

Table of Contents

• At-a-Glance: Simple Thanksgiving Menu
• Make-Ahead Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
• Recommended Kitchen Tools
• My Essential Kitchen Tools
• The Recipes You’ll Find in This Thanksgiving Menu
• LOVE these recipes? SAVE them for Later!
• What I’m Serving for Dessert This Thanksgiving
• Need a Little Extra Help?
• Indulge in Flavor, Not Ads - Get Your Ad-Free Digital Cookbook Today!
• Recipe FAQ's
• 💬 Comments

Make-Ahead Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

• Prepare a few of the side dishes ahead of time, freeze them, and bake them once the turkey comes out of the oven.
• Chop the veggies and prep the cheese for your Turkey Charcuterie Board the day before, storing everything in plastic baggies or containers so assembly is quick and easy.
• Make the mashed potatoes the day before and refrigerate them in a plastic container. Warm them in a crock pot on low Thanksgiving morning, adding a little milk or heavy cream if needed.
• Bake homemade yeast rolls a few days early and freeze them so they’re ready for the oven on Thanksgiving Day.
• Chop onions, celery, and fresh herbs the day before and store them in airtight containers for stuffing, gravy, or casseroles.
• Prepare a gravy base ahead of time using turkey or chicken stock, then finish it with pan drippings on Thanksgiving Day.
• Set the table and set up the buffet table the night before and place sticky notes in serving dishes to remind yourself what goes where, saving time when everything is ready to serve.

Recommended Kitchen Tools

Triple Slow Cooker Buffet Server: Great for keeping side dishes like mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy warm during dinner. Each pot has its own temperature control and lid rest, making serving effortless.

9x13 Aluminum Pans: Disposable aluminum pans make cleanup quick and easy. They’re perfect for baking, reheating, or transporting dishes to family gatherings and potlucks.

Food Warming Mat: A convenient way to keep multiple dishes warm before serving. The adjustable temperature settings make it perfect for buffets or holiday dinners.

The Recipes You’ll Find in This Thanksgiving Menu

Below you’ll find the exact recipes included in this year’s Thanksgiving menu. Each one is easy, reliable, and designed to help you serve a delicious holiday meal without the stress. Just scroll through and pick what you want to make!

How to Roast a Turkey

This easy guide walks you through roasting a perfectly juicy, golden-brown turkey with step-by-step tips that take the stress out of Thanksgiving Day. Even first-time cooks will feel confident pulling the star of the meal from the oven.
👉 Get the How to Roast a Turkey recipe.

Prep Ahead Company Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, buttery, and made to be prepped the day before, these mashed potatoes are the ultimate time-saver for Thanksgiving. They reheat beautifully and taste just as fluffy and delicious as when they’re freshly made.
👉 Get the Prep Ahead Company Mashed Potatoes recipe.

Candied Sweet Potatoes

These candied sweet potatoes are coated in a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze that caramelizes as they bake. It’s a classic holiday side that brings warmth, sweetness, and a little nostalgia to every bite.
👉 Get the Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe.

Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing

Soft on the inside with just the right amount of golden edges, this traditional stuffing is filled with herbs, aromatics, and all the comforting flavors that make Thanksgiving special. It’s the kind of recipe everyone goes back for seconds of.
👉 Get the Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe.

Jiffy Cornbread Pudding Casserole

Sweet, savory, and irresistibly creamy, this cornbread pudding casserole is made with Jiffy mix and simple pantry ingredients. It’s the perfect crowd-pleasing side that fits beautifully on any holiday table.
👉 Get the Jiffy Cornbread Pudding Casserole recipe.

Ranch Flavored Carrots

Bright, tender carrots get a savory makeover with ranch seasoning, making them a fresh and flavorful side that’s as fun as it is easy.
👉 Get the Ranch Flavored Carrots recipe.

Roasted Acorn Squash

Sweet, buttery, and perfectly caramelized, this simple side dish adds a cozy fall flavor to your Thanksgiving table. It’s easy to prep, beautiful to serve, and pairs well with any holiday main.
👉 Get the Roasted Acorn Squash recipe.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Zesty, sweet and tangy, this homemade cranberry sauce is bursting with fresh berries and warm spices. It’s a holiday essential that elevates every turkey dinner.
👉 Get the Homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe.

What I’m Serving for Dessert This Thanksgiving

For dessert this year, I’m keeping things simple and classic with my Apple Crumb Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and my all-time favorite Blueberry Galette.

And for a little extra fun on the dessert table, I’m thinking of adding these adorable Easy Thanksgiving Cookies better known as Pilgrim Hats.

Need a Little Extra Help?

👉Read my Tips for Hosting a Stress-Free Thanksgiving for smart shortcuts, prep-ahead ideas, and hosting advice that truly makes a difference.

👉If you want to take the stress out of planning Thanksgiving, my Simple Thanksgiving Digital Cookbook is the easiest way to do it. It includes all the recipes I make every year for my own family, organized in one convenient download so you can cook with confidence.

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