Preparing for the biggest food day of the year has never been easier with these Easy Recipes for Thanksgiving I'm sharing with you today.
I've gathered all the best from the blog and listed them here in one easy location for you to look over and most likely drool over too.
Let's get started with putting together the best menu ever. Make sure you read my Tips for Hosting a Stress-Free Thanksgiving!
Simple Recipes for Thanksgiving at a Glance
What You’ll Find: A curated roundup of simple appetizers, side dishes, desserts, and turkey prep ideas.
Why You’ll Love It: These recipes are family-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and designed to reduce stress while still delivering classic, comforting flavors.
Perfect For: Hosting Thanksgiving dinner, holiday week planning, or anytime you want a fuss-free festive menu.
Pro Tip / Time-Saver: Many of the dishes can be prepped or partially cooked ahead—make the sides a day in advance and reheat gently so everything stays fresh on the big day.
👉 Hosting Thanksgiving? Grab my Simple Thanksgiving Digital Cookbook—filled with classic recipes, time-saving tips, and printable guides to make planning and cooking your holiday meal stress-free and delicious.
Another great post in helping you prepare, is my Tips for Hosting a Stress-Free Thanksgiving.
Table of Contents
- Simple Recipes for Thanksgiving at a Glance
- Turkey Prep Night Before
- Thanksgiving Themed Appetizers
- Indulge in Flavor, Not Ads - Get Your Ad-Free Digital Cookbook Today!
- Side Dish Recipes
- Thanksgiving Printables Your Family Will Love
- Thanksgiving Desserts Ideas
- Recipe Collections
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- More Thanksgiving Inspiration
- Thanksgiving FAQ's
- Didn't find the answer you're looking for?
Turkey Prep Night Before
Prepping ahead for Thanksgiving can save you time and stress on the big day, allowing you to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones. Here are a few recipes to help:
- When it comes to the turkey prep, the first thing you need to do is read my post for Tips on Thawing a Turkey Safely.
- I like to prep the turkey the night before Thanksgiving. That way when I wake up in the morning I can get it in the oven without the mess to clean up.
- You should never stuff the turkey with dressing until it's ready to go in the oven.
- There are detailed instructions on how prep in my Tips on How to Roast the Perfect Turkey post.
- Check out my Crock Pot Turkey Breast recipe when hosting a smaller crowd.
- And when Thanksgiving is over, check out my recipe for Leftover Turkey Slider Sandwiches.
Thanksgiving Themed Appetizers
Thanksgiving-themed appetizers add a festive touch to your holiday spread and delight your guests with flavors of the season.
- Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes
- Appetizers for Thanksgiving
- Delicious Thanksgiving Appetizers
- Puff Pastry Thanksgiving Appetizers
- Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board
Side Dish Recipes
When it comes to Thanksgiving side dishes, there are endless options to choose from. From classic mashed potatoes to creative dishes like roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, these recipes are sure to complement your turkey and delight your guests.
- Acorn Squash
- Classic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Classic Stuffing
- Crock Pot Stuffing
- Company Mashed Potatoes - prep-ahead recipe made with cream cheese, whipping cream and butter!
- Company's Coming Sweet Potato Casserole
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
- Roasted Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- Ranch Flavored Carrots
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Thanksgiving Make Ahead Side Dishes
Thanksgiving Printables Your Family Will Love
Quick to print and beautiful to display—these cards help you decorate in minutes!
Leftover Labels $2.99Vintage Gratitude Cards $3.99
Scripture Gratitude Cards $3.99
Thanksgiving Desserts Ideas
End your holiday feast on a sweet note with a variety of classic and creative Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas. From pies and crisps to easy make-ahead treats, there’s something to satisfy every guest at the table.
Recipe Collections
Need more inspiration? Check out the full list of recipe collections that are perfect for Thanksgiving!
- Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes
- Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes
- Crock Pot Thanksgiving Recipes
- Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
- Thanksgiving Instant Pot Side Dishes
- Thanksgiving Make Ahead Side Dishes
- Thanksgiving Mashed Potato Recipes
Helpful Kitchen Tools
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
More Thanksgiving Inspiration
Thanksgiving FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the plus sign (+) next to each question.
Roast the turkey uncovered for the first 30 minutes. Then cover the turkey with aluminum foil which will help trap steam and allow the turkey to cook without drying out.
You can generally make dressing for Thanksgiving up to 3 days in advance. Prepare the dressing fully, but don't bake it. Store it covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it on Thanksgiving Day. This will save you valuable time and oven space on the big day.
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