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    TaraTeaspoon » Holidays + Celebrations » Thanksgiving

    10 Dishes to Make for a Spectacular Thanksgiving Dinner

    Published: Nov 12, 2018 · Updated: Jul 30, 2022 by Tara Teaspoon · This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure

    Ten recipes for Thanksgiving dinner
    Four Mashed Potato mix ins in spoons

    Mmmmm... turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes.... Who doesn't love Thanksgiving dinner? In the food styling business, Thanksgiving is the main event of the year. Of course, Christmas has lots of goodies (Christmas cookies!), but in November everyone is thinking about the food. It's when you share your best Thanksgiving recipes with family and friends. So, I'm sharing mine! These 10 dishes are my go-to's for a great Thanksgiving feast, from fluffy mashed potatoes to turkey tips to a double-crust streusel apple pie.

    Red Wine Glazed Pearl Onions

    This simple side dish is actually one of the most exciting. Each little pearl onion in this dish is caramelized and saturated with tangy, sweet and savory flavor. Even better, you can buy frozen pearl onions so there's no need to peel them!

    Red wine glazed onions in white tureen on dining table

    Fluffy Mashed Potatoes

    A classic and a staple! You'll never have anything but fluffy, light and rich mashed potatoes following this recipe. It's easy and simple, and the perfect pair to butter or gravy!

    Over head image of Fluffy Mashed Potatoes

    Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Orange and Almonds

    This light and healthy recipe packs the flavor but not the fat. A side dish for your fit friends, or just those folks that love new tastes and unique ways to eat Brussels sprouts. The tangy dressing and bits of dried fruit are perfect with the crunch of almonds.

    Shredded Brussels Sprouts with orange and almonds close up

    Dinner Rolls with Savory Seed Topping

    These rolls are soft and rich, but still light enough to eat with all the other side dishes that are a must at Thanksgiving dinner. A mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour keeps them from being too heavy. And the savory mix of seeds adds just the right amount of flavor. The finishing touch!

    Close up of Single Dinner Roll with Savory Seed Topping on a white saucer

    For more holiday entertaining recipes and to get exclusive content from Tara Teaspoon, sign up here.

    Baked Sweet Potato Cubes with Cinnamon Meringue

    Gloriousness all in one dish! If you love brown sugar sweet potatoes with marshmallows as a side dish, you'll love this spruced-up version. An elegant cinnamon meringue replaces the classic marshmallows and the swoops of goodness are so delicious. Wow your family and friends this year with this stellar side.

    Baked sweet potato cubes with cinnamon meringue recipe image

    Roasted Grape and Pecan Stuffing

    Roasted grapes are my unique addition to this Thanksgiving dinner essential. Cooking grapes brings out their flavor and juiciness, and when I combine them with pecans and sausage, it makes for stuffing heaven. Try it!

    Roasted Grape and Pecan Stuffing in white casserole dish on wooden surface

    Favorite Roasted Turkey and Gravy and Tips

    This is a perfect, classic turkey. No strong flavors that you don't want in your gravy, no fancy new twists. I save those for the sides and dessert! Your guests will be dying to know how you made the turkey taste this good.

    Turkey on cutting board with carving tools

    Beautiful Pie Crusts Are Easier Than You Think

    Take your place among the bakers making gorgeous, intricate pie crusts. And take decorating your pie to a whole new level. Check out these designs for some awesome inspiration.

    Renee from Kudos Kitchen blog created this darling turkey crust

    Pecan Streusel Apple Pie

    This is a pie that has it all--a crispy double crust, apples piled high and a nutty streusel topping hidden inside the pie. No one will be able to say it's just not their slice of cake... I mean pie!

    apple pie with pecan streusel on green linen

    Pumpkin Cream Pie

    Pumpkin cream pie is one of those new twists on a classic I was talking about. It's a rich pumpkin pudding in a pie crust, topped with frothy whipped cream and pepita brittle. Not a diet dessert by any means, but sooooo worth it.

    pumpkin cream pie with whipped cream and pepita brittle
    Tara in kitchen making salad

    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    If you're like me, you can't wait to start baking and cooking for the big day. Happy Thanksgiving!

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    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

    More about me →

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