There’s something deeply satisfying about gathering around a table full of the best ingredients, comfort foods and familiar flavors. Whether you’re hosting a full feast or updating your family favorites, this Thanksgiving meal list will help you plan a menu filled with the most popular Thanksgiving dishes.
Every recipe here has been tested, trusted, and loved by real home cooks. If you’re aiming for a menu that hits all the sweet, savory and show-stopping notes, here’s your curated list of 10, no 12, must-have Thanksgiving dishes!
I couldn't stop at just 10 recipes so I added a few bonus ideas to the list. You can't stop at just turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes.
Jump to:
- The Ultimate 12-Dish Thanksgiving Meal List
- Why these recipes work as a Thanksgiving meal list
- Favorite Roasted Turkey and Gravy and Tips
- Dried Cranberry Sauce
- Red Wine Glazed Pearl Onions
- Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Orange and Almonds
- Dinner Rolls with Savory Seed Topping
- Baked Sweet Potato Cubes with Cinnamon Meringue
- Roasted Grape and Pecan Stuffing
- Beautiful Pie Crusts Are Easier Than You Think
- Pecan Streusel Apple Pie
- Mango Pie Recipe
- Pumpkin Cream Pie
- More Thanksgiving meal recipes:
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
The Ultimate 12-Dish Thanksgiving Meal List
As a professional food stylist, 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 big feast.
It's when you share your best Thanksgiving recipes with family and friends. So, I'm sharing mine! These are my holiday recipes for Thanksgiving that balance classic flavors with a few fresh ideas.
You’ll find make-ahead tips, expert shortcuts, and dishes that make everyone happy. Pick a few or make them all, and you’ll have a memorable meal your guests will talk about long after dessert.
Why these recipes work as a Thanksgiving meal list
Balance: Two mashed potato options, two veggie sides, hearty stuffing, sweet cranberry tartness, elegant onions, rolls and desserts. You've got rich, light, sweet, savory, texture, and color.
Flexibility: Most items can be prepped ahead or mostly done ahead. You’re not tied to a stove all afternoon.
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.
You can also try Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, or Turkey Pot Pie.
Dried Cranberry Sauce
This easy Cranberry Sauce made from dried cranberries comes together with just seven pantry staples. No fresh or frozen cranberries needed! It’s a quick, reliable recipe that delivers classic holiday flavor with only a few minutes of prep.
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!
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!
You can also try Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, or Greek Yogurt 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.
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!
Also try the new Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls, or Dill Ricotta Biscuits.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Mango Pie Recipe
This Coconut Mango Pie is creamy, tropical, and full of bright mango flavor. Made with just 10 ingredients, it bakes in a graham cracker coconut crust and can be prepared ahead for easy entertaining.
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.
If you're like me, you can't wait to start baking and cooking for the big day. Happy Thanksgiving!
More Thanksgiving meal recipes:
See all my Thanksgiving recipes here!
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!