These Thanksgiving recipes cover every course, from appetizers to dessert. You'll find turkey main dishes along with some alternative meats, sides that range from classic to creative, and pies and cakes that lean into fall flavors. Mix and match a main, a few sides, and a dessert or two to build a menu your crowd will remember.
Oven space decides most Thanksgiving menus. A turkey, a ham, and a table full of sides and pies can't share one oven, so you'll also find some options for outdoor cooking. The smoker handles the turkey and ham, while a deep fryer turns out a whole duck in under an hour.
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Thanksgiving Appetizers
1
Spicy Pumpkin-Chipotle Hummus
For all your fall parties and holiday celebrations, this spicy pumpkin-chipotle hummus is your ultimate appetizer. Featuring an ultra creamy, velvety texture with a kick of warming spice for those chilly months, this fall-inspired hummus is full of irresistible seasonal flavors to make everyone's new favorite party snack. Best of all, making this homemade pumpkin hummus couldn't be easier, and it's great for preparing in advance.
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2
Fig Baked Brie With Kahlua Sauce
Easy yet elegant, this fig baked Brie dip is studded with slices of fresh black mission figs and topped with a sweet, orange-scented Kahlua sauce. You can put this impressive baked Brie with fig and Kahlua sauce together in just a few minutes with only six ingredients, making it the perfect party appetizer. Even if fresh figs aren't in season, I have a couple alternatives for you, so put this boozy baked Brie spread on your next party menu, no matter the time of year.
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3
Bourbon Bacon Jam Cheese Ball
All your cheesy, bacon-filled dreams are about to come true. Made from three cheeses and covered in fragrant toasted pecans, this ultra creamy bourbon bacon jam cheese ball instantly elevates any charcuterie platter. Each decadent bite is full of savory, smoky bacon with the perfect hint of sweetness for just the right balance.
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Thanksgiving Main Dishes
Smoke it, fry it, or glaze it. The prime rib and ham fill in for guests who skip poultry. Once the feast wraps up, turn the extra bird into Thanksgiving enchiladas. Need help sizing the menu? Check the planning tips below.
4
Crispy Smoked Spatchcock Turkey
Make your next holiday meal one to remember and serve this succulent, crispy smoked spatchcock turkey! This turkey is coated with a flavorful dry rub and then smoked low and slow to infuse the perfect kiss of smoke into wonderfully tender, moist meat. The whole family is sure to fall in love with this smoked turkey.
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5
Deep-Fried Duck With Fig-Orange Glaze
For the most impressive holiday dinner, serve this deep-fried duck with a fig-orange glaze and watch your family swoon over every mouth-watering bite! Deep frying gives a whole duck crispy skin and makes that succulent meat even juicer and more flavorful. Whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas or another special occasion, this duck makes the perfect dinner centerpiece.
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6
Double Smoked Ham With Spiced Orange Glaze
Make your next holiday meal even more special by serving this double-smoked ham with a spiced orange glaze. Also known as twice-smoked ham, this succulent piece of meat is reheated on the smoker for an extra flavor injection and then finished with a sticky, sweet glaze to make a holiday dinner the whole family is sure to love. This ham is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd, and it only calls for about 10 minutes of hands-on cooking time - the smoker takes care of the rest.
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7
Smoked Turkey Legs (Drumsticks)
Make your own succulent, delicious smoked turkey legs right from the comfort of your backyard! After soaking in a wet brine and coated with a BBQ dry rub, these turkey drumsticks come out perfectly tender with just the right kiss of smoky flavor. Whether you're hosting a holiday dinner or backyard cookout, these turkey legs are sure to be a crowd favorite.
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8
Smoked Turkey Thighs
Thanksgiving dinner has never been so simple and scrumptious than when these smoked turkey thighs are on the menu! With the perfectly spiced dry rub and trip to the smoker, these turkey thighs come out much more flavorful than your typical oven roasting preparation. Let's fire up the smoker and cook a feast the whole family is sure to love.
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9
Crispy Smoked Turkey Wings
Skip the whole bird and make these crispy smoked turkey wings for your next holiday dinner! Thanks to a simple dry brining technique, these wings show off tender, succulent meat with that crispy turkey skin everyone loves. Preparing these wings only requires about 20 minutes of hands-on time, and then they smoke to absolute perfection. You'll love this new holiday tradition for your delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
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10
Maple-Braised Turkey Legs and Thighs
Give your Thanksgiving main course a fall twist with these maple-braised turkey legs and thighs! After slow cooking in the oven, these ultra moist turkey pieces turn fall-off-the-bone tender, and the real maple syrup adds a slight sweetness to complement the rich dark meat. For an easier, quicker alternative to roasting an entire bird, you will love this braised turkey recipe, especially if hosting a small crowd for Thanksgiving.
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11
Smoked Duck With Spiced Pomegranate-Maple Glaze
Put an extra delicious touch to your holiday dinner with this juicy smoked duck! Finished with a spiced pomegranate-maple glaze for a festive spin, this duck features the most tender, succulent meat to make one memorable meal that's sure to impress. Don't be surprised if this smoked whole duck becomes a new family tradition.
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12
Smoked Prime Rib (Standing Rib Roast)
For the ultimate special occasion meal, it doesn't get better than this impressive smoked prime rib roast! This beautiful piece of beef is smothered in a spiced garlic butter and then smoked until it transforms into the most succulent, melt-in-your-mouth tender meat. You can smoke it on an electric pellet grill, charcoal grill or gas grill - your choice. No matter how you smoke this flavorful prime rib, you have a guaranteed crowd pleaser that you'll want to serve every chance you get.
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Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce anchor the table here. A few smoked and sweet potato twists round out the spread.
13
Spiced-Brandied Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce never tasted so good. Bursting with warm spices, lively orange and rich dark brown sugar, this boozy brandied cranberry sauce makes for one show-stopping holiday side dish and adds an elegant touch to your holiday table. You'll never need another cranberry sauce recipe again.
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14
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Enjoy the perfect fall dish with this creamy pumpkin mac and cheese! Made with cheddar and Gruyère, this pumpkin pasta features a luxurious, decadent cheese sauce and is finished with a buttery Ritz cracker topping and fresh sage for an extra touch of fall flavor. Comfort food doesn't get better than this.
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15
Favorite Croissant Stuffing
Make your next holiday dinner extra memorable with this favorite croissant stuffing! Flaky, buttery croissants are baked to perfection with a medley of fresh herbs, onions, garlic and celery in a custard-like filling to make one dish that's full of those classic stuffing flavors. Plus, this recipe only requires about 20 minutes of hands-on prep time, and you can prepare it ahead of serving.
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16
Homemade Green Bean Casserole (With Make-Ahead Directions)
No Thanksgiving table is complete without a creamy green bean casserole, but for an even more decadent dish, skip the canned green beans and soup and opt for homemade ingredients. One taste of this from-scratch, homemade green bean casserole, and you'll never go back.
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17
Sweet Potato Cornbread With Cinnamon-Maple Butter
Enjoy a taste of the season's favorite flavors with a big slice of this fluffy sweet potato cornbread! Served with a cinnamon-maple butter, this fall-inspired cornbread is a comforting accompaniment to your Thanksgiving dinner or bowl of warming chili. You'll want to make this cornbread a staple for all your fall meals.
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18
The Best Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Made with a mixture of heavy cream and sour cream and then processed in a potato ricer, these mashed potatoes boast the most velvety, smoothest texture, and then we make this recipe even more delicious by giving it a flavor kick from the brown butter. Essentially, these brown butter mashed potatoes are perfection in a bowl.
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19
Smoked Mashed Potatoes With Gouda
Give everyone's favorite side dish a major flavor upgrade with these creamy smoked mashed potatoes! Prepared with browned butter, sour cream and rich Gouda, these mashed potatoes are infused with hickory notes to make the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Don't be surprised if smoking becomes your new favorite way to prepare this classic side dish.
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20
Sweet Potato Souffle With Coconut-Hazelnut Streusel
Give your Thanksgiving table an extra delicious touch with your new favorite sweet potato dish. Topped with a crumbly, perfectly spiced coconut-hazelnut streusel, this delicate and airy sweet potato souffle features fresh, bright orange zest and real maple syrup for the ultimate holiday side dish.
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21
The Ultimate Smoked Mac and Cheese
Upgrade your comfort food game with the ultimate smoked mac and cheese! Made with cheddar, Gouda and Gruyère and topped with crispy panko crumbs, this cheesy pasta is the perfect side dish for your summer barbecues and holiday celebrations alike. Everyone will happily come back for seconds when this mac and cheese is on the dinner table.
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22
Pumpkin Polenta With Gouda and Brown Butter Shrimp
This pumpkin polenta with Gouda and brown butter shrimp, fried sage and pumpkin seeds is the perfect fall meal. It's as comforting as it is delicious.
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Thanksgiving Desserts
Pumpkin and apple lead the lineup in pie, cake, cupcakes, and ice cream form. Pick one showstopper or bake a few to build a dessert table.
23
Maple-Bourbon Pumpkin Pie
Give everyone's favorite fall dessert an extra luscious touch with this divine maple-bourbon pumpkin pie! With the rich maple syrup and sweet bourbon, this silky, luscious pie filling shows off a deep flavor that pairs perfectly with those classic pumpkin spices. After one bite, you'll want to put this pie on your dessert table every Thanksgiving.
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24
Buttermilk-Pumpkin Pound Cake
Rich, decadent and dense, this buttermilk-pumpkin pound cake is a welcome addition to any holiday dessert table. Each delicious bite is perfectly moist and full of our favorite fall flavors and warm spices. Plus, this pound cake features simple ingredients, and it's easy to make for even the novice baker.
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25
Apple Shortcakes With Maple Whipped Cream
Let's welcome fall with a seasonal spin to a classic Americana dessert -- apple shortcakes! These delicate, flaky buttermilk shortcakes are topped with a cinnamon-spiced apple filling and then finished with a big dollop of homemade maple whipped cream for an extra decadent touch. Every delicious bite tastes like autumn, making for one festive dessert that's perfect for any occasion.
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26
Bourbon-Pumpkin Ice Cream
For all you boozy dessert lovers, this spiked pumpkin ice cream is for you! Every creamy bite is full of warm pumpkin spice flavors and just the right amount of bourbon. After one taste, you'll agree that this rich, luscious bourbon-pumpkin ice cream is the perfect fall dessert, and you'll want to serve it for every seasonal occasion.
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27
Cranberry-Orange Cookies With White Chocolate Chips
Meet your new favorite holiday cookie! Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, these soft, chewy dried cranberry-orange cookies with white chocolate chips show off classic seasonal flavors that everyone is sure to love. Plus, they're a breeze to make.
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28
Brown Butter-Pumpkin Cupcakes With Bourbon Caramel Frosting and Filling
Soft, ultra moist and full of warm spice, these brown butter-pumpkin cupcakes are filled with gooey, rich bourbon caramel for an extra decadent treat. We then use that sweet sauce to make a creamy, fluffy bourbon caramel frosting. These show-stopping, gourmet brown butter-pumpkin cupcakes with bourbon caramel frosting and filling will become your new go-to fall dessert.
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29
Apple Spice Cupcakes With Praline Filling and Brown Sugar Frosting
Celebrate the best fall flavors with these moist, decadent apple spice cupcakes! Filled with a luscious pecan praline sauce and topped with a brown sugar buttercream, these fall cupcakes are the perfect seasonal dessert. Fall baking has never been more delicious.
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Thanksgiving Cocktails
Pour something to pair with the feast. These three favorites match the flavors on the table, and my Thanksgiving cocktail roundup has plenty more.
30
Thanksgiving Mimosa
Add a festive touch to your holiday celebration with a Thanksgiving mimosa! Orange juice is infused with classic Thanksgiving flavors and spices for a mimosa unlike any other. After one sip, you'll want to make this fall brunch cocktail a holiday tradition.
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31
Maple Whiskey Sour
Give a classic cocktail a seasonal twist with this delightful maple whiskey sour! Featuring a creamy, frothy topping and made with real maple syrup for a rich, decadent touch, this fall whiskey sour is perfect for sipping next to a roaring fire during those chilly months. Don't let autumn pass you by without making a batch of this maple cocktail - you'll love every delicious sip.
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32
Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Margarita
Elevate your cocktail game with a sparkling cranberry-ginger margarita this holiday season! Made with a fresh ginger simple syrup, tart cranberry juice and bubbly ginger ale, this holiday margarita is one jolly cocktail that's sure to put everyone in a festive mood. You won't find a more perfect cranberry cocktail for your next holiday gathering.
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Thanksgiving Menu Planning
How Much to Make
- Turkey: A 15-pound spatchcock turkey feeds up to 12 people. Skip anything larger since smaller birds cook more evenly. For a bigger crowd, smoke two.
- Ham: Plan on ¾ to 1 pound per person for a bone-in ham, or ⅓ to ½ pound for boneless.
- Duck: Each duck serves three to four, so fry a second for more guests.
- Thawing: Count one day in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. A duck needs two to three days.
- Dry brining: Give the turkey 24 to 48 hours in the refrigerator, so start it two days before Thanksgiving.
My Make-Ahead Schedule
Don't be afraid to ask for help. While I take care of the bulk of the cooking, my husband handles the turkey, and family takes on the sweet potatoes and gravy.
My exact menu varies by year, but I generally spread my dishes over four days. Adjust it to fit your own menu.
- Sunday: Make the cranberry simple syrup for cocktails.
- Monday: Cook the cranberry sauce.
- Tuesday: Prep the green bean casserole and store the components separately. Make the vegetable mixture and egg mixture for the croissant stuffing. Cook the pasta for the mac and cheese and store it in a large zip-top bag. Shred the cheese and store it separately.
- Wednesday morning: Bake the pumpkin pie and any additional desserts.
- Wednesday evening: Make the mac and cheese sauce and store it separately from the pasta. Prepare the mashed potatoes. Leave the croissants out to dry.
- Thanksgiving Day: Pull the stuffing and green bean casserole mixtures from the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before baking, and then combine and bake. Heat the mac and cheese sauce until it loosens, and then assemble with the pasta and shredded cheese before cooking. Serve the cranberry sauce directly from the refrigerator. Reheat the mashed potatoes.
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