THANKSGIVING DINNER MENU AND RECIPES
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I’m excited to share my Thanksgiving Dinner Menu and Recipes with you. This is the first time I’ve shared a holiday menu and tips with you. If you’ve been hosting family holidays for a while, this will seem second nature and elementary to you. I didn’t want to skip anything in case there are first-timers reading and hosting this year.
You will also want to check out my sister post to this, Kitchen Basics for the Holidays.
Thanksgiving Dinner Menu and Recipes
Pro tip: Plan, Plan, Plan then plan some more!!
My three biggest and best tips for any holiday, party, or celebration is
- Seriously, plan your menu, plan your grocery list, plan the tablescape, plan the dishes and utensils, and plan a cooking schedule.
- Ask for help. You aren’t Super Woman and you don’t have to do it all. Ask others to bring an appetizer, side dish, or dessert.
- Make ahead. Whatever you can make ahead or prep ahead the better off you’ll be the day of and the less stressed you’ll be.
Breaking the fast
If you have overnight guests or guests coming for the day, consider offering breakfast so everyone isn’t famished by mealtime. I like to offer a self-serve buffet. Apple Cider Mimosa and Strawberry Fizz are boozy drink options. Of course, I also have coffee and juice available.
Quiche is great and can be made ahead, frozen, and cooked or reheated when you’re ready for it.
Overnight breakfast casseroles are perfect for the holidays. Put them together the night before and bake in the morning.
- Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Overnight Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole
- Honey Bun Cake or Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cake
Or, send the men on a donut run, they’re usually itching to get out of the house anyway.
Sipping
Make ahead and refrigerate any drinks that you can. Obviously, if they have a carbonated soda leave it out until you’re ready to serve. Stock the bar if needed or provide coolers with drinks (adult as well as kid-friendly drinks). Some people enjoy coffee all day so set up a coffee bar.
Spiked Pineapple Lemonade Recipe
Quick Apple Pie Moonshine
Munching
Eating before you eat. When there’s a wait before a meal it’s a good idea to offer a little something for your guests to munch on especially if they’re kids. The reason I like Mexican restaurants so much is that you can immediately have chips and salsa. Appetizers don’t have to be elaborate but offer something to nibble. Charcuterie boards are ideal for this. You can put them together, refrigerate, and pull them out when you’re ready. (And don’t forget kid-friendly munchies. Little ones like to nibble often.)
- Burrata Charcuterie Board
- Topgolf Pretzel Board
- How to Assemble a Charcuterie Platter
- Jarcuterie {Charcuterie in a Jar}
- Cheddar Cheese Straws
- Salami Rolls
THANKSGIVING DINNER MENU AND RECIPES
The big event.
Mains
Sides
Side dishes are really what I love the most.
Caramelized Shaved Brussels Sprouts
Healthier Green Bean Casserole
Dessert
I’m a firm believer in having more than one dessert.
Mama’s Famous From Scratch Chocolate Pudding Pie
Granny’s Classic Southern Pecan Pie
Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE SWIRL BUNDT CAKE
THANKSGIVING DINNER MENU AND RECIPES: Two to three weeks out
- Think about your menu
- Make a To-Do List
- Test your recipes (if they’re new)
- Plan your shopping list
- Make a food and oven schedule
- It would be a great time to invest in a Slow Cooker and or Instant Pot (or if you have Amazon Prime check the Instant Pot here and the Slow Cooker here.)
- Purchase (or test your current one for accuracy) an Instant Read Meat Thermometer
- Plan your tablescape and purchase what you need
Thanksgiving Week Prep
(example timeline)
Sunday
- Set the table
- Tweak your list with items you forgot about
- Organize and plan dishes and serving utensils
- Begin thawing your turkey (see graphic above)
Monday
- Get groceries, wine, and alcohol
- Prepare the pound cake and pumpkin pound cake
- Prepare the pecan pie
Tuesday
- Bake the Honey Bun Cake or Pumpkin breakfast cake
- Put the charcuterie board together, wrap in foil, and refrigerate
- Prepare the moonshine cocktail
- Season the ham
- Prepare the mac and cheese
- Prep the sweet potatoes
- Prep the green beans
Wednesday
- Prepare the breakfast casserole
- Make the chocolate pie
- Prep the Brussels sprouts
- Make the rolls and refrigerate until ready to bake
- Last minute grocery store run. (Don’t forget extra ice.)
Thanksgiving day
Morning
- Remove the turkey from the fridge and prep
- Bake the breakfast casserole
- Start roasting the turkey and ham
Midday – early afternoon
- Start baking the casseroles
- Make the mashed potatoes
- Put out the charcuterie
- Set out cocktails
- Bake the rolls
- Finish turkey and ham, allow them to rest, carve
- Set out the casseroles
- Enjoy your family and friends