The Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu

Introduction

When it comes to Thanksgiving, crafting a menu that’s both memorable and manageable is key to a warming, crowd-pleasing holiday. The ultimate Thanksgiving menu delivers beloved classics while inviting a few modern twists, setting the scene for a stress-free feast that friends and family will rave about. With flavors ranging from savory roasted turkey to comforting sides and show-stopping desserts, this lineup covers every base with recipe simplicity at its core.

Why This Menu Is the Ultimate Thanksgiving Crowd-Pleaser

This menu balances traditional favorites—think golden roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and tangy cranberry sauce—with simple yet flavorful additions like a vibrant harvest salad and perfectly spiced pumpkin pie. Each recipe is thoughtfully included to maximize flavor while minimizing fuss, ensuring everyone leaves the table satisfied and smiling.

Thanksgiving Dinner Courses

Here’s your complete Thanksgiving menu, featuring appetizers, mains, classic sides, and dessert. Each dish is designed for easy prepping and synchronized timing, resulting in a stress-free, savory celebration:

• Herb-Roasted Turkey with Pan Gravy
• Classic Bread Stuffing
• Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Green Bean Almondine
• Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce
• Fresh Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
• Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

Ingredients for The Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu

• Turkey & Gravy:
  • 1 whole turkey (12-14 lbs)
  • Olive oil, butter, fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage), garlic, onion, carrots, celery, salt, pepper
  • Flour, chicken broth (for gravy)
• Bread Stuffing:
  • Day-old bread cubes
  • Butter, onion, celery, fresh parsley, sage, thyme, chicken broth, eggs, salt, pepper
• Mashed Potatoes:
  • Yukon Gold potatoes, butter, heavy cream, garlic, salt, pepper
• Green Bean Almondine:
  • Fresh green beans, sliced almonds, butter, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper
• Glazed Carrots:
  • Carrots, brown sugar, butter, orange juice, salt, pepper
• Cranberry Sauce:
  • Fresh cranberries, orange juice, sugar, orange zest
• Harvest Salad:
  • Mixed greens, apple slices, pecans, dried cranberries, goat cheese, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper
• Pumpkin Pie:
  • Pumpkin puree, eggs, evaporated milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pie crust, heavy cream (for whipped cream)

💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save this menu to instantly generate a complete, organized shopping list for all your Thanksgiving ingredients—sorted by store section and ready for hassle-free grocery runs.

Instructions

1. Turkey & Gravy:
   1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat turkey dry, rub with olive oil/butter, season with salt, pepper, and herbs. Stuff with onion, celery, and carrots. Roast for 3–3.5 hours, basting occasionally, until the internal thigh temperature reads 165°F. Let rest before carving.
   2. For gravy: Skim fat from roasting pan, whisk in flour, then slowly add chicken broth, stirring constantly until thickened.
2. Bread Stuffing: Sauté onion and celery in butter until soft. Mix with bread cubes, herbs, eggs, broth, salt, and pepper. Bake in a casserole at 350°F for 35–40 minutes.
3. Mashed Potatoes: Boil peeled potatoes until tender. Drain and mash with butter, warm cream, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Green Bean Almondine: Blanch beans, then sauté in butter with garlic and almonds. Finish with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
5. Glazed Carrots: Simmer carrots in a skillet with butter, brown sugar, and orange juice until tender and glazed.
6. Cranberry Sauce: Simmer cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and zest until berries pop and sauce thickens.
7. Harvest Salad: Toss greens with apples, cranberries, pecans, and goat cheese. Shake dressing ingredients in a jar, then drizzle over salad before serving.
8. Pumpkin Pie: Whisk puree, eggs, milk, sugar, and spices; pour into crust. Bake at 350°F for 50–60 minutes. Cool, then serve with whipped cream.

Weekly Meal Planning

Cooking for Thanksgiving—or any holiday—can be made significantly less stressful with some smart planning. Save and schedule this ultimate menu to break down every recipe step and consolidate all ingredients into one seamless, easy-to-follow shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

• Consolidate all recipes and automatically calculate the total amounts needed for each ingredient across them
• Organize your shopping list by grocery store section for quick, efficient shopping
• Eliminate duplicate purchases and forgotten essentials
• Simplify weekly or holiday meal prep with a visual cooking schedule

Pro Tip: When juggling multiple recipes for a feast, schedule your holiday menu for complete ingredient overlap insights—so if mashed potatoes and stuffing both use butter, you’ll know exactly how much to buy in total!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 2–3 hours total (recipes can be delegated and staggered)
Cook Time: 3–4 hours (mostly hands-off for the turkey)
Total Time: 4–5 hours (allows for baking, resting, and assembling courses)

Prepare this ultimate Thanksgiving menu to delight your guests and create festive memories with smart planning and savor-worthy flavors!