Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and with so many delicious recipes out there, you may feel confused and lost in it. But don’t worry! We got you covered. We selected the best recipes, tips and tricks so you can prepare the best thanksgiving menu as possible, with both traditional and not-so-traditional recipes that have a modern take to them.
Roasted Turkey With Herb Butter & Roasted Shallots
This roasted turkey recipe brings the traditional flavor we all crave. I know it may be scary to make the Thanksgiving turkey all on your own, but with this recipe you have nothing to fear. The detailed instructions and easy steps will create a flavorful and extraordinary meal even with the most unprepared hands.
Bacon Wrapped Garlic Herb Crusted Turkey Breast
For a more modern take on the Thanksgiving main meal, how about you try this phenomenally flavorful Garlic Herb Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast? It does taste as incredible as it looks. This recipe is perfect for small families or for those who love to take meals to the next level and make it an unforgettable experience.
Turkey Baking Hacks
Every family has their own traditional turkey recipe, and every person likes it their own way, so whether you’re doing a traditional or modern recipe, tips and tricks are always welcome. Here are a few you may like!
- Slow-roast your turkey overnight to free up oven space during the day. I know it sounds crazy, but it works great and many people are doing it this way, since oven space during thanksgiving is such a preciosity. Check out this overnight turkey recipe for more details!
- Use aluminum foil as a roasting hack for a more even roast. Take a large piece of aluminum or heavy-duty foil, crunch it into a long tube shape, and press it into a ring shape. Place it inside your roasting dish and spray it with cooking spray or oil and place the turkey on top. It creates a space between the turkey and the pan surface, allowing the oven’s heat to circulate underneath and result in a more even roast.
- Use ice on the breast of the bird to keep it moist and roast evenly. Since the dark tight meat needs more time to cook than the breast meat, chilling the breasts with ice before you cook it will promote even cooking and prevent the meat from getting dry.
Make-Ahead Gravy
Gravy is traditionally made on the day or even on the last minute before Thanksgiving dinner, to lubricate the turkey and moisten the potatoes. But who says it has to be this way? You can make it up to five days ahead, and just reheat it before serving. You can even whisk in the turkey pan drippings for extra flavor! Check out this amazing make-ahead gravy recipe and discover the wonders of having one thing less to worry about on thanksgiving.
If you prefer to make your gravy out of a pot roast recipe, our friend Janet Munn has her own creative touch to the classic recipe: she puts ginger snap cookies in the pot roast for an extra special flavor, making it even more delicious! Add your own touch to Thanksgiving recipes and if someone asks for the recipe, it’s a chef’s secret!
Vegan Wild Mushroom Gravy With Red Wine
This wild mushroom gravy is so delicious and flavorful that even the meat-lovers will fall in love with this vegan recipe. Its creamy and thick texture with bursts of flavor will take your thanksgiving menu to the next level and make the holiday dinner never be the same again.
No Boil Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are one of those dishes that everybody loves. But of course, we have to make it better! This creamy recipe is perfect for the holiday, it tastes incredible and doesn’t occupy the already very busy stove. Besides, it takes very little effort! Get the recipe over at Spend With Pennies and see it become a hit on thanksgiving!
Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole
This creamy and cheesy Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole is a guaranteed success! Its creamy mashed potatoes combines with garlic and cheddar creates a mix of flavors that every guest will love (and ask for seconds)! The recipe can be made the night before, if you prefer to prepare things ahead, and the steps are pretty easy. Get the instructions at The Recipe Critic!
Here are a few tips and tricks that’ll help you prepare and store your mashed potatoes on this busy holiday:
- For a quick and easy way to wash your potatoes, try your dishwasher. I know it sounds crazy, but when you’re mashing in bulk, it works perfectly! So instead of wasting time scrubbing all those potatoes on the sink, place all of them inside the dishwasher and use the quick rinse cycle without soap. They’ll come out super clean and it will save you a lot of time!
- If you’d like your mashed potatoes with a creamier texture, you can add in a splash of milk, sour cream, or heavy cream while mashing.
- Even if you’re not making your mashed potatoes in a slow-cooker, you can use it to store the dish while it waits for dinner time, so it doesn't get cold and gluey. Butter your slow-cooker insert, add a little heavy cream and spoon in the potatoes. Set the temp to low and stir every hour or so to keep it smooth and silky.
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
This delicious side dish is incredibly tasty and healthy, making it perfect to balance out the Thanksgiving menu. It is very easy to prepare and adds a lovely splash of color to your dinner table. Get the ingredients and instructions over at Bren Did!
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Bake
Doesn't it look incredible? This creamy tortellini vegetable bake is the perfect modern take on traditional baked veggies side dish. It's delicious mix of flavors will definitely enchant the guests! Get the instructions and more details at Chelsea’s Messy Apron and include this tasty goodness on your Thanksgiving menu!
Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing
One thing that everybody can’t wait to get their hands (and mouths) on is this holiday’s stuffing. And this traditionally simple recipe is sure to catch everybody’s attention and be a party’s favorite! It combines onions, celery, parsley, rosemary, sage, butter, broth and bread for an amazing and flavorful taste.
For a fun and creative way to serve stuffing, spoon some mixture into muffin tins and bake it so you end up with individual “stuffin’ muffins.” Our editor Kelly has an aunt who always makes “stuffin’ muffins” for Thanksgiving and they’re a huge hit with the family!
Beer Bread Stuffing
If you want to try something different but not fall too far from the traditional, how about this tasty Beer Bread Stuffing? It will definitely take the dinner to the next level with its flavorful taste. You can check out the step-by-step here: it is definitely worth it!
Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Thanksgiving is not complete without its proper cranberry sauce, and since you’ll already be very busy with the main dishes, we selected this 4-ingredient homemade recipe that you can prepare very easily and quickly, while still being an important addition to your Thanksgiving menu.
Jellied Cranberry Sauce With Fuji Apple
If the cranberry sauce is one your favorite Thanksgiving dishes and you want to take it to the next level, this is the perfect recipe. Its incredible texture combined with the delicious and flavorful mix of cranberry and fuji apple will definitely be a huge hit!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
A traditional sweet potato casserole is always one of the most important and expected Thanksgiving dishes, and there’s no secret as to why: it is incredibly delicious and pairs perfectly with other seasonal recipes. This recipe includes yummy marshmallows for a final touch to enchant everybody.
Sweet Potato Fritters With Sweet & Spicy Sauce
The sweet potato taste may not always please everyone's palate, but even the most picky eater will have no other choice than to love this. It tastes incredible dipped in fall flavors and I bet you’ll be amazed as to how quickly these will disappear from the table! Get the recipe over at Renee Nicole’s Kitchen for the details!
Classic Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a must at every Thanksgiving, and this classic recipe will give you no excuse as to not include it on your dinner menu! It bursts with seasonal flavors at every bite, making it a definite crowd-pleaser! Check out the recipe here and prepare this deliciousness for your holiday dinner!
Pumpkin Pie Crepes
If you prefer a more modern take on your pumpkin pie, this is it! Its delicious aroma and creamy texture will make these Pumpkin Pie Crepes be the guest’s favorite and will quickly be devoured! Get the detailed instructions over at In Search Of Yummyness!
Soft Dinner Rolls
Dinner rolls is also an important pie of Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of buying store-bought ones that are filled with chemicals, how about making your own homemade rolls? This awesome recipe from What Megan’s Making is incredibly soft and delicious!
Pumpkin Dinner Rolls With Whipped Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter
This unforgettable recipe is sure to grant you some amazed compliments and enchanted guests! The beautiful pumpkin designs makes these perfect for the season and its delicious taste makes it even more wonderful! Check out the ingredients list and detailed instructions over at Carlsbad Cravings and make these magical mini pumpkin rolls!
Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad
This salad combining kale and brussels sprout is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving Menu. The detailed instructions from Bon Appétit makes us drool in advance!
Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad
This delicious salad is the perfect choice to bring a flavorful seasonal taste for those who are on a diet. The mix of apple, cranberry, and spinach with balsamic vinaigrette makes for a delicious salad that all the guests will love!
Turkey Sausage, Kale, and Sweet Potato Soup
This incredible recipe we posted on our last article called These 10 Soups Are All You’ll Want This Fall is perfect for the holiday! The combination of kale and sweet potato - the perfect fall combo - with sausage makes the meal heartier but still quick to prepare, since you can use pre-cooked options. Check out the instructions over at Cooking Classy!
Chicken, Wild Rice, and Mushroom Soup
This delicious soup recipe that we also included in our fall soups article is perfect if you want to add a different and modern take on your menu. The combination of creamy chicken, mushrooms and wild race creates a party of flavors that everybody will love!
Homemade Pecan Pie
This delicious Pecan Pie recipe from Gimme Some Oven is a crowd pleaser! Its tasty flavor combined with an extraordinary texture will definitely be the party’s favorite. It will disappear in no time!
Homemade Eggnog Recipe
This easy and quick homemade eggnog recipe from The Kitchn is a must for your Thanksgiving. It’s amazingly delicious and the homemade touch makes the drink even better. Get the detailed instructions here!
Eggnog Pudding
After all these incredibly delicious dishes, this eggnog pudding recipe is perfect for dessert! It’s very easy to prepare and to display these creamy layers you can use individual glass compotes or a big clear one, whatever you have in hand. Even with so many delicious meals during the holiday, no one will be able to refuse this tasty dessert! For more incredible dessert ideas involving eggnog, be sure to check out our article 10 Mouthwatering Eggnog Dessert Recipes You Have to Try.
Slow Cooker Cranberry-Orange Mulled Wine
This incredible cocktail recipe from Kitchen Treaty simmers red wine on a slow cooker along with orange, cinnamon, cranberries and cloves, a party of flavors perfect to add on your holiday menu. Without a doubt it will impress the guests and be a huge hit!
Ginger Pear Cocktails
This cocktail is heavenly! The combination of fall flavors like pear, ginger, honey and sage, with a final touch of champagne will enchant the guests. You’ll be able to find more delicious cocktail recipes in our article 15 Delicious Fall Cocktails to Truly Be Thankful For!
How excited are you with the holiday approaching? What is your menu looking like, more traditional based or more modern? Use our comment section below to share your opinion and thoughts and check out our Facebook page for more interesting ideas!
