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Home Collections Thanksgiving Recipes

Easy Thanksgiving Menus

By:Nagi
Published:13 Nov '18Updated:17 Nov '23
41 Comments
Recipe v Dozer v

Breeze through Thanksgiving and lap up the compliments with these EASY Thanksgiving Menu ideas! Make ahead tips, mix and match, tips for how to create a menu, and most importantly, recipes that work and taste even better than they look!

OR browse the Thanksgiving Recipe Index to build your own!

Easy Thanksgiving Menus www.recipetineats.com

I first shared an Easy Thanksgiving Menu back in 2015, and each year I update the menu suggestions for recipes I’ve published in the past year.

I’ve also added some new tips for how to make cooking for Thanksgiving a breeze. Because there’s nothing worse than being stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is at the table, having fun (nibbling on the appetisers you made), and being a stressed out wreck to prepare a holiday feast is no fun at all!

Mix and match these recipes to your taste, based on logistics, making ahead vs making fresh, dietary requirements and how many people you’re catering for. The vast majority of these are recipes from my site, however, because I haven’t finished filling out my complete Thanksgiving recipe collection yet (couple more years to go!), I’ve included a couple of recipes from other sites that I have either personally tried and loved, or are from a source that I trust implicitly. 🙂

Ready for a smorgasbord of food?? Let’s hit it!


A REALLY EASY THANKSGIVING MENU

This is my easiest Thanksgiving menu that requires no advance preparation (e.g. brining). The recipes are straight forward, and much of it can be prepared in advance, if you so choose. ** See next section to build your own menu using my guide and tips. **

Overhead photo of Slow Cooker Turkey Breast on a white plate with some slices carved, drizzled with gravy
Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Overhead photo of Corn Casserole in a white dish, fresh out of the oven
Corn Casserole
A simple white wine vinaigrette is the perfect Wild Rice Salad dressing. recipetineats.com
Wild Rice Salad
A faster, cheesier, creamier alternative to Scalloped Potatoes / Potato Gratin, this Easy Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake is made with cubed potatoes cooked in a cream and cheese sauce. www.recipetineats.com
Easy Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake
These No Knead Dinner Rolls are like magic! Astonishingly easy, no stand mixer, just mix the ingredients in a bowl! recipetineats.com
Soft No Knead Dinner Rolls
Close up photo of Pumpkin Cake
Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Brussel Sprout Salad - the combination of brussels sprouts, bacon, apple and hazelnuts is a magical combination! recipetineats.com
Brussels Sprout Salad


* Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast & Gravy
 – 5 minutes prep, no brining, then cook in Slow Cooker. Brown briefly in oven while you make the gravy. Recipe here.

* Alternative: Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Turkey Breast with Garlic Butter Gravy. Slightly longer prep time to slather butter under the skin, but boy is it worth it!!

Close up of Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Butter Turkey Breast

* Cranberry Sauce – Super easy, make ahead! Nice extra sauce option – and the colour is gorgeous! Recipe here.

*  Potato – Either Make Ahead Mashed Potato (with secret restaurant trick!) or Easy Cheesy Potato Bake. Make ahead, then reheat in microwave.

*  Wild Rice Salad – Adding beautiful colour to your table! Prepare ahead, with ingredients displayed (photo below), then toss at the table. The flavour of this one is incredible!! Recipe here.

*  Fresh Salad – try this Brussel Sprout Salad with Hazelnuts, Bacon and Apple (a winner even with Brussel Sprout haters!) or a simple leafy or garden salad with any of these dressings (except the Asian one). Keep this salad fresh and simple, a nice palette cleanser!

*  Creamy Corn Casserole, Skillet Corn Bread, or Corn Bread Muffins! Make these fresh on the day or make ahead and reheat – they reheat beautifully! Or consider No Knead Soft Dinner Rolls – you can even rise them in the fridge overnight then bake fresh the next day!

*  Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for dessert. Easy and fabulous, the cake is so moist and that frosting is everything!! Recipe here.

Printable list, including tips for when to make what and how to reheat each component, are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

MY THANKSGIVING MENU

I call this “my” Thanksgiving menu, but as my regular readers know, we Aussies don’t celebrate Thanksgiving! So this is the Thanksgiving Menu that I would be making for you, if you were here. 🙂 This is what I’d make for a traditional Aussie Christmas dinner – except for Pecan Pie. I’d be more likely to make Pavlova!

Potatoes au gratin (Dauphinoise Potatoes) fresh out of the oven
Potatoes au Gratin (Dauphinoise)
Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast with herb butter under the skin. Quick video tutorial provided. This is food so good, it will make you want to cry! recipetineats.com
Roast Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Butter
Close up of Cornbread Muffins in a basket, fresh out of the oven
Cornbread Muffins
Close up of Corn Salad with Avocado with a Lime dressing
Corn Salad with Avocado
Pork Sausage Stuffing Pancetta Cups
Pork Sausage Apple Stuffing in Pancetta Cups
A simple white wine vinaigrette is the perfect Wild Rice Salad dressing. recipetineats.com
Wild Rice Salad
Learn how to make Pecan Pie, the great American classic! Flaky all-butter pie crust with a soft set filling, the quick video tutorial will be very helpful will guide you to nail this every time! recipetineats.com
Pecan Pie
Stovetop Glazed Carrots
Glazed Stovetop Carrots

* Juicy Roast Turkey: Golden brown crispy skin and moist flesh, served with both Cranberry Sauce and a silky turkey gravy. Recipe here.

*  Alternative: Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey – because I’m a little obsessed with this! The herby garlicky buttery flavour is epic, and the leftover turkey is the best I’ve ever had. Recipe here.

Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast with herb butter under the skin. Quick video tutorial provided. This is food so good, it will make you want to cry! www.recipetineats.com

* And equally as fantastic is this Cajun Turkey with Sausage Stuffing / Dressing. Made in one pan, the flavour of this is EPIC!

*  Julia Child’s Potato Dauphinoise – because I prefer it over scalloped potatoes (cream trumps roux every day of the week), everybody loves it and it reheats beautifully in the microwave (I almost always make it in advance). Recipe here.

*  Sausage, Apple Stuffing Pancetta Cups – everyone goes nuts over these. I only put out ONE per person…….. Bake while the turkey is resting. Recipe here.

*  Corn Bread Muffins – because I’m known for these. 🙂 They are not real Southern ones which are kind of dry (supposed to be!), mine are much more moist. These are a 30 second microwave reheat job. Recipe here. Otherwise, I would make my No Knead Soft Dinner Rolls.

*  Stovetop Glazed Carrots – I’d make this while the Stuffing Cups are in the oven. Recipe here.

*  Wild Rice Salad – Bit obsessed with this salad right now, for all the flavour and because it’s so gorgeous! Plus a terrific make ahead salad. Recipe here.

*  Brussel Sprout Salad for freshness. I’m a big fan of that salad, plus the components keep very well prepared ahead. Recipe here. Or I would make this Lemon Parmesan Cabbage salad without the chicken, or this Corn Salad with Avocado (because corn and avocado is on my table all year round), or this Herby Iceberg Lettuce Salad which is a personal favourite.

*  Pecan Pie for dessert. Because I’m obsessed! Recipe here for my Pecan Pie with a perfectly set filling and no soggy bottom in sight!


HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR THANKSGIVING MENU

What to make for Thanksgiving Dinner www.recipetineats.com

When I am creating a menu for an occasion, the main thing that affects the dishes I choose (other than dietary requirements) is logistics. I’m restricted by oven space, and even stove space and fridge space. Plus, I’m a control freak so when I host a gathering, I want to do everything myself!

I never compromise on a menu, but I do select items based on practicality. Here is how I approach the creation of a menu:

  • Number of people: The more mouths to feed, the larger the quantities required. So I do not choose things that require preparation for individual servings, like my Mini Potato Gratin Stacks;

  • Food order of priority: By this, I mean I number the dishes in order of importance. Like – turkey trumps side dishes every day of the week, and 10 times on Thanksgiving. This determines what gets priority for oven use (I only have one oven). So, for example, I rarely make Truly Crunchy Roast Potatoes for holiday feasts because they must be made fresh and they take 50 minutes in the oven, beyond the resting time for turkey. Turkey trumps potatoes!!! So I use other potato sides.

  • Making ahead vs freshly made: Determine what must be served fresh and what can be reheated. I always, always include dishes that can be made ahead, or at the very least only require bare minimum effort just before serving. My microwave works hard when I host gatherings.

  • Create a Schedule: Yes, I really do. I list things to be done prior to the day, but most importantly, I list what needs to be done on the day, splitting that up between “do in morning” and “must be done just before serving” <— KEY TIP!! I will never forget the day I proudly plonked a turkey on the table then I almost burst into tears when I realised I hadn’t made the gravy!! 😭

Don’t feel the need to make everything you want on your Thanksgiving table. Mix ‘n match as needed with store bought vs homemade. My tip with store bought things is to dress them up or freshen them up with extra herbs / lemon etc depending on what it is. The most important thing is that you enjoy Thanksgiving and that you aren’t stuck in the kitchen being a stressed out wreck!!!

I’ve created a full Thanksgiving Recipe Index which you can browse at your leisure. But to help you choose, I’ve written a brief summary about the top Thanksgiving recipes below, including indicating the difficulty and whether it needs advance preparation (e.g. brining) and how well it reheats.

Easy Thanksgiving Recipes on RecipeTin Eats


MY BEST, EASY THANKSGIVING RECIPES

THE MAIN EVENT

1. JUICY SLOW COOKER TURKEY BREAST (Very Easy • No brining • Best served fresh • Recipe Video provided) 

Wildly popular all year round, with good reason. This is without a doubt the safest and easiest way to cook turkey breast without brining. It’s moist, juicy, and takes 3 minutes to prepare. And the juices from the slow cooker are used to make a killer gravy! Recipe here.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast - the safest and best way to make MOIST turkey breast without brining is with your crockpot! www.recipetineats.com

2. JUICIEST ROAST TURKEY (Easy to Intermediate • 1 – 3 Days Brining • Best served fresh)

Forget trying to wet brine a giant turkey. Logistics and food safety aside, the flavour of the turkey itself is compromised and there’s a high risk of the pan juices being too salty to use for gravy. Dry brining is easier, tastier, you can start with a frozen turkey and it roasts faster. 🙂 Wait until you see how juicy the turkey is…. Mind. BLOWN! Recipe here.

Juicy Roast Turkey being carved, ready for serving

3. SLOW COOKER GARLIC HERB TURKEY BREAST (Easy to Intermediate • No Brining • Best served fresh • Recipe video)

Juicy flesh bursting with garlic-herb-butter flavours, and ultra crispy skin. It’s almost unbelievable how EASY this is to make! Recipe here.

Sliced Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with butter dripping down

4. CAJUN TURKEY WITH SAUSAGE STUFFING (Easy to Intermediate • No Brining • Best served fresh)

A gem of a recipe given to me by a sassy Southern lady, this turkey breast is rubbed with punchy Cajun flavours and roasted to perfection WITH a sausage stuffing in the same pan so it soaks up the turkey juices as it bakes. It is sensational! There was almost a fist fight over the last of the stuffing. Recipe here.

This Cajun dry brined turkey breast is baked in the same roasting pan as the Dressing / Stuffing so it's extra juicy and moist! A chef recipe, this Cajun Baked Turkey Breast with Dressing is easy and spectacular. EPIC ONE PAN COOKING for a Thanksgiving turkey! www.recipetineats.com

6. GARLIC HERB BUTTER ROAST TURKEY BREAST (Easy to Intermediate • No Brining • Best served fresh • Recipe video)

The oven version of #3 above. I adore the golden brown skin you get from roasting!! The garlic butter pan juices make the most amazing sauce to serve the turkey with. WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE VIDEO!!! Recipe here.

Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast with herb butter under the skin. Quick video tutorial provided. This is food so good, it will make you want to cry! www.recipetineats.com


SIDES

Tip: Don’t forget to include some freshness, not just all things creamy / cheesy / sweet / carby (essential food groups for sure, it’s just… well, you know. Sometimes people need something a bit fresh!).

1. CRANBERRY SAUCE (Easy • Make ahead) 

Many argue that Thanksgiving would not be complete without Cranberry Sauce! Sweet and tart, this pairs exceptionally well with turkey. Recipe here.

Easy Classic Cranberry Sauce www.recipetineats.com

2. STUFFING / DRESSING* (Easy • Good reheated but best made fresh) 

My favourite Dressing recipe is this Sausage Pork Dressing recipe by Hapa Nom Nom (left photo, which I made) which I have used every year since I came across it. I use that recipe to make Pancetta Stuffing Cups (right) which steals the show at every holiday gathering I take them to!

Cooking logistics: Pop it in the oven on the shelf below the turkey. Allow an extra 5 to 10 minutes cook time (because jam packed oven = longer cook time). Both are also excellent reheated. The Dressing can also be prepared the day before up to the point before coming liquids with bread-sausage mixture. Then mix together on the day of, just before baking.

* Quick trivia: Same base recipe, but Stuffing is when it’s cooked inside turkey, Dressing is when it is baked in a pan. I prefer Dressing because you get the golden crunchy bits on top and also because in order for Stuffing to be cooked to a safe temperature, the turkey meat ends up overcooked. 🙂 

Stuffing and Dressing for Thanksgiving www.recipetineats.com

3. POTATO GOODNESS – No feast is ever complete without some form of potato goodness! Here’s a selection of the best of the best that I’ve shared to grace your Thanksgiving table.

POTATO SIDES

Potatoes au gratin (Dauphinoise Potatoes) fresh out of the oven
Potatoes au Gratin (Dauphinoise)
Make these Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes for your Sunday roast or pass them around at a party! recipetineats.com
Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
The best, buttery, golden, ultra crispy smashed potatoes you will ever have! recipetineats.com
Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes
These Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks have crispy edges, are buttery, salty and sweet with a hint of rosemary. Terrific Sweet Potato side dish! recipetineats.com
Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks
Close up photo of Mini Potato Dauphinoise - Gratin Stacks
Cheesy Mini Potato Gratin Stacks (Muffin Tin)
Close up of a fork picking up a no mayo Lemon Potato Salad.
Lemon Potato Salad
A faster, cheesier, creamier alternative to Scalloped Potatoes / Potato Gratin, this Easy Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake is made with cubed potatoes cooked in a cream and cheese sauce. www.recipetineats.com
Easy Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake
Creamy Make Ahead Mashed Potato
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes (Restaurant Trick)
SEE ALL POTATO SIDES »

Here’s a rundown on each of them:

* Julia Child’s Potato Gratin Dauphinoise  (Easy • Make Ahead) – I prefer this to Scalloped Potatoes because cream trumps roux, always.
* Epic Parmesan Crusted Potatoes (Easy • Best served fresh but also reheats very well)
* Ultra Crispy SMASHED Potatoes (Easy • Best served fresh) – crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside! 
* Glowing, caramelised Rosemary Sweet Potato Stacks (Easy to Intermediate • Best served fresh)
* Adorable Mini Potato Gratin Stacks (Easy to Intermediate • Make Ahead) – made in a muffin tin!
* Warm Lemon Potato Salad (Easy • Make Ahead) – terrific make ahead!
* Easy Cheesy Potato Bake (Easy • Make Ahead) – Diced potatoes instead of thinly sliced, smothered in a creamy cheesy sauce.
* Velvety make ahead Mashed Potato (Easy • Make Ahead) – restaurant secret!
* Truly Crunchy Roast Potatoes (Easy • Best served fresh) – The most incredible roast potatoes ever, however, the restriction with these is that they take 50 minute to roast and are best served fresh.

3. MAC ‘n CHEESE (Easy to Intermediate • Partly Prepare Ahead • Recipe video provided)

An epic Baked Mac and Cheese! Perfect in every way, the ultimate comfort food. www.recipetineats.com

Someone once told me that in her opinion, Mac and Cheese must always have a crunchy top! I tend to agree. Recipe here for my Baked Mac and Cheese with the essential crunchy top. It’s a bit saucier than most straight out of the oven, which ensures it doesn’t dry out while sitting on the table. This can be mostly made ahead, then assembled and baked on the day.

In case you’re running out of oven space, here’s my Stovetop Mac and Cheese (sprinkle with buttery breadcrumbs and pop it under the grill/broiler for a few minutes and it will be just like the baked version).

4. MORE POPULAR, EASY THANKSGIVING SIDES

GREAT EASY THANKSGIVING SIDES

The World Famous Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread
Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread (Pull Apart Bread)
These No Knead Dinner Rolls are like magic! Astonishingly easy, no stand mixer, just mix the ingredients in a bowl! recipetineats.com
Soft No Knead Dinner Rolls
Overhead photo of Corn Casserole in a white dish, fresh out of the oven
Corn Casserole
Close up of Cornbread Muffins in a basket, fresh out of the oven
Cornbread Muffins
Stovetop Glazed Carrots
Glazed Stovetop Carrots
Close up of Rice Pilaf in a green bowl, ready to be served
Rice Pilaf with Nuts and Dried Fruit
Close up of Mushroom Rice recipe in a pot, fresh off the stove
Mushroom Rice
Cheese, Herb & Garlic Quick Bread (No Yeast)

* No Knead Soft Bread Rolls (Easy to Intermediate • Make Ahead • Recipe video) – nothing beats fresh homemade bread! Do the overnight rise in the fridge option then bake them while the turkey is resting. Recipe here.
* Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread (Easy • Make Ahead) – Crowd pleaser. Always! Recipe here.
* Creamy Corn Casserole (Easy • Make Ahead) – a recipe I received from a sassy Southern lady, this corn casserole is made entirely from scratch, no Jiffy mix! Reheats extremely well in the microwave. Recipe here.
* Skillet Corn Bread (Easy • Make Ahead) – Warning: My recipe is not traditional Southern corn bread which is drier and more crumbly. Mine is moist enough to eat plain! Recipe here – or try the Corn Bread Muffins (my favourite!!)
* Stovetop Glazed Carrots (Easy • Best Made Fresh) – Stovetop because I always run out of oven space and carrots are behind many other things that take priority in the oven! Recipe here.
Rice Pilaf with Nuts and Dried Fruit
(Easy • Make Ahead) – Fragrant, holiday spiced rice that’s so tasty you’ll want to eat it straight out of the pot! Recipe here.
* Mushroom Rice 
(Easy • Make Ahead) – Terrific for making ahead, golden brown mushrooms with fluffy seasoned rice! Recipe here.

5. SALADS WORTHY OF YOUR THANKSGIVING TABLE

SALADS

Never underestimate the power of a great fresh salad!

Vinaigrette being poured over Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Cranberries
Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Cranberries
A simple white wine vinaigrette is the perfect Wild Rice Salad dressing. recipetineats.com
Wild Rice Salad
Close up of Corn Salad with Avocado with a Lime dressing
Corn Salad with Avocado
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad - with arugula/rocket, pecans, goats cheese or feta, a sprinkle of bacon and a beautiful Honey Lemon dressing. recipetineats.com
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
Brussel Sprout Salad - the combination of brussels sprouts, bacon, apple and hazelnuts is a magical combination! recipetineats.com
Brussels Sprout Salad
Close up of Everyday Cabbage Salad with a vinaigrette
Everyday Cabbage Salad
This Roast Pumpkin, Spinach and Feta Salad with a Honey Balsamic Dressing is a magical combination. Terrific side or as a meal. recipetineats.com
Roast Pumpkin, Spinach and Feta Salad
A stunning Chef recipe for a Strawberry Spinach Salad. Spinach, fresh strawberries, blue cheese and candied pecans with a Strawberry Balsamic Dressing. recipetineats.com
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
SEE ALL SALAD RECIPES »

* Apple Salad with Cranberry and  Candied Walnuts (Easy • Prepare Ahead Ahead • Recipe video) – Terrific holiday salad! Recipe here;
* Celebration Wild Rice Salad
(Easy • Prepare Ahead Ahead • Recipe video) – This is such a beautiful salad, prepare it to show off all the ingredients separately, then toss it at the table. Great suggestion from a reader!  Recipe here;
* Corn  Salad with Avocado (Easy • Prepare Ahead Ahead • Recipe video) – Love the textures and flavours in this fresh salad! Recipe here;
* Roasted Sweet Potato Salad (Easy • Partly Prepare Ahead • Recipe video) – Wonderful holiday salad! Everything except the roasted sweet potato can be prepared ahead. Recipe here.
* Brussel Sprout Salad with Bacon, Pecans and Apple(Easy • Prepare Ahead • Recipe video) – I kid you not, even brussel sprout haters love this salad. Beautifully refreshing. Prepare all components ahead then toss before serving.Recipe here.
* Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
(Easy • Prepare Ahead) – A beautiful salad that tastes as good as it looks! Prepare all components ahead but don’t toss. Then dress and toss just before serving. Recipe here.
* Fresh Garden Salad of your choice – use greens of your choice, then use one of these Dressings.
* More Salad Suggestions (Easy • Prepare Ahead) – Or try this Lemon Parmesan Cabbage salad without the chicken, or this Corn Salad with Avocado, or this Herby Iceberg Lettuce Salad which is a personal favourite.


SWEET ENDING

Learn how to make Pecan Pie, the great American classic! Flaky all-butter pie crust with a soft set filling, the quick video tutorial will be very helpful will guide you to nail this every time! recipetineats.com
Pecan Pie
Made this for a birthday party, everyone was floored by how "velvety" and soft the sponge is. And the frosting is just perfect! Easy to follow steps, concisely written!
Red Velvet Cake
Close up of a pile of profiteroles filled with custard and drizzled with chocolate
Profiteroles
A sinfully decadent Salted Caramel Tart with a creamy soft salted caramel filling topped with luxurious chocolate ganache. Just SIX ingredients! recipetineats.com
Salted Caramel Tart
Close up photo of Pumpkin Cake
Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
SEE ALL CAKES & DESSERTS »

*  Pecan Pie (Easy with bought pie crust, Intermediate with homemade • Prepare Ahead • Recipe video) – master the great American classic with step photos and a video tutorial! Recipe here;
*  Red Velvet Cake (Easy • Prepare Ahead•  Recipe video)– not sure if this is traditional, but this is a cake that makes a statement at any celebratory gathering! Recipe here.
* Profiteroles – Terrific bite size option! Great prepare ahead. Recipe here;
Pumpkin Pie – I haven’t published a recipe yet. Next year! I have made this Pumpkin Pie recipe by Smitten Kitchen and can highly recommend (I skipped the extra topping);
*  Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Easy • Prepare Ahead) – a wonderful recipe I got from a sassy Southern Lady! Great cake for feeding a crowd. Recipe here;

***********

Phew! That’s a lot of food talk!! Hope you found it useful. 🙂

As we don’t have Thanksgiving here in Australia, I’ll be around and working through over that holiday period. Which means I’ll be here to answer any questions you might have about a recipe, just leave them in the comments section of the recipe – I’ll respond to these daily in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. 🙂  – Nagi x ❤️

🍁 SO. MUCH. GOOD. FOOD!!! 🍁

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Really Easy Thanksgiving Menu recipetineats.com

Easy Thanksgiving Menu

Author: Nagi
Prep: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Cook: 10 hours hrs
Total: 11 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
5 from 6 votes
Servings8 -10 people
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 151
Don't miss a leisurely browse through the full Thanksgiving Recipe Index! This is a very easy Thanksgiving Menu that I've put together (described at the top of the post). The recipes are straightforward and take into consideration oven and stove space, and how easy things are to reheat. The prep work is minimal and they all taste amazing! Proof that you don't need to spend hours and hours in the kitchen to serve a wonderful made-from-scratch Thanksgiving Dinner! Full directions provided in the recipe for each dish which is linked below.

Ingredients

  • 1 Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast & Gravy
  • 1 Cranberry Sauce
  • 1 Easy Cheesy Potato Bake
  • OR Make Ahead Mashed Potato
  • 1 Wild Rice Salad
  • 1 Brussel Sprout Salad with Hazelnuts , Bacon and Apple
  • OR one of these Salad Dressings with a simple garden or leafy salad
  • 1 Creamy Corn Casserole , Skillet Corn Bread, or Corn Bread Muffins
  • 1 Soft NO KNEAD Dinner Rolls (these are world famous!)
  • 1 Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for dessert.

Instructions

Optional make ahead items (day before, morning of):

  • Cranberry Sauce - serve at room temperature.
  • Pumpkin Cake - store at room temperature.
  • Soft No Knead Dinner Rolls - make and rise dough, then form into balls then do the 2nd rise in the baking pan in the refrigerator overnight. Then bake just before serving (20 min).
  • Creamy Corn Casserole, Skillet Corn Bread and Corn Bread Muffins all reheat extremely well in the microwave.
  • Easy Cheesy Potato Bake reheats well but if you have the oven time, this is one that is really great made fresh.
  • Make Ahead Mashed Potato can be made ahead then reheated in the microwave.

Day of:

  • Morning - prepare turkey and place in slow cooker. Start cooking based on serving time. Turkey is best served fresh for optimum juiciness.
  • Prepare salads - keep salad components separate (including dressing). Toss just before serving.
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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41 Comments

  1. Linda MacMillan says

    October 9, 2018 at 12:14 am

    5 stars
    These recipes are AMAZING! I made the corn casserole, wild rice salad, and make-ahead mashed potatoes, as well as the pumpkin cake to go with my turkey, gravy and stuffing. Everything was DELICIOUS, and Thanksgiving was stress-free because most of the work was done in advance. This is now my go-to Thanksgiving menu. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 9, 2018 at 3:11 pm

      WHOOOOOT!!! So glad you enjoyed it Linda, thanks so much for sharing that!! N x

      Reply
  2. kim says

    November 30, 2017 at 6:12 am

    your lemon parmesan cabbage salad was amazing. nothing remained in the bowl!!! thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 30, 2017 at 8:12 am

      WOW! Love hearing that Kim, thanks for letting me know!! N xx

      Reply
  3. Fiona Jones says

    November 22, 2017 at 5:53 am

    5 stars
    Oh Dozer… that face!
    Hi Nagi,
    I’ve never cooked a turkey before & want to do the garlic herb butter roasted version this year.
    It looks amazing! My husband picked up a 7.3 lb buffe & I see that I can use that in the recipe.
    Maybe I’m just a dolt, but I can’t figure out how to find the scaler & I’m terrible at food math.
    Any advice is much appreciated!
    Thanks so much!
    Cheers,
    Fiona

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 22, 2017 at 7:50 am

      That’s ok Fiona! So what you do is hover your cursor or tap (if on mobile) the Servings number in orange. Then slide the scaler up until the turkey weight becomes the weight of yours. It will recalculate the quantity of all the ingredients for you! I think yours will take about 1 hr 50 – 2 hours, start checking at 1.5 hours, just to be safe. 🙂 N x

      Reply
      • Fiona Jones says

        November 23, 2017 at 1:19 am

        Ah… the ORANGE part! Now I get it! What a cool tool. I’ve got my recipe all scaled & ready to go now.
        Thanks for the quick reply, Nagi!
        Cheers,
        Fiona

        Reply
  4. Alexandria says

    November 21, 2017 at 3:31 am

    Good morning Nagi (San Antonio here so late morning for me).

    I just wanted your opinion. This is my first time doing Thanksgiving outside of my parent’s home (first time even cooking anything for Thanksgiving) so I want to make sure I get everything right, lol. I am going to do a full Nagi-fied thanksgiving menu (mac ‘n cheese, pumpkin cake w/cream cheese frosting, mushroom rice, skillet corn bread, carrots, mashed potatoes and potato gratin dauphinoise, cranberry sauce, whatever else on your site I feel like throwing in there). But the problem now is which turkey I should use. I was originally going to do your slow cooker juicy turkey breast. But then you came out with that garlic herb butter roast turkey breast and the way you spoke about it in the blog post makes me think it is the best tasting breast in the world, even better than the slow cooker juicy turkey breast. Now I am currently at an impasse and fear that I might end up having to go buy another turkey breast to make two turkeys breasts. Which one would you recommend? I really wanted to do the slow cooker one because this will be my first time making turkey and that recipe seemed like it would be a no fail recipe but I will attempt to take a chance at my roasting skills if the other is recommended. Thank you for taking the time to read this and respond to my questions.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 21, 2017 at 7:27 pm

      Hi Alexandria! I’m so flattered you are using so many of my recipes! So here is the honest truth – I truly believe that roasting a turkey tastes better than slow cooking. Simply because you get extra flavour from caramelisation that you can never and will never achieve in a slow cooker. I make up for the loss of flavour from roasting caramelisation in my slow cooker recipes with extra spices in the rub and browning the skin t the end end. But in my mind, there is no doubt – roasting definitely tastes better. The slow cooker one is REALLY easy and it’s the tastiest turkey I was able to create in the slow cooker using a simple rub. And part of the reason it’s so good is because a gravy is made with the juices which is mandatory for a slow cooker turkey, in my view. So I can’t make the final call for you, but hopefully this helps you decide. 🙂 I’ll be here over the Thanksgiving period if you have any questions so just leave them on the recipe, I will check them twice a day from now until the end of Thanksgiving! N xx

      Reply
    • Alexandria says

      November 21, 2017 at 3:37 am

      Also, you said you’d update your Thanksgiving recipe list next year and I just wanted to request a recipe for a lattice-top apple pie, lol.

      Reply
      • Nagi says

        November 21, 2017 at 7:18 pm

        Oh believe me, apple pie is on my list for next year! 😂

        Reply
  5. Myfwanway says

    November 20, 2017 at 7:03 am

    I wish this had come out earlier! I celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving which is the second weekend in October. I have to wait a whole year to use this now!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 20, 2017 at 7:18 am

      How did I not know that???!!!! I will mark it in my calendar for next year!

      Reply
      • Myfwanway says

        November 20, 2017 at 10:05 am

        Thanks so much!! To be precise, Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October.

        Reply
  6. Vera G says

    November 19, 2017 at 3:07 pm

    Dear Dozer, looks so serious, will you give him break. Just one post with NO TEASSING DOZER. AS FOR MENU OMG WOMEN HOW ONE SUPOSSED TO KNOW WHAT TO CHOOSE. THIS MAY AS WELL BE XMAS MENU TOO.! You are just as bad as Me. We always start with home made soup and after that is like never ending story. Ps Do not like to share kitchen with anyone. Have good week! Be nice to YOUR MUM AND DOZER.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 19, 2017 at 3:17 pm

      Oh Vera…. WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE CHRISTMAS POSTS!!! 😂

      Reply
  7. Eha says

    November 18, 2017 at 10:07 am

    *huge grin* Oh, thought Thanksgiving had been and gone, but that methinks was Halloween !!! Numero uno: to every American celebrating: have a wonderful time!! Alright, having lived in Australia most of my life I may not be cooking Nagi’s wonderful menu . . . but . . . love the salad suggestions to go with anything and shall try the corn casserole! OK: Dozer – methinks you have worked hard enough to get a few choice pieces of turkey [no, mind, Geoff gets his plate first . . . DOZER!!!] but perchance Mom will have beef or lamb or pork on next?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 19, 2017 at 3:53 pm

      Wait unit you see my AUSSIE CHRISTMAS!!! 🎄

      Reply
  8. Dorothy Dunton says

    November 18, 2017 at 1:49 am

    Hi Nagi! I see a big problem here. How on earth does one decide on which recipes to make??? 🙂 They are all delicious and there is something for everyone in each course. I would personally eat and every one!

    Reply
    • Dee W. says

      November 18, 2017 at 5:27 am

      You just have to sit down and decided what you like to eat. .you can’t cook EVERYthing you love, but you can definately whip up the top 6 or 8!

      Reply
      • Dorothy Dunton says

        November 19, 2017 at 7:12 am

        I usually make between 10-12 items for any given holiday, all from scratch. 🙂

        Reply
        • Nagi says

          November 19, 2017 at 11:22 am

          Dorothy!!! You’re amazing 🙂 I bet you bat everyone out of the kitchen too, insist on doing it all yourself!!! I plan to “steal” all your favourite sides next year for Thanksgiving to share here. All your holiday recipes are SO POPULAR!!!! 😂 N xx

          Reply
          • Dorothy Dunton says

            November 19, 2017 at 12:12 pm

            Dear Nagi! You flatter me! And, yes I do ban everyone from the kitchen when I am cooking, don’t need distractions. But I would NEVER shoo you out! You and I could easily work together in harmony because we think alike! 🙂

          • Nagi says

            November 19, 2017 at 3:18 pm

            Waiting for my Thanksgiving invite……

  9. Barb L says

    November 18, 2017 at 1:49 am

    Wow, Nagi, this post is amazing!!! So many choices for every course, and they all look delectable! You have truly outdone yourself! And Dozer is just too cute!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 19, 2017 at 4:18 pm

      Thank you so much Barb, this message means alot! Strangely, this post took even LONG than my usual recipe ones!! 😂

      Reply
  10. Naomi says

    November 18, 2017 at 12:00 am

    This all looks amazing! I am from the South and love pecan pie, but am embarrassed to say that I have never made a pecan pie. And, I have never made pie crust from scratch. I always got the store bought pie crusts. (hanging my head in shame!) Since you make it look easy to make pie crust, I may just have to try this. We certainly have enough pecans since my sister has 3 pecan trees and we picked and shelled bags and bags of them! I appreciate all of your “tips and tricks” to cooking.

    Sweet Dozer looks like he really wants some turkey with that look on his face!

    Reply
    • Fuz says

      November 18, 2017 at 1:05 am

      @Naomi..Dip the spare pecans in honey, freeze them and snack on them. They are hands down, one of the yummiest snacks!

      Reply
      • Naomi says

        November 18, 2017 at 3:20 am

        Thanks for the tip, Fuz. That does sound yummy and I will be trying that today!

        Reply
  11. Honey Dee says

    December 2, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    5 stars
    Thanking you for shared this post! great one…

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      December 3, 2015 at 7:57 pm

      Thanks so much!!

      Reply
  12. mira says

    November 25, 2015 at 3:23 am

    This menu looks incredible Nagi! Need to try everything, but will start with the stuffing!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 26, 2015 at 7:14 am

      Oooh Mira, the stuffing is the BEST!!

      Reply
  13. Maggie says

    November 24, 2015 at 9:07 am

    5 stars
    May I spend Thanksgiving at your place?? This is such a feast! I can’t believe you can pull it out by yourself! We have 8 people and still take all day to finish cooking dinner!
    Beautiful photos and useful tips as always. Sharing and pinning 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 26, 2015 at 6:57 am

      I want to go to YOUR Thanksgiving!!! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Marissa @ OMG FOOD says

    November 24, 2015 at 3:39 am

    5 stars
    Holy crap, Nagi, this menu is amazing! I just made last minute plans to host a small Thanksgiving dinner on Friday and I’ve yet to brine a turkey. I have to see if I can find the bags I need (and a turkey – yikes!) so close to the holiday. Thanks so much for sharing this; it’s absolutely amazing!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 24, 2015 at 7:57 am

      Thanks Marissa!! If it’s a small dinner, how about trying this with breast instead? You only need to brine for 48 hours with breast. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says

    November 23, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    5 stars
    As if I didn’t wish we lived closer anyways – man oh man, I would SO be at your house for dinner! This is one awesome spread and I am so incredibly flattered that you featured my pork sausage dressing! 🙂 As far as the turkey goes, it looks phenomenal! I’m totally with you, brining is the way to go! And that skin! My goodness, look at how wonderfully crispy it is! And now I’m starving 😉

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 24, 2015 at 7:53 am

      Your attendance at all food related events at my place would be mandatory 🙂

      Reply
  16. Tara | Deliciously Declassified says

    November 23, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    WOW! That is an impressive feast on a seriously tight timeline. That trick for the mashed potatoes is amazing, I’ve never thought to do that and usually make a ‘twice baked’ potato casserole in order to do it ahead of time. I’m definitely trying out that tip! Hope you enjoyed your Sunday meal 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 24, 2015 at 7:52 am

      Gosh, thanks Tara! I was pretty pressed for time this weekend 🙂 Isn’t that potato trick cool? I love finding restaurant secrets!!! 🙂

      Reply

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