Easy Thanksgiving Recipes
Updated Nov 20, 2025
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You don't need to be a chef to make a 5-star holiday meal. These Easy Thanksgiving Recipes look like you worked all day, but none of them are hard to make.
Even if it's your first time making a holiday dish, I've got you covered with everything you need for Thanksgiving. From juicy roasted turkey to creamy make-ahead crockpot mashed potatoes to salads and desserts that will make you wish you had left more room, this is my collection of easy Thanksgiving recipes!
Kristen's Keys to an Easy Thanksgiving Meal
I have been hosting Thanksgiving dinner for over 20 years and have learned quite a few tips for hosting a stress-free Thanksgiving. But when it comes to the food, I have a handful of rules that keep it simple!
- Limit the Menu. Stick to one appetizer, one main, a few sides, and one dessert. Doing it all will only leave you too tired to enjoy the meal.
- Enlist Help. Encourage your guests to bring a dish to share, or let your out-of-town guests cook and/or clean up after the meal. It should be a family event, not a one-person show.
- Make a Plan. Make a detailed menu, shopping list, and a plan for when each dish needs to be prepared. It will make your day go a lot smoother.
- Don't Experiment. Now is not the time to experiment with an unfamiliar recipe. If you try a new recipe, test it before the big day.
- Prep Ahead. If time and space permit, use my make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes to pull off a feast without last-minute chaos!
- Free Up Space. If you don't have room in the oven or on the stove to make everything planned, use your slow cooker for mashed potatoes or check out my Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes to free up some space.
The Ultimate Easy Thanksgiving Recipes
While I have an extensive collection of holiday recipes, today is all about EASY! I've gathered my easiest Thanksgiving recipes here so you can pull off a delicious meal without the stress.
1. Roast Turkey
Turkey can feel like the most overwhelming part of Thanksgiving dinner. But this is the easiest way to make a tender turkey that will be the star of your holiday meal. No basting required!
2. Instant Pot Turkey Breast
If you are only preparing a turkey breast, using the Instant Pot is the easiest, most flavorful way to prepare it. Even the gravy can be made right in the Instant Pot.
3. Turkey Gravy without Drippings
Skip the jar of gravy and make this one instead. It takes minutes to prepare, and since it's made without drippings, you can make it days ahead.
4. Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
When it comes to pulling off Thanksgiving dinner, I let the crockpot handle the mashed potatoes so I can handle everything else. No boiling, no draining, and they stay warm for up to 4 hours, so they're ready whenever the turkey is.
5. Mashed Potato Casserole
This creamy, cheesy casserole can be made several days in advance -- and it's so flavorful, no gravy is needed!
6. Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing
Made with simple ingredients, this buttery stuffing is easy to make, and the flavor is perfection. And don't worry, you don't have to mess with actually stuffing the bird. Have an Instant Pot? Try my Instant Pot Stuffing recipe for similar results.
7. Corn Casserole
If it's your first time contributing to the holiday meal, this is the easy Thanksgiving recipe to bring. It's always a favorite, and it's made from scratch -- no box of Jiffy needed!
8. Sweet Potato Casserole
If you are looking for a vegan-friendly, gluten-free side dish, this is the one to make! It has all the classic flavor of a sweet potato casserole, minus the egg, dairy, and gluten. And you can prep the components ahead.
9. Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
This easy recipe delivers the same flavors as sweet potato casserole but comes together with just minutes of prep.
10. Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Full of rice, crisp-tender broccoli, and a creamy, from-scratch, cheesy sauce, this side dish gets everyone to eat their veggies. And that sauce is easier than it sounds.
11. Instant Pot Creamed Corn
Instant Pot Creamed Corn is one of the easiest Thanksgiving recipes. It's dump-and-cook, and it comes out rich and buttery.
12. Green Beans Almondine
Want something lighter than green bean casserole? This comes together in minutes and adds something fresh to a table full of rich sides.
13. Cranberry Orange Sauce
Almost as easy as opening a can, and it tastes far better! You can also make it several days ahead. You may also like my Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe.
14. Instant Pot Applesauce
Whether I use this Instant Pot version or make my no-peel stovetop applesauce, homemade applesauce is a must on my family's Thanksgiving menu!
15. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Glazed with honey, garlic, and a bit of hot sauce, these Roasted Brussels Sprouts are sweet and savory and deserve a spot on your Thanksgiving table! No room in your oven? Try my recipe for Air Fryer Crispy Brussels Sprouts.
16. Roasted Acorn Squash
Maple-glazed and roasted until caramelized, this side tastes like it took far more work than it did.
17. Roasted Fall Vegetables
Mix and match seasonal fall vegetables for an easy side dish that will be an unexpected favorite.
18. Butternut Squash Salad
Roast the squash and prep the dressing up to 3 days in advance. Then assemble with tender greens, creamy feta, sweet pears, and tart cranberries. It's one of my favorite fall dishes.
19. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
With sweet apples, nutty pecans, chewy cranberries, salty Parmesan, and a honey-lemon dressing that ties it all together, this easy Thanksgiving salad always impresses.
20. Holiday Salad
This seasonal mixed greens salad can be prepped up to 48 hours in advance, then assembled right before serving.
21. Pumpkin Pie
Skip the homemade crust and buy a quality frozen one, and this pumpkin pie couldn't be easier!
22. Pumpkin Roll
This recipe is so much easier to make than you may think, and it is hands-down my favorite easy Thanksgiving dessert!
23. Pumpkin Cake
If you're new to baking, start here. This pumpkin cake has big flavor and none of the fuss.
24. Fruit Turkey
This adorable fruit turkey platter looks impressive, but it takes just minutes to put together. I usually ask my kids to help prepare it so they stay occupied while I focus on the other dishes.
I hope these easy Thanksgiving recipes inspire your own holiday menu and make hosting a little easier.
More Family-Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
These are my easiest Thanksgiving recipes, but I have a few more favorites if you're up for a little more effort.
- Turkey Brine Recipe: This is an easy recipe, but it can intimidate people. I challenge you to try it. It's truly a game changer for a juicy turkey.
- Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes: A classic side dish. Just keep in mind these are best assembled and served immediately.
- Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese: Readers asked me for a baked mac and cheese that stays creamy after it comes out of the oven, and this is it. Even 10 to 15 minutes later, about when everyone finally sits down, the sauce is still rich and smooth. It feeds 12, too.
- Green Bean Casserole From Scratch: Made with fresh green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and a homemade "fried" onion topping.
- Stuffed Acorn Squash: This one is hearty enough to be the main event. It's stuffed with a rich filling of sausage, wild rice, apples, dried cranberries, and fresh herbs.
- Twice-Baked Butternut Squash: Creamy and cheesy, this twice-baked squash is a different way to serve up this fall vegetable.
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake: Pumpkin spice cheesecake with a gingersnap crust, made in the pressure cooker so it comes out smooth and creamy.
- Dutch Apple Pie: This pie features a flaky pie crust (homemade or store-bought), a perfectly sweet apple pie filling, and a buttery streusel.
PS. Have leftovers? Use them in one of these leftover Thanksgiving recipes.
I am bookmarking several of your recipes as I will be hosting Thanksgiving this year and need shortcuts! The instant pot turkey and crockpot mashed potatoes are calling to me! I want to try something new with dinner rolls and thought you might have a recipe or create one. We won't have stuffing this year, so I thought why not make a stuffing flavored dinner roll! The traditional herbs, maybe sautéed with finely chopped onion and celery. Leftover turkey would be awesome on a stuffing flavored roll. I love so many of your recipes--thank you!
Hi Kellie! I am so happy to hear you are bookmarking my recipes 🙂 I think you will find the Instant Pot Turkey breast and crockpot mashed potatoes to be so helpful. As for your idea for rolls--that sounds incredible! I don't have a recipe like that--I bet it would take quite a bit of tweaking with the added moisture from celery and onions but wow would it be good.