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    Home » Real Food » Holiday Cuisine » Fail-Proof Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

    Fail-Proof Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

    By Kristen Chidsey | 2 Comments | Published November 1, 2019 | Updated November 7, 2021 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Create a perfect holiday feast with these Easy Thanksgiving Recipes! From turkey, to salads, to sides, to desserts, these easy Thanksgiving dishes are everything you need to make your Thanksgiving Dinner complete! 

    Create a perfect Thanksgiving Dinner with these Easy Thanksgiving Recipes! From turkey to salads to sides to desserts, these easy Thanksgiving dishes are everything you need to make your Thanksgiving Dinner complete! 

    Ready to plan your Thanksgiving Dinner? Be sure to use my Thanksgiving Planner to pull dinner off-- minus the stress! And transform those leftovers into something creative with the best Leftover Thanksgiving Recipes.

    Collage of Thanksgiving Recipes with title that reads Family Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes.

    From the turkey to the sides to the desserts, make a 5-star Thanksgiving Feast with these easy, family-favorite Thanksgiving Recipes.

    These recipes have been passed down from generation to generation and have stood the test of time. From classics, like roast turkey and mashed potatoes, to innovative recipes like Twice Baked Butternut Squash and Hasselback Sweet Potatoes, these easy Thanksgiving dishes will make your family's holiday a feast to remember.

    Whether you are looking for main courses, side dishes, salads, or desserts, you are sure to find the recipes you need for a delicious Thanksgiving feast.

    Jump to:
    • Thanksgiving Main Courses
    • Thanksgiving Side Dishes
    • Thanksgiving Salads
    • Thanksgiving Breads and Rolls
    • Thanksgiving Desserts
    • Thanksgiving Beverages
    • Comments

    Thanksgiving Main Courses

    In my book, Thanksgiving Dinner deserves a beautifully roasted Turkey, and my recipe for a Brined Turkey ALWAYS impresses! However, if you have a smaller crowd, a turkey breast is a fabulous option!

    Brined Roasted Turkey
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    Simple Brined Turkey: This is a fool-proof, tried and tested recipe for the BEST turkey you will ever have. The brine really makes all the difference in the world!

    Tiffany says, We had an early Thanksgiving and used this brine…it this was the best Turkey ever.

    Roasted Turkey Breast on Platter.
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    Instant Pot Turkey Breast: This herb seasoned turkey breast is cooked to perfection and is served with an easy gravy made right in the Instant Pot.

    Jen says, I have made a turkey breast in my pressure cooker a few times with this recipe. My husband loves it! Today is the first time I made the gravy with it-wow-I did not think it could get better!! Thank you so much!

    Turkey gravy in clear gravy bowl next to fresh herbs.
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    Turkey Gravy: While not technically a main course, you can't talk turkey without the gravy! My easy recipe for gravy can be made with or without the drippings and is seriously so flavorful.

    Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham on white plate
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    Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham: If your oven is being used to roast the turkey, the Instant Pot is the perfect vessel to make a small Honey Baked Ham to serve as an additional main course entree.

    Beth says, Amazing! A definite hit with the family- will be making this again very soon! Thank you for sharing!

    Baked Ham on White Platter with Pineapple Glaze
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    Easy Baked Ham: If you have a large ham, this baked ham recipe is the way to go! It features a sweet and savory glaze that will have your guests begging for ham every year!

    Heather shared, This is a great ham for the holiday because it's easy to make and always turns out perfect!

    Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    These Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes are classics! From potatoes to stuffing to squash to mac and cheese, you won't be able to pick just one!

    Bowl of creamy mashed potatoes topped with butter and chives.
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    Perfect Mashed Potatoes: If you want the BEST Mashed Potatoes, this is it. While a bit more time-consuming, this method for making mashed potatoes results in the best tasting, old-fashioned, creamy, and rich mashed potatoes.

    Donna shared, This recipe is absolutely amazing! I added the sour cream and my husband gave me raving reviews! Will be making it for Thanksgiving this year!

    Bowl of Crockpot Mashed Potatoes next to slow cooker
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    Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes: Free up your stove and oven with these creamy crockpot mashed potatoes that are flavored with Parmesan and Garlic. made entirely in the slow cooker.

    As Jillian says, These were so good and SO easy to make!

    Spoonful of Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
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    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes: Just in case you don't want to pull out your slow cooker or hassle with classic mashed potatoes, these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are so simple to make.

    As Heather stated, That was the easiest batch of mashed potatoes I’ve ever made.

    Baked Mashed Potato Casserole in White Casserole Dish
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    Mashed Potato Casserole: This creamy, tangy potato casserole is the perfect way to prep mashed potatoes ahead of time. And these potatoes are so good, you can skip the gravy!

    Toni stated This is so good and really easy to make! A huge win for me!

    Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole baked in white dish
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    Sweet Potato Casserole: This casserole is the perfect allergy-friendly recipe--and is ABSOLUTELY delicious.

    Laura sums up this recipe perfectly, This is far and away from the best sweet potato casserole I’ve ever had! It is just sweet enough without being cloying. And you are right about the apple juice concentrate being essential; the flavor compliments the sweet potatoes perfectly. And no one would be able to tell that this is gluten-free and vegan unless I told them. This may become my new go-to potluck recipe!

    Simple Paleo Baked Sweet Potatoes
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    Hasselback Sweet Potatoes: A SUPER easy way to dress up sweet potatoes, this recipe has all the taste of a sweet potato casserole but comes together with minimal prep.

    I agree with what Lisa shared, So simple and so delicious! I love baked sweet potatoes but this is even better.

    Classic Bread Stuffing dished out on plate.
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    Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe: Just like grandma used to make, this bread stuffing hits all the notes of complete comfort food. 

    As Taylor shares, it is a Thanksgiving MUST! This stuffing recipe is incredible! We will definitely be making it for Thanksgiving this year!

    Spoonful of broccoli rice and cheese casserole
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    Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole: Full of rice, broccoli, and a cheesy sauce, this is one side dish that makes everyone chow down on their veggies.

    Gretchen shared, This recipe is fantastic! Even my picky eaters liked it. And parents with picky eaters know that is saying something!

    Baked Butternut Squash on white platter
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    Twice Baked Butternut Squash: Creamy, buttery, and Cheesy--an inventive way to serve up this fall vegetable. Everyone will sing your praises after one bite of this Squash recipe.

    Madelyn says This is delicious. I’ll make it again. Can’t stop going back for just one more bite. Thanks for sharing.

    Spoonful of homemade green bean casserole
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    Green Bean Casserole: No cans are needed for this simple recipe for green bean casserole!

    Mindy shared, Creamy, flavorful: HOME RUN!

    Bowl of White Cheddar Mac and Cheese topped with parsley
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    One-Pot Macaroni and Cheese: Macaroni and Cheese is a new addition to my family's feast, but a very welcomed one!

    Cindy says, Wow! What a tasty recipe! An easy way to take pasta to the next level…wish l could give it more than 5 stars!

    Bowl of Creamy Macaroni and Cheese next to Instant Pot
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    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese: I am going, to be honest, if you have an Instant Pot and you like Mac and Cheese, this is a MUST make! Creamy and cheesy--it is the best!

    As Gayle says, This was the best mac-n-cheese that I have made in my instant pot! So delicious and creamy, the seasonings and the Swiss cheese added add a nice level of flavor. Thank you for a successful recipe!

    Stuffed Acorn Squash served on white plate
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    Stuffed Acorn Squash: This side dish really is worthy of the center stage! And it is easy to adapt to make it vegan or paleo-friendly!

    Truly everyone enjoys this one! Even Susie shared, This is the best fall recipe! Even my husband who claims not to like squash is a fan. I love the filling!

    Sting Beans Almondine in white serving platter
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    Green Beans Almondine: As Joanne says, One of the simplest and most classic ways to make green beans. Delicious!

    Roasted Acorn Squash Slices on white serving platter
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    Maple Roasted Acorn Squash: Roasted acorn squash with maple syrup and paprika is melt in your mouth tender and a fabulous way to enjoy this seasonal fall vegetable.

    Liz says, What a lovely and simple side dish. The maple and paprika were amazing together!

    Bowl of Glazed Carrots
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    Glazed Carrots: Tender, pan-roasted carrots are glazed with a sweet and savory glaze made from maple, orange, and garlic, for a simple side dish recipe.

    Ashley says This is my new favorite way to do roasted carrots — so flavorful!

    Bowl of Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Honey Glaze
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    Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Crispy, crunchy, and finished with a rich glaze, this is the BEST way to eat cooked Brussels sprouts!

    In fact, if you THINK you don't like Brussels Sprouts, listen to what Jenni says, I made these amazing brussels sprouts for dinner last night and they were so amazing! My husband was not happy that I was making brussels sprouts and complained about it – but he ate TWO helpings!!! He loved them!!

    Bowl of homemade applesauce.
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    Homemade Applesauce: Homemade is always best--especially when it is bursting with cinnamon and orchard-fresh apples.

    Anna shared that her family loves it so much, she makes it weekly!

    Bowl of Cranberry Orange Sauce with Orange zest.
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    Citrus Spiked Cranberry Sauce: This easy side dish adds so much flavor to your holiday feast and is the perfect compliment to leftover turkey sandwiches.

    Claire says This is just the best recipe for cranberry sauce. My kids love it and I love it because it isn’t packed full of HFCS!!!

    Cranberry sauce topped with orange zest next to the inner pot.
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    Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce: While the stovetop recipe is FAST, the Instant Pot version is hands-off. It is also a bit sweeter than my stovetop recipe, as it is sweetened with brown sugar and maple.

    Thanksgiving Salads

    These Thanksgiving Salad Recipes are seasonal salads that add some welcome freshness to your Thanksgiving meal.

    Brussels Sprouts Salad in white bowl topped with Parmesan
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    Brussels Sprout Salad: This will be your new favorite salad EVER--pinky, promise! And it is made with only 5 ingredients in 5 minutes!

    Katie shared, So good! My family loved this.

    Quinoa Salad with Squash
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    Harvest Quinoa Salad: The Pumpkin Vinaigrette is the STAR of this dish! In fact, Liz says, YUM! Such a perfect fall salad. I love getting pumpkin flavors in the dressing rather than just the salad! So perfect!

    A blue pottery bowl filled with baby mixed greens, roasted butternut squash, pear cubes, feat and dried cranberries.
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    Roasted Butternut Squash Salad: Butternut squash stars in this easy Fall Salad with mixed greens, pears, feta, and apple cider dressing.

    Betsy shared, This salad has such great autumnal flavors, and I love how it's more of a "hearty" salad and not so "light and bright" (although I love light and bright too). So perfect for fall!

    Thanksgiving Breads and Rolls

    These easy rolls and bread are perfect for mopping yo your gravy and mashed potatoes. But they also make the perfect vessel for leftover turkey sandwiches as well.

    Basket of Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
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    Whole Wheat Rolls: One ingredient makes the world of difference in making fluffy, tender rolls.

    Krissy shared, The instructions were so easy to follow and they turned out perfectly! Will be making these rolls a lot in our future!

    Sweet Potato Biscuit on wax paper with buttered biscuit in background
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    Sweet Potato Biscuits: These biscuits are light and fluffy thanks to the sweet potato puree.

    One review shared, Love all the flavors here, we enjoy this recipe a lot!

    Red muffin tin with corn bread muffins
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    Cheesy Cornbread Muffins: A traditional cornbread recipe has been given a whole grain make-over and then is filled with cheese for a delicious twist on cornbread.

    Aimee says, These muffins turned out delicious. We had a batch with chili last night, and am using the leftovers with some jam this morning!

    Baked Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins on wooden cutting board
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    Pumpkin Muffins: Who says pumpkin muffins should be reserved for breakfast or snacks?! These easy, delicious muffins are the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving Dinner.

    Cheryl shared, My husband was amazed by them and the kids all enjoyed them too! Delicious!!! I will definitely make these again!

    Cranberry Walnut Bread sliced on wooden cutting board
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    Cranberry Walnut Bread: Whether serving on the side of your Thanksgiving meal or using for Leftover Turkey Sandwiches, this bread is a MUST this time of the year.

    One reader shared she used it for Turkey Havarti Sandwiches and it went well with the turkey, Havarti and thinly sliced gala apples. Thank you for such an easy but tasty bread recipe.

    Thanksgiving Desserts

    Once your food has settled and your sweet tooth kicks in, satisfy the craving with one of these delicious classic Thanksgiving Dessert recipes.

    Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
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    Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake: A creamy pumpkin spice cheesecake with gingersnap crust is made in the pressure cooker, for a perfectly creamy dessert.

    Kristi says I’ve made this twice now, and it’s been a huge hit! Very tasty and simple, simple, simple! Thank you.

    Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp Recipe with oats and modifications for an apple crisp topping without oats.
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    Apple Crisp: While pies may be traditional, this apple crisp is a staple at my family's Thanksgiving dinners.

    Lily shared, This apple crisp was amazing, it had so much flavor and was super easy to make, I fell in love with this recipe, this will be a fall staple for us.

    Slice of pumpkin roll on blue plate
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    Pumpkin Roll: This is hands down my favorite Thanksgiving dessert. From the spiced cake to the cream cheese frosting, this dessert is a home run!

    And don't be intimated by making this. Lynda shared, Thanks Kristen - this was amazing. I’ve always been scared to try making a roll, but your instructions were perfect. 

    Slice of pumpkin pie on plate toped with whipped cream.
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    Pumpkin Pie: And of course we can not talk about Thanksgiving Desserts without talking about Pumpkin Pie. This homemade pie is PERFECTION!

    Natasha shared, This is one of the best pumpkin recipes that I have tried! My husband and kids loved this pumpkin pie, thanks for sharing another awesome recipe!

    Slice of Dutch Apple Pie on White plate next to baked apple pie.
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    Dutch Apple Pie: Made with a buttery crumble, a flaky crust, and sweet apple filling, this apple pie is the best apple pie recipe ever!

    Kara shared, We loved this so much better than apple pie with a double crust! Topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it is simply divine!

    Fruit arranged to look like feathers of a turkey on a white platter.
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    Fruit Turkey: More of an appetizer, than a dessert, this Turkey Fruit Platter is the cutest Thanksgiving recipe ever!

    Thanksgiving Beverages

    Don't forget the drinks! These dressed-up versions of wine and cider are sure to wow your Thanksgiving guests.

    Glass of Mulled Wine next to spices.
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    Easy Mulled Wine: Red wine is simmered low and slow with aromatic spices and a combination of orange and cranberry juices for a delicious, warming adult beverage. So delicious!

    Sandra shared, Not only tasted delicious but smells so good too. I used the slow cooker method. Couldn't be any easier.

    Orange Pineapple Spiced Cider in slow cooker with oranges and cranberries
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    Slow Cooker Mulled Cider: A delicious blend of apple cider, cranberry, and orange juice spiced with warm fall spices.

    I agree with Erin's statement, Wow, this recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving!

    Thanksgiving table set with title that reads hosting hacks for Thanksgiving.

    Grab my EASY tips for setting the table and easy recipes for appetizers over on YouTube.

    I would love to hear what your favorite dish is in the comments below! And most importantly, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    Comments

    1. DJ

      November 08, 2021 at 6:59 pm

      Thanks. Happy Holidays to you and yours!? Have a Blessed holiday!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 09, 2021 at 6:39 am

        You too!

        Reply

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