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 always impress, yet are incredibly simple to make.
Whether you are a seasoned cook or it is your first time making a holiday dish, I have you covered with everything you need for Thanksgiving, starting with easy recipes that make your meal both delicious and stress-free. From juicy roasted turkey to creamy make-ahead crockpot mashed potatoes to stunning salads and desserts that will make you wish you had left more room, this is the ultimate 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 crucial tips to help you 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. Even if it is a new recipe you are following, pick dishes you know and love.
- Prep-Ahead. If time and space permit, I have many tried-and-true make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes that will help you 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 to make mashed potatoes or check out my Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes and let your Instant Pot do some heavy lifting.
The Ultimate Easy Thanksgiving Recipes
While I have an EXTENSIVE collection of recipes for your holiday meal, today is all about EASY! I have gathered my easiest tried-and-true Thanksgiving recipes so you can enjoy an EASY, delicious meal.
1. Roast Turkey
Turkey can feel like the most overwhelming part of Thanksgiving dinner. But this is the easiest way to make a juicy 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 hands down 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 incredibly easy recipe instead. Not only does it take minutes to prepare, it is made without drippings so it can be made days in advance.
4. Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
This recipe lets you get a jump start on the mashed potatoes, and you can keep them for hours once prepared. Talk about easy!
5. Mashed Potato Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and can be made several days in advance--and so flavorful, no gravy is needed!
6. Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing
With simple ingredients, this buttery stuffing is not only incredibly easy to make but 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 is always a favorite and super easy to make--even without using a box of Jiffy!
8. Sweet Potato Casserole
If you are looking for a vegan-friendly, gluten-free side dish that EVERYONE will love, this is it! You can prep the components in advance to keep things easy on Thanksgiving Day.
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 from-scratch, creamy, cheesy sauce, this side dish makes everyone chow down on their veggies. And don't worry, that from-scratch sauce is super simple to make.
11. Instant Pot Creamed Corn
Instant Pot Creamed Corn is one of the easiest Thanksgiving recipes. This dump-and-cook recipe delivers creamy, buttery, rich corn that is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
12. Green Beans Almondine
Instead of making green bean casserole, try this easy recipe instead. It comes together in minutes, is incredibly fresh, and perfectly delicious.
13. Cranberry Orange Sauce
Almost as easy as opening a jar and far superior to the flavor of anything canned! This is truly one of the easiest Thanksgiving recipes ever, and you can make it several days in advance. You may also like my Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe.
14. Instant Pot Applesauce
Homemade applesauce is a must on my family's Thanksgiving menu! Whether I make my no-peel stovetop applesauce or Instant Pot applesauce, it is a dish I promise will always be on the table!
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
Glazed with maple and roasted until caramelized, this easy Thanksgiving side is deceptively delicious and incredibly easy to make.
17. Roasted Fall Vegetables
Mix and match seasonal fall vegetables to make an easy, yet delicious side dish perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. It 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 for a salad everyone will rave about.
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 and assembled right before serving, making it another easy Thanksgiving recipe.
21. Pumpkin Pie
Skip the homemade crust and buy a quality frozen pie crust. Then whipping up this pumpkin pie couldn't be easier to make!
22. Pumpkin Roll
This show-stopper is so much easier to make than you may think. It is hands-down my favorite easy Thanksgiving dessert!
23. Pumpkin Cake
Perfect for first-time bakers, this easy pumpkin cake delivers incredible flavors and couldn't be easier to make.
24. Fruit Turkey
While this adorable fruit turkey platter looks impressive, it takes just minutes to prepare. In fact, it is a great dish for the kids to prepare to share with family and friends.
I hope these easy Thanksgiving recipes inspire your own holiday menu and make entertaining so much less stressful. xo-Kristen
More Family-Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
While I just shared with you my EASIEST Thanksgiving Recipes, I do have a few more favorites if you are feeling a bit more adventurous in the kitchen.
- Turkey Brine Recipe: This is an EASY recipe, but it can intimidate people. I challenge you to try it. It is truly a game-changer for making a juicy turkey.
- Homemade Buttery Mashed Potatoes: Made with Yukon Gold potatoes that are steamed and then riced, these are the creamiest mashed potatoes ever!
- Green Bean Casserole From Scratch: A from-scratch Green Bean Casserole made with fresh green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and a homemade "fried" onion topping.
- Stuffed Acorn Squash: This impressive recipe is worthy of being the main event! Stuffed with a rich filling of sausage, wild rice, apples, dried cranberries, and fresh herbs, this hearty dish features seasonal fall flavors.
- Twice-Baked Butternut Squash: Creamy, buttery, and cheesy, this twice-baked squash is an inventive way to serve up this fall vegetable.
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake: A creamy pumpkin spice cheesecake with a gingersnap crust is made in the pressure cooker for a perfectly creamy dessert.
- Dutch Apple Pie: Made with a flaky pie crust, a perfectly sweet apple pie filling, and a buttery streusel, this Dutch Apple Pie is everything you crave in apple pie.
PS. Have leftovers? Use them in one of these delicious leftover Thanksgiving recipes.
Last year I made your sweet potato casserole using the Instant Pot method.
So yummy, it is on the menu again for this Thanksgiving!
Hard to believe I've been following your YouTube channel for over a year 🙂
I am so grateful you found my channel and are still enjoying my recipes. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
This is such a great resource for planning that Thanksgiving dinner menu! 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
So glad you found these tips helpful! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
This list is so helpful! I can't want to make some of them for Thanksgiving. Thanks for putting everything in one place and keeping it so easy!
Such a fun collection of recipes for the holidays! I especially love the Hasselback Sweet Potatoes and Pumpkin Cake.
Thank you for all of your tips and recipes! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
You too!! Thank you!
Cooking a complete meal can be intimidating. Any help is welcomed. Thanks!
So many delicious recipes to choose from, thanks for sharing!
Thanks. Happy Holidays to you and yours!? Have a Blessed holiday!
You too!