70 Best Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Introduction

When it comes to Thanksgiving, few holidays capture the warmth of gathering with family and friends, sharing gratitude, and most importantly, indulging in comforting, festive food. Planning your Thanksgiving menu doesn’t have to be overwhelming—with the right selection of recipes, you can craft a meal that delights everyone at your table. This carefully curated list of the 70 Best Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas blends classic favorites with innovative twists, so you can create a memorable feast with ease and flair.

Why These 70 Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas Will Wow Your Guests

This roundup features a mix of show-stopping mains, hearty sides, irresistible desserts, fun appetizers, and vegetarian-friendly options. Whether you’re looking for traditional roast turkey or exploring new flavor profiles, these recipes emphasize crowd-pleasing comfort and streamlined preparation. Impress your guests and simplify your hosting with this comprehensive menu.

Appetizers to Kick Off Your Feast

1. Deviled Eggs with a Smoky Paprika Twist
2. Mini Crab Cakes with Lemon-Dill Aioli
3. Baked Brie en Croûte with Cranberry Compote
4. Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Crostini
5. Apple-Cheddar Puff Pastry Twists
6. Classic Shrimp Cocktail
7. Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon
8. Roasted Garlic Hummus with Crudité
9. Sweet Potato Rounds with Herbed Cream Cheese
10. Maple Pecan Baked Camembert

Main Courses: The Star of Thanksgiving

11. Herb Butter Roasted Turkey
12. Maple and Bourbon Glazed Ham
13. Garlic and Rosemary Roasted Prime Rib
14. Spiced Apple-Stuffed Pork Loin
15. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce (Vegetarian)
16. Apricot-Glazed Cornish Hens
17. Porcini Mushroom and Chestnut Wellington
18. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy
19. Citrus-Brined Spatchcocked Turkey
20. Honey-Glazed Duck with Roasted Plums

Stunning Thanksgiving Sides

21. Classic Sausage and Sage Stuffing
22. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
23. Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
24. Garlic Roasted Green Beans with Almonds
25. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Syrup
26. Homestyle Cornbread
27. Cranberry Orange Relish
28. Roasted Carrots with Dill and Feta
29. Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
30. Honey-Balsamic Glazed Beets
31. Buttermilk Biscuits
32. Classic Mac and Cheese
33. Creamed Spinach Casserole
34. Wild Rice Pilaf with Dried Cranberries and Pecans
35. Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Sauces & Gravies to Elevate the Meal

36. Savory Turkey Gravy
37. Red Wine Shallot Gravy
38. Homemade Cranberry Sauce
39. Herb Parmesan Compound Butter
40. Bourbon-Pecan Gravy

Vegetarian Delights

41. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Cranberries
42. Mushroom Lentil Loaf
43. Cauliflower Gratin
44. Vegan Stuffing with Herbs and Apples
45. Sautéed Swiss Chard with Garlic and Lemon

Fresh and Crunchy Salads

46. Harvest Salad with Pecans, Apple, and Maple Vinaigrette
47. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing
48. Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
49. Arugula, Pear, and Walnut Salad
50. Cranberry Apple Spinach Salad

Desserts That Seal the Celebration

51. Classic Pumpkin Pie
52. Spiced Apple Pie with Lattice Crust
53. Caramel Pecan Cheesecake
54. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
55. Sweet Potato Pie
56. Maple Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
57. Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
58. Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
59. Gluten-Free Chocolate Tart
60. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Drinks Everyone Will Love

61. Sparkling Cranberry Punch
62. Spiced Apple Cider
63. Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned
64. Pumpkin Spice White Russians
65. Mulled Wine
66. Pomegranate Ginger Fizz
67. Classic Eggnog
68. Apple Pear Sangria
69. Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
70. Non-Alcoholic Holiday Punch

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe collection to instantly generate a categorized shopping list—perfect for streamlining grocery trips and organizing all the ingredients you’ll need for your Thanksgiving feast.

Instructions (General Framework)

1. Start by mapping out your menu—choose a main course, three to five sides, one salad, two appetizers, and a dessert for a balanced meal.
2. Prep ahead: Dice vegetables, measure out baking ingredients, and set out necessary cookware the night before.
3. Roast main courses and prep gravies or sauces in advance; keep them warm for serving.
4. Bake desserts early and allow to cool, prepping whipped toppings or sauces as needed.
5. For sides and salads, try to mix oven-baked, stovetop, and no-cook options to prevent oven overload.
6. Coordinate timing: Begin with mains that require the longest cook time and fit in sides or desserts as oven space frees up.
7. Garnish right before serving for a fresh, festive finish. Add sauces and gravies just before guests sit down.

Weekly Meal Planning

This massive collection is ideal for building your Thanksgiving week meal plan. Save your chosen recipes and schedule them for each day leading up to the holiday—CookifyAI will provide a consolidated, smart shopping list, tallying ingredients across all your selected dishes.

Meal Planning Benefits:

• Consolidates ingredient quantities for multiple recipes
• Organizes your shopping list by grocery store section
• Eliminates duplicate items and missed staples
• Keeps your holiday plan and prep streamlined from appetizers to dessert

Pro tip: Planning leftovers? Include a couple of extra recipes, like turkey pot pie or cranberry-stuffed rolls, and CookifyAI will adjust shopping needs to cover those as well, minimizing waste and maximizing deliciousness.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: Varies by menu (2–4 hours, prep ahead where possible)
Cook Time: Main dishes 1.5–3 hours; sides 30–60 minutes each
Desserts: 1–2 hours total
Total Time: Plan 6–8 hours over two to three days for a full Thanksgiving spread (can be managed in advance with the right meal planning tools)

Enjoy a stress-free, flavorful Thanksgiving with these 70 best dinner ideas, and let smart planning tools help you savor more time with loved ones!