All of the BEST Thanksgiving recipes you need– IN ONE PLACE! With this exact menu, I have made Thanksgiving dinner for 4 people-50 people! Loaded with options for appetizers, main dishes, sides and of course dessert, this will help you plan the perfect Thanksgiving menu for adults and kids. Whether you are a small family of 4 or feeding the entire extended family, you can easily create a menu that will have everyone raving about how amazing Thanksgiving dinner was.
How to plan a Thanksgiving Menu
Whether it is your first time to host, Thanksgiving or you are a seasoned pro, there are just a few simple steps that will have you ready and prepared to host. So check the list below and find all the Thanksgiving recipes you need all in one place below!
- Decide how much food you need.
- Pick the dishes you want to have at Thanksgiving dinner.
- Gather recipes (below) or assign people to bring a dish.
- Grocery shop.
- Make recipes ahead to save time on the day of- Cranberry sauce and desserts are great to be made ahead of time.
- Cook and enjoy Thanksgiving Day!
How Much Food?
the first step is figuring out how much food you need. Below is our recommendation based on many years of hosting both small and large crowds of all ages.
As a general rule of thumb, you will want to plan for 1-1.5 lbs of turkey for a person. When you buy a whole bird, much of the weight is the bones, gizzards, etc. so calculating at this weight allows you to get the right amount of meat per person.
Thanksgiving for 2-4 people
- Appetizers: 1
- Turkey: 6-8 lbs
- Sides: 2-3
- Bread: 1 each
- Dessert: 1
Thanksgiving for 4-8 people
- Appetizers: 1
- Turkey: 8-12 lbs
- Sides: 3-4
- Bread: 1 each
- Dessert: 2
Thanksgiving for 8-12 people
- Appetizers: 2
- Turkey: 12-20 lbs
- Sides: 4-5
- Bread: 1 each
- Dessert: 2
Thanksgiving for 12-24 people
- Appetizers: 3
- Turkey: 18-30 lbs (2 turkeys)
- Sides: 5-6
- Bread: 1 each
- Dessert: 3
Thanksgiving for 24-36 people
- Appetizers: 3-4
- Turkey: 28-42 lbs (2-3 turkeys)
- Sides: 5-6
- Bread: 1 each
- Dessert: 4
Thanksgiving for 36-50 people
- Appetizers: 4-5
- Turkey: 40-60 lbs (3-4 turkeys)
- Sides: 6+
- Bread: 1 each
- Dessert: 5-6
Thanksgiving Menu
Main Dish
First we are going to concentrate on the main event… THE TURKEY!
I have two different recipes that I use depending on how many people we will be with.
- Roasted Turkey– This is a very traditional and easy full turkey recipe that, in my experience, is pretty fool-proof, providing a tender, juicy, perfectly cooked turkey every time! I do this one most years, especially if we are feeding a crowd!
- Roasted Turkey Tenderloin– I discovered Turkey Tenderloin this year and I am IN LOVE! It is the perfect way to scale down for a small group and is so amazingly tender and flavorful. I also have a crockpot turkey tenderloin if you prefer! Both are amazing!
- Turkey Breast– If you are only feeding a few people and cooking a whole turkey is too much, try this super easy, and VERY delicious turkey breast recipe made in the slow cooker.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
A balance of traditional sides, comfort food, and a few wholesome, but really delicious veggies thrown in is just about perfection, and is what you will find on my side-heavy Thanksgiving menu.
Remember, if you have any go-to family recipes, feel free to throw mine out and use Grandma’s! Wouldn’t want to make her upset!
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes – These are classic and the perfect canvas to pile on all the other Thanksgiving sides! If you want to go lighter, try my Roasted Mashed Cauliflower instead!
- Gravy – I didn’t grow up eating gravy, and it isn’t my favorite side, so I save time by using a packet with my turkey drippings.
- Jiffy Corn Casserole – This is our MUST HAVE! It is so good, and I have become the one that has to bring this dish or people are disappointed. Definitely a family favorite that can’t be skipped at our Thanksgiving table.
- Oven Roasted Green Beans – I generally do the garlic green beans or the Pan roasted green beans with bacon, depending on who is eating. Both are so good and so simple!
- Maple Glazed Carrots– I grew up eating cooked carrots for Thanksgiving each year, and trust me these take it to a whole new level! So good! (and so easy!)
- 3 Ingredient Cranberry Sauce – My other favorite! I look forward to this all year. If you think making your own cranberry sauce sounds scary, think again! This recipe has 3 ingredients and uses one pot, yet is probably my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner!
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts – These are easy, heathy and perfect for balancing out all the more rich options on the table.
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad – I love this easy cold salad because it is delicious, but even better, can be made a day ahead to make Thanksgiving day easier! It is also one of my reader’s favorite recipes, having been made thousands of times each month!
- Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole – My kids can’t be without this side on Thanksgiving! It is quick, and can be prepared in advance, and one of those amazingly delicious Thanksgiving indulgences we can’t be without!
- Baked Squash Casserole – Casseroles really are my favorite, and this one always makes the cut for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Stuffing – This is another thing I didn’t grow up eating (weird, right?) so while I have been playing with a few recipes, I don’t have a tried and true recipe to pass on. Use the one from your Grandma, or grab a mix at the store if you want stuffing on the table.
Thanksgiving Breads
- Cornbread– I switch between using this Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread (which gets rave reviews!), and this super easy Mexican Cornbread recipe depending on who I am cooking for. They are both great, the Mexican Cornbread is just quicker and zestier, where the Buttermilk Cornbread is more traditional.
- Pillsbury Crescent Rolls– I told you this is my exact menu, and it’s the truth! My husband grew up with these on his Thanksgiving table and it is one of my favorite traditions we adopted from his family. Who doesn’t love these and they make cooking quick and easy!
- Fresh Cranberry Muffins– I LOVE cranberries! These muffins are made the day before Thanksgiving and we eat them for breakfast, and keep them out at the Thanksgiving meal as well because they are so delicious!
Thanksgiving Appetizers
For our Thanksgiving, we make the appetizers early (some the day before) so we can snack on them throughout the day, skipping lunch to save our appetites for the big event!
- Toasted Tortellini – These bite sized munchies are perfectly crisp on the outside and tender and cheesy on the inside. They are also the best size for grazing!
- Party Meatballs – This is the traditional appetizer we HAVE to have at Thanksgiving. Everyone loves it and since it is made in the crock pot it can stay warm for hours while you enjoy your company.
- Million Dollar Dip – If you haven’t had this cheesy dip, you MUST add it to your menu! It is probably the fastest recipe I share, requires no cooking, and you can make it in advance. Plus it is SO crazy delicious!
- Marinated Mozzarella – I could eat the whole bowl! This is one that I get asked for the recipe for ALL THE TIME!
- Baked Brie in Pie Crust – This is perfect for the holidays with crackers, baguette slices, fruit, veggies, you name it.
- Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups – Perfect for snacking and can be made in advance. These are an especially big hit with the football watchers!
Thanksgiving Desserts
- Cranberry Cake – Another excuse for a cranberry dish, and this one is a family favorite. We especially look forward to eating it for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving… shhh… don’t tell!
- Apple Pie – This is my favorite recipe. It is made from scratch and takes a little time, but I promise it’s the best!
- Pumpkin Pie – Pumpkin pie isn’t my personal favorite, so I generally buy it instead of making it from scratch.
- Snickerdoodle Cookies – I always include a cookie since they are smaller, easier to eat, and a hit with the kids. This snickerdoodle recipe has been made by millions of readers and is especially highly rated!
- Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies– This is generally what we snack on all day, but I still put it in the dessert section
That wraps up my personal Thanksgiving menu! If you need more ideas, feel free to browse the website for more easy and delicious recipes. You can find quick links here:
Happy Thanksgiving and remember if you try a recipe and love it, nothing makes me happier than when you leave me a comment and rating on the recipe post. It helps support my site and just makes my day to hear others enjoying the recipes I share!
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