23 Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table, sharing stories, and indulging in food that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. If you’ve ever sat staring at your shopping list, wondering what on earth to cook, you’re not alone.
Planning the perfect Thanksgiving menu can feel overwhelming—like trying to solve a puzzle with a hundred pieces, except every piece is delicious and begging to be included.
1. Classic Roast Turkey
No Thanksgiving menu feels complete without a golden-brown turkey at the center. A simple roast with butter, garlic, and fresh herbs (think rosemary, thyme, sage) always delivers.
According to the National Turkey Federation, about 46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving in the U.S.—proof this bird owns the holiday spotlight. My personal trick? Rub butter under the skin for that crispy, juicy finish that makes guests fight over the skin like it’s treasure.
2. Herb-Butter Turkey Breast
If cooking a full turkey sounds intimidating, go with a turkey breast. It’s smaller, cooks faster, and is perfect for smaller gatherings. Coat it with a blend of garlic butter and fresh herbs before roasting. The result? Tender slices that pair beautifully with gravy, without the stress of carving a giant bird.
3. Maple-Glazed Ham
Want to mix things up? Add a sweet and savory ham to your menu. A maple-brown sugar glaze creates that sticky, caramelized crust that makes people sneak “just one more slice.” Fun fact: Around 9.7% of Thanksgiving hosts serve ham as their main course alternative, making it a growing tradition.
4. Cornbread Stuffing
Stuffing is where Thanksgiving dreams live. Cornbread stuffing brings a Southern twist—crumbly cornbread cubes tossed with onion, celery, sage, and chicken broth. I once made a double batch thinking I’d have leftovers. Spoiler: I didn’t. People went back for thirds.
5. Sausage and Apple Stuffing
This one’s a powerhouse of flavor. Savory sausage mingling with sweet apple chunks, baked into warm bread cubes—it’s comfort with a touch of surprise. Add cranberries for tang, and you’ve got a dish that’ll steal attention from the turkey.
6. Mashed Potatoes with Garlic Butter
The true unsung hero of Thanksgiving? Mashed potatoes. Fluffy, creamy, buttery… they’re a vessel for gravy, and let’s be honest, nobody skips them. Garlic butter mashed potatoes are a simple upgrade, and using Yukon Gold potatoes ensures that golden, buttery texture every spoonful deserves.
7. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
It’s dessert disguised as a side dish, and nobody’s complaining. Sweet potato casserole topped with toasted marshmallows is like a campfire treat got invited to Thanksgiving. Did you know this dish actually dates back to a 1917 marshmallow ad campaign? A delicious marketing success story.
8. Brown Sugar-Glazed Carrots
Not everything has to be heavy. Roasted carrots with a brown sugar glaze add color and natural sweetness to the table. They balance out the richness of turkey and potatoes while giving your guests a guilt-free veggie moment.
9. Green Bean Casserole
This casserole has been gracing Thanksgiving tables since the 1950s. It’s creamy, crunchy (thanks to fried onions), and dependable. Fun stat: 20 million households serve green bean casserole every Thanksgiving. I once tried skipping it, and my aunt still brings it up five years later. Lesson learned.
10. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic
If Brussels sprouts had a PR team, balsamic glaze would be their campaign. Roasting caramelizes them, while balsamic adds tang and sweetness. Toss in some bacon if you want them to disappear even faster.
11. Cranberry Sauce (Fresh, Not Canned)
There’s a quiet war at Thanksgiving tables: canned vs. homemade cranberry sauce. I’ll let you in on my secret—homemade wins every time. Fresh cranberries simmered with orange juice and sugar create a tangy, jewel-toned sauce that makes turkey sing. Bonus: it takes only 15 minutes.
12. Buttermilk Biscuits
Fluffy, buttery biscuits are the sidekick you didn’t know you needed. They’re perfect for soaking up gravy or making next-day mini turkey sandwiches. Keep them warm in a towel-lined basket, and watch them vanish.
13. Dinner Rolls
For traditionalists, soft dinner rolls are a must. A survey by Statista shows that 86% of Americans believe bread or rolls are essential to Thanksgiving dinner. Brush them with butter and sprinkle flaky sea salt for restaurant-level appeal.
14. Mac and Cheese
This dish has been sneaking onto Thanksgiving menus more often, especially in Southern homes. Creamy, cheesy, baked macaroni is crowd-pleasing comfort food. Want to elevate it? Add a crunchy breadcrumb topping or a mix of cheeses like Gruyère and sharp cheddar.
15. Roasted Butternut Squash
Roasted squash brings warmth and natural sweetness to the table. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg, and suddenly you’ve got a dish that tastes like fall wrapped in a cozy sweater.
16. Pumpkin Soup
Starting your meal with pumpkin soup feels elegant without being fussy. Creamy, spiced, and served in small bowls, it’s the warm-up act before the turkey headliner. I once served it in mini mugs—it got more compliments than the dessert.
17. Waldorf Salad
Yes, salad belongs on the Thanksgiving table. A classic Waldorf salad—apples, grapes, celery, and walnuts tossed in a light dressing—adds crunch and freshness. It’s a palate cleanser between bites of stuffing and gravy-laden potatoes.
18. Pecan Pie
When dessert rolls around, pecan pie is non-negotiable. Gooey, nutty filling with that buttery crust—it’s the perfect sweet ending. Fun note: pecans are native to North America, making this pie as authentically Thanksgiving as it gets.
19. Pumpkin Pie
The icon of Thanksgiving desserts. According to the American Pie Council, pumpkin pie is chosen by 36% of Americans as their favorite holiday pie. Pair it with whipped cream, and it’s game over.
20. Apple Pie
If pumpkin pie is the queen, apple pie is the trusted prime minister. Warm cinnamon-spiced apples tucked into a flaky crust feel nostalgic and comforting. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve just won Thanksgiving.
21. Cheesecake with Cranberry Swirl
For a modern twist, serve cranberry swirl cheesecake. The tartness of cranberries cuts through the richness, giving you that sweet-tangy balance. Plus, it looks stunning with its marbled top.
22. Mulled Apple Cider
Drinks matter, too. A pot of mulled apple cider simmering with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices makes your whole house smell like fall. It’s cozy in a cup. For adults, add a splash of bourbon or rum.
23. Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwiches
Here’s the bonus secret: plan for leftovers. A toasted sandwich with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy is basically Thanksgiving 2.0. Some people look forward to this more than the main meal itself (myself included).
Conclusion On 23 Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
Planning your Thanksgiving menu doesn’t have to feel like juggling flaming torches while balancing a turkey on your head. With these 23 Thanksgiving menu ideas, you’ve got a mix of classics, twists, and crowd-pleasers that cover every craving. From the must-have roast turkey to the surprise hit of maple-glazed ham or cranberry swirl cheesecake, each dish brings its own magic to the table.
The secret to a memorable Thanksgiving isn’t perfection—it’s creating a meal that feels warm, generous, and shared. So pick your favorites, prep ahead where you can, and remember: even if the biscuits burn, the gravy lumps, or the cranberry sauce slides out of a can, the laughter and togetherness are what people will remember most.
