Looking for simple and delicious Thanksgiving recipes? You’re in the right place! I've got everything you need to make your holiday stress-free.
Some of my favourite bloggers have shared their easiest appetizers, mains and desserts to help you create a delicious Thanksgiving dinner - without all the fuss.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and you know what that means – it's time to prepare a delicious meal that'll have your friends and family raving.
If you're like me, you enjoy all the food but sometimes getting everything done can feel a bit... overwhelming.
If you're wondering what to make for Thanksgiving this year, and are looking for some fun ideas that will make your life a bit easier, you've come to the right place.
I've collected my favourite easy Thanksgiving recipes that will help you get delicious food on the table, with (hopefully!) less stress.
I've included options for easy appetizers, manageable main dishes and no-stress desserts so you can easily build an entire Thanksgiving menu!
Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball
How cute is this Pumpkin-shaped Cheese Ball from Aleka's Get-Together?! Surprisingly, it's a lot simpler to make than it looks. With a few basic ingredients, you can have this ready in under 5 minutes!
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Photo credit: alekasgettogether.com
Caramelized Pear and Walnut Topped Brie with Honey
Don't be fooled by its fancy appearance – this Caramelized Pear & Walnut Topped Brie from My Daily Randomness is not only delicious but also a breeze to make! You can whip up this gorgeous appetizer in under 20 minutes.
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Photo credit: brittanystager.com
Stuffed Mushrooms with Brie
These cheesy stuffed mushrooms are a fantastic appetizer for busy folks hosting holiday gatherings. They're a stress-free and impressive dish that mushroom fans will love!
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Brie and Cranberry Bites
When it comes to appetizers, you won't find anything simpler than this. Just four ingredients and twenty minutes – that's all it takes to create these delightful Brie and Cranberry bites from Crumb!
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Photo credit: crumbblog.com
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
Make your life easier and your mashed potatoes creamier by using a stand mixer! Learn how in this delicious creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe from Barley and Sage.
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Photo credit: barleyandsage.com
Vanilla & Cardamom Glazed Acorn Squash
If you're looking for a unique side dish that your guests may not have tried before, make these Glazed Acorn Squash rings! This sweet and buttery side dish is a great match with oven-roasted turkey or chicken.
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Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole
Why choose between marshmallows and pecan streusel? This recipe uses both yummy toppings! Learn how to make this delicious Sweet Potato Casserole with minimal effort in this clever recipe from Quiche My Grits.
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Photo credit: quichemygrits.com
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter
I know, I know. Brussels sprouts are not everyone's favourite. This version with brown butter and toasted pecans is a game-changer though! This easy side dish is full of nutty flavour that pairs well with turkey.
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Autumn Harvest Soup with Roasted Squash Seeds
Indulge in the flavours of fall with this hassle-free Autumn Harvest Soup from Justine Celina. This one is dairy-free and gluten-free, making it a delicious option for your friends or family members who have food sensitivities.
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Photo credit: justinecelina.com
Classic Bread Stuffing
Creating this timeless Bread Stuffing from Pook's Pantry is a breeze! Just combine dried bread cubes with celery, onions, and sage, and bake everything until it's beautifully golden brown. You're going to find yourself making this again and again.
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Photo credit: pookspantry.com
Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce
Ditch the canned cranberry products and make this delightful boozy Cranberry Sauce from Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen that you can prepare days ahead. It's the perfect tangy condiment for any holiday feast!
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Photo credit: bigflavorstinykitchen.com
Vanilla Bean Brown Butter Roast Chicken
If you're not in the mood for turkey, consider this mouthwatering and surprisingly simple Roast Chicken from Adventures in Cooking. This recipe does involve an overnight brine, but it's still easier than trying to cook a massive turkey.
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Photo credit: adventuresincooking.com
Cider Roasted Turkey Breast
If you're having a small get-together, try making this easy Cider Roasted Turkey Breast from Budget Bytes instead of a whole turkey! The recipe is very straightforward but packs a ton of flavour.
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Photo credit: budgetbytes.com
Squash-Roasted, Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Roulade with Cider Gravy
For a main dish that is sure to impress, but won't leave you feeling exhausted try making this Turkey Roulade from Simple Bites. This recipe is easier than it looks, and you can get most of the prep work done ahead of time!
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Photo credit: simplebites.net
Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs
Don't have space in your oven for an entire bird? Whip up these delicious Turkey Meatballs from What's Gaby Cooking instead! You can prepare them in advance, and they pair perfectly with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.
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Photo credit: whatsgabycooking.com
Pumpkin Crepes
I turned a classic pumpkin pie recipe into these delicious pumpkin crepes! These are so easy to make (and who doesn't love a crepe station at a family dinner?). The best part is that you can make this all on your stovetop - leaving the oven free for everything else!
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Pumpkin Loaf Cake
If you're craving a pumpkin dessert but don't want the fuss of making pie dough, give this effortless Pumpkin Loaf Cake from Bakeschool a try! These tender pumpkin bread slices would be equally at home on a holiday brunch table, too!
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Photo credit: bakeschool.com
Pumpkin Cookie Bars with Chocolate Chips
If you need a dessert recipe that you can make ahead of time, try my Pumpkin Cookie Bars! These are Magic Bars with a fun fall flavour twist. Make up a batch of these ahead of time, and store them in an airtight container for several days on the counter, or a couple of months in the freezer!
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White Chocolate & Cranberry Blondies
These Cranberry Blondies from Food Nouveau offer a simple yet indulgent way to conclude a holiday meal. You can prepare these up to a month in advance and keep them in the freezer until Thanksgiving dinner is ready to be served!
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Photo credit: foodnouveau.com
Tip: If you're cooking turkey or chicken, be sure to check the internal temperature with a food thermometer (affiliate link). For food safety, whole birds should be cooked to 82°C (180°F).
I hope you enjoyed this list of delicious and easy Thanksgiving recipes!
If you've found inspiration here and decide to whip up any of these dishes, let me know how it goes! I'd love to hear from you.
Ashley @ Big Flavors says
What a lovely roundup! Thank you so much for including my cranberry sauce recipe - it's in great company with these other recipes!
Shareba says
Thanks so much, Ashley!!!