Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

There’s a reason our favorite Thanksgiving dinner dishes have a place at the table year after year. When a delicious dish is prepared with love, it quickly becomes a cherished tradition. Ready to plan your own Thanksgiving dinner menu? Whether you’re simplifying your usual seasonal spread or want fresh inspiration for your growing family, our collection of classic Thanksgiving dishes is a great place to start.

Thanksgiving Turkey

Before we get into classic sides and iconic desserts, let’s talk about the star of the show. The turkey is undoubtedly the centerpiece of a traditional Thanksgiving spread, and to make sure there’s enough for everyone, you’ll want to prepare about 1½ pounds of turkey per guest. If your holiday gathering will be more intimate, around 2-3 people, you can opt for turkey breasts rather than purchasing a whole bird.

Once you know how much turkey you’ll need, you can decide whether fresh or frozen will work best for your feast. Consider the amount of refrigerator or freezer space available, so that you can get an idea of your timeline for purchasing your turkey. If freezer space is limited, you may need to purchase a thawed or fresh turkey closer to the big day. If you’re purchasing a frozen bird in advance, consider whether you’ll have the fridge space to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator. If not, you’ll want to calculate the time needed to thaw your bird in cold water, and factor that into your prep schedule.

Ready to get cooking? Try these tips for a mouth-watering Thanksgiving turkey

Consider Cooking 2 Birds with 1 Stove

Smaller turkeys tend to be more tender than big birds. If you’re feeding a big crowd, consider cooking 2 smaller turkeys rather than 1 large bird. As a bonus, this can cut your thawing and cooking time significantly.

Brining is Best

Turkey is a lean meat, which means it’s especially prone to drying out in the oven. Whether you choose to brine your bird using wet or dry methods, don’t skip this step. Brining your turkey will help ensure that it turns out moist, tender and flavorful.

Tuck the Wings

Turkey wings are delicate and can burn easily. To avoid burning your wings, turn your turkey breast-side up, and tuck the wings underneath the weight of the turkey.

Turn Up the Heat

For a juicy, succulent bird, set your oven to 325°F. Tent your seasoned turkey with foil to keep moisture from escaping, and cook your turkey for about 20 minutes per pound of meat. For crispy skin, baste your bird, remove the tent and increase the temperature to 425°F for the last 45 minutes of cook time. Your turkey is done when it’s reached an internal temperature of 165°F. Let your turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

Garnish Your Turkey

Whether you present your turkey whole or carved, adding garnishes will elevate your presentation. Use leafy greens like watercress and arugula, or add colorful fruits like apples, pomegranates or cranberries. Finish the look with sprigs of fresh, fragrant herbs like sage, rosemary and thyme.

Don’t Forget the Gravy

Remember, a typical Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without a boat of delicious gravy. No time for traditional gravy? Try this handy gravy hack. Want more turkey inspiration? Check out our top turkey tips.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Even though the turkey is the star of the show, we all know the side dishes have their own very special place at the table. We recommend offering guests 2 plates this year, 1 for the bird and the other for sides. Here are some our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes:

Stuffing and Dressing

Whether you’re whipping up your family’s classic recipe or using a boxed mix, stuffing is a must-have for any Thanksgiving spread.

Green Bean Casserole

This iconic side has long been praised for its stellar supporting role. What’s not to love? Tender green beans, creamy mushroom sauce and crispy fried onions make this iconic dish everyone’s favorite casserole.

Mashed Potatoes

Make them lumpy, smooth, with skins or without. Mashed potatoes are a staple side, no matter how you love them.

Sweet Potatoes

These winter root vegetables are sweet, earthy and symbolic of the season. Whether you prepare them with gooey marshmallows or tossed in oil with savory seasonings, no Thanksgiving feast is complete without sweet potatoes.

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce adds a festive pop of color to your spread and brightens a savory plate of turkey with a burst of tart and refreshing flavor. In a hurry? You can easily prepare these sides ahead of time.

Rolls

Thanksgiving is all about comfort food, and nothing says cozy like warm, freshly baked rolls. How else would you soak up all that gravy goodness?

Thanksgiving Dessert

Remember to save room for something sweet. No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a tasty treat to end the night. If tradition’s what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with pumpkin pie, but here are some other classics to try:

Thanksgiving Appetizers

Before the turkey is served, you might want to offer guests some tasty Thanksgiving appetizers to nibble on. Here are some classic dishes to hold guests over until the main course:

Thanksgiving Cocktails

Liven the party with fall-inspired libations. Stick with drinks that complement the meal, like crisp ciders and warm, spiced cocktails. Cranberry and citrus flavors are also fun and festive options that offer a burst of refreshing flavor between savory bites. You can even save some of your cranberry sauce as a festive sangria starter. Check out of best cocktails for Thanksgiving:

Find Even More to Be Thankful For

Visit our blog for even more fresh Thanksgiving inspiration, like our guide to all things stuffing, meal planning, recipes and more. Remember to check out our Thanksgiving shop for everything you need to host the holiday.