This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that brings families together. It’s also a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. But, between the planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and hosting guests, it can be a demanding holiday. This Thanksgiving menu planner is here to simplify the process of planning your meal so that you can feel relaxed and spend more time enjoying your time with loved ones.
Whether you’re serving a big family feast or hosting a small get together, you’ll find mouthwatering, approachable recipes for everything from mains, potatoes, breads and sides to vegetables, soups, salads, desserts and cocktails that are sure to delight everyone at the table. You’ll also find ideas for breakfast, recipes for leftover turkey, and 6 complete menu options to choose from.
From the easiest and most delicious roasted turkey you can make (Dry Brine Turkey) or a simple roasted chicken, these are my favorite main course options.
Table of Contents
- Main Courses
- Potatoes
- Sides
- Salads
- Soups
- Desserts
- Breads
- Breakfast
- Drinks
- Appetizers
- Leftover Turkey Recipes
- Menu 1 – Traditional Thanksgiving Menu
- Menu 2 – Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Dinner for 4 to 6 People
- Menu 3 – Romantic Thanksgiving Menu for 2
- Menu 4 – Southern Thanksgiving Menu
- Menu 5 – Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu
- Menu 6 – Pescatarian Thanksgiving Menu
Main Courses
What would Thanksgiving dinner be without potatoes? I’ve got a few takes on classic mashed potatoes and even more creative potato dishes if you’re up for trying something new this year.
Potatoes
How many times have you heard people say that the best part of Thanksgiving dinner is the side dishes? Here is a whole selection of show stealing sides to choose from.
Sides
Adding a salad to your Thanksgiving menu is a great way to contrast rich, indulgent dishes with fresh, vibrant flavors. Here are some excellent options.
Salads
Round out your meal with one of these warm and comforting soups.
Soups
Everyone looks forward to dessert on Thanksgiving day! Here are a few desserts that for a a delightful finale to your meal.
Desserts
For the main meal, breakfast, snacks and leftovers, breads both savory and sweet are Thanksgiving day essentials. Here is a whole collection to choose from.
Breads
Don’t forget about breakfast on Thanksgiving day! Here are a selection of simple (and make ahead) options to make an easy and satisfying start to the day.
Breakfast
Add a festive cocktail or mocktail to your meal plan! Options with and without alcohol below.
Drinks
Bite size appetizers are the best way to kick off your meal and put a smile on everyone’s face!
Appetizers
If you’re fortunate enough to have leftover turkey, here are a few ways to make the most of it!
Leftover Turkey Recipes
Menu 1 – Traditional Thanksgiving Menu
- Cocktail – Boulevardier Cocktail and/or Non-Alcoholic Sangria
- Appetizer – Bacon Wrapped Scallops or Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Main – Dry Brine Turkey and Turkey Gravy
- Potato – Mashed Red Potatoes or Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
- Salad – Caesar Salad
- Bread – Brioche Rolls and Sourdough Stuffing or Cornbread Dressing
- Dessert – Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with a Gingersnap Crust
Menu 2 – Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Dinner for 4 to 6 People
- Cocktail – Campari Spritz
- Appetizer – Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
- Main – Herb Roasted Chicken or Turkey Roulade for a make ahead option and Turkey Gravy without Drippings or Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
- Sauce – Cranberry Orange Relish
- Potato – Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
- Vegetable – Lemon Garlic Asparagus
- Dessert – Apple Crisp
Menu 3 – Romantic Thanksgiving Menu for 2
- Cocktail – French 75 Cocktail
- Appetizer – Crab Salad
- Main – Pan Fried Lamb Chops or Duck Confit
- Potato– Fondant Potatoes or Mashed Red Potatoes
- Salad – Arugula Salad
- Dessert – Chocolate Panna Cotta
Menu 4 – Southern Thanksgiving Menu
- Cocktail – The Last Word Cocktail
- Appetizer – Bacon Wrapped Shrimp or Bacon Wrapped Scallops and/or Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce for dipping
- Main – Dry Brine Turkey with Turkey Gravy
- Sauce – Cranberry Orange Relish
- Potato– Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes or Brabant Potatoes
- Sides – Cornbread Dressing or Cornbread Pudding, Shrimp Remoulade, Homemade Biscuits or Brioche Rolls, Roasted Fall Vegetables
- Dessert – Chocolate Rum Pie with Lard Pie Crust
Menu 5 – Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu
- Cocktail – Peach Bellini and/or Cucumber Lemon Mint Water
- Appetizer – Green Olive Tapenade with Crostini and/or a raw vegetable platter
- Main – Kale and Quinoa Salad
- Soup – Delicata Squash Soup
- Vegetable – Rapini with Raisins and Hazelnuts
- Dessert – Peach Clafoutis
Menu 6 – Pescatarian Thanksgiving Menu
- Cocktail – French 75 Cocktail and/or Non-Alcoholic Sangria
- Appetizer – Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Main – Slow Roasted Salmon
- Potato – Lyonnaise Potatoes
- Salad – Delicata Squash Salad
- Dessert – Apple Crisp
This is such an awesome Thanksgiving post, Marissa. So many choices with something for everyone. Can you believe it’s this time of year already!? 🙂 ~Valentina
Thank you, Valentina! It always seems to roll around quick, doesn’t it!
Wow, this has got to be the ultimate guide to Thanksgiving dinner. Bravo!
That’s so kind of you, Frank. Thank you!
Marissa, this is such an amazing all-encompassing Thanksgiving post. I wish my thoughts were as organized as this — especially for the big feast. Not to mention how delicious everything looks! 🙂 ~Valentina
aww…thank you so much!
What a delicious list of holiday dishes Marissa! You’ve made planning for the holiday season so easy for everyone. I just love the different menus! Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into this post!
My pleasure, Mary Ann. Thank you for the sweet comment!
I am with Katherine here. Even though we celebrated our Canadian Thanksgiving over a month ago, your menu sounds so delicious that I want to repeat it (And nothing actually stops me because American Thanksgiving is the official beginning of the holiday season to me.) I am particularly partial to all those scrumptious potato recipes!
Thanks, Ben! I’m with you – potatoes are irresistible!
Reading through this post (and looking at those pictures) just made me super excited to start cooking for Thanksgiving! I love how you broke it down into several menu plans, too. Happy Turkey Day to you and your family!
I love to hear that, David! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well!
Oh Marissa what a great looking menu of delicious dishes! I would love to try each and every one of them – our Thanksgiving has come and gone but your post is making me wish I could do it all over again!
aww…thank you so much, Katherine!