Epic Thanksgiving Recipes
A comprehensive menu of easy-to-make yet delicious Thanksgiving recipes for the home chef. Everything from cocktails to appetizers, turkey to sides to dessert, to what to do with leftovers!
![This Maple Bourbon Glaze for Turkey is so simple yet so beautiful! It's perfect for all home chefs, from Thanksgiving novices to seasoned pros. | foxeslovelemons.com Large slate blue ceramic platter filled with a cut up roasted turkey, garnished with grapes, orange slices and herbs.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Maple-Bourbon-Glazed-Turkey-3.jpg)
Dear readers,
I’m super thankful for you. So, I wanted to round up all of my Thanksgiving recipes into one place, one resource, for you to have on hand as you plan your holiday meal this year. This is seven year’s worth of recipes, and it’s pretty epic, if I do say so myself.
I pull from these Thanksgiving recipes myself each year as I plan my own menu. In particular, the Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing is ALWAYS on our table. The Roasted Acorn Squash Slices is another side dish favorite.
Depending on the year you’re reading this, you may be having a small dinner for your immediate family bubble, or a large feast with the whole extended family. If you need help scaling up or down any of these Thanksgiving recipes, please let me know. I’m happy to help!
Again, I’m so thankful for each and every person that stops by this blog, whether it’s once in awhile or every day. This little corner of the internet has allowed me to change my life and create a career path for myself that brings me so much joy.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Lori
![A comprehensive menu of easy-to-make yet delicious Thanksgiving recipes for the home chef. Everything from cocktails to appetizers, turkey to sides to dessert, to what to do with leftovers! | foxeslovelemons.com Blue tabletop covered with Thankgiving recipes like roasted turkey, green beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Epic-Thanksgiving-Dinner-Table.jpg)
Prep-Ahead Strategy for all of these Thanksgiving recipes:
![](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Apple-Cider-Old-Fashioned-728x1091.jpg)
Welcome your guests with a cocktail.
- Bourbon Apple Cider Punch – this is made large-batch style, so you don’t have to mix individual drinks.
- Bourbon Rosemary Cocktail – a modern twist on a classic drink.
- Bourbon Apple Cider – a delicious old fashioned, but add apple cider.
- Brandy Old Fashioned – a Midwestern classic!
- Apple Cider Mule – all the flavors of apple pie, in an ice cold vodka cocktail.
- Rosemary Gin Cocktail – bright and festive, and uses up whatever extra rosemary you have around.
![Butternut Squash & Pomegranate Crostini with Whipped Feta and Honey - This autumn appetizer is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Set these out at your next party and watch them disappear! | foxeslovelemons.com Crostini topped with white sauce, butternut squash and pomegranate seeds, on slate platter.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Butternut-Squash-Pomegranate-Crostini-with-Whipped-Feta-and-Honey-2.jpg)
Time for some appetizers!
- Butternut Squash & Pomegranate Crostini – with whipped feta and honey.
- Brie & Pumpkin Crostini – sweet, savory and crunchy! Uses up any extra canned pumpkin you have.
- Savory Pumpkin Dip – pumpkin doesn’t have to just be in pie!
- Phyllo Cup Appetizers – a modern take on cheeseball and crackers.
- Prosciutto Pinwheels – just five ingredients!
- Savory Baked Brie – gooey brie topped with basil pesto and roasted garlic.
- Autumn Cheese Board with Pickled Figs – you can never go wrong with a cheese board.
- Jarcuterie – a charcuterie board, but make it in little jars.
![Metal roasting pan with spiral sliced ham surrounded by fruit garnishes, with woman's hand spooning pineapple sauce over ham.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Baked-Ham-with-Pineapple-Sauce-2-728x1091.jpg)
Roast a perfect turkey or ham, and don’t forget the gravy:
- Roasted Turkey with Apricot Bourbon Sauce – takes just 5 minutes to stir together.
- Turkey Breast Roulade – perfect for a smaller gathering.
- Roasted Turkey with Maple Bourbon Glaze – brush this on at the end for extra flavor.
- Baked Ham with Pineapple Sauce – spiral sliced ham with a tangy and sweet sauce.
- Gravy From Scratch – a simple tutorial on how to make homemade gravy. You can even make it ahead!
![White ceramic gravy boat filled with homemade gravy, with bowl of mashed potatoes in background.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Easy-Homemade-Gravy-from-Scratch-4-728x486.jpg)
We all know stuffing is the best of the Thanksgiving recipes, right?
- Classic Stuffing Recipe – a not-so-secret family recipe.
- Apple, Bacon & Fennel Stuffing – salty bacon and sweet apples are a great combo.
- Lentil Mushroom Stuffing – a gluten-free alternative to bread stuffing.
![This Twice Baked Potato Casserole recipe is a perfect holiday side dish, but easy enough to make anytime. Smashed potatoes are mixed with cheese and bacon for a comforting and delicious casserole. | foxeslovelemons.com Mashed potato casserole with bacon and green onions, in oval blue baking dish.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Twice-Baked-Potato-Casserole.jpg)
You say potato, I say potato:
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole – a loaded alternative to plain mashed potatoes.
- Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes – so good with turkey, ham or beef!
- Cheddar Mashed Potatoes – cheesy potatoes with a sophisticated flavor.
- Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes – yes, a little bit of lemon belongs in potatoes. Trust me!
- Mashed Potatoes with Heavy Cream – rich and decadent, just show they should be.
- Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes – a foolproof side dish that doesn’t take up space on the stove.
![Overhead Thanksgiving tablescape with stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, green beans and gravy.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Old-Fashioned-Bread-Stuffing-660x989.jpg)
Choose your own vegetable adventure:
- Cheesy Corn Casserole Recipe – creamy corn topped with buttery breadcrumbs.
- Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole Recipe – with fresh beans and no canned soup.
- Sautéed Green Beans and Tomatoes – a side with an Italian twist.
- Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts – brussels sprouts with a tangy-sweet glaze.
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts – foolproof, healthy, and takes less than 20 minutes!
- Roasted Acorn Squash Slices – this will be the most beautiful dish on your table.
- Best Thanksgiving Salad – just what the name implies!
- Thanksgiving Fruit Salad – beautiful and healthful!
![Oval turquoise ceramic bowl filled with Thanksgiving fruit salad made with oranges, grapes, apples, pears, kiwi, pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries and pecans.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Thanksgiving-Fruit-Salad-2-728x1092.jpg)
All the other Thanksgiving recipes you might need to round out your menu:
- Hard Cider Cranberry Sauce – spike your cranberry sauce this year. Why not?
- Thanksgiving Rice Recipe – with cranberries and pears.
- Spiced Honey Butter Rolls – if you’re in the mood to make homemade bread!
- Apple Mac and Cheese – made in a single skillet.
![Overhead photo of three slices of cranberry curd on black plates, topped with whipped cream and orange zest.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Cranberry-Curd-Tart-5-660x989.jpg)
Don’t forget dessert!
- Apple Rose Tart – “showstopping” is the word for this dessert.
- Apple & Pecan Tart – with bourbon caramel sauce!
- Baked Apples in the Oven – an easy treat to make for a crowd.
- Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe – with gluten free options.
- Cranberry Clafoutis – so decadent and delicious.
- Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake from Homemade In The Kitchen
![This Leftover Turkey Chili recipe lets you use up almost all of your Thanksgiving leftovers in one bowl! Easy turkey chili is spooned over mashed potatoes and topped with Crunchy Stuffing Bits! | foxeslovelemons.com Three bowls of hearty chili garnished with cheese, sour cream and green onions, on wood table.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Leftover-Turkey-Chili.jpg)
Time to use up those leftovers!
- Leftover Turkey Chili – uses leftover turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing.
- Stuffed Shells Chicken Alfredo – made with leftover turkey in place of chicken.
- Thanksgiving Dumplings – uses leftover stuffing, turkey and cranberry sauce.
- Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe – uses leftover turkey.
- Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole – uses leftover mashed potatoes.
- Mashed Potato Cakes – uses leftover mashed potatoes.
- Cranberry Sauce Muffins – uses leftover cranberry sauce.
- Ham and Potato Soup – uses leftover ham and the ham bone if you have it.
I bought the turkey today so that one I am going to make for sure. Was planning on a celery root mashed potatoes but finding some good celery root in out local store is a problem , your cedar recipe will be my back up. Excited to see you sauteed green bean recipe because I would never have thought about paring them with tomatoes.
Sounds like your Thanksgiving menu is shaping up, Gertie! Love the idea of celery root mashed potatoes. I hope your store is able to get some celery root in for you before the holiday, because it sure is tasty!
This was a great intro. I must say I am also thankful … In that you found your passion in something that allows me to taste test your incredible creations. Kudos to a job well done. Can’t wait to see the other Epic Thanksgiving posts!
Thanks family!
Beautiful photos and post!
Thank you! Love you!