This collection of Thanksgiving recipes offers everything from timeless favorites to new creations to help you create a holiday menu guests will rave about. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner or feeding a full house, this roundup covers everything from breakfast to delicious sides to show-stopping main courses and irresistible desserts. I’m sharing everything from flaky biscuits to roasted veggies, sweet baked ham, caramel-swirled cheesecakes, and pies with perfectly golden crusts!
The Best Thanksgiving Recipes for Your Holiday Table
Thanksgiving is a time to gather, give thanks, and enjoy really good food. It’s one of my favorite holidays! I love the cozy flavors, the slow cooking, the nostalgic family recipes, and of course… the thanksgiving desserts. Whether you’re leaning traditional or want to mix things up with a few fun twists, this list brings together my favorite tried-and-true dishes that always impress. Consider it your go-to guide for planning a spread that feels both effortless and unforgettable.
Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas
I’ll be honest: I’m usually the person who skips breakfast on Thanksgiving so I can “save room” for the big dinner spread. But my wife gently reminds me every year that breakfast is actually an important meal and skipping it just leaves me cranky and starving by noon. So this year, I’m making a few light but festive Thanksgiving breakfast options that won’t spoil my appetite, but will still keep me fueled for the day. Think cozy, simple dishes with plenty of fall flavor—just enough to hold me over until the turkey comes out of the oven.
Easy Bacon Quiche Recipe with Scallions & Gruyere
This bacon quiche with scallions and Gruyère offers a perfect blend of smoky, creamy, and savory flavors in a flaky crust.
Apple Scones Recipe with Maple Icing
This flaky apple scones recipe features brown butter, warm spices, and a sweet maple icing for a homemade treat perfect for breakfast right before Thanksgiving dinner!
The BEST Cinnamon Roll Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Learn how to make the best cinnamon roll recipe with homemade cream cheese frosting, and you’ll never go back to store-bought again!
Moist & Flavorful Pumpkin Muffins
Simple yet flavorful, these soft, fluffy muffins are a welcome addition to any collection of Thanksgiving recipes.
Sausage Quiche Made With Homemade Turkey Sausage
Indulge in the savory delight of sausage quiche made with homemade turkey sausage, where juicy, savory turkey sausage meets creamy eggs and melty cheese, all nestled in a golden, flaky crust—perfect for a hearty brunch or a satisfying dinner any day of the week!
Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole w/ Cream Cheese Frosting
Elevate your favorite breakfast treat with this easy cinnamon roll casserole made with frozen cinnamon roll dough and cream cheese frosting!
Ultimate Banana Bread Recipe
Not your average banana bread, this loaf is made with a cinnamon-sugar swirl and sliced bananas on top. Picture perfect, it’s a timeless treat everyone will always eat.
Easy Banana Pancake Recipe
Pancakes for dessert? Why not! Fluffy and sweet, kids love them, especially when they get to add their own toppings. Of course, they also make for a great breakfast before the big feast.
Easy Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This Easy Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe is a comforting dish featuring savory sausage, tender vegetables, cheese, and hearty potatoes. Delicious, simple, and incredibly flavorful, this casserole is your next go-to breakfast recipe!
Easy Banana Muffins with Crumb Topping
Soft, moist, easy banana muffins with ripe bananas, cinnamon, and brown butter, topped with a walnut crumb. A cozy treat perfect for breakfast or snacks!
Easy Homemade Apple Fritters
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and dipped in sweet glaze, these apple fritters are bakery-level good.
Thanksgiving Sides and Appetizers
I’ve got you covered with the BEST Thanksgiving dinner recipes! Pick your favorites, or go crazy and make them all. You really can’t go wrong, but, if you ask me, Thanksgiving sides and appetizers are the best part of the entire meal.
The Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
A personal favorite, no Thanksgiving is complete without this rich, creamy, ultra-cheesy mac and cheese.
Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
The ultimate comfort food, these southern collard greens are smoky, tender, and flavorful with smoked turkey, aromatics, and spices!
Cauliflower Au Gratin with Gruyère and Bacon
Add veggies to your table without sacrificing any flavor with this cheesy cauliflower recipe.
Cheddar Cornbread with Chives and Brown Butter
Elevate your average cornbread with brown butter, fresh chives, and sharp cheddar.
How to Make Dirty Rice
Savory, seasoned, and full of aromatics, this dish is hearty enough to be a main but shines as a side.
The Best Candied Yams Recipe
Sweet, buttery, and caramelized with warm spices, these yams are a holiday essential everyone loves.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Dates
Crispy on the outside with sweet and savory flavors, these sprouts turn even the biggest veggie haters into huge fans.
Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms and Crispy Onions
Ditch the soggy green bean casserole, and make these tender green beans instead. Topped with crispy onions and Parmesan, they’re savory, smoky, garlicky, and so delicious.
Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
Slow-simmered, hearty, and full of rich flavor, this side is perfect for rounding out a Southern-style feast.
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Comforting, buttery cabbage cooked with smoky bacon for a simple but addictive side dish.
Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Potato Casserole)
Creamy, cheesy, and topped with crispy cornflakes, this beloved casserole is always a crowd favorite Thanksgiving recipe.
Asparagus Puff Pastry with Prosciutto and Gruyere
This recipe looks impressive but is secretly super easy to make. It’s guaranteed to impress everyone around the table.
The Best Southern Cornbread Recipe
With crisp edges, a moist center, and lightly sweetened, this is one side that never lasts long.
Southern Butter Beans with Smoked Turkey
Soul warming and SO tasty, these savory, smoky beans are a must-have on every table.
Easy Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe
Flaky, buttery, and impossibly soft, these biscuits are the perfect starter for any Thanksgiving meal and great for pairing with honey butter or jam.
Main Courses for Thanksgiving
Turkey is a classic option, but why not switch things up? These are my favorite main courses to serve for the holiday!
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
Skip the turkey, and opt for a main course people actually want to eat with this sweet and tangy easy baked ham.
Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Who doesn’t love chicken? My method ensures each piece turns out golden and crisp with tender, juicy meat and a bold, savory flavor.
Fried Chicken Wings
These fried chicken wings are crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. Marinated in buttermilk and spices, this recipe will be your new go-to for fried chicken!
Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
When it comes to wrapping up your holiday feast, Thanksgiving desserts are where the magic really happens. From timeless favorites like pumpkin and pecan pie to more creative Thanksgiving dessert ideas—think apple crisp, pumpkin cheesecake bars, or spiced cookies—there’s no shortage of sweet inspiration. Whether your guests crave something classic or love trying something new, these cozy, fall-flavored treats are the perfect way to end your Thanksgiving celebration.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Maple Whipped Cream
Think of these bars as pumpkin pie meets cheesecake and is topped with maple whipped cream. With a spiced graham cracker crust, creamy filling, and fluffy topping, every bite offers layers of incredible flavors, and the bars are perfect for individual servings!
Easy Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This might not be a traditional dessert, but it definitely belongs on your table! Sweet and slightly nutty, moist, fluffy cake batter is layered with sweet cream cheese frosting, creating the perfect balance of tastes and textures.
Delicious Pumpkin Bars with Chocolate Chips
Soft, chewy, and made with brown butter, these dessert bars have it all. They’re everything you love about chocolate chip cookies paired with warm spices and pumpkin pie.
Brown Butter Sweet Potato Cheesecake Recipe
This cheesecake blends nutty brown butter, soft sweet potato, and warm spices into a show-stopping dessert. Creamy, rich, and full of fall flavor, it’s guaranteed to impress.
The Best Apple Crisp Recipe
Warm, juicy apples are baked beneath a golden buttery crumble for the ultimate fall dessert. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for the perfect finishing touch.
Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Creamy pumpkin filling, warm spices, and a crisp gingersnap crust make this cheesecake a must-try holiday dessert. It’s rich, smooth, and full of festive flavor.
Sweet Potato Cookies with Marshmallow
With a gooey marshmallow center, cinnamon sugar flavor, and a touch of orange zest, these cookies are an instant favorite for everyone who tries them!
Soft and Chewy Spice Cookies
Prep these cookies ahead of time, and bake them just before serving. Soft and chewy with sweet, spiced flavor, they’re the perfect way to celebrate.
Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats
A festive twist on a childhood classic, these treats are gooey, spiced, and perfect for when you need a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert.
The Best Cinnamon Cookies Recipe
These cookies are soft and chewy with crisp edges and bold cinnamon flavor in every bite. Even better, they’re ready to eat in less than an hour!
Honey Bun Cake
Moist and swirled with cinnamon sugar, this cake tastes like your favorite honey bun in dessert form. Then, a glossy glaze takes it over the top.
The Best Carrot Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Rich, moist, and perfectly spiced, this two-layer carrot cake is finished with tangy cream cheese frosting that complements every bite.
Moist Coconut Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Shake up Thanksgiving with this moist coconut cake that is complete with velvety buttercream frosting and toasted coconut.
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
These chewy, moist, and absolutely delicious banana chocolate chip cookies will be your go-to favorite cookie recipe, especially for Thanksgiving!
Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie
Add to your pie lineup with creamy, spiced sweet potato pie complete with a nutty, buttery, flaky crust.
Banana Bars with Chocolate Chips
Soft, gooey, and packed with chocolate chips, these banana bars are made even better with brown butter for added depth and richness and a touch of cinnamon.
Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Nothing says Thanksgiving like the combination of pumpkin, molasses, and warm spices found in this cookie recipe!
The Best Chocolate Chess Pie
Rich, silky, and deeply chocolatey, this Southern classic is always a hit during the holidays.
Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Forget the store-bought version. This homemade pumpkin pie is silky, perfectly spiced, and baked in a golden, flaky crust that makes every bite irresistible.
Homemade Salted Caramel Cheesecake
With a creamy filling and a glossy layer of salted caramel, this cheesecake is pure indulgence. Your friends and family will be begging for the recipe.
Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars
Creamy cheesecake is topped with warm, spiced apple crisp in this dreamy mash-up dessert.
Sweet Potato Cheesecake Bars with Maple Whipped Cream
These bars feature a spiced sweet potato cheesecake layer over a crisp graham cracker crust. Perfectly sweet, they’re a fun twist on classic Thanksgiving flavors.
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist, smooth, and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, this red velvet cake is celebratory without being too heavy and is a fun way to add a pop of color to your table.
White Cake Recipe with Vanilla Buttercream
A timeless dessert, this easy cake is elegant in appearance with a sweet flavor and a soft, fluffy consistency. The tangy buttercream is the perfect finishing touch.
Biscoff Cheesecake Bars with Biscoff Whipped Cream
These bars blend buttery Biscoff cookies with creamy cheesecake for a dessert that’s sweet, spiced, and completely irresistible. The cookie butter flavor shines through every layer.
Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe
Hosting chocolate lovers? You need this cake on your table! The cake is intensely chocolatey, and the creamy frosting is enhanced with espresso, making it bold without being overpowering.
Sour Cream Pound Cake
A simple dessert, this soft, tangy pound cake is the perfect base for a variety of toppings. Guests love getting to make it their own!
Brown Sugar Cookies
If you’ve never had brown butter cookies, you’ve been seriously missing out. It adds incredible depth, and the molasses flavor is the perfect complement.
Delicious Apple Turnover Recipe With Puff Pastry
Golden, flaky puff pastry is filled with warm, spiced apples and baked until crisp and tender. These turnovers are easy to make, delicious warm, and a great handheld dessert option for guests.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Why choose between chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin cookies when you can have them both? Soft, chewy, and flavorful, these festive cookies are a Thanksgiving recipe no one can resist.
I hope you found this collection of Thanksgiving recipes helpful! From classic favorites to fun twists, all the recipes are simple, flavorful, and always a hit with family and friends. If you do give any of these recipes a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @butterloveandsalt on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support Butter, Love & Salt and make it possible for me to continue to create delicious recipes.
Thanks to you both. Adorable.
Happy Thanksgiving !
Happy Thanksgiving!