10 Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes (2024)

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy a delicious feast. Whether you’re an experienced chef or a beginner in the kitchen, these 10 easy Thanksgiving dinner recipes will help you create a memorable and mouthwatering holiday meal. Let’s get started!

Recipe 1: Classic Roast Turkey

Ingredients:

• 1 whole turkey (12–15 pounds)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, halved
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Rinse and pat dry the turkey.
3. In a bowl, combine the softened butter, salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
4. Gently lift the turkey skin and rub the butter mixture underneath.
5. Stuff the turkey with onion, lemon, and any herbs you like.
6. Roast the turkey according to its weight, following package instructions.

Recipe 2: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil the potatoes in a large pot until tender. Drain.
2. In a saucepan, warm the milk and butter until the butter melts.
3. Mash the potatoes and gradually add the milk mixture.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe 3: Traditional Stuffing

Ingredients:

• 10 cups bread cubes (white or wheat)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons sage
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter and sauté the onion and celery until soft.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and mix until well combined.
5. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 30–40 minutes until golden brown.

Recipe 4: Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1 orange, zested and juiced

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.
2. Stir in cranberries and simmer until they pop, about 10 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest and juice.
4. Let it cool before serving.

Recipe 5: Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (14 oz each) green beans, drained
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a casserole dish, combine green beans, mushroom soup, and milk.
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbling.
4. Top with fried onions and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Recipe 6: Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and garlic in a baking dish.
3. Roast for 20–25 minutes or until tender.
4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper before serving.

Recipe 7: Buttery Dinner Rolls

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
2. Gradually add the warm milk and melted butter, mixing until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes until smooth.
4. Cover and let it rise for about 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Shape the dough into rolls and place them on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown.

Recipe 8: Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk. Mix well.
3. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
4. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, 1/4 cup melted butter, and pecans.
5. Sprinkle the pecan mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Recipe 9: Gravy

Ingredients:

• 2 cups turkey drippings (from roasted turkey)
• 2 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine turkey drippings and broth. Bring to a boil.
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour with a small amount of water to create a smooth paste.
3. Gradually whisk the paste into the boiling liquid, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Recipe 10: Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
3. Beat in the eggs and gradually add evaporated milk.
4. Pour the filling into the pie crust.
5. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.
6. Let the pie cool before serving.