Cooking Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd is no easy feat. A typical spread may include a roast turkey, potato and vegetable sides and of course, a warm pie. But despite all the stress in the kitchen, there is still something special about preparing this meal at home. Whether you’re looking for quick and easy recipes or exciting and unique takes to bring to the table, our list has you covered. These are truly the best Thanksgiving dinner recipes.
If you’re looking to upgrade or add to your arsenal before preparing this Thanksgiving feast, check out our guide for the eight must-have kitchen tools. They include a fat separator and adorable Le Creuset pie bird.
Keen to make pie from scratch? Check out this helpful pie pastry guide with 10 tips for perfect dough every time. Speaking of which, try this recipe for Pumpkin Pie Spice, a versatile addition to autumnal drinks and desserts. If you’re wondering what drinks to serve on the side, check out these inventive Thanksgiving cocktail recipes. Spoilers: they include a Pumpkin Amaretto Colada and non-alcoholic Cranberry Hopped Spritz.
Best Thanksgiving turkey recipes
Easy Roast Turkey With Wild Sage
While working as executive chef at the Namarata Inn in Okanagan Valley, Ned Bell used fragrant wild sage as the key ingredient in his oven-roasted turkey. He also highly recommends brining your bird, making it “juicy and delicious,” while the “pan drippings taste amazing.”
GET THE RECIPE
Easy Turkey Gravy
A great gravy simply needs a great base. Once you have the basics nailed down, build it up and adjust to your liking. This pan-gravy recipe helps you get there. It’s easy to follow and endlessly customizable, allowing you to impress friends and family.
GET THE RECIPE
Leftover Turkey Sandwich
Jazz up your turkey leftovers the next day by making this inventive sandwich for lunch. To toasted and buttered bread, add your shredded turkey alongside crispy lettuce, fresh avocado, salty bacon and tangy cranberry sauce. A filling but balanced smash-hit of a sandwich.
GET THE RECIPE
Best Thanksgiving potato sides
Classic Mashed Potatoes
It’s hard to beat the classics. Nothing beats a warm bowl of mashed potatoes topped with cracked black pepper, especially in the cool autumn weather. This recipe helps you nail down the basics for a fluffy and creamy mash, but there’s lots of room to customize and experiment. See the tips for some ideas, like adding garlic or cheese.
GET THE RECIPE
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Nutty, rich and warm. This brown butter version of classic mashed potatoes brings new excitement to your Thanksgiving spread. Brown butter is surprisingly quick and easy to make, and becomes a versatile ingredient that brings a deep flavour to your dish.
GET THE RECIPE
Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Take inspiration from vegan cookbook authour Hannah Sunderani, and make this vegan mashed potatoes. Thanks to the inclusion of avocado oil, coconut milk and vegan butter, they’re still creamy, light and fluffy. For an extra special touch, she also includes deep roasted garlic, fried thyme and rosemary.
GET THE RECIPE
Scalloped Potatoes au Gratin
This dish looks elegant and complex, but is actually quite easy to make. Simply peel and slice your potatoes, then coat in a creamy cheesy sauce. Arrange your potatoes in a tight circle, alternating with cheese in between. Bake up and this crowd-pleasing vegetarian side is ready to be served!
GET THE RECIPE
Maple-Glazed Sweet Potatoes With Pesto
Sweet potato is a popular side on Thanksgiving, but have you ever had one like this? PEI chef Michael Smith says about this recipe, “The pesto brings together lots of citrusy cilantro leaves and bright balancing flavours in a tasty condiment ready to complete a deliciously baked sweet potato.”
GET THE RECIPE
Roasted Hasselback Potatoes
Making hasselback potatoes elevates the look and crispiness of regular roasted potatoes. Serve with this recipe’s ranch sauce, load them up like a baked potato with sour cream and bacon or pair them with your Thanksgiving turkey gravy and cranberry sauce.
GET THE RECIPE
Best Thanksgiving vegetable sides
Sauteed Brussels Sprouts With Toasted Pine Nuts
Jennifer Emilson’s additions of cinnamon and sumac (a tart spice commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine) brings an enjoyable warmth to your brussels sprouts. Simply cook until fork-tender in a pan, and top with your toasted pine nuts.
GET THE RECIPE
Squash and Halloumi Salad
If you’re looking for a perfectly balanced salad to make for Thanksgiving dinner, you’re in the right place. This one includes roasted squash, crisp apples, pan-fried halloumi, toasted pumpkin seeds and gets tossed in a bright maple syrup apple cider vinaigrette. For an added bonus, it looks beautiful on the table, with bright autumnal colours.
GET THE RECIPE
Braised Squash Wedges
This recipe comes Deb Perelman, who is potentially the world’s biggest fan of squash, so you know you’re in good hands. This “centerpiece squash” gets browned in the oven until it’s caramelized, with a broth and vinegar mixture added near the end to infuse some extra flavour. Plate up as is or with a smear of Greek yogurt and arugula.
GET THE RECIPE
Green Beans Almondine
This healthy vegan side dish works great as a light pairing to balance out the other strong flavours at the table. It also comes together in just under 20 minutes, including prep and cook. It’s citrusy from a squeeze of lemon juice and zest and nutty with the toasted almonds.
GET THE RECIPE
Best Thanksgiving pie recipes
Pumpkin Meringue Pie
This classic Thanksgiving dessert gets an eye-catching dramatic upgrade with a mountain of torched meringue cream. Best of all, it comes together easily with canned pumpkin purée to make the silky smooth filling. Optionally add some bourbon, whisky or brandy.
GET THE RECIPE
Butternut Squash Pie With Bourbon Whipped Cream
Talk about a showstopper. This butternut squash pie (which you can make with pumpkin) features a crunchy and crispy pumpkin seed crust. The whipped cream topping is elevated with bourbon, putting it in perfect harmony “with the fragrant pumpkin spices.”
GET THE RECIPE
Anna Olson’s Pecan Pie
Anna Olson is admittedly picky when it comes to pecan pie, which makes her version the perfect balance of syrupy filling and nuts. She writes, “Rich and nutty, the brown butter in this filling lends so much flavour and enhances the toastiness of the pecans.”
