Thanksgiving Menu Ideas For The Best Holiday Celebration

Need some inspiration for your Thanksgiving menu? At the heart of every Thanksgiving celebration is, of course, the dinner—a time for cozy celebrations and catching up with loved ones over the best and most delicious meal!

Knowing this importance, I’ve prepared this list of Thanksgiving menu ideas, from appetizers to main dishes and desserts, to ensure your holiday feast is nothing short of spectacular!

Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas

Let’s set the stage with these appetizer recipes—they’re not just for setting your appetite but also for those moments when you’re waiting for someone to arrive before serving the main dish (just kidding)! 

Cranberry, Pecan, Goat Cheese, Sweet Potato Bites

My favorite part about this appetizer is the incredible flavor! It’s the perfect way to start your Thanksgiving dinner before the main dish, with roasted sweet potato slices topped with goat cheese (yum!!!), crunchy pecans, and tart cranberries! 

Salmon Bites

These Smoked Salmon Cucumber Appetizers are a brilliant choice for a Thanksgiving menu, offering a light, refreshing start that balances the typically hearty holiday fare. Their elegant appearance and delightful combination of flavors from the creamy cheese and savory smoked salmon make them perfect for setting a sophisticated tone at your Thanksgiving gathering.

Pumpkin Soup With Coconut Milk

This Easy Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk is ideal for a Thanksgiving appetizer because it’s warming, inviting, and has a creamy texture that’s both comforting and luxurious. The subtle sweetness of the pumpkin combined with the rich coconut milk offers a lovely introduction to the feast, warming guests up for the celebratory meal ahead.

Sweet Corn Risotto

I’ve always loved risotto! I’m in love with its creamy texture, and using corn in risotto is such a great idea. The corn-infused vegetable stock makes the arborio rice perfectly creamy, while a touch of butter and parmesan cheese adds that extra bit of indulgence.

A Bread + Oil Appetizer Dipping Station

If there’s one appetizer that’s universally loved, it’s the classic combination of bread and flavored oils! I’m convinced it’s foolproof—everyone adores it (especially me!). Just slice up some baguettes, gather some olive oil, and mix in delicious flavors like lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic to get that experience similar to your favorite restaurant appetizers.

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Yes, here’s another classic appetizer you can’t miss—the Thanksgiving charcuterie board! It’s not just beautiful; it’s a perfect way to keep everyone happily snacking while dinner is being prepared. 

Thanksgiving Main Dishes

Let’s move on to the star of the night—the main dishes! From whole roasted chicken to a mouth-watering honey mustard glazed ham, these recipes are just chef’s kiss! 

Whole Roasted Chicken Stuffed with Bacon and Celery Stuffing

Starting off with my whole roasted chicken recipe! My favorite! For this, I used bacon and celery stuffing. But this recipe has variations you can try—experiment with different herbs, nuts, or even fruits like apples for a touch of sweetness. If you enjoy a bit of heat, add some chili flakes or extra cayenne pepper to spice things up!

Crockpot Honey Mustard Glazed Ham

Wow, just look at that yummy ham glazing! I love how the sweet honey mustard glaze perfectly matches the juicy ham, balancing savory and sweet flavors. I find myself craving more with every bite! 

Apricot Glazed Bacon Wrapped Cajun Pork Tenderloin

You might notice I’m a little biased towards glazed recipes—I just can’t get enough of them! The blend of apricot and bacon here is the perfect mix of salty and sweet, with a tangy hint from the mustard and a spicy kick from the Cajun seasoning. Absolutely irresistible!

Holiday Baked Salmon

I know ham and turkey are the usual Thanksgiving main dishes, but check out this baked salmon recipe! It’s extremely delicious and mouth-watering. The flipping technique used ensures the salmon stays tender, juicy, and packed with flavor every time.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes 

I’ll not forget about our side dishes! These are essential complements to our Thanksgiving meals! 

Pumpkin Chipotle Roasting Sauce Recipe & Uses

Yes, you’ve read that right! Here’s my pumpkin chipotle roasting sauce recipe. I’m obsessed with the mix of flavors—sweet, tangy, caramelly, spicy, smoky, nutty, and savory all in one. Trust me, it’s a unique relish that’s absolutely worth trying!

Air Fryer Crispy Gnocchi

Shake up your Thanksgiving side dishes with crispy gnocchi. These golden bites are quick to prepare and offer a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with traditional soft holiday foods.

Caramelized Onion and Mushrooms

Caramelized Onion and Mushroom sauce is an excellent Thanksgiving side dish choice as it adds a rich, savory complement to traditional meats like turkey and ham. Its combination of sweet caramelized onions and earthy mushrooms enhances the flavors of main dishes, providing a delicious and easy-to-make addition to your holiday feast.

Roasted Garlic Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

Of course, potatoes should never be missed when it comes to side dishes! They’re just heaven-sent. You won’t be able to resist the rich, roasted garlic flavor and crave-worthy creaminess of these mashed potatoes—perfect for holiday dinners! 

Dauphinoise potatoes With Ham Hock And Mustard

Another potato dish to elevate your Thanksgiving table! This time, creamy Dauphinoise potatoes meet the rich flavors of ham hock and a touch of mustard. It’s a comforting and hearty side that perfectly matches any holiday meal (I can attest to this!), adding a savory twist to the traditional potato dish.

Harvest Salad With Quinoa And Butternut Squash

I always try to include a salad on my Thanksgiving menu, and this one is packed with seasonal goodness! Featuring roasted butternut squash, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, pecans, apple, celery, kale, pomegranate seeds, and savory feta cheese, it’s the perfect mix of flavors and textures. Such perfect addition to fall or winter meals! 

Thanksgiving Desserts

What’s a dinner without desserts? Here are some Thanksgiving desserts that will sweetly conclude your Thanksgiving celebration, satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth!

Sweet Cornbread with Fruit

Let’s kick off dessert with a sweet cornbread featuring juicy fruits! The colors itself will bring the holiday vibes to the table. This dessert is perfect for those looking for a delightful change from traditional pies and cakes!

Orange Cheesecake

Orange Cheesecake is my favorite Thanksgiving dessert because its refreshing citrus flavor offers a delightful contrast to the rich and savory elements of the holiday meal.

No-Bake Pistachio Cheesecake

No-Bake Pistachio Cheesecake is an ideal choice for Thanksgiving dessert right after orange cheesecake because its rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture provide a luxurious and effortless complement, diversifying the dessert table without requiring additional oven space.

Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

The tempting appearance alone makes me want to try this caramel pecan cheesecake! It offers all the rich, nutty flavors of a pecan pie but in a no-bake, egg-free vegan cheesecake form, which makes it simple yet perfect dessert choice.

Delicious Apple Pie Cupcakes

These apple pie cupcakes are my absolute favorite, especially for Thanksgiving—they capture the flavor of apple pie in a delightful cupcake form! The moist, spongy batter combined with a simple apple and cinnamon filling, topped with fluffy cinnamon-spiced buttercream—just absolutely delicious! 

Brown Butter-Maple Shortbread Bear Cookies

Just take a look at these adorable bear-shaped cookies! I’m sure kids (and adults!) will adore them. Made with brown butter and maple syrup, they’re not overly sweet but packed with delicious flavor, making them perfect for any occasion! 

Mexican Apple Pie Recipe

One of my go-to pie recipes is this Mexican apple pie! What sets it apart is its cake-like texture and the clever arrangement of apples, which makes every slice looks picture-perfect! I especially enjoy serving it with a scoop of bourbon vanilla ice cream for a refreshing contrast.

Sticky Lemon Ginger Cake

I mentioned that I love glazed recipes, so here’s one of my favorites—my own recipe for sticky lemon ginger cake! It’s perfect for tea-time indulgence, with a good balance of lemon and spicy ginger flavors. This cake always brings back memories of experimenting with fresh ginger in the kitchen last fall! 

Thanksgiving Snack Ideas

Last but not least, let’s talk snacks!  Whether you’re waiting for the main course or just want a little something extra, we all need those munchies to keep us going! 

Cinnamon Rolls With Apple Pie Filling

The best snack for Thanksgiving has to be these cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling! Imagine biting into fluffy homemade rolls bursting with warm, spiced apples and topped with powdered sugar on top!

Parmesan Puff Stars

These Parmesan puff stars are destined to be a crowd-pleaser—I can already picture everyone reaching for more! These cute-shaped snacks are not only deliciously cheesy but also add a delightful crunch to any holiday meal. 

Pumpkin Pie Tacos

Pumpkin Pie Tacos are a fantastic Thanksgiving snack idea because they combine the classic flavors of pumpkin pie in a fun, handheld format, making them a delightful and easy-to-eat treat that guests can enjoy amidst the festivities.

Savory Pumpkin Bread

Savory Pumpkin Bread is perfect for sandwiches and serves as a delicious snack or side dish any time of day. Its versatile flavor pairs beautifully with a variety of toppings, making it a wonderful addition to any meal.

A big thank you to the creators of these recipes for Thanksgiving menu ideas. With your creativity, we have these delicious recipes that will ensure our holiday celebration is a success!