The biggest food holiday of the year is just around the corner! But preparing Thanksgiving dinner is no easy task. If you’re not sure what to eat or drink, don’t worry. We’ve got 77 Thanksgiving dishes that cover everything. From appetizers to main dishes, desserts to drinks, this blog has it all! Plus, we’ve included easy recipes to help make your Thanksgiving the best ever!
Table of Contents
Create a Custom Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Using AI
All the Thanksgiving dinner ideas and menu recipes in this blog were generated by ChatMax’s AI chatbot, and it’s completely free. If you want to create a custom Thanksgiving menu based on your preferences and the number of guests, here’s how:
1. Go to the ChatMax website, sign up, and start using it for free.
2. Find “Presets” in the left toolbar.
3. Chat with different ChatMax AI chatbots based on your Thanksgiving dinner needs:
- For a Thanksgiving menu: All Presets > Health > Weekly Menu > Enter your request
- For specific Thanksgiving dinner recipes: All Presets > Life Style > Cooking > Enter your request
- For food calories: All Presets > Health > Food Calories > Enter your request
4. That’s it! Besides these features, there are many other useful tools for you to explore. Click below to try it yourself!
15 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers
Ward off hunger pangs with some Thanksgiving appetizers before eating turkey and steak!
1. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
My go-to appetizer! These little bites mix sweet dates with salty bacon, making them super hard to resist. They’ll disappear in no time!
2. Beef-Stuffed Mushrooms
Everyone will want one more! You can also swap the beef for ground turkey, chicken, or sausage.
3. Smoky Deviled Eggs
Classic eggs with a zesty kick! Creamy and always the first to go.
4. Cheese and Charcuterie Board
Your guests will flock to this board, drawn by the tasty cheeses, meats, and nibbles.
5. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Creamy, cheesy, and super addictive. Trust me, you’ll need lots of chips for this one.
6. Cranberry Meatballs
These meatballs are sweet, spicy, tender, and delicious. Everyone get ready to enjoy!
7. French Cheese Ham Sandwiches
Savory French romance between cheese and ham.
8. Caprese Skewers
Fresh Caprese salad flavors are neatly stacked on a stick. How charming!
9. Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Crispy bread with rich tomatoes and basil—a taste of Italian heaven. Tip: Ripe tomatoes are the key to making delicious bruschetta.
10. Mini Quiches
Little egg cups packed with veggies and cheese. Goodbye, boring Thanksgiving dinner!
11. Pumpkin Soup
Warm, creamy pumpkin soup served in a cozy bowl. Of course, a cup is fine too. You can add a pinch of nutmeg to highlight the flavor of the pumpkin.
12. Crispy Onion Rings
One bite of these onion rings will make you happy. Just remember to fry them till they’re golden brown.
13. Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Sophisticated asparagus wrapped in savory prosciutto. It‘s an easy Thanksgiving appetizer recipe, so you can make it ahead of time.
14. Buffalo Cauliflower
It’s like hot wings but made with veggies! Spicy, tangy, and super addictive.
15. Zucchini Fritters
Crispy outside, tender inside—perfect!
20 Best Thanksgiving Main Courses
Whether you’re hosting friends or gathering with family, these 20 Thanksgiving main dishes will impress your guests!
1. Classic Roast Turkey
The Thanksgiving hero, always! When cooked just right, chicken breasts stay juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
2. Honey Glazed Ham
The sweet, sticky, caramelized glaze will have your guests coming back for more!
3. Prime Rib Roast
If you don’t want turkey, choose roast prime rib for your Thanksgiving dinner! The tender, juicy ribs with a garlic herb crust are irresistible!
4. Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken
Bursting with citrusy zest and aromatic herbs, this chicken is anything but ordinary.
5. Stuffed Acorn Squash
Nutty wild rice and cranberries tucked into roasted squash. It’s a vegetarian feast!
6. Rack of Lamb with Mint Chutney
Tender lamb racks with a minty glaze. Your taste buds will thank you!
7. Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington will be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner and will amaze everyone! Plus, it’s much easier to make than it looks!
8. Vegetable Lasagna
Layer upon layer of veggie-packed, cheesy goodness. Comfort food, upgraded!
9. Maple Dijon Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Sweet and tangy flavors that dance with every juicy slice. Unbelievably tasty!
10. Shrimp and Grits
The best coastal comfort! Plump shrimp on buttery, cheesy grits.
11. Roast Duck with Orange Sauce
It’s a unique and delicious alternative to traditional turkey. The rich, juicy duck paired with the sweet and tangy orange sauce creates a perfect balance of flavors.
12. Mushroom Risotto
Creamy, earthy, and totally indulgent. A dish for any special occasion.
13. Garlic Herb Prime Rib
This has been a godsend. A bit pricey, but totally worth it.
14. Pumpkin Chickpea Curry
Warm spices and hearty chickpeas mean comfort on a plate—vegan-style!
15. Balsamic Glazed Short Ribs
Meat lovers rejoice! Tender ribs braised to perfection with a tangy balsamic kick.
16. Rosemary Gnocchi with Chicken
Fluffy pillows of gnocchi cozied up with tender chicken. Bliss in every bite!
17. Pecan-Crusted Salmon
Salmon topped with pecans for extra crunchiness.
18. Seafood Paella
A coastal treat is full of seafood fiesta.
19. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Sweet and tangy pork on buns, ready to delight.
20. Timpano
It’s a showstopper that combines pasta, meat, cheese, and sauce all in one dish.
15 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
These 15 Thanksgiving side dishes might steal the show.
1. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Smooth, buttery clouds of mashed dreams. Simple and absolutely foolproof.
2. Classic Stuffing
Bread and herbs come together in a big, savory hug.
3. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This nostalgic dish adds a touch of comfort and tradition to the Thanksgiving dinner. It perfectly blends sweet and savory flavors, making it a favorite for both kids and adults.
4. Green Bean Almondine
Crisp green beans with nutty almonds—simple and tasty!
5. Glazed Carrots
The sweet glaze enhances the natural flavor of the carrots, making them tender and flavorful.
6. Cornbread Muffins
Golden nuggets of cornbread glory, just waiting for some butter on top.
7. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
The best way to eat your sprouts—of course, with crispy bacon!
8. Sautéed Asparagus
Asparagus with a tender crunch, seasoned to thrill.
9. Macaroni and Cheese
Rich, creamy, and cheesy. It will melt your heart.
10. Garlic Mashed Parsnips
Parsnips have a slightly sweet and nutty flavor that pairs well with garlic.
11. Wild Rice Pilaf
A nutty and herby rice dish that keeps the mood festive!
12. Baked Corn Pudding
Corn’s creamy, decadent affair—you won’t believe how amazing this is!
13. Chestnut Stuffing
Chestnuts bring their festive charm to this stuffing mix. This Thanksgiving side dish will become everyone’s new favorite.
14. Caramelized Onion Tart
Onions turned sweet as candy in a baked delight. Perfect for pie lovers!
15. Zucchini Casserole
Zucchini takes center stage in this cheesy, comforting bake. Taste the love!
20 Best Thanksgiving Desserts
Save room for something sweet! These Thanksgiving desserts will have everyone raving! Make extra because they’ll be gone fast!
1. Pecan Pie
Sticky, sweet, nutty perfection that makes you wanna grab a second slice.
2. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Fluffy, festive cupcakes topped with frosting everyone loves. Enjoy them with the people around you!
3. Chocolate Lava Cakes
Break the crust and let molten chocolate flow from its core.
4. Apple Crisp with Ice Cream
Warm, cinnamon apples under a crispy cover. Top with ice cream for dessert paradise!
5. Cranberry Orange Bread
Sweet bread packed with cranberry goodness and a hint of citrus. So delicious!
6. Gingerbread Cookies
They’re fun to decorate, delicious to eat, and bring a festive vibe to the table.
7. Cherry Cheesecake
Classic cheesecake with a cherry on top—literally!
8. Pumpkin Pie
The ever-reliable, spiced pumpkin draped in a buttery crust.
9. Chocolate Pecan Bars
Crunchy pecans, and gooey chocolate, all wrapped up in one glorious bite.
10. Banana Bread Pudding
The perfect surprise in a pudding, with rich banana essence.
11. Fruit Tart
Radiant fruit smiles on its pastry throne—a feast for both eyes and taste buds!
12. S’mores Brownies
Combine the gooey of roasted marshmallows with rich brownies. Sweet and just right!
13. Blueberry Crumble
Sweet blueberries beneath tempting crunchy crumbles—berries perfected!
14. Key Lime Pie
Zesty zest in a creamy pie, a refreshing end to your delightful meal!
15. Chocolate Fondue
Fun and tasty! Dip fruits, marshmallows, and happiness into a pot of chocolate.
16. Coconut Macaroons
Coconut macaroons have a light texture that contrasts nicely with heavier Thanksgiving dinner dishes. They’re chewy, sweet, and full of coconut flavor.
17. Nutella Crepes
Thin crepes wrapped around Nutella—rich chocolate flavor, pure bliss!
18. Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet and creamy, just like grandma used to bake.
19. Peach Cobbler
Juicy peaches and buttery crumble—a traditional treasure beloved by all.
20. Lemon Meringue Pie
Zesty lemon topped with creamy, dreamy meringue!
7 Best Thanksgiving Drinks
Consider these 7 fall flavors that guests love, from spiced apple cider to non-alcoholic sparkling water and warm hot cocoa by the fireside.
1. Spiced Apple Cider
The scent of warm cider with spices in a crock pot always fills the house with a festive feeling. And it is always a hit.
2. Sparkling Cranberry Punch
A fizzy burst of berry bubbles.
3. Hot Mulled Wine
Warm spices and red wine, a holiday in a sip.
4. Maple Cinnamon Coffee
Warm your insides with this spiced maple coffee.
5. Rum Hot Chocolate
Rich hot chocolate meets enticing rum. It’s creamy and full of flavor, perfect for enjoying by the fire.
6. Grapefruit and Mint White Wine
Refreshing grapefruit with mint leaves are the stars of this beautifully simple wine drink.
7. Coconut Milk Nog
A dairy-free nog with a coconut twist—so creamy, so good! Even though it feels more like Christmas than Thanksgiving, I really love it.
All images above are sourced from the internet.
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Final Words
Hope these 77 Thanksgiving dinner ideas meet your needs and make your guests happy. Gobble, gobble! Happy Turkey Day! Click below to generate more Thanksgiving menus and recipes——all for free!
