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The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner Guide

Updated on November 16, 2025

Our full menu of classic and easy Thanksgiving recipes, featuring all the classics plus delicious gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free options for everyone to enjoy.

thanksgiving turkey on table
The Thanksgiving Menu

Hey everyone, welcome to the Chris Cooks Thanksgiving Menu! I’ve put together my tried-and-true Thanksgiving recipes that will be perfect to cook for the people you care about. We have a mix of Thanksgiving classics, from the classic whole roasted turkey and green bean casserole to roasted sweet potatoes and dinner rolls. I’ve also included many variations on recipes that are gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free to include those in your life with food restrictions—as we have in my household. Most of these recipes are easy, so you can spend more time enjoying the day with your family and friends.

Youtube video

You can also jump to the cooking schedule to help you stay on track with all the prep work. Without further ado, let’s get cooking!

Main Dishes for Thanksgiving

Roast Thanksgiving turkey on festive table, perfect holiday centerpiece for realistic holiday home, holiday dinner, autumn celebration, family gathering, festive table spread, holiday feast, traditional turkey dinner.
Roast turkey breast for Thanksgiving on decorative serving platter with herbs, ideal for holiday meal preparation and family gatherings. Perfect for a traditional festive dinner.
Turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy on a white plate, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
Perfectly cooked prime rib roast on a cutting board
Smoked turkey legs as a savory festive dish on a Thanksgiving tablescape
Cranberry Glazed Ham on a white platter at a dinner table

Sides for Thanksgiving

Roasted vegetable stuffing in serving dish, easy homemade vegan holiday dish, seasonal dinner side, gluten-free Thanksgiving recipe.
Fluffy homemade dinner rolls in a bowl, perfect for family meals and comfort food, easy to make from scratch, soft and buttery, ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or everyday dinners.
Savory cornbread and sausage dressing baked in a white casserole dish, homemade holiday casserole, rustic comfort food, Chris Loves Julia recipe, holiday side dish.
Roasted sweet potatoes with brussels sprouts and pancetta in a skillet, ready to serve for a cozy fall meal. Ideal for healthy, hearty roasted vegetable recipes and holiday side dishes.
Easy asparagus casserole recipe with tender asparagus, savory cheese, and crispy bacon, perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings. Delicious, simple, and satisfying.
Roasted honeynut squash with caramelized edges and fragrant herbs, served fresh from the oven. Perfect for cozy fall dinners and healthy vegetable dishes, this simple recipe highlights the natural sweetness of honeynut squash with minimal ingredients.
Creamy scalloped potatoes with melted cheese and green onions in a white casserole dish, perfect for a cozy dinner or holiday side dish.
Cranberry ginger Brussels sprouts dish on a rustic dining table with fresh oranges and candle holder, showcasing a cozy, festive meal.
Mashed sweet potatoes in a white oval dish, garnished with herbs and served as a delicious side dish for holiday meals.
Creamy butternut squash mac and cheese recipe, comforting fall dinner idea, flavorful pasta dish with roasted squash and cheese, perfect for family meals.
Roasted cauliflower on white serving platter with charred edges, served with a spoon and striped napkin, healthy vegetable dish for dinner or lunch, gourmet roasted cauliflower recipe.
Roasted sweet potatoes with maple and bacon vinaigrette, easy fall side dish, healthy roasted sweet potato recipe, sweet potato side dish with bacon, autumn roasted vegetable recipe.
Roasted sweet potatoes with romesco sauce, healthy vegetable dish, cozy home-cooked meal, seasonal recipe, Chris Loves Julia kitchen photography.
Homemade savory pumpkin baked rigatoni in a baking dish, topped with cheese, ready to serve, perfect for fall recipes.
Shaved brussels sprouts and crispy salt pork salad, healthy vegetable side dish for dinner or lunch
Roasted beets served in a black bowl with walnuts and feta cheese, on a marble surface, with honey and pistachios in the background, perfect for healthy, gourmet beet recipes.
Buttery and crusty herb-topped dinner rolls in a glass baking dish, perfect for holiday meals and family dinners, showcasing homemade bread recipes from Chris Loves Julia.
Crispy fried onions on green bean casserole in a baking dish, close-up of a classic holiday side dish topped with crispy onions, part of festive meal preparations, warm and cozy home cooking scene.
Rosemary chili smashed potatoes, flavorful roasted potato recipe, easy side dish, delicious comfort food, oven roasted potatoes recipe, healthy potato side dish, hearty vegetable side, sweet and spicy mashed spuds, perfect for family dinners, quick potato recipes.
Colorful red quinoa salad packed with corn, mint, and greens, perfect for healthy eating and quick, delicious side dishes, suitable for meal prepping and family dinners.
Roasted butternut squash with rosemary and sage, healthy side dish, fall vegetable recipe, easy roasted butternut squash, seasonal vegetable dishes.
Delicious and nutritious braised Brussels sprouts with greens and seasonings, perfect as a side dish for any meal. Simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and ideal for healthy eating.
Creamy mashed potatoes served in a white bowl with steam rising, showcasing a comforting homemade side dish perfect for holidays and family dinners.
Dijon country gravy in a white serving dish, focusing on homemade comfort food recipes and Southern cooking.

Soups & Salads for Thanksgiving

Fresh harvest salad with greens cherry tomatoes bacon croutons and balsamic dressing served in a wooden bowl for healthy eating and meal ideas.
Creamy roasted butternut squash soup served in bowls with fresh apples and a cozy linen cloth, perfect for fall comfort food recipes.
Crispy bacon wedge salad with autumn soup and fresh bread, cozy fall meal, fall-inspired recipe, autumn soup and salad, seasonal comfort food, gourmet salad with bacon and cheese, hearty fall lunch, autumn dinner ideas, seasonal salad and soup pairing, delicious fall recipes, vegetable and bacon salad, pumpkin or squash soup, healthy autumn meal, rustic bread with soup.
Creamy turkey sausage and potato soup in white bowls, garnished with green herbs, on a wooden table with a gray napkin, showcasing a comforting homemade recipe from Chris Loves Julia.
Winter salad and sweet potato dressing recipe, healthy meal ideas, fresh salad ingredients, seasonal winter salads, easy salad dressing recipes.
Creamy pumpkin soup with crispy smoked pork and chive oil served in a bowl on a kitchen countertop.

Snacks & Appetizers for Thanksgiving

Sugar-Dusted Cranberries
Roasted mixed nuts, holiday snack, healthy nuts blend, artisanal nuts assortment, festive nut mix, gourmet snack, crunchy mixed nuts, holiday party treat, homemade roasted nuts, gluten-free nuts, protein-rich snack, natural snack options, snack platter idea, holiday gift idea, culinary nuts collection.
A beautifully arranged charcuterie board with cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, nuts, and toppings, designed for entertaining tips from Chris Loves Julia. This image highlights the art of creating the perfect charcuterie platter for parties or casual get-togethers.

Desserts for Thanksgiving

Spiced Peach Crumble baking dish with a crumbly topping, surrounded by cozy kitchen essentials for perfect autumn desserts.
Pumpkin chocolate chip ice cream with pumpkins in the background, showcasing a fall-inspired dessert perfect for cozy gatherings and seasonal celebrations.
Baked pears and rosemary caramel dessert, roasted pears with rosemary and caramel sauce, easy baked pear recipe for fall, healthy gourmet dessert with fresh herbs, comforting baked fruit with caramel glaze.
Pumpkin cheesecake on a gray plate with a slice served on a fork; fall dessert, homemade pumpkin cheesecake recipe, seasonal baking, dessert photography, Chris Loves Julia.
Homemade cranberry sauce, fresh homemade cranberry sauce, easy recipe for cranberry sauce, holiday cranberry sauce, classic homemade cranberry sauce recipe.
A beautifully plated rosemary caramel baked apples on a dark plate, garnished with fresh rosemary and chopped nuts, perfect for fall desserts and cozy autumn gatherings.

Drinks for Thanksgiving

Mulled apple cider with cinnamon sticks and fresh apples in a cozy setting, perfect for fall and holiday gatherings.
Refreshing harvest punch drink with orange slices and rosemary garnish in glass pitcher and glass, perfect for fall gatherings and seasonal entertaining at home.
Creamy homemade butterbeer with whipped cream served in glass mugs next to Ninja blender, creating a Harry Potter-inspired drink in a stylish, well-organized kitchen setting.

Cooking Schedule for Thanksgiving (Free, Downloadable Printable)

Want to make your life easier? Download this free printable with a step-by-step plan and recipe instructions. It’s perfect for a one-oven kitchen and lets you prep ahead of time so you can relax on the big day.

Cooking schedule for Thanksgiving with prep days and meal plan

Recipe Playlist

Need some inspiration? I have 16 of my most popular recipes from above on a Thanksgiving playlist on my Chris Cooks YouTube channel. Pull up a chair, have a look, and you might find your new favorite holiday meal tradition.

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  1. I look forward to your Thanksgiving posts every year! Your “How to Cook Thanksgiving in One Oven” schedule has been a lifesaver for years at our house and I love the new printable schedule!!

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