My Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu
Over the years, we’ve had a variety of different Thanksgiving celebrations. Traveling to see family. Family traveling to us. Celebrating with friends because we couldn’t convince any extended family to visit Wisconsin and then Northern Minnesota in the winter (can’t blame them). Hunkering down at a cabin in the woods. And a couple times, celebrating with just our little family. I’ve loved every single one.
This year, it looks like it will be a moderate-sized celebration with my family, my sister’s fam, and my Aunt Marilyn (and my uncle and cousin). I’m excited. I really, really love Thanksgiving.
I’m already planning out our menu (full disclosure: I started planning weeks ago). I’ve bucked tradition before, like last year when we had spaetzle, stroganoff, and then went and watched a movie in the afternoon, and honestly, it was awesome. But this year, it’s all about our traditional favorites.
Below is the lineup of what we’ll be having! The only caveat is that I think I might smoke our turkey on the pellet grill this year (but even if I do, I might make the slow cooker turkey anyway for freezer leftovers because it’s SO good and SO easy). Also I do have one or two other Thanksgiving recipes to post in the next couple weeks that may make the cut (a roll recipe and a couple desserts). Decisions, decisions.
Also, speaking of desserts, if you have wanted to conquer pie making once and for all, here’s the step-by-step pie making boot camp series I did last year that will answer ALL of your pie making questions!
There are so many options for Thanksgiving – sometimes it’s almost painful to try and decide what to make. What to eat!! While the list below is our personal menu this year, here are a few other posts to inspire some other recipe ideas if you need them!
My Thanksgiving Menu 2017
Thanksgiving Menu 2016
The Perfect Thanksgiving Menu 2015 (can you see how that confetti corn has become a T-day staple??)
Thanksgiving Dinner At-a-Glance (2012)
I’d love to know what’s on your menu! And stay tuned, because next week I have a helpful, comprehensive guide on how to make ahead tons of Thanksgiving recipes!
P.S. For all those panicked (haha) because I didn’t include sweet potatoes/yams in the menu, that’s largely because I’m posting a new sweet potato recipe next week that will most likely be on our Thanksgiving table…and also, to be quite honest, none of us around here really love the marshmallowy, sugary, uber sweet sweet potato casseroles that flank Thanksgiving traditions (I hope we can still be friends). If not the new sweet potato recipe, I’ll probably make this stuffed sweet potato bacon casserole, because it is straight up amazing.
Dear Mel, This is the second year I made your Simple Roast Turkey (oven bag method), and I love it because a 20 lb. turkey was done in three hours, AND it stayed warm for an hour covered, while I used the oven for the side dishes! I also used your Baked Garlic Mashed potato recipe (Doubled, fed 15 +) and instead of baking them in the oven, they fit in my 8qt. slow cooker for an hour till we ate.( I also make your slow cooker turkey breast the day before, and it yields 6 cups of excellent broth for gravy (to make while sides are baking,), as well as extra turkey breast meat.) Everything was delicious! Thank you! I post this because these recipes far top many years of frantic, last minute cooking, and my family said this was the BEST Thanksgiving meal I have ever made. Do you have a good recipe for slow-cooker Mac-n -cheese? Feeding 25 for Christmas with your recipes… 🙂 You are a Rock Star! My KT cookbooks sit dormant on the shelf since I found you! Many thanks, and Merry Christmas and Blessings to you and your beautiful family!
Aw, thanks so much, Nancy! I love to read comments like this (I always love seeing your comments pop up!) and I am SO thrilled that your Thanksgiving meal went off without a hitch! That’s funny because I made that slow cooker turkey recipe the day before, too, and used the broth for gravy the next day! Great minds think alike. 🙂 You know, I don’t have a great go-to slow cooker mac and cheese. I’m so sorry! If I come across a good one, I’ll let you know!
Mel, you mentioned posting a new sweet potato recipe…is that still an option for this Thanksgiving? We too do not enjoy the marshmallow bakes traditional served and I am always looking to up my yammy game!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rachel
Hey Rachel! I’m so sorry! I meant to post that recipe, but I made it three times and at the end, it still was just kind of meh. I wish it had been a winner! I think I can tweak it to be awesome but probably not until next year. Sorry!
Ugh I’ll never be thin with you!! I’ve followed you’re wonderful ness forever and you have the best recipes and blog ever! I’ve been making the thick & chewy m&m cookie bars for my kids school functions and friends for years and everyone goes insane! Now I’ve gotta try the raspberry ribbon salad omg and the chocolate chip cookie pie and the crust less pumpkin pie cupcakes oh good Lord. The list goes on.
We are going to try smoking our turkey in the pellet grill too! Never done it before, so I’m hoping it works haha. Have you done it before? Have any good tips for us?
I haven’t done it in a pellet grill yet (but I have in an upright smoker). After doing some research I think I’m actually going to spatchcock the turkey first so it cooks faster. I’ve never done that before but there are lots of tutorials online. I hope it works out!
Oh we have a CampChef so maybe that’s an upright smoker like yours?? I’m still new to the smoker thing. haha
I used your thanksgiving options last year and it was a success for our first thanksgiving done by ourselves without family!
Following your lead again this year! Thank you!
Thanks, Kae! Good luck with your Thanksgiving menu planning!
I did a trial run of your green bean casserole and am never making the canned soup version again!! Even my mushroom hating son loved it – the topping is delicious. I made it a day ahead minus the topping and it worked out perfectly.
Fingers crossed I will be “assigned” to bring this to Thanksgiving, otherwise my family will be waiting until Christmas.
I’m so happy to hear that! Hope that ends up being your assignment!
Hi Mel,
Thanks for all these ideas. We live in England but celebrate Thanksgiving every year on the following weekend as it’s not a holiday here.
I’m using the confetti corn (again) this year and going to try the green bean casserole.
Can I ask what the picture is of which is below the turkey, the second one down the post? It looks amazing but I can’t seem to link it in with anything?
Natasha
It looks like this pie:
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/chocolate-cream-pudding-pie-with-graham-cracker-crust/
Enjoy your Thanksgiving! We’re celebrating our first Thanksgiving living outside the US this year. It’s definitely a different thing when everyone else has to work and you can’t even find turkey. 😉 But, it will make for some great memories, I’m sure.
Thanks, Amanda! Yes, that’s the pie!
Thought I had my menu finished but seeing the Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon that can be made 2 days ahead of time–well, what do I have to lose? I have been using a “game plan” for years to help me get everything on the table at the right time and am looking forward to seeing what you use. Thanks, Mel, your recipes have never disappointed me.
That corn is the best! Every year for Christmas and/or Thanksgiving when my sister asks what she should make, I ask her to make the confetti corn.
Yes! One of the best things on our table.
Jennie, thanks for the encouragement; it was a big hit at our dinner this year.
Thanks, Peggy! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Mel, the creamy confetti corn with bacon was a big hit and will be a regular for holiday meals and potlucks!
Glad to hear it, Peggy!
I love your raspberry ribbon salad, but I would never have time to fix it on Turkey day since it needs to be served within a couple of hours.
Just a note to say thank you Mel! I am a faithful follower of yours, and your recipes never let me down. Its my turn to host Thanksgiving this year; while I’m pulling out a few family favorites to honor all those in attendance, I turn to you for all the “holes” in my menu. This year I’m trying the slow cooker turkey, green bean casserole, and stove top stuffing as well as one (or two, how can I choose!) of your pies! Appreciate you taking the stress out of my menu planning!
Thank you, Catherine! Good luck hosting!!
Hi Mel! I have a question about the mashed potatoes. How do you plan to make them to serve more than 6-7? Like keep them hot and all that. Is 4# potatoes the most you can do in a 6 qt IP?
Hey Anneliese, you can probably do 5-6 pounds of potatoes in the Instant Pot…for a crowd larger than 8 or so, I pull out my 8-quart Instant Pot. However you could make them normal on the stovetop and then keep them warm in a large slow cooker. That works great to keep them ready and waiting for several hours.
Hi Mel,
I love the way you create the menu’s for cooking for a large group. I use them when my family cooks for a homeless shelter.
I’m wondering if you have don’t the same type of week long meal prep menus for Thanksgiving dinner. I never know which items I can cook the day before or even a few days in advance.
My thanksgiving day starts at 6:00 am for a meal we eat at 3:00. I’m hoping to find a little help in stretching out all of that work!
Love your work and recipes!
I’m hoping to get a guide up for that next week!
I have made so many of your amazing recipes the past few years during the holidays. Just like others have commented, last year, nearly everything on our Thanksgiving table was thanks to you and this here blog. As for this year, I still don’t have a kitchen and we are traveling to be with family. However, I’ve made a resolve that we are going to “break-in” the new kitchen as soon as it’s ready with a Thanksgiving spread that will include all our new favorites that have fast become traditions– thanks to Mel’s Kitchen Cafe! I’ll keep you posted when we do– and probably send pictures 🙂
I love the image of you christening your new kitchen with a Thanksgiving meal, Helen! I can’t wait for that moment for you! I definitely want to see pictures!
At our house this year it will be : the romaine salad w/feta ,cranberries, bacon, poppyseed dressing, butternut squash bisque soup, brined and roasted turkey,
sausage, mushroom and wild rice pilaf, sheet pan roasted vegetables, corn casserole { the jiffy mix one}, Desserts will be cranberry crumble shortbread bars, and pumpkin cheesecake. Also- my oldest daughters boyfriend/fiancee has never seen ” The Sound of Music” so after dinner we will have a lovely movie rather than football!
Oh yes, that romaine salad is perfect for Thanksgiving. Your menu sounds divine! I might need the recipe for those cranberry crumble shortbread bars. They sound amazing! And I wish I was at your house watching The Sound of Music – one of my all time favorite movies!
Something I did the year before last was create a folder with all my Thanksgiving recipes in it. Wow what a blessing it was the next year. I’d love to be part of a mix it up try new things kind of family…but alas, that’s not us!
The first page in the folder has the menu laid out and at the bottom of the page…a simple time table: Cornbread for stuffing 1 week in advance, Turkey out of freezer on Sunday, Cranberry Salad and sauce on Tuesday, Bake sweet potatoes w/o topping Wednesday, Rolls out of freezer on Wednesday, Chop celery, onions and parsley on Wednesday, Pies on Wednesday night, cool whip out of freezer
And, I have a grocery list…
I do the exact same thing! I have all our menus from the last few years, including who was with us. I also have a timeline. My second daughter is my fellow cook and we have a system and schedule down. Our menu doesn’t vary too much, either. It includes a healthy dose of Mel’s recipes, as well.
I think that’s a great idea to get all your family favorites in one section! And honestly, you are definitely not alone when it comes to not branching out much on this holiday. It’s all about those traditional recipes for some people and I love that! You are super organized…and I love that!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Thanksgiving even though I have spent it at my own house with my dog and cat for many years! Sometimes when I visit family at other times, we do a TDay dinner and I have great memories from child-young adulthood. I love my “on my own” traditions as well.
In the past, I’ve cooked whole turkeys but about 2 years ago decided that I really preferred a bone-in breast. Plenty of meat with leftovers and enough bones to make broth. Here in the Northwest, I love the Norbest brand (Utah based). If I want a “pretty” roast: oven, otherwise and depending on size – Instant Pot! Both ways are easy.
After turkey: mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole or even steamed peas for a green thing, cranberry relish, GRAVY!, sourdough rolls.
I love pumpkin pie and make a mini pie in some 5 1/2 inch pie plates I have.
I love the prep, the cooking, the eating and some pie with a peppermint tisane to finish.
In between, outside with my pets. I always hope for a bit of snow, but even if it is dry, it is a beautiful day.
Love how gravy is in all caps, Liz. YESSSS! I also love that you love Thanksgiving. Maybe someday we’ll be close enough or in the same neck of the woods to see each other on this holiday! That would be a fun dream come true. 🙂
My sister-in-law handles the turkey and some of the sides…I contribute a corn/macaroni casserole, a peanut butter pie, and your caramel apple cheesecake bars. I think my husband’s family would disown me if I didn’t bring those two desserts every year!
Haha! It’s awesome (and sometimes kind of funny) how tradition plays such a roll in what we make and eat at Thanksgiving!
So love your blog!!!! Cannot thank you enough for all the wonderful recipes I have gleaned over the years. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I look forward to reading holiday blogs as well as everyone’s comments about their menu and family traditions. Below is our 2018 menu. We will have 18 with us this year and absolutely can’t wait. Our menu mostly stays the same year after year. Our daughter’s birthday always falls Thanksgiving week and she is a traditionalist to her core. As you can see your Water Punch has become a family favorite. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!
Cajun Roasted Turkey
Robinson Family Dressing
Rosemary Creamed Potatoes
Turkey Herb Gravy
Broccoli Casserole
Oriental Salad
Baby Peas
Sweet Potato Soufflé
Amish Style Pickled Beets
Southern Deviled Eggs
Cranberry Horseradish Salad
Parker House Rolls
Traditional Pumpkin Pies
Pumpkin Cream Pies
Citrus Water Punch
Sweet Iced Tea
Hibiscus Tea
Wassail
Egg Nog with Nutmeg Sprinkle
That is quite the menu, Susan! I love it!
I’d like to know more about the cranberry horseradish salad if you can share!
Ooh! Me too! Sounds interesting.
I tried to post a reply the other day, but don’t see it, so sorry if this is a repeat!
I have no idea if this is the same cranberry horseradish relish that Susan is referring to, but I HIGHLY recommend a quirky, unusual recipe my family has been making for years. If you listen to NPR, you’ve probably her journalist Susan Stamberg share “Mama Stamberg’s Cranberry Relish” recipe each holiday season. Yes, you’ll look at the ingredient list and wonder how this could possible be, but it is really fresh and delicious — a perfect accompaniament to turkey, mashed potatoes, etc. The color is outrageous, too! Most everyone is highly skeptical until they try it!
https://www.npr.org/2006/11/23/4176014/mama-stambergs-cranberry-relish-recipe
I’m actually not a big fan of turkey, I find to like it better the day after Thanksgiving on a roll with cranberry sauce and stuffing. The sweet gooey marshmellowy yams are one thing I look forward to! However my favorite Thanksgiving tradition is my Grandma’s homemade chicken noodle soup over our mash potatoes. She makes a small batch of gravy for my cousin Kyle who never like the whole soup over potato thing. Your menu sounds and looks so scrumptious!
Hey Dani – my friend, Tori, wowed us years ago with her famous chicken noodle soup (with homemade noodles) over mashed potatoes. I had never heard of anyone eating it that way before, but wow, it was amazing! That’s fun that it’s part of your Thanksgiving traditions, too!
Mel, I have been reading your blog for about 10 years now, I think! We eat SO MANY of your recipes! Thank you so much for your wonderful, family-centered work. I truly look up to you and have learned so much from you.
My Thanksgiving is going to be different this year! Sadly, I have suffered health problems lately that I finally learned were because of sugar / pre-diabetes, so I have been on a low-glycemic diet for over a year now and have had to change the way I cook and bake! It has been a huge learning curve, but I am so grateful for my health improving as I’ve learned. I use THM to adapt recipes, and already have begun adapting some of yours (which, since so many use clean, whole food ingredients, is not hard!!), but the sweet ones will be a challenge.
Just want to mention really quick that I found the sweetest kit for a tradition that we love, that’s not food-centered, but family-centered! Have you seen people’s “thankful trees” where they put leaves on a poster of a tree saying what they’re thankful for? There’s a website that sells them in a kit with sticky-note leaves that makes it way easy. We have loved ours. Anyway, if anyone’s interested I’ll post a link. Sorry to be so long-winded! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Hey Michelle! Thanks for your comment. First of all, I’m sorry for the health challenges you’ve been going through! I’m glad you’ve found a path forward, but I know it can’t have been easy! I admire you for researching and working hard to find a way of adapting recipes and eating that works for you. Hang in there!
Also, I’d love a link to the thankful trees. Thank you!
Thank you, Mel! I hope someday I get a chance to meet you in person. I just think we would be great friends. 🙂
I tried posting this already so hopefully this isn’t a duplicate! But the thankful trees are sold at swallowridgehome.com and there’s a coupon code in the listing for if that’s the only thing you buy on the site.
Thanks so much, Michelle!
I’d also love the link! I looked it up on amazon but didn’t see anything in stock.
No yams?! Are you a communist? 😉
Haha. I actually kind of forgot about them…but I think that’s largely because no one in my family likes the uber-sweet, marshmallow or sugar crusted sweet potato casseroles so they are never the highlight for us. Also, I’m posting a sweet potato gratin recipe this next week that is going on our Thanksgiving table, so that’s my excuse for not including it here. Ha. 🙂
Waiting impatiently for the sweet potato gratin recipe!!
I know! I’m sorry for the delay! I had some family challenges come up this week…AND…when I tested the recipe out the 2nd time, it had some issues. So I’m not sure it’s quite “blog worthy” yet. Sorry!
Please oh PLEASE bring on the smoker tips and tricks – I got one last year for Christmas and haven’t tried much in it because I’m scared! Tell us more about the smoked turkey!!!
PS – last year was the first time I’ve made Thanksgiving dinner completely on my own and I believe every.single.recipe. I used was from your site – and it was all delicious! Thanks for what you do and keep up the good work!
Thanks, Michelle! Glad last year’s Thanksgiving was awesome (way to go on making it all yourself!). I’ll try to get some tips up about smoking a turkey – if I don’t get something official posted, the camp chef facebook has TONS of video tutorials and I think they just did one on smoking a turkey?
I would love to see the smoker turkey recipe as well!