Whether you’re cooking for 2 or 20, here’s a collection of my top Thanksgiving recipes to make this year your best ever! Let the feasting begin!!
Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
Whole turkey or breast? Roasted or slow cooker? I’ve got you covered!
Warm Sides
Don’t skimp on sides. Some would argue sides trump the turkey! And everyone loves having choices!
Potato Sides
Potatoes, cream, butter and cheese. All the essential (comfort) food groups are right here!
Breads
To slather with butter, mop up gravies and clean your plates …
Rice Sides
Seasoned rice with golden mushrooms? A holiday spiced Cranberry Rice Pilaf with nuts? Rice sides on the table are a great option because they’re easy to reheat!
Side Salads
With all that turkey and gravy, heavy stuffings and creamy sides, fresh salads provide some welcome balance and cut through all the richness.
Sweet Ending
Pecan pie? Pumpkin pie? Or for bite size nibbles, how about profiteroles??
Can’t decide? Browse my Easy Thanksgiving Menu suggestions!
How I plan menus
This is my approach to planning menus: The main centrepiece is always the priority. Everything else works around it! The main factor is usually oven availability.
- Dream menu: Choose your dream menu. Forget calories and kitchen logistics!
- Prioritise the items. Turkey trumps salad. Mac and Cheese over roast veg. Cake trumps bread. etc.etc
- Fresh vs make ahead: Figure out which are best made fresh and which can be made ahead without loss of quality.
- Oven & cooking logistics: Determine the cook schedule of the recipes to see if it’s viable based on the cooking appliances you have available on the day. This includes reheating! The main factor for me is always oven availability.
- Adjust menu to work around conflicts. Start with the top priorities, and work the “less important” dishes around them.
- Delegate where possible! Don’t feel guilty about delegating. Your family and friends want to help! (a bit… 😂)
- Balance the menu. Never underestimate the power of great, crunchy, fresh salads!!
- Finalise new menu. Repeat above steps 2 to 7 as required!
Life of Dozer
I really wanted to finish with a decent, cheerful photo of Dozer and I to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving… This is the best I can do. A typical failed selfie attempt, clutching Dozer, squishing his face, trying to get him to look at the camera when the timer starts flashing…!!!
The photo might be ridiculous, but the spirit is there. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!! ~ Nagi & Dozer x
This looks amazing. Can’t wait to try out my used appliances for this. A great test!
Thank you Naji. You and Dozer 🐾🐾 make it so easy for me to appear to be a great cook.
You’re so welcome Shannise – Nagi x 🥰
I followed your recipe for the dry brine….INCREDIBLE! I will dry brine from this day forward.. I made up my own spices as I knew I had people who would not like the Cajun spices…(me I would have loved it) The pumpkin pie FANTASTIC! Strawberry and Avocado Salad YUMMY! I just want to say thank you. I have been following your recopies and so far nothing has disappointed us. You have helped me curb my weekly shopping almost down to a science. I love your blog and all you do here!! TY
YES!!!! Sounds like you nailed it JoAnn!!!
Nagi,
You’ve taken my Thanksgiving dinner to the next level. I made your pumpkin pie, pecan pie, pie crust, turkey with the dry brine, dressing and gravy. Everything turned out incredible. My husband and I have only been married for two years and just started to have a major contribution to the family Thanksgiving meal. My in laws just called me today, after Thanksgiving, to let me know that the pumpkin pie and turkey was the best they ever had and that the dinner was amazing. Thank you Nagi!! Your videos give me the confidence to say “ I can do that”. You’re very much appreciated over here in California.
Woah sounds amazing Pamela! I’m so glad everything worked out! – N x
Now that the big event is over, I’m desperately seeking innovative recipes using leftovers – I have turkey, ham, and duck! Help??!!
Hi Corrie, I have a turkey pot pie, cheese and ham pancakes, savoury muffins, ham bone soup – just a few ideas 🙂