In charge of menu-planning for Turkey Day this year? Deciding which Thanksgiving dishes make the cut for the Thanksgiving menu is a tough gig—with so many choices, whittling things down can be intimidating. And while your holiday feast might look a little different this year, good food will still be the centerpiece—so it’s up to you to find the right balance of long-loved favorites and freshened-up takes on the classics.
Ready to create a Thanksgiving dinner menu everyone will love? Pull out your pots and pans and get ready to wow with these fun ideas and new twists on the classics that will have your table giving thanks to you.
Jump-start with Appetizers
Salad for the Season
In a meal all about indulgence, salad might seem a smidge less exciting than the rich, creamy dishes ahead, but don’t underestimate a crisp, well-dressed bowl of green goodness—it’s the perfect opportunity to show off the season’s harvest with fresh, colorful fruits and veggies. Start things off with a Roasted Butternut Squash, Chickpea and Kale Salad, made with roasted butternut squash, crunchy chickpeas, bright, juicy pomegranate seeds, and pepitas, all tossed with a tangy vinaigrette.
Take a Dip
If you’re in charge of prepping the main meal, appetizers are the perfect chance to take a few (delicious) shortcuts. Whip up one or two easy dips ahead of time, like a batch of Zesty Sausage Dip or Zesty Spinach Dip—just warm them up in the oven when you’re ready to serve and they’ll be good to go. Paired with crackers, bread, or veggies, these dips bring a creamy flair that will get everyone’s taste buds going.
The Main Event
Winner, Winner, Turkey Dinner
No Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without a turkey on the table, but how you cook yours can make all the difference. You can't go wrong with one of our must-have Thanksgiving recipes: a juicy, golden brown, brined turkey. Wish-Bone® Italian Dressing gives it a punch of herby flavor that will leave your taste buds asking for more. If you need a non-dairy alternative, try subbing in plant-based Healthy Choice® Power Dressing in Creamy Italian.
A Bird of Another Feather
If your celebration is looking smaller this year, maybe a whole turkey is just way more than your family can handle. Why not pare things down with a main meal of Simple Roast Chicken and Vegetables? You can still fight over who gets the white meat, but you’ll get some veggies in there, too, and you won’t be left with a mound of leftovers you can’t finish.
Make the Most of Your Pork Roast
If poultry isn’t what you want on your plate, you can’t go wrong with a fork-tender Harvest Pork Roast, made with slow-roasted acorn squash, apples, and cranberries, all basted in a sweet onion glaze—the autumn fruits add a sweet kick of flavor to savory, fall-off-the-bone pork.
Sides to Steal the Show
Kicking Up the Classics
Wholesome veggies like potatoes, corn, and green beans all make perfect sides on a Thanksgiving menu, and when you prep them right, they might be just as popular as the main attraction. Wow your guests with the cheesy temptations of Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes or indulge in warm, homestyle Marie Callender's® Scalloped Potatoes. Or you can bring the heat with a pot of zesty Spicy Corn Soup or quick Pan Roasted Corn, both made with Birds Eye® Sweet Kernel Corn. For your green bean dish, mix things up with a colorful, tangy Green Bean and Lentil Salad, made with Birds Eye Cut Green Beans. Or you can combine your potato and veggie dish with an Italian Roasted Potato and Vegetable Medley—most of the prep time is totally hands-off while everything roasts.
Mac and Cheese, Please
What holiday spread is complete without an ooey, gooey batch of bubbly macaroni and cheese? Lighten up a traditionally heavy dish with Birds Eye Cauliflower Florets, the surprise ingredient in our Keto Friendly Cauliflower Mac & Cheese—with four types of melty cheese, the veggies can remain your little secret. If there’s no time for homemade, there’s always trusty Marie Callender's Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese.
Scrumptious Stuffing
Stuffing. It's on the top of the list for Thanksgiving menu ideas, and that's because you can make it in so many ways. You might have an old standby recipe, but why not try something new this year? Gardein™ Original Breakfast Saus'age Patties make easy work of Slow Cooker Saus'age Stuffing made with a savory combination of sourdough bread, flavorful herbs, and tangy vegetables. Throw in the ingredients in the morning, and by afternoon, your kitchen will smell heavenly.
Top It Off with Dessert!
Easy As Pie
When it’s time for dessert, there’s no better way to serve up a taste of home than with a warm, fresh apple pie. More of a cook than a baker? Grab a ready-to-bake Marie Callender's Dutch Apple Pie, featuring a classic blend of cinnamon and spices that sings of autumn. Or make our Dutch Apple Pie, dusted with a sweet, slightly crunchy crumble topping. Spare your fingers the apple-peeling marathon and use Duncan Hines® Pie Filling, packed with juicy, ripe apples.
Pumpkin, Spice, and Everything Nice
You can’t have a Thanksgiving dessert spread without an appearance from pumpkin, the banner food (and flavor!) of fall. For a cute single-serving option, try homemade low-carb Pumpkin Mini Cheesecakes—they’re perfect for leftovers (and portion control!). And you can’t go wrong with a Marie Callender's Pumpkin Pie or Marie Callender's Pecan Pie, complete with extra-flaky, made-from-scratch crusts—the most work you’ll have to do is scooping the ice cream. And, of course, no pie is complete without a healthy dollop of Reddi-wip Original or Reddi-wip Non-Dairy Coconut.
Need a serious showstopper? Our Glazed Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake made with Duncan Hines Cake Mix is sure to impress, topped with a warm pumpkin spice glaze. And once dessert’s over, help your crew perk up a little with a warm, cozy Spiced Pumpkin Latte, which goes great with Reddi-wip Barista Series whipped cream on top.
Feel the Leftover Love
Some people will tell you that the best part of Thanksgiving dinner is the leftovers. But as the host, you might be looking at an utterly stuffed fridge and feeling a little overwhelmed. When you need ideas for what to do with your leftovers, don’t forget breakfast! How about a Leftover Turkey Quiche, chock-full of baby spinach, cheddar cheese, and eggs? For the perfect crust, use Marie Callender's pastry pie shells. At lunchtime, a Turkey Panini on fluffy, chewy naan flatbread will defy your typical turkey sandwich expectations.
Craving takeout? Re-create your favorite Indian dish with a pot of fragrant Turkey Tikka Masala. Warm spices and Hunt's® Diced Tomatoes blend into this dish to create a taste experience you won't forget.
Your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Is All Set
Whether you choose to go traditional or mix thing up with a few new dishes this year, with the right company, your celebration will surely be one to remember. Plus, now you have some Thanksgiving leftover ideas that are (almost) as exciting as the big meal!
