17 Thanksgiving recipes that’ll have you wondering how you made them so fast

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Thanksgiving cooking doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. These recipes come together so quickly, you’ll wonder how you pulled off such impressive dishes without breaking a sweat. Packed with flavor and requiring minimal effort, they’ll help you enjoy the holiday stress-free while still wowing your family and guests.

A person pulls a cheesy topping from a bread bowl filled with melted cheese and bacon bits.
Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Cranberry Brie Bites

Brie bites filled with jam and chopped nuts, topped with rosemary sprigs, on a white plate.
Cranberry Brie Bites. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

These cranberry brie bites are a Thanksgiving lifesaver when you need a quick but impressive appetizer. Buttery puff pastry, creamy brie, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce come together in a bite-sized treat that looks like it took hours to make. Perfect for your holiday spread, they’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Honey Mustard Salmon

Honey mustard salmon with a glossy glaze, garnished with herbs and served with lemon wedges on a white plate.
Honey Mustard Salmon. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Honey mustard salmon brings an elegant touch to your Thanksgiving table without the stress. Flaky, tender salmon with a sweet and tangy glaze is a dish that’s as flavorful as it is foolproof. It’s a great option for those looking to add something special and unexpected to the feast.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon

Vodka Cranberry

Two vodka cranberry cocktails garnished with lime wedges.
Vodka Cranberry. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

This vodka cranberry cocktail is the easiest way to add a festive flair to your Thanksgiving drink lineup. Sweet, tart, and ready in just five minutes, it’s the perfect complement to all the rich holiday flavors. Garnish with fresh cranberries for a seasonal touch that looks just as good as it tastes.
Get the Recipe: Vodka Cranberry

Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets

A flaky pastry filled with spiced apples is cut in half on a wooden board.
Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Apple pie gets a Thanksgiving upgrade with these puff pastry pockets. Flaky, buttery crusts filled with warm, spiced apples are a quick and easy way to bring a classic dessert to the table. They’re perfect for satisfying sweet tooths without the fuss of rolling out dough.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets

Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

A person's hand picking up a slice of bruschetta al pomodoro.
Bruschetta Al Pomodoro. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

This bruschetta al pomodoro is a fresh and flavorful way to start your Thanksgiving feast. Juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and crispy bread make for a light appetizer that balances out all the rich holiday dishes. It’s a simple recipe that adds a touch of brightness to your table.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

A plate with breaded chicken cutlet, roasted green beans with seasoning, and lemon wedges.
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Green beans are a Thanksgiving classic, and this parmesan roasted version takes them to the next level. Tossed with garlic and parmesan, they’re crisp, cheesy, and irresistibly good. A perfect veggie side that’s quick to make and loved by all, these beans are a no-brainer addition to your holiday menu.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Bacon Cheddar Dip

Bacon cheddar dip with shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and chive garnish.
Bacon Cheddar Dip. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This bacon cheddar dip is the appetizer your Thanksgiving table has been waiting for. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with crispy bacon, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Serve it with crackers or veggie sticks, and watch it vanish before the turkey is even carved.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Dip

Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf

A person pulls a cheesy topping from a bread bowl filled with melted cheese and bacon bits.
Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

The ultimate Thanksgiving appetizer, this cheese and bacon cob loaf is warm, melty, and utterly indulgent. A crusty bread bowl filled with cheesy, bacon-packed goodness is a guaranteed hit. It’s the perfect centerpiece for pre-dinner snacking while the turkey finishes cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf

Cheese Curds

A hand picks up a piece of fried cheese curd from a bowl.
Cheese Curds. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Cheese curds add a playful and cheesy twist to your Thanksgiving spread. Whether pan-fried or baked, they’re golden, gooey, and so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you haven’t served them before. They’re a quick addition that brings a touch of fun to the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Curds

Stuffed Dates

Stuffed dates with cream cheese and walnuts on a plate.
Stuffed Dates. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

These goat cheese stuffed dates are a no-cook Thanksgiving appetizer that’s as fancy as it is simple. The sticky-sweet Medjool dates paired with creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts are the perfect balance of flavors. They’re easy to assemble and make a stunning addition to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Dates

Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Mashed cauliflower potatoes with butter on top in a bowl.
Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Mashed cauliflower potatoes are the perfect low-carb alternative for your Thanksgiving table. Creamy, fluffy, and packed with flavor, they’re a guilt-free option that doesn’t compromise on taste. Add them to your spread for a lighter side dish that pairs beautifully with turkey and stuffing.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Pepper Gravy

Pepper gravy on pork chop with black pepper garnish and fresh rosemary.
Pepper Gravy. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

No Thanksgiving table is complete without gravy, and this pepper gravy delivers bold, creamy flavor in minutes. Whether it’s poured over mashed potatoes, turkey, or biscuits, it’s guaranteed to be a hit. Made with just five ingredients, it’s the easiest way to add a rich and satisfying touch to your holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Pepper Gravy

Maple Bacon

Close-up of crispy, cooked maple bacon slices in a white dish.
Maple Bacon. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Maple bacon brings a sweet and smoky addition to your Thanksgiving brunch or dinner. The caramelized glaze makes it crispy and irresistible, adding an indulgent twist to the holiday lineup. Serve it alongside your favorite dishes for a flavor-packed bite everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon

Pumpkin Pancakes with Pancake Mix

Close-up of a stack of pumpkin pancakes topped with a pat of melting butter, syrup, and some chopped nuts.
Pumpkin Pancakes with Pancake Mix. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Pumpkin pancakes are the ultimate Thanksgiving breakfast. Made with pancake mix and a touch of warm pumpkin spice, they’re fluffy, flavorful, and perfect for kicking off the holiday. The smell alone will have everyone running to the kitchen for a taste of fall.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pancakes with Pancake Mix

Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits

A picture of biscuits with bacon and cheese on top cooling on rack.
Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

These bacon and cheddar biscuits are a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner rolls. Packed with crispy bacon and melty cheese, they’re buttery, savory, and a perfect pairing for turkey and gravy. Quick to make and bursting with flavor, they’ll steal the show at your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of garlic mashed potatoes with a wooden spoon resting on top.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Garlic mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, and this recipe takes them to a whole new level. Creamy, buttery, and with the perfect hint of garlic, they’re the ideal side dish for turkey or ham. They’re simple, satisfying, and sure to become a holiday favorite.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potato Waffles

A stack of golden-brown waffles topped with a dollop of sour cream and chopped chives sits on a plate.
Mashed Potato Waffles. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into something amazing with these mashed potato waffles. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, they’re a creative and delicious twist on the classic mashed potatoes. Serve them with gravy or turkey on top for a next-day dish that feels fresh and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Waffles

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