Skip the turkey this Thanksgiving and shake up your menu with dishes that are just as festive, but way less stressful. These recipes are perfect for impressing guests without spending all day in the kitchen, giving you more time to actually enjoy the holiday. From rich sides to show-stopping mains, they’ll make your Thanksgiving dinner unforgettable—and way easier to pull off.
Apple Pie Using Puff Pastry
This puff pastry apple pie offers all the comforting flavors of a classic Thanksgiving dessert with a buttery, flaky twist. It’s a simple yet impressive addition that will fit right in with your holiday spread. The perfect pie to enjoy the season’s best flavors without the extra fuss.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Using Puff Pastry
Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
Cheesy garlic pull apart bread is the ultimate crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving appetizer. It’s packed with flavor and delivers a fun, interactive way for your guests to enjoy bread during the holiday meal. Perfect for adding something exciting and sharable to the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Pumpkin dump cake is exactly what your Thanksgiving dessert table needs. It’s got all the creamy, spiced flavor of a pumpkin pie but with a buttery crumble that makes it feel even more indulgent. This simple, festive dessert will be the one everyone’s talking about long after the holiday ends.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
This slow cooker mulled wine brings a cozy, festive touch to your Thanksgiving feast. The warm spices and fruity flavors simmer together to create a drink that perfectly captures the holiday spirit. Let it brew while you enjoy the celebration, and toast to a stress-free gathering.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
Bruschetta al Pomodoro
Bruschetta al pomodoro is the fresh, flavorful appetizer your Thanksgiving table needs. Its bright, seasonal ingredients bring a refreshing contrast to the richness of the holiday feast. Simple yet packed with flavor, this dish is the perfect start to your celebration.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta al Pomodoro
3 Ingredient Fudge
This 3-ingredient fudge is the no-fuss dessert that belongs on your Thanksgiving table. Rich, creamy, and full of chocolatey goodness, it’s a sweet treat that complements the festive spirit of the season. Whether shared with guests or enjoyed after dinner, it’s the easiest way to add something indulgent to the holiday.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Fudge
Pumpkin Brownies
Pumpkin brownies are a must if you want to bring something exciting to the Thanksgiving dessert table. Rich, fudgy brownies swirled with pumpkin spice bring out all the best flavors of the season. It’s the perfect dessert for those who want to mix tradition with something fun and different.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Brownies
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Cranberry chicken salad brings a fresh and flavorful change to your Thanksgiving dishes. The sweet-tart cranberries add a holiday touch to this creamy, crunchy salad that will stand out from the usual holiday fare. It’s a light but satisfying addition to the meal that guests will love.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
Honey Mustard Salmon
Honey mustard salmon is a fresh, flavorful option for Thanksgiving that will bring something new to the holiday table. The sweet and tangy glaze makes the salmon a standout dish, offering a light and satisfying alternative to heavier mains. A beautiful and delicious addition to your holiday lineup.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon
Frozen Cranberry Margarita
This frozen cranberry margarita is the Thanksgiving cocktail you didn’t know you needed. Its vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor bring a festive and refreshing touch to your holiday spread. Serve it as a frosty, seasonal alternative to the usual drink options, and watch your guests fall in love.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Cranberry Margarita
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These garlic mashed potatoes are the only mashed potatoes your Thanksgiving table needs. Creamy, buttery, and with just the right amount of garlic, they add a perfect balance to the rich, savory flavors of the holiday. This classic side dish will have everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry brie bites bring a little touch of elegance and fun to your Thanksgiving appetizers. They combine all the best flavors of the season into one perfect bite, making them a holiday favorite. Simple yet impressive, these bites will add a special flair to your celebration.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
Stuffed Dates
Goat cheese stuffed dates are the perfect sweet-and-savory bite for your Thanksgiving appetizer spread. These bite-sized treats combine seasonal flavors with a festive presentation, making them a must-have for any holiday gathering. They’re simple yet impressive, the ideal kickoff to your celebration.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Dates
Honey Glazed Carrots
Honey glazed carrots bring a sweet and savory twist to your Thanksgiving sides. These tender, colorful carrots add a bright, flavorful contrast to heavier holiday dishes. Perfect for adding a touch of excitement to your table, they’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Parmesan roasted green beans are the crisp, cheesy side dish your Thanksgiving table needs. Roasting brings out the best in these green beans, creating a satisfying crunch that pairs beautifully with the season’s classic flavors. A delicious way to bring a fresh twist to your holiday veggie lineup.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut butter fudge brings rich, creamy goodness to your Thanksgiving dessert table. This simple, crowd-pleasing treat adds a sweet and nostalgic note to the holiday festivities. It’s the perfect way to mix things up from the usual pies and bring something exciting to the party.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Fudge
Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon
Bacon-wrapped filet mignon is the ultimate Thanksgiving main course for anyone looking to skip the turkey. Tender, flavorful beef paired with crispy bacon makes this dish a mouthwatering centerpiece for your holiday meal. It’s a standout choice that brings a touch of indulgence to the season’s celebration.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon
Maple Bacon
Maple bacon adds a delicious twist to your Thanksgiving brunch or breakfast. With its sweet, smoky flavor, it’s the ultimate combination of holiday comfort food that’s sure to be a hit. A crispy, indulgent addition to your Thanksgiving spread that’s hard to pass up.
Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon
Parmesan Potatoes
Parmesan potatoes are the side dish your Thanksgiving table didn’t know it needed. Crispy, golden, and cheesy, these potatoes are a flavorful alternative to the usual mashed version. They’ll add a tasty new texture to your holiday menu that everyone will rave about.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes
Pumpkin Pancakes with Pancake Mix
These pumpkin pancakes are the ideal breakfast to kick off your Thanksgiving celebrations. Fluffy, spiced, and perfect for the season, they bring all the cozy, comforting vibes you crave during the holidays. A must for starting the day with a festive touch of fall.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pancakes with Pancake Mix
Baked Potato Soup (Chili’s Copycat)
Baked potato soup brings warmth and comfort to your Thanksgiving meal. With its rich, creamy texture and hearty flavors, it’s a holiday classic that offers a cozy alternative to more traditional dishes. Perfect for serving alongside your holiday favorites, this soup will satisfy everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup (Chili’s Copycat)
Vodka Cranberry
A vodka cranberry is just the right light and refreshing drink to complement your Thanksgiving meal. Its tart-sweet flavor pairs well with all the holiday dishes, and fresh cranberries give it a seasonal, festive look. An effortless cocktail that’s perfect for serving up some holiday cheer.
Get the Recipe: Vodka Cranberry
Mashed Potato Waffles
Mashed potato waffles are an exciting twist on a Thanksgiving classic. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, they offer a fun and creative way to bring mashed potatoes back to the table in a new form. Perfect for adding a fresh spin to your holiday menu.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Waffles
Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins
Pumpkin and cream cheese muffins are the fall-flavored treat your Thanksgiving breakfast lineup has been missing. Soft, spiced, and filled with a smooth cream cheese center, they’re a perfect match for the season’s flavors. These muffins add a cozy, indulgent touch to the holiday that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Slow cooker pot roast is the holiday main dish that lets you forget turkey without missing out on flavor. Tender beef and flavorful vegetables create a rich, satisfying centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. It’s a classic, comforting option that brings all the cozy flavors of the season.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast