• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Umami Girl logo

  • Welcome to Umami Girl
  • Recipes
  • Topics
    • Family
    • Food
    • House + Home
    • Adventure
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Welcome to Umami Girl
  • Shop
  • Favorite Things
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving Recipes

    Your Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide

    November 10, 2019 / Updated Nov 13, 2021 / by Carolyn Gratzer Cope / Leave a Comment / This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more.

    Thanksgiving Guide Pin | Umami Girl

    We've compiled all of our best Thanksgiving recipes and resources in one place, and we're updating it all the time. Look no further for a successful, low-stress Thanksgiving.

    Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes Stuffing Mashed Potatoes Gravy | Umami Girl 1080

    Thanksgiving cocktails

    Beautiful cocktails bursting with fall flavors to set your Thanksgiving off on the right course.

    1

    Fall Cocktail: The Apple Cider Moscow Mule

    This flavorful twist on a classic cocktail is refreshing and not super-strong.

    2

    The Fifteen: A Cider, Champagne and Whiskey Cocktail

    For a beautiful, autumn-forward, and strong way to start your Thanksgiving, look no further than this stunner.

    3

    Negroni Recipe: Classic Cocktails

    It's always a good time for a Negroni. Keep in mind, the name of this drink is already plural. You only need one.

    Thanksgiving hors d'oeuvres 

    If you're hosting Thanksgiving, you've already got a lot to do. We have some great make-ahead / buy-ahead options for starters here, along with some slightly more needy but gorgeously seasonal suggestions that may work better if you're bringing one dish to someone else's house.

    4

    Fall Appetizer Idea: Butternut Squash Bruschetta with Sage and Pomegranate

    This gorgeous bruschetta is the very most autumnal. Make the components ahead and assemble shortly before serving.

    5

    Brandied Mushroom Bruschetta: Fun-Guy Mushrooms

    These classic — and classy — fall flavors speak for themselves. Make the components in advance and assemble shortly before serving.

    6

    Deviled Eggs: The Definitive Guide

    Here's absolutely everything you've ever needed to know to make phenomenal deviled eggs (or host a deviled egg bar), including how good they are at soaking up strong cocktails while people wait for turkey.

    7

    Bagna Cauda and Crudités: A Fabulous(ly Easy) Appetizer

    Healthy yet indulgent-feeling, this literal "warm bath" for vegetables and bread is a very good thing. Make most of it in advance and put it out as a vibrant hors d'oeuvre centerpiece.

    8

    Cheese Platter 101: How to Make an Epic Cheese Board

    This cheese board is a show-stopper, and it comes together FAST.

    9

    Spicy Skillet-Tossed Pepitas

    Make these pumpkin seeds ahead. They're seasonal, but not in an on-the-nose kind of way. Great with cocktails.

    10

    Cheese Straws Recipe with Puff Pastry and Cheddar

    Easy and filling enough to tide guests over until turkey time.

    11

    Marinated Fresh Goat Cheese Recipe

    Marinated goat cheese is one of the fastest and easiest hors d'ouvres we know, and it's a crowd pleaser served alongside some crackers.

    12

    Easy Appetizers: Creamy Leeks in Puff Pastry Cups

    Warm, savory, and just hearty enough, these little bites will keep your Thanksgiving guests happy.

    13

    Gravlax Recipe: Homemade Cured Salmon

    Homemade gravlax is a show-stopper that's 100% make-ahead. It's pretty easy and just requires a little bravery.

    14

    Knorr Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl

    Don't overlook this classic American recipe. We don't take our use of packets-as-ingredients lightly, but we can't get away from this stuff. Let's not fight it, shall we?

    15

    Truly the Best Shrimp Cocktail Recipe Ever

    This shrimp cocktail will change your life. It's truly the best.

    16

    Oysters with Mignonette Granita

    If you're feeling shuckworthy, this platter is a whole lotta gorgeous. We'll show you exactly how to do it, and you'll be a passable expert in no time.

    17

    The Fabulous Oysters Recipe Your Cocktail Party Needs

    While we're shucking, here's another beautiful way to prepare oysters.

    18

    Quick Appetizer Idea: A Gorgeous Burrata Platter

    Here's a five-minute appetizer to keep crowds happy.

    Thanksgiving salads

    Good people appreciate good greens on Thanksgiving. Lighten things up a bit while keeping it festive with one of our favorite seasonal salads.

    19

    Harvest Kale Salad Recipe with Roasted Winter Squash

    This beautiful bowl is such a natural for Thanksgiving.

    20

    Escarole, Chicory & Endive Salad with Goat Cheese Croutons & Olive Vinaigrette

    If you're doing a sit-down dinner, this salad makes an elegant course.

    21

    Zuni Cafe's Shredded Radicchio with Anchovy Vinaigrette, Bread Crumbs, & Sieved Eggs

    This inventive salad is oh-so-seasonal, and it's hearty enough to stand up to a few hours of chill time on a buffet table.

    Thanksgiving soups

    Here are our favorite, light, seasonal soups to kick off your multi-course sit-down Thanksgiving feast. Or leave a big pot on the stove as part of a Thanksgiving buffet.

    22

    Agreeably Simple Potato Leek Soup

    We love this simple, and simply perfect, potato leek soup.

    23

    Classic Pumpkin Soup Recipe

    This uncomplicated version of pumpkin soup is a fall classic in a bowl.

    24

    Butternut Squash Soup with Apple (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

    You can make our butternut squash soup in the Instant Pot.

    25

    Potage aux Legumes Recipe

    Potage aux Legumes (French vegetable soup) is rustic and comforting. It's easy to be thankful for.

    Thanksgiving turkey

    How to cook a heritage breed turkey, coming very soon.

    Vegetarian and vegan Thanksgiving main dishes

    Add one of these seasonal stars to your table to please the vegetarian members of your crowd. We find they're very popular among carnivores, too, so make enough for everyone.

    26

    Kabocha Squash Lasagna: Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main

    You can assemble this seasonal star in advance and bake it before serving.

    27

    Farro with Leeks, Mushrooms, and Chestnuts

    Hearty and satisfying, and made entirely on the stovetop.

    28

    Jamie Oliver's Vegan Shepherd's Pie

    This is our absolute favorite vegan main dish for Thanksgiving, and it's make-ahead friendly.

    29

    Farro with Broccoli and Shiitakes: A Great Vegetarian Main Dish

    Another wonderful farro recipe that you can make on the stovetop.

    30

    Nut Loaf. Trust Me. (Classic Vegetarian Meat Loaf)

    This is one of our favorite vegetarian comfort foods, period. It goes so well with our vegetarian gravy and mashed potatoes that it's the perfect vegetarian addition to Thanksgiving.

    31

    Spinach Lasagna with Portobellos and Béchamel

    Mushrooms make this rockstar lasagna feel seasonally appropriate for Thanksgiving. And it's just oh-so-good.

    Thanksgiving side dishes

    Our trick of the trade here is to make all of our Thanksgiving side dishes vegetarian. These are some of our most popular recipes of all time.

    32

    How to Make Mashed Potatoes Perfectly Every Time

    Here's everything you need to know to make the best mashed potatoes for a crowd. Psst...you can make them ahead of time.

    33

    Small-batch Classic Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

    Or make a petite batch of mashed potatoes if you're feeding a much smaller group.

    34

    Classic Vegetarian Stuffing Recipe (with Vegan Option)

    This is our go-to classic stuffing. We have three options: vegetarian, vegan, and meaty.

    35

    Vegetarian Cornbread Stuffing (Adapted from The Silver Palate)

    Another wonderful, classic vegetarian stuffing option.

    36

    Top-Secret Vegan Stuffing Recipe for Thanksgiving

    A terrific vegan stuffing with mushrooms.

    37

    The Best Vegetarian Gravy

    This vegetarian gravy is so good that many people prefer it over turkey gravy. We usually make both. This is also fabulous for leftovers. There's a vegan option, and it's make-ahead friendly.

    38

    Our Favorite Popovers Recipe

    Popovers are easy to make if you follow a few simple tips. They’re a great holiday tradition or anytime treat. Here's our favorite popover recipe.

    39

    Green Beans (Haricots Verts) with Shallot Vinaigrette

    A healthful, simple classic that perfectly compliments the Thanksgiving meal.

    40

    Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe with Smoked Gouda

    A wonderfully savory low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes.

    41

    Andrew Carmellini's Cauliflower Recipe with Brown Butter, Hazelnuts and Pear

    This festive dish feels special on Thanksgiving.

    42

    Braised Kale with Caramelized Onions, Walnuts + Blue Cheese

    A braised kale recipe that made a recent underage guest push one of the country's classic stuffings to the side of his plate and ask, "Can I have more of THAT?"

    43

    Homemade applesauce, emphasis on the home.

    Our family has been making this easy homemade applesauce recipe for two generations. It's delicately flavored and deeply colored, and it's just so much better than applesauce from a jar.

    44

    Homemade Cranberry Sauce: Williams-Sonoma Spiced Cranberry Chutney

    Why make a mere cranberry sauce when you can make a cranberry chutney?

    Thanksgiving desserts

    Leave a little room for these excellent seasonal sweets.

    45

    Parsnip Spice Cake with Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting

    This is carrot cake's cooler cousin.

    46

    Puff Pastry Apple Tart with Goat Cheese and Honey

    Sophisticated yet crowd-pleasing individual tarts.

    47

    The Best Apple Crisp Recipe

    It doesn't get more classic than a big pan of apple crisp.

    48

    Gourmet Magazine's Pomegranate Gelato

    Pomegranate gelato is a gently sophisticated but crowd-pleasing dessert.

    49

    Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling

    Seasonal fun for kids and adults alike.

    50

    Broiled Figs with Honey + Vanilla: An Easy Fig Dessert

    A light, simple way to make the most of a seasonal ingredient.

    51

    Bittersweet Chocolate Tart with Shortbread Crust

    This tart is decadent and unforgettable.

    More Thanksgiving Recipes

    • Fall Kale Salad with Delicata Squash
    • Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
    • Thanksgiving Must-Haves
    • Vegan Thanksgiving Menu
    • 506

    About Carolyn Gratzer Cope

    Hi there, I'm Carolyn Gratzer Cope. Welcome to Umami Girl, where I've been sharing recipes and more for thoughtful folks since 2008. Learn more.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    WELCOME TO UG

    Hi there, I'm Carolyn Gratzer Cope, founder and publisher of Umami Girl (Est. 2008). Join me in savoring life, one recipe at a time. Learn more.

    THE FRIDAY NEWSLETTER

    Start every weekend off right with our Friday newsletter.

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Most Popular

    sushi rice in a shallow white bowl over a napkin

    How to Make Sushi Rice (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

    sirloin cap slices with chimichurri

    Reverse Sear Sirloin Cap (with Chimichurri)

    How to make an epic fruit platter

    Fruit Platter 101: How to Make an Epic Fruit Tray

    Cilantro Sauce for Mexican Food 780 | Umami Girl-2

    Cilantro Sauce Recipe for Tacos, Nachos, and More

    Winter Favorites

    brioche cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing in a pan

    Brioche Cinnamon Rolls

    vegan cauliflower steaks with cilantro sauce on a plate

    Vegan Cauliflower Steak with Chimichurri or Cilantro Sauce

    shrimp scampi (spicy or mild) in a pan

    Shrimp Scampi (Spicy or Mild)

    instant pot chicken stock in a quart container with thyme and a dishtowel

    Really Good Chicken Stock (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

    Footer

    As seen on

    a few examples of where umami girl has been featured

    Make It Tonight

    Instant Pot sweet potato chili with black beans, buckwheat, and chipotle in a white bowl garnished with lime, sour cream, and cilantro

    Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chili

    rotisserie chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl

    Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup

    carne asada tacos

    Carne Asada Tacos

    totchos (tater tot nachos) piled high on a plate

    Tater Tot Nachos (Totchos)

    vegetarian nachos on a sheet pan

    Vegetarian Nachos

    vegan refried beans in a bowl

    Vegan Refried Beans

    • Welcome to Umami Girl
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    © 2008-2022 UMAMI GIRL LLC