2024 Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
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It’s Thanksgiving menu ideas planning day! Planning the annual feast of all feasts, celebrating a moment to pause and be grateful, is an exciting day. Here’s a look at my Thanksgiving menu ideas, a prep schedule, plus some tips and tricks learned over the years to create a beautiful, memorable, and simple Thanksgiving Day dinner.
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Over years of planning, I’ve found that by keeping a simpler dinner menu of 1 to 2 main dishes, 4 to 5 side dishes, and admittedly countless dessert options, creates a Thanksgiving Day that becomes more enjoyable and doable than ever.
One of the things I love about menu planning well ahead of Thanksgiving Day is the ability to have a ready answer when asked, “Can I bring anything?” That, my friends, is a delightful question for the person doing most of the cooking! And with a planned menu, you can have several options to offer.
Now, let’s get to an easy, fuss-free feast with these Thanksgiving menu ideas!
In This Thanksgiving Menu Ideas Post
Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
The following menu suggestions are broken down into categories, like breakfast (always smart to have breakfast planned as the day grows buy), appetizers (to keep everyone satisfied until the dinner), mains, sides, and of course, desserts.
When planning your menu, don’t forget to include the traditional dishes your friends and family love. Pick and choose a few new favorites, try them before Thanksgiving to make any necessary adjustments, and have fun!
I’d love to hear what some of your favorite and traditional family recipes you include every year.
Breakfast
I can’t tell you how many mornings I’m scurrying around, getting the turkey in the oven, and someone will inevitably ask, “What’s for breakfast?” Plan ahead, make ahead if possible, and have morning meal options available. I love serving sweet and savory in the morning as the family waits for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
More Breakfast Recipes
Appetizers
While I don’t serve many appetizers (as I’m busy in the kitchen), I do like to have a grazing or snack board to help keep everyone satisfied. Keeping it simple with ready-made or store-bought ingredients helps!
Recipe Ideas
Sides
I love having 4 to 5 side dishes, including salad, soup, and bread. All of these recipes are easy to make!
Soup Recipes
It isn’t Thanksgiving without some kind of root vegetable soup. My mom’s favorite will always be pumpkin curry soup, but here are a few more ideas.
Vegetables
Potatoes & Grains
Breads
No Knead Rosemary Bread (Recipe coming soon)
Mains
For more turkey options, you may also like Best Turkey Basting Recipe, or Easy Herb Roasted Turkey, a recipe I use often or Turkey Dry Brine Recipe.
Cranberry sauce is easy to make ahead, and you can’t have Thanksgiving without a Turkey Gravy!
Desserts
Thanksgiving Tip: I make all of our Thanksgiving desserts ahead, freeze as much as I can, and then bake what’s left about two days before Thanksgiving. Here are some Thanksgiving Dessert ideas to serve with Pumpkin Pie!
Sunday:
- Clean the refrigerator and make space for dishes
- Write grocery list and shop for ingredients.
- If using a frozen turkey, begin to thaw in the refrigerator.
- Begin to make desserts (like cookies and breads) and freeze ahead
Monday:
- Make the cranberry sauce and refrigerate.
- Continue making any remaining desserts and freeze.
- Bake any breads or dinner rolls that you are serving and freeze.
- Make Fall Crack.
Tuesday
- If roasting a dry brine turkey, begin today.
- Cube the bread for the Wild Mushroom Stuffing or Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing or make cornbread for Cornbread Dressing.
Wednesday:
- Wash and prep vegetables for soups, salads, stuffing, and sides.
- If making a Green Bean Casserole, assemble and have ready to bake on Thursday.
- Boil the sweet potatoes for Easy Sweet Potato Casserole, mash and refrigerate overnight.
- Bake a Pumpkin Pie.
- Set the table.
Thursday:
Morning:
- Assemble the Holiday Cheese Board and leave at room temperature.
- Prep and roast the turkey.
1-2 Hours Before the Feast:
- Prep and begin boiling potatoes for the mashed potatoes.
- Bake the vegetable side dishes and stuffings, using small appliances like a crockpot or Instant Pot to cook or keep sides warm.
- Let the turkey sit for at least 20 minutes before carving and placing on an oven-proof platter. Keep warm before serving with either foil or warming in a 200-degree oven.
- Make the gravy and mash the potatoes.
- Assemble the salad.
- FEAST!
