2025 Easy Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
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Planning Thanksgiving can feel like a delicious puzzle - what to serve, how early to prep, and which family favorites must be on the table. These Thanksgiving Menu Ideas are designed to be easy. Choose one or two items from each category, mix in your traditions, and add one new dish if you feel inspired.
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite celebrations. It's a holiday made of gathering around tables, in kitchens, in memories - wherever we happen to be.
In our family, the table seems to grow a little fuller each year. New chairs are pulled up for marriages, friends, and little ones. We squeeze in, bump elbows, talk over each other, and retell stories that make us laugh just as hard as the year before.
Some years we're all in the same house, leaning shoulder to shoulder around a roasting pan. Other years, we're connected across miles - sharing photos of pies just pulled from the oven, sending voice messages full of clattering dishes and laughter. Yet somehow, it always feels like we're together.
Thanksgiving morning brings its own gentle chaos - too many cooks in the kitchen, a missing ingredient (always found in the last place), and the familiar rhythm of favorite recipes. And every year, just in time, the dishes make their way to the table. We give thanks. We eat well. And no one leaves hungry.
However and wherever you gather this year, may your kitchen be warm, your table be full, and your memories be treasured.
- Stephanie
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What's on This Year's Thanksgiving Menu
Here is the Thanksgiving menu we'll be serving this year. It blends the familiar comfort of tradition with a few seasonal touches that feel bright, warm, and elegant for the holiday table.
Menu Preview
- Herb-Butter Roasted Turkey
- Easy Turkey Gravy
- Cranberry-Orange Relish
- Green Beans Almondine
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes (or Crockpot Mashed Potatoes)
- Cornbread Dressing or this Thanksgiving stuffing recipe
- Winter Greens Salad with Pomegranate
- Quick One Hour Dinner Rolls
- Spiced Apple Cake, Pumpkin Pie, or Easy Pumpkin Trifle
Mix and match, bring forward your family favorites, and add one new dish if you'd like to try something fresh this year.
How Much to Cook for Thanksgiving
A thoughtful Thanksgiving menu balances abundance with simplicity. These guidelines will help you plan just the right amount for your table this year.
How many side dishes should you serve?
A quick guide to choosing sides that feel abundant, but not overwhelming:
| Guests | Appetizer | Side Dishes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 people | 1-2 | 3 sides |
| 8 people | 1-3 | 3-4 sides |
| 16 people | 2-3 | 4+ sides |
Tip: A small grazing board or cheese board is a lovely, low-stress appetizer that scales easily for any size gathering.
How much turkey should you plan?
Plan about 1 pound of turkey per person, especially if leftovers are part of your tradition, like that favorite turkey and cranberry sandwich!
| Serving Size | Suggested Turkey Weight |
|---|---|
| 2-4 people | 6 lb turkey or turkey breast |
| 6-10 people | 8-13 lb turkey |
| 14-20 people | 18-25 lb turkey |
How long to thaw a turkey:
Allow 24 hours of refrigerator thaw time for every 4-5 pounds of frozen turkey. Once thawed, it can be safely refrigerated for 1-2 days before roasting.
Thanksgiving Day Timeline
This is a simplified day-of schedule to help guide the flow of the morning.
If you’d like my complete, hour-by-hour Thanksgiving Cooking Plan (with printables and prep schedule), you'll find the download below.
Thanksgiving Morning
- Start with an empty dishwasher, a warm drink, and festive music.
- Prep and refrigerate appetizer items.
- Season and prep the turkey for roasting.
- Peel and soak potatoes.
- Roast turkey according to weight (about 13-15 minutes per pound).
1-2 Hours Before Serving
- Bring make-ahead casseroles and stuffing to room temp; then bake.
- Set the table fully, including serving dishes, butter, jams, and cranberry sauce.
30 Minutes Before Serving
- Remove the turkey to rest and warm the gravy.
- Finish mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Time to Eat
- Carve, serve, and enjoy the feast.
Get the Full Detailed Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule
Want the full hour-by-hour prep guide + make-ahead checklist?
Download the Free Thanksgiving Guide
(Hour-by-hour timeline + printable prep list)
Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
Planning Thanksgiving can feel like a delicious puzzle - deciding what to serve, when to prep, and which family favorites simply must be on the table. This menu is designed to be steady, calm, and flexible. Choose what works for your gathering and your kitchen, and leave the rest.
Most of the dishes here can be made ahead, prepped early, or partially assembled. That way, when Thanksgiving Day arrives, the kitchen feels warm and joyful, not rushed.
Here is a simple, choose-your-own-table Thanksgiving menu. Pick 1-2 from each section, mix in the family’s non-negotiable favorites, and add one new dish if you'd like to try something fresh this year.
Thanksgiving Appetizers
A small grazing board or a simple warm appetizer keeps everyone satisfied without spoiling dinner. I like to keep this easy and mostly store-bought.
Main Dishes
Choose your main based on the size of your gathering:
- Herb Roasted Turkey
- Roasted Turkey Breast (for smaller tables or extra white meat)
- Slow Cooker Ham Dinner (a relaxed, no-fuss addition or alternative)
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
A balanced Thanksgiving menu usually includes:
1 soup + 1 salad + 2-3 vegetables/grains + bread.
Choose what feels right for your table and guests.
Autumn Soups
- Pumpkin Curry Soup (my mom’s favorite)
- Easy Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
- Panera Autumn Squash Soup
- Creamy Carrot Soup
Fall Salads
Fresh greens keep the table feeling lively and bright.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Seasonal vegetables add color and balance to the richness of the meal.
Potatoes & Grains
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Crockpot Mashed Potatoes to free up stovetop space.
- Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
- Wild Rice Pilaf with Maple Glazed Root Vegetables
Stuffing & Dressing
Every region and family has their favorite - here are a few options:
Breads
Desserts
Thanksgiving Tip: I make our desserts ahead and freeze what I can. Then I bake or assemble the rest 1-2 days before Thanksgiving. It makes such a difference.
Serve alongside or instead of traditional Pumpkin Pie:
Visit our Festive Thanksgiving Desserts post for dozens or more sweet treat ideas for the holiday.
Browse All Recipes from This Thanksgiving Menu
Here's a quick list of every recipe mentioned above, all in one place for easy browsing:
Wishing You a Beautiful Holiday
Thanksgiving isn't about getting everything perfect. It's about gathering, lighting candles, filling the home with wonderful aromas, and celebrating the people around your table. However your menu comes together, I hope your holiday feels warm, memorable, and deeply good.
Have a delicious Thanksgiving,
Stephanie
