Host the most epic holiday feast with these Thanksgiving recipes complete with turkey, cranberry sauce, and green bean recipes. Plus, a roundup of our best Thanksgiving appetizers, soups, salads, sides, cocktail recipes and who can forget pie?
Thanksgiving will next be celebrated on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The Main Event
We'll cut to the chase and start with the turkey and trimmings because we all know Thanksgiving turkey is the star of that third Thursday in November.
Star of the Table
This juicy turkey recipe with crispy skin is easy! The secret is to start out low-and-slow then crank up the heat to crisp up the skin for the finish.
Homemade Turkey Gravy
No turkey is complete without a side of homemade gravy. Thankfully, making gravy from the pan drippings is super easy.
Wild Mushroom Stuffing
A fantastic stuffing recipe using three types of mushrooms and plenty of Parmigiano-Reggiano for a delicious fall or holiday side dish.
Cranberry Sauce
This easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe has just 3 ingredients - perfect for your holiday table!
Main Course Alternatives & Additions
We've rounded up plenty of alternative Thanksgiving dinner ideas that can take center stage (or share) at your dinner table, including Spiral Ham, Tilapia, and Boneless Prime Rib.
Thanksgiving Appetizer & Snack Recipes
It's easy to forget about the pre-dinner, that's why we've rounded up our best recipes - from dips and Oysters Rockefeller to cheese logs and sugared cranberries.
Thanksgiving Soup & Salad Recipes
Though not as flashy as the turkey, or as beloved as mashed potatoes, these soups and salads are seasonal, satisfying and perfect to round out your meal.
Thanksgiving Side Recipes
Sides at Thanksgiving means potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes. Or try other festive sides to grace the holiday table. Think mac & cheese, creamed onions, and cornbread!
Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
From classic pies, to cakes, to cookies and more, we have got you covered.
Thanksgiving Drinks
Special occasions call for specialty drinks so here are our best Thanksgiving cocktails and drinks.
Turkey Day 101
Here are a few tips and hacks for navigating turkey day and the days to follow.
Talk Turkey? Did you know Butterball offers a Turkey Talk Line where live turkey experts will answer your turkey questions. Call 1-800-BUTTERBALL or text 844-877-3456 to chat.
Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas
Thanksgiving is time to be thankful and that includes being thankful for leftovers. Here are some creative ways to transform Thanksgiving leftovers into delicious soups, casseroles, and more.
Creative Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
Leftover Turkey Recipes
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Old Fashioned Turkey And Noodles
Turkey Pot Pie
Hawaiian Roll Ham Sliders
Leftover Ham Recipes
Leftover Steak Recipes
Thanksgiving Food Trends
A centerpiece turkey, sides of mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and stuffing and pie for dessert, are all traditional Thanksgiving foods. But what's new this year? We've done the research and here's what's trending this Thanksgiving:
- Pumpkin pie alternatives - Pumpkin pie has been on the table since the turn of the 18th century but now Americans are looking for creative twists on this classic dessert.
- Turkey board - The charcuterie board trend meets Thanksgiving this year with a variety foods served on a board and shaped like a turkey.
- Thanksgiving sushi - A trend is growing for alternative Thanksgiving food ideas and sushi is one them. This trend not only showcases popular sushi rolls but also creative inspirations featuring traditional Thanksgiving foods like turkey cranberry in sushi rolls.
- Deviled eggs - Deviled eggs are having a moment even though they have been around for a while. From caviar-topped deviled eggs to curry deviled eggs, this is the year of fancy deviled eggs.
- Alternative Thanksgiving meals - Recognizing that not everyone may love turkey and with the increasing prevalence of alternative diets, home chefs are now looking to create all-inclusive meals that cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences among their guests.
- Locally sourced food - Greater interest in fresh, local and organic foods continues to grow and now Americans are bringing this interest to the Thanksgiving table.
- Catering - In an era marked by busy schedules, travel, and many commitments, an increasing number of Americans are opting for catering, whether for the entire Thanksgiving meal or specific components of it.
- Discounts - The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that Thanksgiving dinner costs are 25% higher than it was in 2019. Americans are feeling the pinch and will be on the lookout for deals and savings on their turkey dinner this year.
Things to Do on Thanksgiving (Besides Eat!)
Thanksgiving is centered around food, family, friends, and being thankful but there many things to in between the big feast. Here are a few ideas:
- Participate in a turkey trot
- Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Play a game of touch football
- Watch a holiday movie
- Put a puzzle together
- Volunteer at a food kitchen
- Decorate for the holidays
- Break the wishbone for good luck
- Take a nap
- Whip out the games
- Do a random act of kindness
- Check in on friends and family
- Go to the movies
- Set up a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt
- Share what you're most thankful for
- Watch an NFL football game
- Serve cocktails
- Eat out for Thanksgiving
- Take a post-feast hike, walk or bike ride
- Start Black Friday shopping early
- Start a debate on whether mac and cheese is a traditional Thanksgiving food. Hint: It definitely is in the South but perhaps not other areas of the country.