What is the key ingredient to a perfect Thanksgiving Day dinner?

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie .

How many dishes to make for Thanksgiving dinner?

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides .

What is the number 1 Thanksgiving side dish?

Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.

What are the 3 traditional foods Americans eat during Thanksgiving?

Millions of people across the United States will sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes, squash, corn, and cranberries . These foods have become synonymous with Thanksgiving, but how did they end up on tables from Maine to California?

What is the most important meal on Thanksgiving?

Turkey . Some would say a turkey is the most important food item at the table. A turkey is the center of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, 88 percent of Americans eat Turkey on Thanksgiving, with 46 million Turkeys eaten on the holiday.

Which dish was not eaten at the first Thanksgiving?

Potatoes . Whether mashed or roasted, white or sweet, potatoes had no place at the first Thanksgiving.

How can I make Thanksgiving more special?

In keeping with the true meaning of the holiday, you could also try a tradition that incorporates the idea of gratitude: Write thank-you notes to loved ones near and far, start a gratitude jar, or give back to your community by volunteering at a soup kitchen .

What is the best thing to make for Thanksgiving?

When it comes to the big Thanksgiving feast, we consider the roast turkey and the sweet potato casserole as sides to the STUFFING. A good stuffing makes or breaks Thanksgiving dinner, and this one will absolutely make your holiday meal all the better.

What is the ideal Thanksgiving meal time?

4 p.m. is perfect because you want it to be late enough in the day that this meal is the main event—there will be no major meal before or after.” Importantly, a 4 p.m. mealtime does not go against any prescriptions of etiquette.

What is the most important food on a Thanksgiving table?

Roast Ham Even though turkey is usually the star of the show, some people give their guests other main dish options. One popular one is roasted ham, often prepared with honey or molasses so that it glistens (shines) on the dinner table.

What is a true Thanksgiving dinner?

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes but the First Thanksgiving likely included wildfowl, corn, porridge and venison.

What is the best order to cook Thanksgiving dinner?

For the big day, we've figured out just the right order to pull together the rest of the feast. Defrost premade bread. ... Chill wine and beer. Prepare the stuffing stuffing. ... Roast the turkey. ... Prepare other side dishes while the turkey roasts. ... Remove the fully cooked turkey from the oven and rest it for 1 hour. More items... Oct 20, 2021

What's the main dish at a Thanksgiving dinner?

There's no doubt that a big, roasted Thanksgiving turkey is the centerpiece of any holiday dinner. But that doesn't mean there isn't room at the table for other main courses, too.

34 Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

These tried-and-true Thanksgiving Recipes are loved by all, from kids to grandparents. We hope these proven recipes will make your Thanksgiving easier and unforgettably delicious.

Appetizers

While family and friends await the prized turkey dinner, here are crowd-pleasing appetizers to keep the group happy and mingling.

Easy Crostini Recipe
This easy recipe offers apples, brie, and prosciutto for an unforgettable starter to Thanksgiving festivities.
Pumpkin Bacon Crostini With Cranberries
Thanksgiving appetizers just don’t get more festive than this. Super easy and prep-ahead recipe.
Sweet Potato Hummus
Serve up this autumn hummus with pita chips and an array of crackers.

Main Dishes

The main roast takes center stage on Thanksgiving Day, and we have literally the most succulent, savory roasts to make your special dinner absolutely stunning.

How to Brine and Roast Turkey (Homemade Gravy)
After nearly 20 years, we’ve finally settled on THIS specific turkey recipe, and we’re not looking back. This yields the most tender, juicy bird we’ve ever gobbled up.
Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy
If you’re having a smaller gathering or want a simple turkey breast dinner, this one is super easy and tastes magnificent.
Instant pot Whole Chicken
When choosing chicken over turkey, this pressure cooker whole chicken delivers. Place it under the broiler for a few minutes at the end for gorgeous color.
Pistachio Crusted Salmon
This juicy salmon delivers big flavors with amazing texture. A great alternative or addition to turkey.
Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes
Here’s a super easy meal-in-one, for all the pork tenderloin lovers. Be sure to use tenderloin and not regular loin, for ultimate tenderness.
Prime Rib with Au Jus
If your eaters love a good prime rib, they’re in for a treat when you serve up this succulent, juicy dish.

Side Dishes

Here we go: these are the side dishes that make Thanksgiving meal complete. Only our tried-and-true, decades-long recipes have made the cut in this collection.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
So, So much Love has been poured out onto this Sweet Potato Casserole. Everyone loves this dish. Topped with the most irresistible pecan crumble, this gets the most recipe requests.
Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
This has been in our Thanksgiving menu for over 20 years, and it is literally devoured every single year, no matter who is sitting at our dinner table.
See Also
Recipe for Bacon Jam Candied Pecans Recipe | Gimme Some Oven Chopped Italian Grinder Sandwich Recipe
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (5 Ingredients)
Free up the stovetop and oven. Use your pressure cooker to make the quickest, creamiest, more delicious mashed potatoes yet,
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
This favorite autumn dish is the most flavorful roasted vegetable dish to hit the Thanksgiving table.
Fresh Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Only 3 ingredients and 15 minutes later, you’ll have a cranberry sauce worth slurping up. Nobody can go back to canned sauce after a taste of this.
Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
Looking for a gluten-free stuffing option that tastes outstanding? They’ll love this offering.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Melty golden cheese is the canopy for slices of tender potatoes underneath. Make this when you’ve got a big group or a potluck for the holidays.
Easy Corn Casserole Recipe
This was a surprise hit at one of our holiday gatherings, and it’s been a keeper ever since. It’s unbelievably tender and fluffy, with a crispy topping.
Wild Rice Pilaf
This is absolutely a stunner of a side dish that happens to be gluten-free and healthy to boot.
Kale Brussel Sprouts Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Looking to add some fresh crispy greens to the Thanksgiving table? This is the only recipe you’ll need for that.

Desserts

The finale to a great Thanksgiving feast is, of course, the classic desserts everyone can’t wait to dig into. We always make room for dessert.

The Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe
This recipe, adapted from Cook’s Illustrated, is arguably the best pumpkin pie in the galaxy. It’s smooth, high, and stunningly flavorful.
The Best Pumpkin Cheesecake
There are no words when you taste this New York style cheesecake. This shows up on our holiday table year after year, and always receives accolades.
Best Apple Pie with Flaky Butter Crust
Apple pie is a classic on Thanksgiving, but this one “takes the pie.” The caramelized glaze makes all the difference.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bundt Cake
For a simple yet moist cake, you can’t go wrong with this easy bundt cake with all the pumpkin flavors.
Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce (Make-Ahead!)
If you have bread pudding lovers in the midst, they’ll love you for making this moist and flavorful dessert.
Dutch Apple Pie
No need to make a double-crust pie when you can have crunch, crumbling streusel on top! Serve this with vanilla ice cream for an unforgettable experience.
Pumpkin Cupcakes
These are delightfully spiced and super moist and fluffy. A great addition to the dessert table.
Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
These are moist, tender, and teeming with fall spices. It’s easier than cake or pie, and just as delicious.
Pumpkin Spice Trifle
If you’re headed to Friendsgiving or a larger gathering, this is the dessert to bring. It’s a fabulous crowd favorite.

Drinks

Don’t forget the co*cktails, which all can be made into mock-tails as well. Enjoy the festivities!

Easy Apple Cider Sangria
This is crazy easy and everything fall-inspired.
Easy Madras Cranberry Orange co*cktail
So beautiful, simple, and just tasty.
Pomegranate Apple Sangria
Make the most out of pomegranate season.
Easy Sangria Recipe [Ginger Pear]
Ginger and Pear notes come together for this fragrant drink.
Sparkling Cranberry Prosecco co*cktail
For a bit of sparkling festivity, go for this Prosecco-based beverage.

We hope you enjoyed this hand-picked Thanksgiving collection as much as we loved putting it together for you. If you make ANY of our recipes, please come back and comment/rate them. We absolutely ❤️ hearing from you!

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Thanksgiving Recipes | Dinner Rolls

5 from 21 ratings

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Ready in about an hour, these rolls are soft, fluffy, easy, and delicious! They're golden on the outside and pillow soft on the inside.

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 16

Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients

4 to 4/14 cups all purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ TB or, 1 1/2 packages rapid rise (not active rise) yeast
1 ½ tsp table salt
¾ cup water
⅔ cup whole milk
4 TB salted butter, diced
1 ½ tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
olive oil for brushing during rise
2-3 TB melted butter for brushing after baking

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180F. In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whisk together 4 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
In a microwavable bowl, combine the water, milk, and butter. Heat in microwave on high until it reaches 115F and butter is melted, a little over 1 minute. Stir.
Pour butter mixture into the stand mixer bowl. Add lemon juice. Set mixer with hook attachment and mix on low speed 3-4 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. Add a bit more flour as needed to create a dough that is similar to play-doh. (For me, 4 cups of flour is perfect already) Dough should stick together nicely to form a ball, without being overly sticky nor dry feeling. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and rest 5 minutes. Butter a 13×9 baking dish.
Roll dough up into a cylinder and cut into 16 equal sized pieces. Keeping dough covered as you work, shape each piece into balls by tucking edges under, pinching them together, and rolling the ball in your palms. Place rolls into buttered baking dish, smooth side up. Turn oven off.
Lightly brush tops of rolls with olive oil so they keep moist while rising. Cover with plastic wrap. Place rolls in oven and allow to rise for 25 minutes.
Transfer covered rolls to counter and set oven to 375F. Once oven reaches correct temperature, uncover rolls and bake on center rack for 14-16 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Remove from oven and brush with the melted butter. Serve rolls warm. (If you have leftovers, store them in airtight container at room temp. Cover with damp towel and reheat in microwave upon serving.)

Notes

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Nutrition (per serving)

Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Method: Bake