Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

Step into a stress-free Thanksgiving celebration with my Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu. This menu is a collection of simple, yet sensational side dish recipes that will compliment your table perfectly. Wait, there’s more! Check out an innovative Turkey Roulade recipe. This turkey recipe is a new and hassle-free way to prepare the centerpiece of your feast that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. If you are wondering what to do with leftovers. Check out this fantastic idea to transform those remnants into delightful TV Dinners. Get ready to make this Thanksgiving a breeze without sacrificing an ounce of flavor or festivity!

So, I did a thing! My first e-book, also in paperback, is all about Mastering Thanksgiving Dinner! It’s an easy read filled with timelines, checklists, all of your turkey questions, a handful of my favorite recipes, and so much more! Please check it out!

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner with Family and Friends. I would love for my recipes to make it on to your Thanksgiving Dinner Table. As always, I am forever filled with gratitude and thankfulness from all of you!

Thanksgiving Turkey

For my Family, we are all about the white meat. So, for the past several years, I’ve decided to skip preparing a Whole Roasted Turkey and instead, opt for a roasting a Turkey Breast, or making this fabulous Turkey Roulade.

• Whole Roasted Turkey Breast: Simply, rub seasoned butter under the skin. Season the outside with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting pan with turkey stock in the bottom pan. Roast until the internal temperature, measured at the thickest part, reaches 165°F.
• For a more non-traditional approach to a Thanksgiving turkey, my Turkey Roulade is made by flattening a boneless turkey breast and filling with my Grandfather’s Homemade Sausage Stuffing Recipe!

How to Safely Thaw a Turkey

For a complete guide on how to safely thaw a whole turkey or turkey breast, refer to my guide, “Mastering Thanksgiving,” which is available on Amazon! This Thanksgiving Dinner guide is also complete with a timeline, checklist, roasting times specific for the size and weight of a turkey, a few of my favorite Thanksgiving dinner recipes, leftover ideas and so much more!

Thanksgiving Dinner Appetizer Ideas

Thanksgiving dinner appetizers set the stage for a feast filled with warmth and anticipation. Inevitably, most of us never start the Thanksgiving meal on time. So, serving guests a few appetizers is a great way to relieve a little bit of the pressure on the host.

These prelude bites not only tantalize the taste buds, but also encourage conversations and bring together loved ones. From classic starters like savory cheese platters adorned with assorted nuts and fruits to stuffed mushrooms, or cranberry and brie, appetizers play a crucial role in setting the festive tone for the main meal.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Side dishes, often the unsung heroes of a Thanksgiving dinner, hold a significant role in elevating this Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu. While the turkey rightfully claims the spotlight, side dishes play a crucial supporting role, enhancing flavors, textures, and diversity on the table.

These dishes, ranging from creamy mashed potatoes and buttery dinner rolls to roasted vegetables and homemade cranberry sauce, not only add depth to the meal, but also bring nostalgic familiarity and comfort to the gathering.

Turkey Gravy

How can you enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner without Homemade Turkey Gravy? The key to any gravy is to develop the flavors over a period of time using bones. However, it is that initial browning of the turkey parts that really makes all of the difference.

If you can find bone-in turkey parts, use them. If not, chicken will do just fine. Turkey thighs are a great choice. If you are feeding a larger crowd, toss in a few extra.

Homemade Sausage Stuffing

This Homemade Sausage Stuffing recipe has been in my Family for generations. My mother still has the handwritten recipe from my Grandfather. Admittedly, this incredible stuffing is my favorite part of this Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu!

This stuffing recipe is incredibly versatile. Use the stuffing to make a casserole, stuffing balls or to stuff a whole turkey. If stuffing a whole turkey, refer to my guide on food safety.

Additionally, this stuffing is also great for making a Turkey Roulade!

Oyster Dressing

Living in the South, I have noticed over the years, how many people refer to “stuffing” as “dressing.” I suppose no one would stuff their bird with Oyster Dressing, like we northerners do with our sausage stuffing. Nonetheless, Oyster Dressing is a wonderful Thanksgiving side dish, and I recommend giving it a try!

Homemade Green Bean Casserole

Seriously, is a Thanksgiving Dinner even complete without Green Bean Casserole? If you want to steer away from the preservatives, try this homemade version. You may never make green bean casserole any other way!

Simple Roasted Carrots

The most beautiful, and pleasing part to the eyes (pun intended), are these delicious roasted rainbow carrots. Honestly, ditch the honey glazed and skip the herbs. You do not need any more sweetness, or competition with flavors for your Thanksgiving Dinner. A simple roast will do just fine.

Heat oven to 400°F. Layer the carrots on a pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Simply season with salt and black pepper. Roast for about 15-20 minutes, until tender and slightly caramelized. Toss a few times while roasting. Plate with a sprinkle of flake salt.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Crisp Bacon and Almonds

Although on the fancy side, you and your guests will love this Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe. Easily, prep in advance and roast while the turkey is resting.

Fluffy Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Is Thanksgiving dinner complete without Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes? Creating tasty mashed potatoes from scratch offers an unparalleled taste and texture, as opposed to store-bought. For a low-carb version, try Mashed Cauliflower, instead.

Fondant Sweet Potatoes

Impress your guests this holiday season with this unique twist on a classic sweet potato casserole. This easy-to-follow, Fondant Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Marshmallows and Maple Butter Walnuts recipe transforms humble sweet potatoes into a mouthwatering dish that balances the sweetness of marshmallows with the savory richness of a maple butter walnut glaze.

Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Cranberry Sauce is not only easy to prepare, but also incredibly rewarding. This homemade Orange Cranberry Relish combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the sweetness of oranges and zest from lemon, creating a relish that will tantalize your taste buds. Plus, it’s a fantastic alternative to store-bought, canned cranberry sauce.

Yorkshire Pudding or Popovers

Jazz up your Thanksgiving Dinner menu with these incredible Popovers, or a British favorite, Yorkshire Pudding. They are both incredibly easy to prepare, and your guests will love them! Use a muffin tin or popover pan.

Thanksgiving Dinner Leftovers

Need an innovative idea for saving those Thanksgiving Dinner leftovers? My favorite Thanksgiving leftover idea is to prepare these TV Dinners. They are great for providing a meal to an elderly neighbor, or someone in need of a hot meal. Alternatively, toss them into the freezer and enjoy on a weeknight, when you just do not feel like cooking! Homemade TV Dinners will last up to 2 months in the freezer.

Of course, you are going to need these aluminum compartment trays. Grab them now, so that you will be good to go on Thanksgiving Day!

Additionally, try this innovative turkey sandwich with the sausage stuffing as your bread, leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, brie and arugula, or even an open-faced turkey sandwich sounds yummy!

GET TO KNOW ME!

WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!

Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!

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