The Ultimate Thanksgiving Meal Plan: Appetizers, Cocktails, Main Courses, and More

Ready to plan the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner that’ll wow your guests and keep things stress-free? With this Thanksgiving meal plan, you’ve got everything you need, from irresistible appetizers to crowd-pleasing cocktails and show-stopping main dishes.

Planning a Thanksgiving meal can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide brings together all the Thanksgiving dinner ideas you’ll need, whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or a cozy get-together. With classic recipes and a few creative twists, we’ve made it easy to build a beautiful, delicious spread that everyone will love.

Each course has been carefully chosen to capture the best flavors of the season, from warming butternut squash soup to a perfectly roasted turkey and all the favorite sides like creamy mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. And don’t forget to mix up a festive cocktail or two for added cheer!

With this Thanksgiving guide, you can relax and enjoy the day, knowing you’re serving up a complete, balanced menu that’s bound to impress. So grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and let’s get cooking—this Thanksgiving is going to be unforgettable!

1. Appetizers

Stuffed Mushrooms

These savory stuffed mushrooms are filled with a delectable mix of breadcrumbs, garlic, herbs, and a touch of cheese, creating an appetizer that’s bursting with flavor. With a crisp, golden top and a juicy mushroom base, these bite-sized treats are perfect for kicking off the meal in style.

Get the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.

Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites

These cranberry brie bites feature creamy, melted brie and a dollop of sweet-tart cranberry sauce, all wrapped in a flaky puff pastry crust. They’re elegant, easy to make, and bring the ideal balance of savory and sweet to your holiday spread. With each bite, you get a blend of buttery, cheesy, and fruity goodness that’s sure to impress.

Get the Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites recipe.

Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy, smooth, and loaded with fall flavor, this butternut squash soup is made with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of sweetness that brings out the best in this seasonal favorite. Cooked in the slow cooker or Instant Pot, it’s an easy make-ahead option that’s perfect as a light starter to warm up guests and set the mood for the meal.

Get the Butternut Squash Soup recipe.

Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs

A fresh twist on the classic deviled egg, these Cajun shrimp deviled eggs bring a burst of flavor with a touch of spice and succulent shrimp topping each bite. With a creamy, spiced filling and a Cajun flair, these eggs make for a bold, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s both elegant and delicious.

Get the Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs recipe.

2. Cocktails

Cranberry Maple Bourbon Smash

This cranberry maple bourbon smash combines tart cranberries with smooth bourbon and a touch of sweet maple syrup for a festive, full-bodied cocktail. It’s beautifully garnished and offers a perfect mix of fall flavors, making it an ideal way to kick off your Thanksgiving festivities with a toast.

Get the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Smash recipe.

Honeycrisp Apple Cider Sangria

This refreshing sangria blends crisp Honeycrisp apples, apple cider, and white wine, with a dash of cinnamon for a seasonal twist on a classic. Perfectly sweet and fruity, it’s a drink that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, with fresh fruit slices floating in each glass. It’s an instant holiday favorite that everyone will love.

Get the Honeycrisp Apple Cider Sangria recipe.

Pumpkin Martini

Spiced with pumpkin puree and a hint of nutmeg, this creamy martini is the ultimate fall-inspired cocktail. With a smooth, rich flavor reminiscent of pumpkin pie, it’s like a dessert in a glass, offering a sweet, festive twist that’s perfect for after-dinner sipping.

Get the Pumpkin Martini recipe.

Pomegranate Moscow Mule

This twist on the Moscow mule brings in pomegranate juice for a tart and refreshing holiday spin. It’s fizzy, festive, and loaded with a hint of ginger from the ginger beer, making it a delightful cocktail to sip as guests gather for the meal. With its vibrant red color, it’s sure to be a show-stopper at the Thanksgiving table.

Get the Pomegranate Moscow Mule recipe.

3. Main Course

Roast Turkey

A perfectly roasted turkey is the star of any Thanksgiving table, and this recipe ensures a golden, juicy bird that’s bursting with flavor. Seasoned with fresh herbs and roasted to perfection, this turkey has crispy skin and tender, succulent meat that will leave everyone reaching for seconds. It’s the ultimate centerpiece for a memorable holiday meal.

Get the Roast Turkey recipe.

Maple-Glazed Ham

Sweet, savory, and beautifully caramelized, this maple-glazed ham offers a delicious alternative or addition to the classic turkey. The maple glaze brings out the ham’s natural flavor and adds a sticky, flavorful crust that’s hard to resist. It’s an easy-to-make main course that will make your Thanksgiving table shine.

Get the Maple-Glazed Ham recipe.

Prime Rib

Rich and perfectly tender, this prime rib is seasoned with garlic and herbs for a robust flavor that’s absolutely mouthwatering. Roasted to perfection, it’s a sophisticated main course that’s impressive and delicious. Serve it with a side of horseradish or gravy, and it’s bound to be a hit with your guests.

Get the Prime Rib recipe.

Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash

For a plant-based option, this vegan stuffed acorn squash is filled with a delicious mixture of wild rice, cranberries, and herbs, creating a colorful, seasonal dish that’s just as beautiful as it is tasty. It’s the perfect addition to the Thanksgiving table, providing a festive and filling option that everyone can enjoy.

Get the Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe.

4. Side Dishes

Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing

This classic stuffing is a savory blend of herbs, sautéed onions, and crusty bread cubes baked to golden perfection. It’s a must-have side that brings all the comforting flavors of Thanksgiving to every bite, making it a crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with turkey and gravy.

Get the Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe.

Creamy Garlic Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

These creamy garlic mashed potatoes are rich, buttery, and smooth, with just a hint of garlic for extra flavor. Made in the slow cooker, they’re a stress-free side that frees up stove space and delivers velvety, delicious potatoes with minimal effort.

Get the Creamy Garlic Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes recipe.

Green Bean Casserole from Scratch

This homemade green bean casserole is creamy, savory, and topped with crispy fried onions for a satisfying crunch. With fresh green beans and a mushroom-based sauce, it’s a classic side that brings both flavor and texture to the Thanksgiving table.

Get the Green Bean Casserole from Scratch recipe.

Crispy Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

These Brussels sprouts are roasted until crispy and coated in a honey mustard glaze, with crispy bacon adding a smoky finish. They’re the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy, bringing a vibrant and flavorful side to your Thanksgiving spread.

Get the Crispy Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts with Bacon recipe.

Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

This vegan sweet potato casserole is topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, creating a sweet and nutty flavor that everyone will love. The creamy, spiced sweet potato filling balances perfectly with the buttery, crispy topping, making it a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving.

Get the Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.

5. Sauces and Condiments

Cinnamon Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce has a warm twist with cinnamon and a hint of bourbon, adding depth to its classic tart flavor. It’s a sophisticated and festive addition to the table that pairs beautifully with turkey and adds a burst of color and flavor to every bite.

Get the Cinnamon Bourbon Cranberry Sauce recipe.

Homemade Turkey Gravy

Made from turkey drippings and rich broth, this homemade turkey gravy is thick, savory, and incredibly flavorful. It’s the ultimate sauce for Thanksgiving, perfect for drizzling over turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing to tie all the flavors together.

Get the Homemade Turkey Gravy recipe.

Herb Butter

This homemade herb butter is infused with fresh garlic and herbs, creating a versatile spread that enhances the flavors of bread, vegetables, or even turkey. It’s an easy yet elegant touch that adds richness and aroma to any dish it touches.

Get the Herb Butter recipe.

6. Bread and Rolls

Soft Dinner Rolls

Golden and pillowy, these soft dinner rolls are buttery, fluffy, and perfect for sopping up gravy. They’re easy to make from scratch and bring a warm, homemade touch to the Thanksgiving table that everyone will love.

Get the Soft Dinner Rolls recipe.

Jalapeño Cheddar Bacon Cornbread

This cornbread is savory, cheesy, and has a slight kick from jalapeños, making it a bold and flavorful addition to the meal. With bits of crispy bacon and gooey cheddar in every bite, it’s the perfect way to elevate traditional cornbread.

Get the Jalapeño Cheddar Bacon Cornbread recipe.

Homemade Garlic Knots

These garlic knots are soft, fluffy, and brushed with a garlicky, herbed butter that’s simply irresistible. They’re a fun, delicious twist on traditional rolls and are perfect for adding a pop of flavor to the bread selection.

Get the Homemade Garlic Knots recipe.

7. Desserts

Bourbon Pumpkin Pie

This pumpkin pie is infused with a touch of bourbon, adding depth to the creamy, spiced filling. Baked in a flaky crust, it’s a sophisticated twist on a Thanksgiving classic that’s rich, warming, and absolutely delicious.

Get the Bourbon Pumpkin Pie recipe.

Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie

Sweet and nutty, this pecan pie has the rich flavor of maple and a hint of bourbon for a grown-up touch. Made without corn syrup, it’s a decadent, buttery dessert that’s sure to be a holiday favorite.

Get the Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie recipe.

Apple Crisp

Warm, spiced apples topped with a crispy oat crumble make this apple crisp the perfect cozy dessert. Serve it with vanilla ice cream for a classic, comforting end to the Thanksgiving feast.

Get the Apple Crisp recipe.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

For a twist on pumpkin pie, these cheesecake bars combine a creamy pumpkin filling with a graham cracker crust. Rich, smooth, and full of warm spices, they’re an irresistible addition to the dessert lineup.

Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars recipe.

8. Leftover Ideas

Turkey Cranberry Sandwich

Transform leftovers into a delicious sandwich with layers of turkey, cranberry sauce, and a little mayo on fresh bread. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving-inspired bite that’s just as good the next day.

Get the Turkey Cranberry Sandwich recipe.

Disney Copycat Leftover Stuffing Waffles

Press leftover stuffing in a waffle maker, and you’ve got crispy stuffing waffles ready to be topped with turkey, gravy, or even a fried egg. It’s a fun, creative way to repurpose Thanksgiving flavors into a tasty breakfast.

Get the Stuffing Waffles recipe.

Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Layer leftover turkey, vegetables, and gravy, then top with mashed potatoes and bake for a cozy shepherd’s pie. It’s a comforting meal that gives Thanksgiving leftovers a second life.

Get the Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie recipe.

Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Mix leftover mashed potatoes with green onions and cheese, then pan-fry until golden and crispy. These mashed potato pancakes are perfect as a side or a savory breakfast the day after Thanksgiving.

Get the Mashed Potato Pancakes recipe.