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The Ultimate Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup
By Sammi Brondo — October 28, 2026
Looking for Thanksgiving recipes that go beyond canned green bean casserole? This roundup has 32 flavorful, easy Thanksgiving appetizers, salads, sides, turkey-free main dishes, and desserts, from roasted grape stuffing to chocolate pumpkin brownies, so you can impress your guests without the stress.
Need something delicious to make for Thanksgiving? I’ve got you covered.
I’ll tell you a secret: growing up, I hated Thanksgiving food.
My friends and I would joke that we’d rather just have chicken fingers and fries.
Later, I realized that it wasn’t Thanksgiving food in general that I didn’t like, it was just the food being served at my extended family’s Thanksgiving (sorry to any of my cousins reading this!).
Sure, powdered mashed potatoes and canned green bean casserole are convenient, but we can do better 🙂
And if you’re looking to impress guests with dishes that are flavorful, sometimes unconventional, and still relatively easy to prepare, this list has got you covered.
With everything from flatbread appetizers to roasted grape stuffing to delicious apple desserts, these Thanksgiving recipes will add so much flavor to your Thanksgiving table.
Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Recipes
- Flavorful twists on the classics. Turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin dessert will always have a spot on the table, but a few new dishes make things so much more fun. Think roasted grape stuffing with candied walnuts, butternut squash mac & cheese, and orange maple glazed carrots with feta and pistachios. (Goodbye, powdered mashed potatoes and canned green bean casserole!)
- Easy enough for a busy host. A lot of these look fancy but couldn’t be easier to make. The roasted mushroom flatbread and the pumpkin pie pudding (it’s literally just a blender) are proof.
- Appetizers, sides, and desserts all in one place. From roasted hot honey feta and California grape & brie pull apart sourdough to double layer chocolate pumpkin brownies, there’s something for every part of the meal.
- Veggie sides that actually steal the show. Crispy parmesan smashed Brussels sprouts, crispy carrot fries, and a winter roasted vegetable salad with lemon tahini dressing add color, texture, and fall flavor. They’re also a nice balance to the heavier dishes.
- All foods fit. Yes, there’s chocolate chip pumpkin bread and cinnamon sugar apple beignets. Dessert is part of the holiday, and you should enjoy every bite without guilt.
If you try any of the recipes, be sure to come back and leave a rating and review!
To help narrow your search, I broke these Thanksgiving recipes into four categories:
- Thanksgiving Appetizers
- Thanksgiving Salads
- Thanksgiving Sides (Veggie)
- Thanksgiving Sides (Carb)
- Thanksgiving Main Dishes (That aren’t turkey!)
- Thanksgiving Desserts
Thanksgiving Appetizers
California Grape & Brie Pull Apart Sourdough
This year, I made the most incredible pull-apart sourdough situation.
I served it as an appetizer for the holidays and not only was it completely demolished, but my guests were completely enamored with it. They couldn’t believe it was homemade!
Hot Honey Goat Cheese Flatbread with Roasted California Grapes
Creamy goat cheese, juicy roasted grapes, peppery arugula, and a drizzle of hot honey make this flatbread an easy Thanksgiving appetizer. It’s crispy, sweet, and a little spicy, and it’s ready in just 25 minutes.
Roasted Mushroom Flatbread with Arugula and Balsamic Glaze
This flatbread looks fancy but couldn’t be easier to make, and it’s the most delicious way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Savory roasted crimini mushrooms, melty mozzarella and parmesan, fresh arugula, and homemade balsamic glaze come together on this impressive but easy flatbread. Cut it into small slices for a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving appetizer.
Roasted Tomato Soup with Parmesan Croutons
It’s truly not fall until you’ve had tomato soup with some kind of cheesy bread. I love this dish for Thanksgiving because it’s the perfect way to utilize those end-of-season tomatoes. It’s a time when you can still get tomatoes, but want something a little more hearty and warming.
Smashed Feta Flatbread
Essentially this Smashed Feta Flatbread is just feta cheese, mixed with oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Everything is “smashed” together to make something that almost resembles a creamy dip-meets-dressing. In short, it’s delicious.
Roasted Hot Honey Feta with Za’atar Pita Chips
This might be one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten. It’s sweet, salty, savory and spicy all in one.
It starts with roasting a block of feta cheese, which makes the cheese even softer and creamier. It also brings out the saltiness and flavor of the cheese. Then, honey is added to the roasted feta. I chose to use hot honey. The little kick of spice combined with the sweet honey is so good.
Thanksgiving Salads
Winter Roasted Vegetable Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and crispy chickpeas sit on massaged kale with cranberries, sunflower seeds, goat cheese, and a creamy lemon tahini dressing. It’s a hearty fall salad that works as a side or main.
Broccoli Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas and Toasted Breadcrumbs
This Broccoli Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas and Toasted Breadcrumbs is an easy, make-ahead Thanksgiving salad. Roasted broccoli, crunchy chickpeas, and parmesan come together in 30 minutes.
Loaded Kale Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
This loaded kale Caesar salad with crispy chickpeas, roasted carrots, toasted walnuts, and avocado is a hearty, make-ahead Thanksgiving salad that holds up on the table.
Baked Kale Salad with Crispy Quinoa
This warm Baked Kale Salad with Crispy Quinoa, feta, almonds, and dates is an easy, make-ahead Thanksgiving salad with a sweet-and-tangy homemade dressing.
Chopped Greek Salad with Crispy Quinoa
This Chopped Greek Salad with Crispy Quinoa is a fresh, make-ahead Thanksgiving salad with feta, kalamata olives, crunchy pita chips, and a simple Greek dressing.
Thanksgiving Sides (Veggie)
Crispy Parmesan Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Smashing Brussels sprouts give you the most crispy, delicious sprout that’s packed with flavor. These specifically are made with parmesan cheese that adds amazing umami flavor.
Once smashed and crispy, dip these in a creamy dip, like spicy mayo or hummus. The combination is amazing!
Crispy Carrot Fries
Coated in parmesan and spices, these baked carrot fries get crispy and are made for dipping. They’re an easy, kid-friendly Thanksgiving side or a fun veggie to bring to Friendsgiving!
Orange and Maple Glazed Carrots with Feta, Pistachios, and Orange Yogurt Sauce
These take carrots to the next level. They’re glazed with an incredibly delicious orange juice and maple sauce. Then, they’re topped with salty feta cheese and crunchy pistachios. Everything is on top of a sweet orange yogurt sauce. The flavor combination is unreal.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Fresh green beans in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, topped with homemade crispy shallots. This Thanksgiving green bean casserole is a flavorful upgrade on the classic, no canned soup required.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Glazed Walnuts
This Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Glazed Walnuts is an easy, flavorful Thanksgiving side dish with crispy walnut clusters. Mostly hands-off and perfect for a busy holiday table.
Thanksgiving Sides (Carb)
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Wild Rice, Feta & Roasted Almonds
Meet your dream Thanksgiving side dish. Full of different flavors and textures, this stuffed acorn squash has got it all. You take a perfectly roasted and caramelized acorn squash and stuff it with a blend of even more delicious foods.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Butternut squash is a great way to really elevate the flavor to your mac and cheese dish this Thanksgiving. It gives the mac & cheese a burst of warm, fall flavor. It also adds plenty of nutrients, like vitamin C and fiber.
Kale & Toasted Walnut Sourdough Stuffing
Whether you need a new Thanksgiving side or are just looking for a delicious dish for a crowd, this Kale & Walnut Stuffing is for you.
Roasted Grape Stuffing with Candied Walnuts
Every Thanksgiving needs a good stuffing recipe. And this one is a 100 out of 10. The candied walnuts add a delicious sweetness and crunch to the recipe too. Plus, these quick candied walnuts can be made in just about 10 minutes.
The Easiest Crispy Latkes
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and no grating required! These easy latkes start with frozen potato puffs, so they’re ready in about half the time.
Thanksgiving Main Dishes (That Aren’t Turkey!)
Slow Roasted Holiday Brisket
Make the best Slow Roasted Holiday Brisket with this easy, tender recipe. Slow-cooked with a sweet and savory sauce, it’s perfect for holidays and family gatherings.
Caprese Chicken Cutlets
These Caprese Chicken Cutlets are an easy, high-protein dinner with crispy chicken, fresh mozzarella, and arugula. A quick weeknight meal for Thanksgiving week, ready in 30 minutes.
Creamy Tuscan Salmon (30 Minute Meal!)
This easy Creamy Tuscan Salmon is a flavorful 30-minute meal made in one pan! Tender seared salmon is served in a creamy Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, onion, and kale. It’s an easy, satisfying weeknight dinner that can turn into a Thanksgiving main dish. Pairs perfectly with pasta for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
Honey Walnut Crusted Salmon
This Honey Walnut Crusted Salmon is a sweet and savory, easy main dish with a crunchy walnut crust. A great Thanksgiving alternative to turkey, or an easy dinner for Thanksgiving week.
Blackened Salmon Bites
: These Blackened Salmon Bites are flaky, flavorful, and ready in 20 minutes with a homemade blackened seasoning. An easy dinner for Thanksgiving week or a light main dish alternative.
Thanksgiving Desserts
Apple Cider Donut Muffins
These easy apple cider donut muffins are soft, fluffy, and packed with warm cinnamon and apple cider flavor. Made with reduced apple cider and applesauce, these homemade muffins are brushed with butter and coated in cinnamon sugar for a delicious fall dessert or snack that tastes just like an apple cider donut.
Chocolate Chip Apple Blondies
These Chocolate Chip Apple Blondies are a soft, moist, and delicious fall dessert made with fresh apples, cinnamon, and sweet chocolate chips. This easy apple blondie recipe is the perfect cozy treat for fall baking, Rosh Hashanah, holiday desserts, or whenever you’re craving a simple homemade dessert. With tender baked apples and melty chocolate in every bite, these apple dessert bars are an irresistible twist on classic blondies.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Chocolate chip. Pumpkin bread. If you’re thinking that sounds really good, I promise, it tastes even better than you think. And when all foods fit in your diet, delicious dessert like this is a must. Cue all the cozy vibes with this one: warm, gooey, chocolate-y pumpkin bread.
Double Layer Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies
These Double Layer Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies are a great dessert for the holidays. IMO, they’re actually SO rich, sweet, and satisfying, that you really may want only one at a time.
They’re such a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth in the fall. Gooey, fudge-y texture. Rich, sweet chocolate. And a top pumpkin layer that’s sweet with all the right notes of fall.
Fudgy Tahini Brownies
These Fudgy Tahini Brownies are ridiculously fudgey and rich, with deep chocolate flavor and a subtle nutty hint from tahini. Finished with flaky salt, they’re the perfect sweet treat any time you’re craving chocolate.
Holiday Cookie Bars
These easy Holiday Cookie Bars are soft, gooey, buttery, and loaded with chocolate chunks and festive sprinkles. This simple chocolate chip cookie bar recipe comes together in just 45 minutes and makes the perfect holiday cookie, festive baking recipe, or easy treat for parties and gatherings. Customize these delicious cookie bars with different sprinkles and chocolate chips for Thanksgiving!
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If you want to create a healthy relationship with food, feel better in your own skin, and set the foundation for your kids to do the same, I highly recommend checking out my course, Food Freedom for the Whole Family. It’s my most thorough guide – there’s even an entire section on body image in it!
Check it out here: Food Freedom for the Whole Family.
Not ready for that yet? Check out any of these free resources below:
How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Food blog
I’m an Intuitive Eating Dietitian and This is What I Do When My Body Image is Bad blog
How to Stop Obsessing About Weight While Working Towards Food Freedom blog
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