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The day is here! So happy to share our 2023 Thanksgiving menu and guide! This year’s menu is all about simplicity and very little fuss. This menu is guaranteed to win over family and friends, whether you’re hosting a Friendsgiving or a traditional Thanksgiving meal. As with past years, this menu has a mix of tried and true recipes plus brand new. We’ve got everything from cocktails to desserts. There are homemade popovers, easy (under 2 hours) crescent rolls, my make-ahead fail-proof gravy, a gorgeous shredded Brussels sprout salad, pecan pie brownies, last year’s Thanksgiving punch, and more. So much to share this November!
Happy Thanksgiving menu day! This is our 9th Thanksgiving menu. Over the years I’ve learned so much I almost feel like a Thanksgiving expert at this point! But every single year I learn something new. Not only through my own experiences but also thanks to the tips and tricks you all have shared here too.
I’m more excited than ever to share this year’s menu. It’s one of my favorites for many, reasons. I started creating Thanksgiving menus in 2015 – wow! The first time I created our menu I felt like there needed to be a long list of holiday dishes. I included everything and it was overwhelming. But I was learning along with the rest of you. Now my menu feels attainable, beautiful, and delicious, yet not too overwhelming.
These recipes are classics but made with something that makes them feel special. Most of them can be prepared ahead of time. And all the recipes I’m sharing below are very little fuss.
So here’s our 2023 menu! Just like all of the menus I share, these are only my suggestions. Pick and choose your favorites. Create the menu that’s right for you, your friends, and your family! You certainly don’t need to follow my menu to a T. Hopefully you can create a menu that fits your needs and that you will end up loving!
What recipes are you looking forward to serving up most this Thanksgiving? I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone makes this year!
Breakfast
Tip: Don’t forget Thanksgiving Day breakfast. We like to eat later, around 7 pm or even 8 pm. Then we can enjoy a casual family day, cut down our Christmas tree, and settle in for a feast. I usually make something on the sweet side, it makes the day feel even more special!
Pumpkin Butter Cinnamon Roll Bread
Everything Cheesy Potato and Egg Breakfast Casserole
alternate option: Baked Butter Pecan French Toast
to drink: Spiced Pumpkin Maple Latte
Appetizers
Tip: I like to serve a few favorites. Something for snacking, and then something cheesy, of course! Have these out when guests arrive, especially the cheese board, it’s always so welcoming with a cocktail in hand.
Thanksgiving Turkey Cheeseboard
Pull-Apart Cranberry Baked Brie
Pastry Wrapped Baked Brie with Maple Apples – coming soon
alternate options:
Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates
5 Ingredient Cranberry Brie Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls
Mini Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie Bites
Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie
Sides
The Best Brown Butter Sage Potato Mashers
Shaved Brussels Sprout Candied Bacon Salad
Herby Mushroom Croissant Stuffing
Creamed Spinach Wild Rice Casserole – coming soon
Cranberry Sauce
(use your favorite recipe, I simply simmer cranberries with maple syrup, orange juice, rosemary, or sage and a pinch of salt until thickened)
Easy Creamy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Creamy French Onion Soup Bread Bowls
alternate options:
Sweet Potato Casserole with Sweet ‘n’ Savory Bacon Pecans
Creamy Brie Four Cheese Mac and Cheese with Buttery Ritz Crackers
Crispy Parmesan Thyme Sweet Potato Stacks
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions.
Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad
Crockpot Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Breads/Rolls
alternate options:
Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls
The Main
Tip 1: include a vegetarian main course. It’s nice to have a main course that’s just as hearty and exciting as the turkey for anyone who does not enjoy turkey.
Tip 2: don’t feel like you have to roast a turkey! If your guests prefer something different, consider a braised roast!
Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey
(I make this every year. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. This turkey never disappoints)
Tip: make your potatoes at the same time! Make my Potato Smashers that I’ll be sharing soon. Simply roast/bake the potatoes underneath or around your turkey. They’ll be even more delicious this way. Plus, this will save you space and oven time!
Make Ahead Easy, No Drippings Gravy with Bacon
Roast option: Cider Braised Pot Roast
No Meat option: Alfredo Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Dessert
Tip: bake all desserts ahead of time and make so many! You can’t have too many and what’s amazing is these can all be baked up a day or 2 ahead of time.
Gooey Pecan Pie Brownies (this year’s favorite)
Chocolate Covered Espresso Spiced Pretzels
alternate options:
Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Cupcakes
Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Cocktails
Tip: Keep drinks simple, but make sure they’re special enough to get everyone excited for the night ahead. I love a make-ahead punch option, but if you have a smaller dinner, mix up an autumn bourbon smash!
For after dinner: Cinnamon Spiced White Russian – coming soon’
alternate options:
Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned
Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma
Sunday
– organize, make your list, get prepared
– If you have a frozen turkey begin thawing! See the last tip below on thawing times
– set the table
– prep the make-ahead French onion soup, and bake the soup the day of
– prep the sweet potatoes
Monday
– grocery shop
– buy wine and alcohol
– prepare the stuffing, and chill until ready to bake
– prepare the make-ahead gravy
– prep the parker house rolls (if making, I know these are such a favorite every year), and chill until ready to bake
Tuesday
– prepare the cocktails
– bake the desserts
– prepare the cranberry sauce
Wednesday
– bake the Pumpkin Butter Cinnamon Roll Bread, lightly toast or warm the bread before serving
– make the spaghetti squash
– prep the brie
– prep the Whipped Goat Cheese, make the dates before serving, or make ahead and serve at room temperature
– final grocery trip for last-minute items
In the Morning…
– remove the turkey from the fridge and start prepping
– bake the cinnamon rolls or the french toast (if you choose to make these)
– begin roasting the turkey
– make the dates for the goat cheese, if you didn’t already. Keep at room temperature
In the Afternoon…
– begin baking off the scalloped sweet potatoes, potato mashes, and stuffing
– cook the spaghetti squash in the instant pot or on the stove
– toss the Shaved Brussels Sprout Candied Bacon Salad together, this can sit in the fridge for up to 6 hours.
Before Guests Arrive…
– bake off the brie
– set out the whipped goat cheese and dates
– lay out the turkey cheese board
– set out the cocktails
Before Dinner…
– remove the turkey and let it rest, then carve
– warm the gravy
– bake off the popovers
– set out the sides
– serve up the turkey, gravy, and all the sides!
Of course, enjoy the night with family and friends. You deserve it!
Tip 1: Think About Your Menu
A few things to be thinking about when creating your 2023 Thanksgiving Menu. How much oven space do you have, how many people are you serving, and does anyone have any dietary restrictions?
Depending on how many leftovers you’d like, plan on anywhere from a pound to a pound and a half per person. If everyone is heading out the door at the end of the day, I would go closer to a pound per person. If your guests are staying through the weekend, go for a pound and a half. Bone-in breasts are a nice option if you don’t want to cook more than one turkey. And lastly, keep in mind, if you’ve got a lot of sides, guests will probably eat less turkey.
Tip 2: Make an Oven/Food Schedule
This is certainly my number one tip for easily getting dinner on the table…and at a reasonable hour. An oven schedule is essential for staying on track on Thanksgiving Day, especially if you’re working with limited oven space.
Tip 3: Test Your Recipes
If you’re trying new recipes, make sure you test them out before Thanksgiving Day. Certainly, no one wants to be disappointed on Thanksgiving with a bad batch of mashed potatoes. Test your recipes out now so they’re perfect for Thanksgiving.
Tip 4: Invest in a Slow Cooker.
If you’re working with limited oven space, I highly recommend using your slow cooker and instant pot. They can cook mashed potatoes from start to finish, or keep your dishes warm without taking up any oven space!
Tip 5: Make a To-Do List TODAY
About a week or so before Thanksgiving, I sit down and make a checklist of everything that needs to be done before we sit down to eat. I make my list by the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
Tip 6: Use A Meat Thermometer
This might be a no-brainer, but don’t try cooking your turkey based solely on time…no one wants to cut into a beautiful-looking turkey only to find that it’s still raw inside. Using a thermometer is the best way to know when your turkey is cooked to perfection. This one is my favorite.
Tip 7: Roast Your Turkey in a Butter Soaked Cheesecloth.
My number 1 tip for the best turkey. Grab my favorite herb butter roasted turkey recipe here.
Tip 8: Don’t Cook the Stuffing Inside The Turkey
If you cook the stuffing inside the turkey, you’ll have to overcook the turkey in order to actually cook the stuffing to a temperature that’s safe to eat. And even then, you end up with soggy stuffing…and dry turkey. Not good. Instead, bake the stuffing separately. You’ll get soft on the inside and crisp on top stuffing that actually tastes good.
Tip 9: Set the Table Way Ahead of Time
This is something my Nonnie taught me, and it’s probably my favorite entertaining trick. I like to set my dinner table ideally a week ahead. Of course, that’s not possible if it’s a table you use every day. If setting your table early isn’t possible, try for the night before. It’s one more thing you can cross off your checklist early. Plus you’ll be guaranteed to have the table set and looking pretty when guests arrive.
Tip 10: Create a Seasonal Tablescape
When setting your table, don’t stress too much about making it perfect. I love the imperfect-perfect look. My best budget tip for creating an elegant tablescape is to incorporate the food onto the table. My favorite thing to do is to use fresh produce around my table to add pops of color. I certainly love a bouquet of flowers, but food can be equally beautiful, if not prettier. In addition, I like to surround the table with candles, use fresh herbs for greenery, and seasonal fruit for color.
Reader Tip – Reminder to begin thawing a frozen turkey far ahead!
I found a really great article on how to thaw a turkey that includes times for thawing on Real Simple. Two main takeaways from the article…
Lastly, if you make a dish from our 2023 Thanksgiving Menu and Guide be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is certainly my favorite!c
Thank you for all the delicious recommendations! Do you have any tips on how to adjust the smashed sage potato cooking temp/timing to roast at the same time as the turkey as suggested in your article?
Thanks so much Hailey!! You can cook the potatoes at the same time as the turkey, you will just need to increase the bake time, you’ll know when they are done! xx
I am definitely making the make ahead gravy. Every year I say I’m going to do it, but this will be the year! I have a notebook that I have been using since I took over Thanksgiving in 2005! I just added this recipe.
Hey Selene,
Love to hear this! I hope you love the gravy, it’s a good one! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
I will never make my turkey another way…your Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey using the cheesecloth is superb! It’s perfect every time. I’ll be making the turkey and gravy, with your Parker House Rolls, Baked Mac n Cheese (and other sides), and for breakfast your Baked Cinnamon Crunch French Toast. Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family! We thoroughly enjoy your recipes, especially during the holidays 🙂
Yay!! Love to hear this Clarissa!! Thanks for sharing all of the recipes that you are planning to make:) I hope everything is a hit! xT
We have decided to have a HBH Thanksgiving this year! My husband and I don’t have any family this year, but we are motivated to make it special for our little family of two. Went through all your Thanksgiving recommendations back to at least 2017 and tried to pick a little of each! I can condense several of these down to half and others we will just have extra for the weekend nosh. We are so excited – thank you for all the inspo you share, Tiegan 🙂
-Everything Cheesy Potato and Egg Casserole
-Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates
-Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned
-Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad
-Creamed Spaghetti Squash with Browned Butter Walnuts
-Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey
-Buttery Parker House Rolls
-Chai Pumpkin Cake with Maple Browned Butter Frosting
Wow! Thank you so much Cat! I love the recipe you picked:) I hope they are all amazing! Have a great Thanksgiving! xT
Beautiful Thanksgiving table! Can you share a link for the dinner and appetizer plates?
Thanks so much Kristel!! Here is the link for the plates:
https://shopstyle.it/l/b3CRp
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Have a great day! xx
Everything you make is not only delicious but beautiful. When our family is in a funk we head over to your website or Instagram and drool over everything. Question: can you please link those beautiful plates with the fun designs on them? Thank you!!
I just love that you guys look at the pictures on this site as a family! It’s so wholesome and sweet, but it also indicates a lot of shared interests- food, cooking (yes, those are definitely separate! 😃), family. That is really awesome. Happy holidays to you all. 🦃
Hey Ashley,
Thanks so much for your kind message and following along!! Here is the link for the plates:
https://shopstyle.it/l/b3CRp
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Such a beautiful table. I always use your make ahead gravy with our turkey at Christmas, it’s just the best! Xx
Thanks a lot Kelly-Jane!! The gravy is the best and so easy to make! Have a great week! xT
Tieghan, you’re obviously thankful for cheese.
This is a very heavy menu. Where are the lighter options? Where are the vegetables (besides potatoes)?
Hi Nicky,
Here are some veggie recipes you might enjoy:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/balsamic-parmesan-brussels-sprouts/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/crispy-roasted-blackened-cauliflower/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-bacon-brussels-sprouts/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/hasselback-butternut-squash/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/creamed-spaghetti-squash/
I hope this helps!!
Seriously?? Four out of 5 of the veggie recipes you suggested have cheese! Girl, take a break. I don’t know where your passion lies, but this aint it.
Nicky, I’d like to remind you that this is Teighan’s website. She’s under absolutely zero obligation to cater to your preferences (or terrible attitude). There’s a tool called Google that I find works pretty well for those who put it to use. I tell this tip to my daughters (who are, by the way, 9 and 11): if you wouldn’t say something to someone’s face, don’t type it out online.
“Over the years I’ve learned so much I almost feel like a Thanksgiving expert at this point!”
…from the same person who said, “How would I know that?” she said. “I’m not Google.” in response to how long to safely thaw a turkey in your recent NYT article.
Her comment could have been about converting altitude—I’m sure this hard hitting journalist, aka food blogger, has all the correct context. 😂That article was biased against her throughout. How about you stay off her page if you think this lowly of her? Do you have nothing better to do? It’s so silly you commenting this.
You have absolutely saved me on many occasions and this year you have done it again. I thank you for all of your help and for sharing your treasured family recipes. I love the rosemary garland. Would you please share your source? I think I could actually, sort of, come up with a beautiful table. Of course not as beautiful as yours!
Aww, thanks so much Carleton, love to hear that you have enjoyed so many recipes!! Here is the link for the greenery:
https://rstyle.me/+lXkTcId4jJPbwPS2wggStg
Let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
Your recipes are always wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. I am never good at the table presentation and I love the greenery in this photo. It is simple, yet elegant.
Can you share where that is from?
Hey Theresa,
Thanks so much for your kind message! You bet, here is the link:
https://rstyle.me/+lXkTcId4jJPbwPS2wggStg
Let me know if you have any other questions! Have a great day! xx
Your Thanksgiving menu sounds wonderful. I’m curious about the cheesecloth trick and plan on trying it this year. Do you ever have a problem with the cheesecloth sticking to the skin and pulling it off when the cheesecloth is removed? I know you mentioned basting the turkey a couple times during roasting, which I’m sure helps. Thanks
For the great receipts and your holiday enthusiasm is contagious!!
Thanks so much Cindy!! I appreciate you reading the menu this year:) I promise as long as you baste your turkey a few times while roasting, the cheesecloth will come right off at the end, I’ve never had any issues with that! I hope you love the recipe, it’s a fave:) xT
I know people like to indulge in a lot of food on thanksgiving (me included). But this menu seems really heavy. Any suggestions for lighter vegetable side dishes?
Hey Jana,
Thanks for reading! Sure, here are some other options you might enjoy for Thanksgiving:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/sweet-potato-bites/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/crispy-parmesan-thyme-sweet-potato-stacks/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/autumn-harvest-honeycrisp-apple-and-feta-salad/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/crispy-roasted-blackened-cauliflower/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/creamed-spaghetti-squash/
I hope this helps! There’s also a bunch more you might like on the blog! xx
Thanks for the reply. I think we have different views of what is light and healthy. 🙂
This is such a helpful post, Tieghan – thank you!!! Making my menu this week!
Question: would you be willing to share your source for that gorgeous hammered metal (handle) silverware in some of your photos?
Hey Sarah,
So glad you found this to be helpful! You can find all of the links that I have available to the items on my Thanksgiving table located here:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/thanksgiving-shop/
I hope this helps! xT
I would love to know too, such a perfect addition!
Hi Donna,
Sorry, I am not sure what you are asking about…please let me know how I can help! xT
I’m inspired by your menu. Since it’s just me (and I work on holidays), I highly doubt I’ll make the full menu, but I will certainly try a few recipes. Thank you.
Thanks Melissa!
Sarah & Donna,
Zara stocks similar items, with the hammered handles. Not sure about the serving spoon though.