How has another year gone by already?! The holidays seem to come quicker and quicker each year and before I know it, it’s time to plan Thanksgiving dinner. As much as I love cooking, I don’t want to spend all day over the stove when I have friends and family I want to visit with. So these are 16 of the easiest but tastiest recipes you can put on the table this Thanksgiving. Some can even be prepared a day or two in advance to save you time on the big day.
The Main Course
Tuscan Style Roasted Turkey
This bird is a beauty and flavorfully moist to boot! It can be made in 3 simple steps which include cleaning and stuffing the turkey, making a delicious herb spread, and basting the crispy skin. Not only is it a stunning centerpiece, but it tastes amazing! You’ll have the most delicious leftovers of all time!
Coca-Cola Glazed Holiday Ham
This is a beautiful but simple centerpiece perfect for those that want to skip the traditional roasted turkey at Thanksgiving. The meat is juicy and comes with a simple glaze made out of Coca-Cola. The instructions for the diamond pattern are included, making your holiday ham look professional when you only labored for about 20 minutes.
Crockpot Baby-Back Ribs with Homemade Rub
Crockpot Ribs are a great idea for Thanksgiving since the oven will be busy cooking pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole. These ribs are fall-off-the-bone awesome and have a gentle kick from the homemade rub. Use whatever BBQ sauce you like or leave it off and make your own. I have never once made these and had any leftover. They are AH-mazing!!!
Side Dishes
Traditional Fluffy Yeast Rolls
Let me give you the two most important reasons why these rolls would be perfect on your Thanksgiving table. 1) They are buttery, soft, and delicious with anything else edible! They smell incredible while cooking and I can never resist having more than one. 2) They are super convenient on a busy Thanksgiving day. You can prep the batter up to 5 days before and have it waiting in the fridge. Just scoop it out into a muffin tin for fresh rolls on the spot!
Healthy Green Bean Casserole
This revamped green bean casserole is a must-try if you’re tired of the sloppy traditional. This recipe has no canned soup so it is free of MSG and ingredients you can’t pronounce. Even though there are no fried onions, the green beans have a crunchy top that can either be baked or broiled. This is definitely a hearty, flavorful side you could offer to vegetarians or those watching their weight.
10 Minute Cranberry Sauce
Not only is this the best cranberry sauce to top your turkey, but you can have it ready in a jiffy! In fact, you can make it up to 3 days in advance so you have one less thing to worry about on the big day. I love this cranberry sauce because it has just a hint of cinnamon warmth and a burst of tang from the cranberries and orange zest.
10 Minute Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts
If you want to put something healthier on the table this year, these oven roasted brussel sprouts are a good option. They can be crispy and golden brown in just 10 minutes. They have a delicious, nutty flavor and will complement your turkey and mashed potatoes beautifully.
Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce
Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce is the perfect side dish to have cooking beginning Thanksgiving morning. It gives off the most homey aroma that will be sure to make your family relax the moment they walk in the door! It also serves as a sweet side or simple dessert. My kids love to pour it on their morning pancakes and my husband likes it as an ice cream topping.
Skillet Cornbread with Creamed Corn
Skillet cornbread with creamed corn is eons better than any traditional cornbread recipe I have tried. It’s easy to make, slightly sweet, and super moist. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, it can also be made in a glass pan. You could even make muffin versions of this classic Southern side and watch them disappear before you even have the turkey on the table!
Creamy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
It might be a sin not to have mashed potatoes on the Thanksgiving table. I’ve never met a person who didn’t like them! These are made with Yukon Gold potatoes because I think they are the least grainy and most creamy. I use them in my regular weeknight cooking but dress them up with green onions and cheddar cheese on Thanksgiving day. Leave them in the Crockpot on WARM while you use the stove for other tasks. I guarantee there won’t be any of these left after dinner!
Traditional Homestyle Turkey Gravy
Is it even possible to have Thanksgiving without gravy? I don’t think so! I smother it on my turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, and just about anything else on my plate! This recipe takes only 7 minutes and has just 4 ingredients, one of them being the drippings from your turkey. If you’re opting out on turkey but still want the gravy, simply make this with chicken broth and you’ll still have a finger-licking good sauce.
Desserts
Pumpkin Muffins with Vanilla Frosting
You might be tired of pumpkin pie but still want something pumpkin-y for dessert. Let me suggest pumpkin muffins with vanilla frosting. They are easy to make the day before so that you are free to focus on the big dishes Thanksgiving day. You can also make this into a delicious loaf and serve it with fresh brewed coffee in the morning. This recipe is always a hit, from kids to Grandmas alike!
Oatmeal Peach Crisp
This is a fun dessert to make if you are looking for something other than the traditional pecan or apple pie. The peach crisp has a lovely oatmeal top with a hint of cinnamon. It can be made with fresh or frozen peaches and it only takes 30 minutes to cook. After everyone has had a few hours to digest the turkey, pull this out with some vanilla ice cream and watch everyone run for a bowl! It’s warm and inviting, perfect for a cool Thanksgiving evening with family.
3 Step Crockpot Peach Cobbler
If your oven is overcrowded on Thanksgiving day, you might like to consider this Crockpot Peach Cobbler. There are only 5 simple ingredients and 3 easy steps. After eating the big meal, you could have this scrumptious delight waiting in the slow cooker. Pull out some bowls, scoop on some ice cream, and BOOM! Dessert done right and no sweat off your back.
Traditional Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is so much easier to make than you may think! If you use a frozen pie crust, you can have this classic dessert in the oven in all of 10 minutes. In my opinion, homemade pie is 100 times better than anything from the grocery store. Besides, it will take 10 minutes to get through the grocery checkout anyway. So make this pie fresh, topped with a little whipped cream, and you’re family will thank you!
3 Step Dutch Apple Pie
Thanksgiving without apple pie is like Christmas without presents or Halloween without candy; it’s just wrong. But not all apple pies are easy to make. However, this Dutch apple pie comes with easy instructions for making a homemade crust, apple-cinnamon filling, and crumble topping. It can be made a day in advance and it tastes great warm or at room temperature. It also transports easily if you are driving on Thanksgiving day.
There you have it friends! 16 of the easiest and most tasty recipes to dazzle your taste buds this holiday. May your tummies be full, your table surrounded by family and friends, and your heart replete with contentment that comes from counting the Lord’s many blessings!From my house to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
