Thanksgiving Recipes for Turkey, Sides, Desserts, and Leftovers

Thanksgiving recipes are the ones I start thinking about every October, and this is my whole Thanksgiving dinner in one place. You'll find how to thaw, brine, and roast a juicy turkey, gravy from the drippings, classic side dishes, pies, and my favorite ways to use the leftovers.

I'm a classically trained chef, so I'll also walk you through the parts that matter most for safety: thawing the bird correctly and cooking it to the right temperature.

Oven Roasted Turkey Recipe

My whole method for a juicy, golden turkey, start to finish

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An oven roasted turkey on a white plate with oranges and kale.

How to Thaw, Brine, and Roast a Turkey

A juicy turkey starts days before Thanksgiving with a safe thaw in the refrigerator. From there, pick your method; roasted, spatchcocked, smoked, or sous vide.

Carving, Gravy, and Turkey Stock

Let the turkey rest before you carve so the juices stay in the meat, not on the cutting board. Use that rest time to make gravy from the drippings.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Creamy potatoes, stuffing, warm rolls, and something green. Most of these can be prepped the day before, so your oven is free for the turkey. For more pairing ideas, see my guide to what to serve with turkey.

Cranberry Sauce and Thanksgiving Table Extras

The small touches that make the table feel finished. Homemade cranberry sauce takes about 15 minutes and keeps in the fridge for days, so make it early.

Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers

Something to snack on while the turkey roasts. Every one of these can be made the day before, so you're not juggling them with the bird.

Thanksgiving Pies and Desserts

It all starts with a flaky crust. My award-winning Crisco pie crust is the one I've been making for years, and it's the base for any Thanksgiving pie you want to bake.

Thanksgiving Egg Rolls

Turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce rolled up and fried until crisp; the leftover recipe everyone searches for.

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Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

The day after Thanksgiving is my favorite day to cook. These turn leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce into something new.

Thanksgiving Drinks

Warm spiced cider for the table and a big-batch punch for the crowd.

Find what you're looking for:

24 Recipes for a Crock Pot Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving FAQ

While I try to share all the information you need to make these recipes in your home with restaurant-quality results, there still may be a question or two. Or these are questions I have received from the community about these recipes. I do my best to answer them as clearly as I can. I hope this helps.

How long does it take to thaw a frozen turkey?

In the refrigerator, plan on 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. A 16-pound turkey needs about 4 days. In a hurry, submerge it in cold water in its wrapper and change the water every 30 minutes; that takes about 30 minutes per pound. Never thaw it on the counter. My turkey thawing guide has a chart by weight.

What temperature should Thanksgiving turkey be cooked to?

165F, measured with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the wing, without touching bone. I like to take the thighs to 175F to 180F; the dark meat is more tender there. If you cook stuffing inside the bird, it needs to reach 165F too.

How far ahead can I make Thanksgiving side dishes?

Cranberry sauce, casseroles, and most appetizers can be made 1 to 2 days ahead and kept in the refrigerator. Reheat casseroles until they're hot all the way through, 165F in the center.

How long are Thanksgiving leftovers good for?

Get leftovers into the refrigerator within 2 hours of serving, and use them within 3 to 4 days. Slice turkey off the bone before you store it so it cools faster. Then turn it into Thanksgiving egg rolls.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Every Thanksgiving recipe on Savoring The Good, newest first.