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Thanksgiving is really about good food, good company, and the laughs that come with it. If it's your first time hosting or you just want to mix things up this year, planning the dinner doesn't have to feel overwhelming.
We've compiled 20 of the most delicious Thanksgiving dinner ideas and recipes that bring comfort, flavor, and a celebration vibe to your table. This list has all you need to impress your guests and celebrate the big day with a feast!
In this article
Part 1. Main Dishes Dinner Recipes for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving feasts are always filled with plenty of dishes. Yet, no matter what kind of party you throw, the main course will set the tone for the entire evening.
While turkey might be the Thanksgiving favorite, we've also added some creative vegetarian options you can try. These Thanksgiving dinner recipes will surely help you serve up a table full of warmth and flavor.
1. Classic Roast Turkey
One of the traditional dishes on the Thanksgiving dinner menu. This Classic Roast Chicken delivers tender, juicy meat with a crispy, golden-brown skin that's full of flavor. Cooked with just the right seasoning and roasted to perfection, this dish is a timeless favorite that everyone will love for your celebration table.
🔗Get the full recipe here: Classic Roast Turkey
2. Boneless Turkey Breast Roast
If you're planning a small gathering or prefer an easier cut, this Boneless Turkey Breast would be an excellent choice. The meat is flavorful, easy to prepare, and fits perfectly on any Thanksgiving dinner dish. The result is a tender, herb-seasoned roast that pairs well with any side dish.
🔗View the full recipe of Boneless Turkey Breast Roast
3. Maple-Glazed Ham
You can add variety to your Thanksgiving dinner ideas with this Maple Glazed Ham. With a combination of sweet, savory, and perfectly caramelized flavors, this recipe adds a festive touch to your menu while maintaining a traditional taste. This dish is ideal for those who want to serve more than one main course or even skip the turkey altogether.
4. Turkey Pot Pie
One of the most comforting and filling Thanksgiving dinner recipes is Turkey Pot Pie. This dish is likely to be the most satisfying one you can make. Filled with turkey meat, vegetables, and creamy sauce under a golden crust, this dish is a feast for Thanksgiving night or as a meal the next day. See the recipe for Turkey Pot Pie.
5. Non-Turkey Vegetarian/Centerpiece Option
For meatless alternatives, try Stuffed Butternut Squash or Mushroom Wellington. These Thanksgiving dinner ideas are a treat for vegetarians or anyone looking to add variety to the menu. Plated beautifully and full of fall flavors, these dishes make the ideal centerpiece for a plant-based Thanksgiving dinner.
🔗Get the Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.
🔗Full recipe of Mushroom Wellington.
✨ Bring Your Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas to Life with Video
Want to make your Thanksgiving dinner ideas even more engaging and shareable? Imagine turning a simple photo of your beautifully plated turkey or golden-glazed ham into a captivating video that makes viewers feel like they can almost taste it. With Wondershare Filmora's AI Image to Video (VEO 3) feature, this is now possible with just a few clicks.
This AI-powered tool transforms static food photography into dynamic, mouth-watering video clips with realistic motion and professional visual appeal. Whether you're showcasing your Classic Roast Turkey, Maple-Glazed Ham, or Stuffed Butternut Squash, VEO 3 animates your dishes in ways that make them look even more appetizing.
See it in action below – watch how a simple photo of a Thanksgiving dinner dish transforms into an engaging video clip:
As you can see in the video above, VEO 3 adds natural movement, depth, and cinematic motion to your Thanksgiving dinner recipes, making them perfect for social media posts, recipe tutorials, or creating a visual feast that showcases your cooking journey. The animated clips bring a professional touch that static photos simply can't achieve.
With Filmora's VEO 3, creating engaging content for your Thanksgiving dinner menu is effortless. Later in Part 4, we'll guide you through the complete process of combining these AI-generated clips with your cooking footage to create a stunning Thanksgiving video story.
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Part 2. Sides & Supporting Dishes Recipes for Thanksgiving
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without the perfect side dishes to complement the main course. These Thanksgiving dinner suggestions add balance, texture, and color to your table, instantly turning a simple meal into a feast. These Thanksgiving dinner dishes are the perfect accompaniments to your turkey, ham, or vegetarian meal. Mix and match your favorites to create a traditional yet exciting spread.
6. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery, and rich in flavor, Garlic Mashed Potatoes are a must-have on the Thanksgiving dinner menu. Roasted garlic adds a rich, savory flavor that elevates this comforting side dish to a whole new level of delight. Get the Creamy Double-Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe here!
7. Traditional Bread Stuffing
Your Thanksgiving dinner recipe list isn't complete without the classic Bread Stuffing. Made with cubed bread, onions, celery, and spices, this dish captures the essence of the holiday in every bite. Soft, flavorful, and aromatic, it's perfect served alongside roast turkey and gravy.
Here's the Traditional Bread Stuffing recipe
8. Green Bean Casserole
This Green Bean Casserole is one of the most beloved favorites among Thanksgiving dinner ideas. A mix of tender green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions gives this dish a crunchy texture and a warm, comforting flavor to your dinner table. See the full recipe on All Recipes.
9. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Sweet and fluffy with a touch of nostalgia, Sweet Potato Casserole topped with toasted marshmallows is an unforgettable classic dish for Thanksgiving. Creamy sweet potatoes and sticky marshmallow topping create the perfect balance of flavors.
🔗View the recipe on Southern Living
10. Honey-Glazed Carrots
To add color and sweetness to your dinner table, try Honey-Glazed Carrots. This simple side dish combines soft carrots with a shiny honey-butter glaze, creating the perfect blend of sweet and savory. It's one of the easiest Thanksgiving dinner dishes to prepare, but it always makes a big impression. Get the honey-glazed carrots recipe here.
11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Crispy, savory, and full of flavor, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon make a great addition to your Thanksgiving dinner menu. The combination of smoky bacon and roasted Brussels sprouts creates a mouthwatering taste, even for those who don't like vegetables.
🔗Try the recipes here now.
12. Cauliflower Gratin
If you prefer a creamy and cheesy Thanksgiving dinner recipe, Cauliflower Gratin can be a good option as a side dish. Baked until golden brown and bubbly, it's a rich and satisfying choice for guests who appreciate warm and comforting flavors.
See the full recipe on Simply Recipes
13. Cornbread Stuffing
Instead of the usual stuffing, you can try Cornbread Stuffing to add a slightly sweet and crunchy texture to your dish. It's a great way to give your Thanksgiving dinner suggestions a traditional touch while still maintaining a warm, home-cooked feel. Get the recipe from NYT Cooking.
14. Garlic Butter Green Beans
Looking for a lighter option among Thanksgiving dinner ideas? Butter Green Beans offer a fresh, crisp taste and are rich in garlicky flavor. Super quick to make and pairs well with rich main courses. Try the recipe from Allrecipes.
15. Cranberry Walnut Salad
Add freshness and crunch to your dishes with Cranberry Walnut Salad. With a mix of fresh vegetables, dried cranberries, and sweet walnuts, this salad offers a refreshing contrast to heavier Thanksgiving dinner dishes, balancing out the richness of those dishes.
See the Cranberry Walnut Salad recipe here.
Part 3. Desserts & Drinks Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving night isn't complete without sweet treats and warm drinks to end the evening. After a delicious main course and comforting side dishes, desserts and beverages offer warmth, balance, and a festive finishing touch to your dinner. With various kinds of pies and fragrant seasonal drinks, these Thanksgiving dinner ideas are the perfect ending to your festive celebrations.
16. Classic Pumpkin Pie
The most iconic Thanksgiving dessert, Pumpkin Pie, has a rich, smooth flavor and just the right amount of spice. With its buttery crust and silky filling, this dessert is always a hit. Top it with whipped cream for a traditional finish that everyone will love.
Get the homemade fresh pumpkin pie recipe.
17. Pecan Pie
A delicious classic Southern pie, Pecan Pie combines crunchy pecans with a flavorful, heartwarming caramel filling. A must-have for the idea of Thanksgiving dinner, this pie offers the perfect combination of sweetness and texture.
Try the pecan pie recipe here.
18. Apple Crisp
Warm, fragrant, and full of fall flavor, Apple Crisp is one of the easiest Thanksgiving dinner ideas to prepare. The soft, cinnamon-spiced apples contrast beautifully with the crisp oat topping. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Finish it off by serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
View the recipe from Betty Crocker.
19. Pumpkin Spice Latte
Bring the cafe atmosphere to your Thanksgiving table with a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte. This warm drink combines espresso, milk, pumpkin puree, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for the perfect fall treat. It's a delicious and soothing way to end your Thanksgiving dinner.
🔗Click here for the recipe.
20. Hot Spiced Cider
A warm cup of Hot Spiced Cider is the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving celebration. Slowly simmered with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices, this beverage will fill your home with the aroma of the season. This non-alcoholic drink is a favorite among Thanksgiving dinner menu suggestions and is enjoyed by guests of all ages.
Get the Hot Spiced Cider recipe.
Part 4. Share Your Thanksgiving Dinner Journey Through Video
It'll be so much fun to save memories and share them with friends by recording all the Thanksgiving preparations, the cooking process, and moments at the dinner table. Once you have those clips, edit them into a warm, shareable video that you can post on social media. It's all easy to do with Wondershare Filmora.
This handy video editor comes with a timeline, transitions, text, music options, and simple export presets for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Filmora also offers AI tools you can try, including an AI image-to-video feature that turns your photos or images into animated clips you can add to your story.
If you're also looking for Thanksgiving dinner ideas, consider showcasing your favorite Thanksgiving dinner recipes, serving styles, or cozy table settings in your video. This is a creative way to inspire others while celebrating the season through your content.
Check out this step-by-step workflow for creating a polished Thanksgiving cooking video.
How to Create and Edit a Thanksgiving Cooking Video
Step 1Import and Trim Your Clips
- Create a new project and import all your video files, phone clips, and photos or B-roll.
- Drag clips onto the timeline. Trim the clips as needed using the cutting tool to split long clips into important sections.
- Arrange clips in a simple narrative order: preparation, cooking, serving, moments at the table, and final reveal.
Step 2Use a Filmora Thanksgiving Dinner Template
- Browse the Filmora template library and choose a Thanksgiving dinner template that suits your style.
- Templates speed up the editing process by providing ready-made sequences, transitions, titles, and music.
- Replace the media placeholders with your clips and photos, customize the text to display Thanksgiving dinner recipe names or tips, and adjust the timing so that each moment gets the attention it deserves.
Step 3Add Transitions, Effects, and Overlays
- Use light effects or overlays to enhance warmth and coziness.
- Apply filters or LUTs to give your footage a consistent festive tone.
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Step 4Add Captions
- Insert short, readable captions for Thanksgiving dinner recipe names, ingredient amounts, or quick tips.
- Ensure font consistency and place text within the safe area for social media platforms.
- For accessibility, include closed captions or a transcript if you have spoken instructions or voiceover.
Step 5Enhance with Music and Sound Effects
- Add background music that suits the mood. Lower music during speech or natural sound.
- Layer simple Thanksgiving-themed sound effects for actions like chopping, sizzling, or a timer ding to make cooking feel alive.
- Consider a short voiceover to narrate the recipe steps or share a Thanksgiving message.
Step 6Export and Share Your Thanksgiving Cooking Video
- Export in MP4 format (H.264 codec) for best quality and compatibility.
- Save your video and share it with friends and followers.
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Conclusion
Thanksgiving is all about spreading love, laughter, and delicious food, and capturing those special moments makes the celebration even more meaningful. From new Thanksgiving dinner ideas to keeping family favorites on the table, turning your cooking journey into a video is a fun way to remember the warmth of the day.
With Filmora's creative tools, you can turn simple clips into heartwarming and meaningful stories. Gather your favorite Thanksgiving dinner dishes, record precious moments with loved ones, and create something beautiful to share with family, friends, and everyone who loves Thanksgiving.
