Recipes Holidays and Events Recipes Thanksgiving Quick and Easy 18 Foolproof Thanksgiving Recipes for Beginner Cooks These holiday-perfect recipes are deliciously easy. By Jackie Freeman Jackie Freeman Jackie Freeman is a professional chef and cookbook author with over 20 years of experience in the food industry. Her talents include a wide range of skills such as a cheesemaker, farmhand, culinary instructor, recipe developer, TV and radio personality, and food stylist. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on November 17, 2024 Close Photo: DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS If this is your first Thanksgiving or your first Thanksgiving solo, you'll appreciate these foolproof Thanksgiving recipes—from appetizers to main dishes, side dishes, and desserts. These recipes share a common theme: They are easy to make, have everyday ingredients, and are absolutely delicious. Plus, we've added a few tips and tricks in the notes as a helping hand. Pick a few to try, or pick them all, and get ready for your easiest Thanksgiving feast! 01 of 19 Best Spinach Dip Ever Charlie Brown Here's a great choice for a make-ahead appetizer. You want to make sure to chill this dip for at least six hours before serving. If you don't have a bread bowl, don't worry. You can easily serve the dip in a pretty bowl or even a hollowed-out pumpkin. Tip: For a milder dip, grab a pack of leek soup mix instead of onion soup mix. And, for the perfect flavor and texture, double-check that you are using actual mayonnaise, not a whipped dressing. View Recipe 02 of 19 The Perfect Deviled Eggs Allrecipes This classic appetizer is always a crowd-pleaser, no matter the occasion. Learn NicoleMcmom's method for the perfect deviled eggs with a creamy, tangy filling. Tip: You can make them in advance by mixing the filling ahead of time and refrigerating it in a plastic bag (and storing the whites in a separate bag in the fridge). View Recipe 03 of 19 Grandma's Cornbread Dressing Meredith Food Studio "My grandmother always made this cornbread dressing for holiday dinners and for family gatherings at other times of the year. Use your favorite cornbread mix to make a batch of cornbread, and then crumble it for use in this family-favorite recipe." —Amy View Recipe 04 of 19 Slow Cooker Turkey Breast DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS There's no hard and fast rule that says you have to roast a whole bird for Thanksgiving, especially if it's your first time cooking or you're cooking for a small group. Instead of biting off more than you can chew (figuratively and literally), cook a turkey breast. All you need for this recipe are three simple items: a turkey breast, a packet of seasonings, and a slow cooker. Then the meal practically cooks itself! View Recipe 05 of 19 Homestyle Turkey, the Michigander Way bd.weld If you're ready to roast the whole bird, look no further than this recipe with just a few simple ingredients that add a ton of flavor. The key to a perfect cook is to have an instant-read thermometer on hand. This ensures the bird is roasted to the correct temperature, keeping it juicy instead of dry. Tip: For extra golden color, rub a little butter on top of the bird as well as under the skin. View Recipe 06 of 19 Chef John's Perfect Mashed Potatoes Eat Rich, fluffy, and lump-free, this classic mashed potato recipe is a crowd-pleaser (and goes great with gravy—see below). Tip: To get the best flavor, it is essential to salt the cooking water. Add enough so it tastes like the sea (don't worry, the end result will not be overly salty!). Bring the water to a boil, but then reduce it to a simmer so the potatoes cook evenly without falling apart. View Recipe 07 of 19 Suzy's Mashed Red Potatoes ttv78 Save yourself some time and work, and forget about peeling potatoes. When using red potatoes, the skins add both color and flavor to the final dish. For an extra pop of savory flavor, stir in a little crushed garlic. Tip: You can easily make these ahead of time and keep them warm in a slow cooker. View Recipe 08 of 19 Candied Yams The Gruntled Gourmand For many traditionalists, no Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a dish of candied yams or sweet potatoes with little marshmallows dotted on top. Using canned spuds saves a ton of time and work but won't short you on the flavor. Tip: Make sure to drain the yams before adding them to the baking dish, otherwise, they'll be too juicy. Adding a dusting of cinnamon over the top adds a nice depth of flavor. View Recipe 09 of 19 Easiest Sausage Stuffing fabeverdayblog Take regular boxed stuffing mix and turn it up a notch by adding veggies and sausage. The celery and onion give the pre-made mix a bit of texture, so that it tastes more homemade. You can serve it right off the stovetop, or stuff it into your turkey before roasting. View Recipe 10 of 19 Fresh Cranberry Sauce baking nana It only takes three ingredients to make fresh cranberry sauce. Use it to top your turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, or schmear it on bagels, cornbread, or cheesecake. Tip: If you want to add something a little "extra," swap out the water with orange, sprinkle in some allspice, or even add a splash of brandy while cooking. View Recipe 11 of 19 Bourbon Glazed Carrots lutzflcat An easy side dish that offers bright colors and flavors, Bourbon Glazed Carrots only requires a few simple ingredients. If you like a little additional sweetness, you can mix in a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup while cooking. Tip: Remember to cook the glaze over low heat, otherwise, you might end up with candy instead of sauce! View Recipe 12 of 19 Cream Corn Like No Other House of Aqua Creamed corn is the perfect comfort food. While this recipe may seem like it has a long list of ingredients, they are mostly pantry staples. This side dish is cooked in a single skillet, saving space, and is ready in about 10 minutes, saving time. Tip: If you don't have heavy cream on hand, swap it out with half-and-half or whole milk. View Recipe 13 of 19 Buttery Garlic Green Beans Ellyx3 Green beans are a popular side dish at the Thanksgiving table, whether they are covered in sauce, sprinkled with crispy onions, or left simple to shine – like this recipe. Tip: For the best flavor, use real fresh garlic, not the powdered stuff, in this quick and easy dish. View Recipe 14 of 19 Easy Freezy Pumpkin Pie Jody Turn pumpkin pie on its head with this version that uses vanilla ice cream and prepared crusts. Making a frozen dessert helps save valuable oven space on the big day, and you can prepare it a few days ahead of time to save on cooking-day stress. It's easy, it's quick, and most importantly…it's delicious! View Recipe 15 of 19 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Cake dubosefamily A dessert that tastes best when made ahead, this pumpkin cake only has two ingredients. Many home chefs like to add two beaten eggs to the batter or a handful of chocolate chips (or both). Once completely cooled, you can literally put the icing on the cake by topping it with store-bought or homemade cream cheese frosting. View Recipe 16 of 19 Simple Macaroni and Cheese Dotdash Meredith Food Studios "Quick, easy, and tasty macaroni and cheese dish. Fancy, designer mac and cheese often costs forty or fifty dollars to prepare when you have so many expensive cheeses, but they aren't always the best tasting. This simple recipe is cheap and tasty." —g0dluvsugly View Recipe 17 of 19 Nanny's Grape Salad Molly If you're looking for something a bit lighter and healthier for dessert than the traditional sweet pie or cake, give this a try. You can serve this dish as soon as it's mixed together, but it tastes even better after being chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Tip: If you don't like things too sweet, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the dressing. View Recipe 18 of 19 Cranberry Martini The Gruntled Gourmand Congratulations! You've made it through the Thanksgiving meal. Go on and treat yourself to a special adults-only cocktail. Tip: If you're sharing the holiday with kids, you might mix up a batch of this easy Cranberry Punch for them. Cheers! View Recipe 19 of 19 More Inspiration Allrecipes/Karen Hibbard 34 Lazy Thanksgiving Recipes That Will Save Your Holiday 20 Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Desserts The 9 Essential Thanksgiving Dishes for a Traditional Holiday Spread Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit