Next Post
The 28 Most Popular Thanksgiving Drinks.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
It’s time to shift our focus from Halloween fun to Thanksgiving blessings! November is here! Part of me is happy Thanksgiving is late this year – more time to plan and prep for the Christmas craze! But the other part of me wishes Thanksgiving was a week earlier, solely because we’d have more time to celebrate Christmas!
I know thatâs silly, but I am such a Christmas girl!
Regardless, I’m still so excited for this yearâs Thanksgiving. I’ve been fine-tuning the menu for weeks. This yearâs menu is special, even more so than years past. It’s centered around creating a âQuick & Cozyâ dinner. With the newest Half Baked Harvest cookbook, Quick & Cozy, launching November 19th and Thanksgiving taking place the following week, it only made sense to tie the two events together.
In addition to a very special theme and menu, we have a very special Thanksgiving table to share. Ever since the early days of Half Baked Harvest, I’ve always dreamt of building out a holiday photoshoot where I can curate the menu, style the table, and be the host my grandma always was. In the past, I’ve created all of our Thanksgiving content on my own in Colorado with almost zero help – other than my sweet dad on dish duty. Everything from the menu creation to the styling of the table, photographing the recipes, editing, and every other little detail that comes with creating this type of content for you all.
This year, I finally made the vision in my head come to reality. I worked with a small team to create a Thanksgiving table and menu that I’m most excited to share!
I had one free day in Austin, Texas, a few weeks ago, and I knew that if I wanted to create something magical for you, this was the time and place to do so. It was, of course, a quick turnaround and short notice for everyone who helped on this shoot, but we pulled it off! I was able to work with Kristen, who is part best friend and part best photographer. Kristen has shot all the lifestyle photos for our last three cookbooks. And three weeks ago, she shot my Thanksgiving table for our 2024 menu, finally, capturing me within the holiday content! She was excited, I was excited, and it turned out so well.
It was so much fun and felt like a major growth step for me personally and professionally. If you all react well to this how-to-entertain style post, I hope to share something similar in December!
Let me know what you think! For now, letâs dive into the details of our 2024 Thanksgiving menu!
The biggest mistake I see people make when planning for Thanksgiving is undertaking too intense of a menu. All that does is create unneeded stress. Instead, I like to keep the Thanksgiving meal pretty simple and cozy, of course! With so many people to feed, we need recipes that can be made or prepped ahead of time and are, for the most part, pretty simple to make.
I like to create a dinner that centers around tradition yet has a few new recipes with potential to become new holiday traditions. Mixing old with new is key!
Below, I am sharing the menu. It’s a mix of tried-and-true favorites and new additions that I’ll share over the next 2 to 3 weeks. Including the tips and tricks I’ve learned from 14 years of hosting Thanksgiving for my family.
Photos by Kristen Kilpatrick.
Tip: we eat dinner on the later side, so when guests are in town, I think having an option for breakfast is really nice! With time during the day and some dishes prepped ahead, I’m able to casually cook while the family is around. We usually take time in the afternoon to cut our Christmas tree down. Then, at night, we settle in for the big feast. This year, pumpkin cinnamon rolls are on the breakfast menu!
Pumpkin Butter Cinnamon Rolls with Coffee Icing
To Drink: Pumpkin Spice Pecan Latte
alternate option: Baked Butter Pecan French Toast
Tip: I didn’t use to serve appetizers. I didn’t want people filling up before the big meal. I’ve since changed my thinking. The trick is having something light for guests to snack on when they arrive. I usually end up serving a few favorites. Have these out when guests arrive, especially the cheese board. Itâs always so welcoming with a cocktail in hand.
Thanksgiving Cheeseboard â new and coming soon
Prosciutto Wrapped Baked Brie in Pastry
Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
alternate options:Â
Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates
Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie
5 Ingredient Cranberry Brie Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls
Pull-Apart Cranberry Baked Brie
Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Twist
Tip: Always have the candles lit and drinks ready for guests’ arrival. Include alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to accommodate everyone attending.
Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler Punch
Thanksgiving Cider Punch – a tried and true tested favorite
For after dinner, try the Cinnamon Espresso Martini from Quick & Cozy
alternate options:Â
Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned
Vanilla Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour
Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma
Tip 1: include at least one vegetarian main course. Itâs nice to have a main course thatâs just as hearty and exciting as the turkey for any vegetarian eaters.
Tip 2: this year Iâm making my go-to herb butter roasted turkey, but instead of roasting the whole turkey, Iâm cutting it into pieces and then roasting. I will be sharing how to do this soon, and on a very special platform!
Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey
(this is tradition, I make it every single Thanksgiving)
Make Ahead Easy, No Drippings Gravy with Bacon
Creamed Spinach and Wild Rice Casserole
Tip: make these all ahead of time, and donât stress about a thing
Crockpot Fondue Mashed Potatoes â new and coming soon
Brown Sugar Roasted Honeynut Squash
Salted Honey Sage Brioche Rolls â new and coming soon
Harvest Brie and Cheddar Apple Kale Salad
Sweet Potato Casserole with Sweet ânâ Savory Bacon Pecans
Herby Mushroom Croissant Stuffing
Roasted Balsamic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
Cranberry Sauce
(use your favorite recipe, I simply simmer cranberries with maple, orange juice, rosemary, or sage and a pinch of salt until thickened)
alternate options:Â
Creamy Brie Four Cheese Mac and Cheese with Buttery Ritz Crackers
Crispy Parmesan Thyme Sweet Potato Stacks
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Tip: I bake the pumpkin cookies and use them as place settings for my table. Itâs such an easy way to add a personal touch to your tablescape.
Maple Brown Sugar Pecan Cookie PieÂ
Chai Pumpkin Cake with Maple Browned Butter Frosting
Molten Chocolate Crackle Pie (my favorite, I make this every year)
alternate options:Â
White Chocolate Chai Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes
Chocolate Covered Espresso Spiced Pretzels
As with most years, I kept the table down to the basics using pieces I have at home: ribbons, simple white dishes, silverware, linen napkins, and then mixed in fresh florals lined down the table in place of a runner or tablecloth.
For the florals, I used smaller bud vases throughout. I used one larger arrangement that I removed for dinner and set on a side table. The turkey then replaced the larger arrangement. This allows guests to easily talk while enjoying the meal!
I used glassware I already own and muted yellow linen napkins tied simply with a ribbon and single-stem flower. They turned out so pretty!
The final detail was a pretty holiday ornament hung on each chair. I thought it would get everyone in the holiday spirit and ready to celebrate Christmas. Plus, it was so cute!
Sunday
â organize, make your list, get prepared
â grocery shop
â buy wine and alcohol
â If you have a frozen turkey, begin thawing! See the last tip below on thawing times
â set the table
Monday
â prep the honeynut squashÂ
â prep the sweet potatoes, bake, warm up before serving
â prepare the stuffing, and chill until ready to bake
â prepare the make-ahead gravy
â prep the rolls and pre-bake them. Then warm before serving
Tuesday
â prepare the cocktails
â bake the desserts
â prepare the cranberry sauce
Wednesday
â bake the Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, lightly toast or warm the bread before serving
â make the Wild Rice Casserole
â prep the brie
â prep the dates, then bake before guests arrive
â final grocery trip for last-minute items
In the Morningâ¦
â remove the turkey from the fridge and start prepping
â bake the cinnamon rolls or the french toast (if you choose to make these)
â begin roasting the turkey
â make the dates for the goat cheese, if you didnât already. Keep at room temperature
In the Afternoonâ¦
â begin baking off the sweet potatoes, potato mashers, and stuffing
â warm the honeynut squashÂ
â toss the Harvest Brie and Cheddar Apple Kale Salad together, this can sit in the fridge for up to 6 hours.
Before Guests Arriveâ¦
â bake off the brie
â set out the dates
â lay out the cheese board
â set out the cocktails
Before Dinnerâ¦
â remove the turkey and let it rest, then carve
â warm the gravy
â warm the rolls
â set out the sides
â 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 2024 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 youâd 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 donât want to cook more than one turkey. Lastly, keep in mind that if youâve 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 tableâ¦and at a reasonable hour. An oven schedule is essential for staying on track on Thanksgiving Day, especially if youâre working with limited oven space.
Tip 3: Test Your Recipes
If youâre trying new recipes, make sure you test them out before Thanksgiving Day. Certainly, no one wants to be disappointed with a bad batch of mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving Day. Test your recipes out now so theyâre perfect for Thanksgiving.
Tip 4: Invest in a Slow Cooker.
If youâre 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:Â 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 AÂ Meat ThermometerÂ
This might be a no-brainer, but donât try cooking your turkey based solely on timeâ¦no one wants to cut into a beautiful-looking turkey only to find that itâs 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: Donât Cook the Stuffing Inside The Turkey
If you cook the stuffing inside the turkey, youâll have to overcook the turkey in order to actually cook the stuffing to a temperature thatâs safe to eat. And even then, you end up with soggy stuffingâ¦and dry turkey. Not good. Instead, bake the stuffing separately. Youâll get soft on the inside and crisp on top stuffing that actually tastes good.
Tip 9:Â Set the Table Way Ahead of Time
This is something my Nonnie taught me, and itâs probably my favorite entertaining trick. I like to set my dinner table ideally a week ahead. Of course, thatâs not possible if itâs a table you use every day. If setting your table early isnât possible, try for the night before. Itâs one more thing you can cross off your checklist early. Plus youâll be guaranteed to have the table set and looking pretty when guests arrive.
Tip 10:Â Create a Seasonal Tablescape
When setting your table, donât 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 â 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 articleâ¦
Lastly, if you make a dish from our 2024 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, donât forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is certainly my favorite!
Do you have a calendar of when the “new and coming soon” recipes will be released? I will need to test them before Thanksgiving and November is always so busy! I don’t want to miss out on one but want to make sure I can plan accordingly!
Hi Hayleigh,
So sorry, I do not. They will all be shared in the next 2 weeks. So far, here are the recipes that I have already shared in case you missed them:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cobbler-punch/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/oasted-honeynut-squash/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/maple-pecan-cookie-pie/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! XxT
Hi teagan! Little confused what âprep ___â means in your schedule. Does that mean we make the whole recipe start to finish or just part way before baking? Explain a little please (:
Hi Jessie,
For which recipe are you referring to? Sorry, I think I just need more specifics on what you are asking! xx