Over 75 of the BEST Thanksgiving Recipes!

The BEST Thanksgiving Recipes from appetizers to sides to turkey to dessert – all in one place!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner?!  Which means its time for my annual Thanksgiving Round Up which has grown from 25 to 50 to 75 Thanksgiving Recipes all from CARLSBAD CRAVINGS all in ONE place to make your Thanksgiving prep that much easier and delicious!  You can scroll down for categorized recipes with large photos or my Thanksgiving recipe index will give you a glance of all my Thanksgiving Recipes in one spot. 

This Thanksgiving is going to look different for quite a few of us, but there is still so much to be grateful for. I will be hosting an extra small Thanksgiving because I am immuno-suppressed and have to be extra careful during the pandemic – but I am super excited to be hosting! The hardest part is narrowing down what to serve. I know many of you are in the same boat, so here are some of my personal favorites and what I am going to serve this year (I’m not making it all myself 😉 ):

I can’t wait to hear what you are making this year!  Happy Thanksgiving! xo

Over 75 Best Thanksgiving Recipes:

How to Roast the Perfect Turkey

(step by step with photos)

This is the juiciest, most tender, flavorful Roast Turkey I have ever made! EVERYONE wanted the recipe!   I will never use another turkey recipe again, this one is a winner!  


 

Thanksgiving Appetizers

Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log (10 Minute prep!)

10 Minute prep creamy, sweet and tangy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log is the EASIEST yet most impressive appetizer you will ever make! And it can be made DAYS in advance so it’s the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any holiday party!

Garlic Herb Cheese Log

front shot of goat cheese log with garlic, zemon zest, basil, chives, parsley and rolled in pecans

Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

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Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms With Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil

side view of best sausage stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet with cream cheese filling and panko topping

Cranberry Brie Bites

top view of cranberry brie bites

Cheesy Pesto Pull Apart Bread

4 Ingredient, make ahead Cheesy Pull Apart Pesto Bread will make your life easier and all your parties more delicious!

Brie Spinach Dip

Brie Spinach Dip - my friends could not get over this appetizer! Its your favorite spinach dip made even more delicious with BRIE! Creamy, cheesy and so addicting!

Jalapeno Popper Dip

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Stuffed Baked Brie in Puff Pastry

Rich and creamy Baked Brie in Puff Pastry is always a total luxuriously tasting crowd pleaser with minimal effort!  (step by step pictures included)  It can be prepped in advance then baked when you're ready for company! 

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball is a hit every time I make it and is always the first appetizer gone! Its super easy and make ahead for stress free entertaining!

French Onion Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

top view of a hand dipping a piece of bread into easy spinach artichoke dip

Easy Bruschetta Cheese Ball

Super easy Bruschetta Cheese Ball takes just minutes to whip up and is always a total show stopper, make ahead appetizer! Loaded with fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic and herb cream cheese then rolled in crispy panko breadcrumbs all served with toasted baguette slices! So irresistibly delicious!

 Toffee Caramel Apple Dip

5 Minute Cream Cheese Toffee Apple Dip is my go-to party dip!  Its rich and creamy with crunchy, sweet toffee bits and couldn't be any easier!  Everyone goes crazy for this dip!

Spinach Dip Stuffed French Bread

Easy Spinach Dip Stuffed French Bread is your favorite cheesy dip baked right into the loaf! Crazy delicious side or easy crowd pleasing appetizer!

Cranberry Raspberry Punch

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Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese

This mega creamy Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese Casserole is the only macaroni cheese recipe you will ever want to make! make this for guests or family and they will love you forever! The homemade sauce itself is rich and crazy creamy and the casserole is stuffed with a hidden layer of provolone cheese and sour cream that melts when baked for a ridiculous amount of velvety creamy, cheesy goodness.

Green Bean Casserole

up close of best green bean casserole recipe in a 9x13 pan


Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf

Easy one pot Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf simmered in herb seasoned chicken broth and apple juice and riddled with sweet dried cranberries, apples and roasted pecans for an unbelievable savory sweet side dish perfect for the holidays. Everyone always asks for this recipe!

Maple Dijon Green Beans with Caramelized Pecans and Bacon

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Slow Cooker Ricotta Bacon Creamed Corn

REPLACE

Roasted Root Vegetables  (2 Ways!)

balsamic roasted root vegetables in a white bowl garnished with parsley with a servings spoon

Pineapple Cranberry Sauce

Pineapple Cranberry Sauce – so much better than canned and SO easy! Sweet and tangy and so company rave worthy! This will be your new favorite cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving!

Cornbread Sausage Stuffing

REPLACE

Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots

Tender, sweet and savory Secret Ingredient Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots are the most delicious carrots and easiest side dish EVER with only 10 minutes prep! I eat these like candy! #Thanksgiving #Easter #Christmas

Glazed Carrots

Cranberry Pomegranate Ambrosia Salad

up close of a spoon scooping classic ambrosia salad with pineapple, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, cranberries and pomegranate seeds in a glass bowl

Baked Butternut Squash Risotto with Pine Nuts

No Babysitting, easy, creamy BAKED Butternut Squash Risotto! This simple to prepare risotto is wonderfully smooth and creamy, seasoned to perfection and is absolutely fool proof! It makes the most amazing Thanksgiving or holiday side but is easy enough for every day!

Maple Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash

Easy Maple Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash tossed with cranberries and bacon for the BEST combo ever! tangy, salty, sweet, crunchy, crispy! Thanksgiving worthy, but everyday easy!

Maple, Cinnamon Brown Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash

top view of oven roasted butternut squash

Wild Rice Pilaf with Butternut Squash and Cranberries

Roasted Green Beans with Creamy Gruyere Sauce and Bacon

Forget green bean casserole, these wonderfully flavorful, crisp tender Roasted Green Beans with Creamy Gruyere Sauce are AMAZING!!!  They the best green beans you will ever eat!   They are easy enough for every day but delicious enough for special occasions (like Thanksgiving, Christmas!)! 

Perfect Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls

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Thanksgiving Potato Recipes

BEST Ever, Creamy Company Mashed Potatoes

BEST EVER Creamy Company Mashed potatoes infused with butter, garlic, and Parmesan! I could eat these all day alone with a spoon - they are incredibly velvety, flavorful and so good everyone will beg you for the recipe!

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow AND Pecan Topping

The best ever  Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows AND buttery, brown sugar Pecan Topping!  This Sweet Potato Casserole has been our favorite recipe ever since we tasted it almost a decade ago and you will love that you can assemble it the night before Thanksgiving or Christmas!  No Thanksgiving table is complete without this comforting classic!

Herb Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Gruyere and Bacon

Looking for the BEST scalloped sweet potatoes ever EVER?! Fresh herbs simmered in cream poured over layers of potatoes, bacon and onions topped with Gruyere cheese. Perfect for Thanksgiving, company or every day!

Hashbrown Casserole

Secret Ingredient Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

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Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Twice Baked Potatoes

front up close view of make ahead twice baked potatoes with cheese, sour cream and bacon

Herbed Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes and Bacon

Potatoes Au Gratin with layers of potatoes, cheese and cream in a white casserole dish being scooped up

Garlic Butter Smashed Potatoes

top view of garlic smashed potatoes lined on a baking sheet

Loaded Potato Salad

Thanksgiving SALADS

Fall Salad with Pomegranate Dressing

top view of fall salads with apples

Cranberry Apple Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Cranberry Apple Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing is one of my favorite salads IN THE WORLD! It belongs on your table this Thanksgiving and Christmas and all season long!  The perfect STRESS FREE make ahead side that is flavor and texture heaven!  #thanksgivingside #thanksgivingsalad

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cranberries, Caramelized Pecans and Goat Cheese

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Cranberries, Caramelized Pecans and Goat Cheese with the most incredible CRANBERRY VINAIGRETTE belongs on your table this Thanksgiving and all Autumn long! This is one of my favorite salads EVER and is the perfect STRESS FREE make ahead side!!!

Apple Salad with Apple Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

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Roasted Beet Pomegranate Salad

up close of beet salad being tossed with tongs
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Broccoli Bacon Salad

Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette

top view of green bean and tomato salad in a wood bowl

Winter Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Irresistibly delicious, fresh and vibrant Winter Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Poppy Seed Vinaigrette is simple to whip together but can’t stop eating delicious! It makes the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas side!

Tropical Pomegranate Cashew Fruit Salad

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Thanksgiving DESSERTS

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Pecan Praline Topping

Pecan Pie

up close side view of pecan pie recipe in the pie plate with a piece missing showing the texture if the filling

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

up close taking a slice of pecan pie cheesecake with graham cracker crust on a pedestal

Homemade Pie Crust

BEST EVER easy, NO FAIL pie crust recipe with step by step photos and instructions! You will never use another recipe again! #piecrust #pie #recipe #thanksgiving

Mini Caramel Apple Pies with Sugar Cookie Crust

up close of kraft caramel apple pie with vanilla ice cream

Pumpkin Bars with Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting

up close of pumpkin bars with chocolate chips

Cherry Cheesecake Dip

Easy, creamy NO BAKE Cherry Cheesecake Dip is one of the easiest AND most delicious desserts/appetizers that comes together in minutes! The perfect make ahead, stress free, crowd pleaser for all your holiday parties!

Pumpkin Praline Pie

I will never go back to just Pumpkin Pie again!  This Pumpkin PRALINE Pie is a Thanksgiving and Christmas must!  Creamy pumpkin pie topped with crunchy, chewy brown sugar pecans for the perfect flavor and texture combination in every bite!  

Almost No Bake Nutella S’mores Pie (MY FAV PIE)

Double Layer Pumpkin Oreo Cheesecake

Pumpkin-Oreo-Cheesecake-main2

Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie Bars

Easy ONE BOWL Chocolate Chunk Pecan Bars with a SUGAR COOKIE CRUST! these bars are AMAZING! Way better with chocolate chunks and the Sugar Cookie Crust is so soft and chewy.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse

Creamy, rich chocolate mousse smothered with silky peanut butter whipped cream cradled in an Oreo crust. You won’t be able to stop eating this pie!

Banana Coconut Cream Pie with Vanilla Wafer Cocont Crust

7 Layer Candy Apple Cheesecake Bars

Candy-Apple-Cheesecake-Bars--main2

Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cinnamon Pumpkin Cream Cheese Glaze

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Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

These are the BEST Pumpkin Cookies I've ever had!  They are super soft, tons of flavor and the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting is so addicting I was licking the bowl!   I brought these to a Halloween Party and they were the first dessert gone!

the BEST Apple Crisp

up close of apple crisp recipe on white plate with oatmeal topping

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce

My family is obsessed with this Pumpkin Bread Pudding! Its moist, mega flavorful and the Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce is out of this world! #thanksgiving #dessert #fall

Peanut Butter Salted Caramel Apple Pie Dip

Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Apple Pie Dip - I cannot stop eating this dip!!! Warm, cinnamon brown sugar apples smothered in caramel with just the right amount of creamy peanut butter! INSANE!! #thanksgiving #appetizer

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

a stack of pumpkin cheesecake bars with streusel topping

Raspberry Apple Pie

Easy Raspberry Apple Pie with Oatmeal Cookie Crumble Topping is an amazinlgy delicious twist on classic apple pie that everyone will go crazy for! I could eat the crust, filling or topping alone - every part is so good!

Pumpkin Roll

Nutella Pumpkin Roll

Million Dollar Cookie Pie

make ahead Million Dollar Cookie Pie layered with Nutella, Dulce de Leche and cookie dough! This is hands down the best skillet cookie I've ever made and its always such a crowd pleaser!

Easy Blueberry Cheesecake Pie

Blueberry Cheesecake Pie - This is my family's favorite dessert and its made extra easy in pie form! The cheesecake is creamy, rich and delicious and the homemade blueberry sauce is sweet and tangy and simply the best ever!

Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

taking a bite of ice cream pie with vanilla ice cream, pure pumpkin and chocolate sauce

Pear Pie

Mini Banana Coconut Cream Pies

Mini Banana Coconut Cream Pies is the best of both pies in one! Baked in chewy, buttery sugar cookie cups, topped with Coconut Whipped Cream and Drizzled with Coconut Caramel - perfect for holidays!

Almost No Bake Ultimate Mud Pie

Wonderfully rich, crazy creamy, heavenly Mississippi Mud Pie with 4 EASY layers of decadence! Everyone will beg you for this TO LIVE FOR recipe!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Want to try these Best Carlsbad Cravings Thanksgiving Recipes?

PIN THEM to your THANKSGIVING, HOLIDAY or FALL Board to SAVE for later!

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©Carlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

Over 25 of the BEST Thanksgiving Recipes from appetizers, sides and desserts all in ONE spot! You are guaranteed to find a new family favorite everyone will go crazy over!

SEE THANKSGIVING RECIPES AT A GLANCE HERE

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Reader Interactions

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13 Comments

  1. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

    What an inspiring post! I can’t stop drooling and I want to start cooking right this minute! Love every single one of your recipes. Have a wonderful Sunday and I can’t believe we are almost into November 🙁

  2. Carol says

    These recipes look incredible! I cannot wait to try them. Thank you kindly for sharing! I know my family is going to love them

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome Carol! Thank you for trying my recipes! I am excited to hear what you decide on!

  3. Jackie Mitchell says

    I’ve been collecting Thanksgiving recipes for over 40 years and I am astounded at this collection! Thank you so much for so many wonderful new twists and spins on the flavors of autumn. I can’t wait to try some of these! So happy to have recently stumbled upon (and followed) your blog!

    • Jen says

      Hi Jackie, welcome to Carlsbad Cravings, I am so happy you stumbled upon my blog! Thank you so much for such a kind comment that brings a big smile to my face! I love hearing you are excited about these Thanksgiving recipes! I hope you find some new favorites for generations to come!

  4. Mona Mitchell says

    Hi Jen,

    I can’t wait to try your Pumpkin Bread Pudding and Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes! I love, love bread pudding and i’m breaking with tradition and making your Sweet Potatoes. Your recipes are amazing! Joined your blog and can’t wait to see more from you. Gotta get through Thanksgiving first though. 🙂

    • Jen says

      Hi Mona, welcome to Carlsbad Cravings! If you love bread pudding, I think you will especially love the Pumpkin bread pudding – so excited for you to make it! Thanks for taking a chance on my recipes and breaking with tradition! I hope everyone loves the bread pudding and potatoes! Happy Early Thanksgiving!

  5. Healthy Kitchen 101 says

    Aw I’m so overwhelmed over your great thanksgiving recipes. Turkey, salad and dessert are always top priorities
    – Natalie

    • Jen says

      Agreed! I think you’ll find winners in those categories! Happy Thanksgiving!

  6. Tawana Grimm says

    I just discovered your website and I am so excited. I can’t wait to try your recipes, they look AMAZING. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I take so much pride in preparing my meal and your recipes are so impressive, I don’t think I’ve ever used that word before for a recipe but you can read the ingredients and just say WOW that has to be good. Thank you for sharing.

    • Jen says

      Welcome to my site Tawana, I’m honored you’re excited to try my recipes! It sounds like we are foodie kindred spirits 🙂 I hope have fun exploring my site and hopefully find many new favorites here!

  7. Oriane says

    Thanks for all your wonderful recipes ! I love your blog and I’m happy it’s so easy to understand even for french people !

    • Jen says

      Thank you for making my recipes Oriane! I’m honored you’re enjoying them!