Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year, but between work, the kids and getting the house ready, I don’t have time for a menu that keeps me in the kitchen all day. These are the Thanksgiving recipes we actually make: a hands-off crockpot turkey, two family stuffings that have been passed down for years, easy sides, and the desserts that always disappear first.
Most of them use simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store, and a lot of them can be made ahead or cooked in the slow cooker or air fryer to free up your oven.
The Turkey
Crockpot Thanksgiving Turkey
Turkey breast tenderloins slow cooked in a jar of turkey gravy with garlic powder, onion powder and thyme. It’s just 3 main ingredients, totally hands-off, and perfect for a smaller gathering when you don’t need a whole bird.
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Stuffing
PA Dutch Potato and Bread Stuffing
My grandmother’s recipe and a Pennsylvania Dutch staple we eat every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Creamy mashed potatoes are folded together with toasted bread, butter, celery, onion, parsley and poultry seasoning, then baked.
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Pineapple Stuffing
A sweet, buttery baked stuffing made with crushed pineapple, white bread, eggs, brown sugar and cinnamon. It came to me from my husband’s family and it’s the perfect side for turkey or ham.
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Easy Thanksgiving Sides
Creamy Cheesy Corn
Sweet corn simmered with butter, cream cheese, cream and a little smoked paprika. It takes about 15 minutes on the stovetop, which makes it an easy side when the oven is full, and kids love it.
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Crispy Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Roasted until extra crispy, tossed with thick-cut bacon and finished with a balsamic honey glaze. It’s an easy, low-prep side for busy families and holiday gatherings.
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Maple Apple Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts, Honeycrisp apples and red onion caramelized with pure maple syrup and a pinch of chili flakes. You can make them in the air fryer or the oven.
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Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Small potatoes smashed and air fried with garlic butter, parmesan and fresh thyme until crispy outside and fluffy inside. Just 5 simple ingredients.
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Loaded Mashed Cauliflower
A low-carb take on loaded mashed potatoes with sour cream, cheddar, bacon and green onions. It’s ready in about 20 minutes.
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Sweet Potato Gratin with Italian Sausage and Spinach
Layers of sweet potatoes, Gruyère, Italian sausage and spinach baked in a garlicky cream sauce. It’s a hearty twist on potatoes au gratin that works as a side or a meal.
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Roasted Garlic Risotto Stuffed Acorn Squash
Roasted acorn squash halves filled with roasted garlic risotto, sausage, peppers, celery and parmesan. It’s a pretty, cozy side that looks right at home on the holiday table.
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Oven-Roasted Asparagus
A simple green side made with asparagus, Italian dressing, lemon, salt and pepper. It roasts in about 15 minutes.
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Garlicky Broccoli Rabe and Mushrooms
Broccoli rabe and mushrooms sautéed with garlic, lemon, red pepper flakes and parmesan. It’s ready in about 15 minutes and goes with just about anything.
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A Cozy Starter
Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
Creamy butternut squash, sweet potato and apple soup topped with crispy Brussels sprouts and bacon. It tastes like fall in a bowl.
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Thanksgiving Desserts
Sour Cream Apple Pie
A passed-down Pennsylvania Dutch family recipe with a smooth, creamy apple filling and a crumbly cinnamon topping. Our Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without it.
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Caramel Apple Dumplings
Honeycrisp apples wrapped in crescent roll dough, baked with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon, and finished with caramel sauce. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Ricotta Pumpkin Pie Brownies
Fudgy boxed-mix brownies swirled with a creamy ricotta pumpkin pie layer. Only 5 ingredients, and a fun option for anyone who wants pumpkin and chocolate.
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Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
Use more than one appliance. The turkey cooks in the crockpot, the corn is made on the stovetop, and the smashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts can go in the air fryer, which leaves the oven free for the stuffing and pie.
Bake dessert the day before. Getting the sour cream apple pie or pumpkin pie brownies done ahead gives you one less thing to juggle on Thanksgiving morning.
Mix family classics with something new. We always have both stuffings on the table, then rotate the sides each year.
