Our 2024 Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu: Recipes & Detailed Instructions

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like us, you’re already dreaming of a table laden with delicious food, surrounded by loved ones. Planning the perfect Thanksgiving menu can be daunting, but fear not! We’ve compiled our ultimate Thanksgiving menu for 2024, complete with detailed recipes and instructions to ensure a stress-free and unforgettable holiday feast. Get ready to impress your guests with these tried-and-true classics, with a few exciting twists thrown in for good measure.

## Appetizers to Start the Celebration

Before the main event, tantalize your guests’ taste buds with these delectable appetizers:

### 1. Cranberry Brie Bites

These bite-sized treats are a perfect blend of sweet and savory, with a flaky crust and a creamy, tangy filling.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 sheet (14.1 oz) frozen puff pastry, thawed
* 8 oz brie cheese, cut into small cubes
* 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
* 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
* 1 egg, beaten

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Lightly flour a clean surface and unfold the puff pastry sheet.
3. Using a 1 1/2 inch cookie cutter or knife, cut out small circles or squares from the puff pastry.
4. Place the pastry cutouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Top each pastry cutout with a cube of brie cheese and a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
6. If desired, sprinkle with chopped nuts.
7. Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Let cool slightly before serving.

### 2. Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Shooters

These mini soup servings are a comforting and flavorful way to warm up your guests on a chilly Thanksgiving day.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 butternut squash (about 2 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cubed
* 2 apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala), peeled, cored, and chopped
* 1 onion, chopped
* 4 cups vegetable broth
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tsp ground ginger
* 1/2 tsp cinnamon
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Croutons or toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add butternut squash and apples to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
4. Carefully transfer the soup to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth.
5. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
6. Pour the soup into small shot glasses or espresso cups.
7. Garnish with croutons or toasted pumpkin seeds before serving.

## The Star of the Show: The Turkey

No Thanksgiving menu is complete without a perfectly roasted turkey. This year, we’re sharing our foolproof method for a juicy and flavorful bird.

### 3. Herb-Roasted Turkey with Citrus and Garlic

This recipe infuses the turkey with aromatic herbs, zesty citrus, and fragrant garlic for a truly unforgettable flavor.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 (12-14 lb) turkey, thawed
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage sprigs
* 1 lemon, quartered
* 1 orange, quartered
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 onion, quartered
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 1/2 cup melted butter

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels.
3. Rub the turkey with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
4. Stuff the turkey cavity with thyme, rosemary, sage, lemon, orange, garlic, and onion.
5. Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a roasting pan.
6. Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan.
7. Brush the turkey with melted butter.
8. Roast for 3-4 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C).
9. Baste the turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes.
10. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, tent the turkey with aluminum foil.
11. Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.

## Side Dishes to Complement the Turkey

These side dishes are the perfect complement to the herb-roasted turkey, adding a variety of flavors and textures to your Thanksgiving meal.

### 4. Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic

Elevate your mashed potatoes with the rich, mellow flavor of roasted garlic.

**Ingredients:**

* 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
* 1 head of garlic
* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup milk or cream
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut off the top of the garlic head, exposing the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and wrap in aluminum foil.
3. Roast the garlic for 45-60 minutes, or until the cloves are soft and golden brown.
4. While the garlic is roasting, boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
5. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
6. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into the pot with the potatoes.
7. Add butter, milk or cream, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy.
8. Garnish with chopped chives before serving.

### 5. Classic Stuffing with Sausage and Herbs

This classic stuffing recipe is packed with flavor from savory sausage, aromatic herbs, and crusty bread.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 loaf (1 lb) stale bread, cubed
* 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casings
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 1/2 cup butter
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 1 tsp dried sage
* 1/2 tsp dried thyme
* 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
* Salt and pepper to taste

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
3. In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
4. Add onion and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
5. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the cooked sausage mixture and toasted bread cubes.
6. Pour in chicken broth and stir to combine.
7. Add sage, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
8. Transfer the stuffing to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
9. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until heated through and golden brown on top.

### 6. Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Fried Onions (Homemade!)

Skip the canned soup and make this green bean casserole from scratch! It’s surprisingly easy and tastes so much better.

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
* 2 tbsp butter
* 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 3 cups milk
* 1/2 tsp nutmeg
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 recipe homemade crispy fried onions (recipe follows) OR 1 can (6 oz) crispy fried onions

**Homemade Crispy Fried Onions:**

* 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 tsp salt
* 1/2 tsp black pepper
* Vegetable oil, for frying

**Instructions:**

1. **Make the Crispy Fried Onions (if making from scratch):** Soak the onion slices in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Toss the soaked onion slices in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Fry the onions in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with salt immediately.
2. **Prepare the Green Beans:** Steam the green beans until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Drain well.
3. **Make the Mushroom Sauce:** Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and onion and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook until thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
4. **Assemble the Casserole:** Add the steamed green beans to the mushroom sauce and stir to coat. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with crispy fried onions.
5. **Bake:** Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and the onions are golden brown.

### 7. Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest and Ginger

Ditch the canned cranberry sauce and make your own! This version is bursting with fresh flavors and is surprisingly easy to prepare.

**Ingredients:**

* 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup water
* Zest and juice of 1 orange
* 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

**Instructions:**

1. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, orange juice, and ginger.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened.
3. Let cool completely before serving. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

### 8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Even Brussels sprout skeptics will love this recipe! Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, and the balsamic glaze adds a tangy, savory finish.

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1/4 cup balsamic glaze

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
3. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned.
4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

## Don’t Forget Dessert!

No Thanksgiving feast is complete without a sweet ending. Here are two classic dessert options:

### 9. Classic Pumpkin Pie

A Thanksgiving staple, this pumpkin pie recipe is creamy, spiced, and utterly irresistible.

**Ingredients:**

* 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
* 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
* 2 large eggs
* 1 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp ground ginger
* 1/4 tsp ground cloves
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Mix well.
3. Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust.
4. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set.
5. Let cool completely before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

### 10. Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Topping

This warm and comforting apple crisp is a delicious alternative to pumpkin pie.

**Ingredients:**

* 6 apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
* 1/4 cup butter, cubed
* 1/2 cup rolled oats
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss to coat.
3. Transfer the apple mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. In a separate bowl, combine butter, rolled oats, brown sugar, and nuts (if using). Mix until crumbly.
5. Sprinkle the oat mixture over the apple filling.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
7. Let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

## Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

* **Plan ahead:** Make a detailed shopping list and timeline for preparing each dish.
* **Prep in advance:** Chop vegetables, make cranberry sauce, and prepare the pie crust a day or two ahead of time.
* **Delegate tasks:** Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family or friends.
* **Set the table the night before:** This will save you time and stress on Thanksgiving morning.
* **Relax and enjoy!** Thanksgiving is about spending time with loved ones, so don’t get too caught up in the details.

## Wine Pairings

Choosing the right wine can elevate your Thanksgiving meal. Here are a few suggestions:

* **White Wine:** Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay
* **Red Wine:** Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Zinfandel
* **Sparkling Wine:** Champagne, Prosecco

## Make Ahead Timeline

Here is a suggested timeline for preparing your Thanksgiving meal in advance:

**2-3 Days Before:**

* Make cranberry sauce.
* Prepare pie crust.
* Chop vegetables for stuffing and green bean casserole.
* Purchase wine and drinks.

**1 Day Before:**

* Thaw the turkey (if frozen).
* Make stuffing.
* Prepare apple crisp topping.
* Set the table.

**Thanksgiving Day:**

* Roast the turkey.
* Make mashed potatoes.
* Prepare green bean casserole.
* Bake pumpkin pie and apple crisp.
* Enjoy the feast!

This ultimate Thanksgiving menu is designed to help you create a memorable and delicious holiday feast. From appetizers to desserts, these recipes are sure to impress your guests and make your Thanksgiving celebration a success. Happy Thanksgiving!