The Ultimate 2024 Thanksgiving Menu

November 15, 2024

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Amelia [Writer]

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A delightful assortment of appetizers, drinks, sides, mains + delicious desserts handpicked for your celebration. Infuse your holiday feast with a blend of delicious classic dishes + new creations that will make your holiday feast unforgettable.

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The Ultimate 2024 Thanksgiving Menu

Brace yourselves for a feast like no other with our roundup of The Ultimate 2024 Thanksgiving Menu – Made for all eaters, because everyone's invited to the party! Packed with a ton of amazing sides for the holiday table, loaded with classics + some wildly new & delicious, and of course---desserts galore. Prepare to elevate your Thanksgiving recipe feastin' to a whole new level! Gluten-free, Dairy-free + Vegan Options.

Shanika in a sparkling red suit holding her puppy and smiling.

This isn't just a regular feast--- it's a celebration of flavors designed for all eaters. Whether you're a fan of timeless classics or eager to try some innovative new sides, I've curated a Thanksgiving menu that promises to elevate your Thanksgiving recipe experience.

Over the years, roundups like 30 Ultimate Plant-Based Thanksgiving Recipes was a good list of general Thanksgiving menu recipes, however, many of you have been wanting a more concise, organized list, so HERE IT IS! FINALLY!

Picture this: a holiday table adorned with not only the traditional staples but also a variety of bold, exciting dishes that will leave your taste buds in awe!

Shot of appetizers in a platter with Thanksgiving decor.

Let's keep it real here – there are a gazillion turkey recipes out there, and maybe, just maybe, I'll spill my turkey secrets someday. But for now, let's dive into the real stars of the show: drinks that'll make your taste buds dance, appetizers to kick things off, light + hearty side dishes + delicious mains that steal the spotlight, and desserts that'll have everyone reaching for seconds. This is all about creating a holiday table that's not just good but downright irresistible! While you're at it be sure to learn all my tips + tricks for hosting Thanksgiving! too!

Jump to:

HOW TO HOST THE PERFECT VEGAN FRIENDSGIVING
Light + Fun Appetizers
Delicious Thanksgiving Mocktails
Oh-So-Satisfying Side Dishes
Irresistible Thanksgiving Mains
Desserts That'll Make You Drool
That's A Wrap!
More Thanksgiving Recipes + Holiday Guides!
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

I've got all bases covered! From gluten-free + vegan options to dairy-free indulgences, and even alcohol-free sips, I've got your drink options sorted. And for the meat lovers, fear not, I've got your favorites lined up too. The best part? Most of these recipes are customizable, so you can tweak them to your heart's content, ensuring that all eaters around your table leave with happy taste buds!

HOW TO HOST THE PERFECT VEGAN FRIENDSGIVING

Unlike traditional Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving is the place where you get to enjoy good times with close friends and extended family. For many, Friendsgiving has become their new tradition and with more people wanting to maintain a healthier lifestyle, this list of How to Host the Perfect Vegan Friendsgiving comes in handy. It’s all about creating simple ways to make this moment the most memorable.

Light + Fun Appetizers

Thanksgiving = a whole lot of food. To keep things easy on the stomach, I stick to just a few light but completely delicious appetizers. Gotta save that space for the main event, right?

Crostinis on a white platter with forks, a drink, honey, and garnish. Perfect for you thanksgiving menu

BEST THANKSGIVING CROSTINIS

Thanksgiving Pizza

Up close shot of Chex mix in a white bowl.

Homemade Everything Bagel Chex Mix

Everything Brussels Sprouts and Mozzarella Hand Pies on parchment paper with forks and everything seasoning

Everything Brussels Sprouts + Mozzarella Hand Pies

Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp

Southern Hot Honey Cauliflower Bites

Lined on a wooden tray all eggs with sage leaves and a yellow napkin.

My Favorite Deviled Eggs

Up close shot of Honey BBQ Chicken wings on a white plate with a fork.

Baked Sticky Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

Close shot of chickpeas in a serving bowl with a side of crackers.

Best Roasted Chickpeas

FALL HARVEST APPLE BACON CROSTINI

BBQ Cauliflower Wings

Up close shot of garlic dip in a bowl with a spoon and piece of bread.

ROASTED GARLIC OLIVE OIL DIP

Everything Bagel Cauliflower Bites

Crackers on a platter with honey on a burnt orange table.

Sweet + Spicy Herb Crackers

Up close shot of whipped feta dip with a spoon and fork with bread.

Pesto Whipped Feta Dip

Asparagus and Mozzarella Puff Pastry with Herb Honey with a spoon on parchment paper

CHEESY ASPARAGUS PUFF PASTRY WITH HERB HONEY

Baked chicken wings on a black skillet with two forks and garlic.

THE BEST GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN WINGS

The Best Classic Hummus

Up close shot of fried with sauce and a spoon.

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries

Queso dip with toppings and salsa, guacamole, and lime wedges.

Mexican Style Chicken Queso Dip

Up close shot of Bruschetta on a platter with a gold spoon and parmesan.

My Fave Easy Classic Bruschetta

Black bean salad in a bowl with a gold spoon.

Easy Black Bean Salsa

Up close of chicken wings on a platter with white paper, herbs, + sesame seeds on a black table.

STICKY GOCHUJANG CHICKEN WINGS

Fried green tomato on a plate, dipped in red sauce, and with a fork.

Seasoned Fried Green Tomatoes

Overhead shot of a colorful and extensive Charcuterie Board including black grapes, green olives, crackers, cheeses, and dips

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Delicious Thanksgiving Mocktails

Festive drinks are by far one of the recipes that you can make 1-2 days in advance for greater ease! Plus, I always give the option of adding alcohol to these mocktails in the event that you want to spruce things up and kick it up a notch!

Dirty Chai Martini Mocktail in a jeweled martini glass

Dirty Chai Espresso Martini

Honey Grapefruit Mocktail in a stemmed glass tied with a red ribbon

GRAPEFRUIT THYME MOCKTAIL

Bloody Mary Mocktails with tabascco sauce, lime, olives, and parsley.

Traditional Bloody Mary Mocktails

Orange Marmalade Ginger Beer Mocktail

A tall glass full of mocktail mixture with slices of oranges, lime, fresh mint leaves on a brown wood table.

Citrus Honey Mint Mocktail

Spiced Maple Citrus Pear Mocktail

Espresso Martini [Dairy-Free + No Kahlua]

Vegan Espresso Martini Mocktail

Pear Ginger Lemon and Thyme Drink in a small glass.

Pear Ginger Lemon + Thyme Mocktail

Thanksgiving Punch Mocktail next to a halved pomegranate

FESTIVE THANKSGIVING PUNCH MOCKTAIL

ROASTED APPLE PEAR MOCKTAIL

Up close shot of sparkling tart cherry drink in a stem glass with cherries + ice cubes.

Sparkling Tart Cherry Juice

White Russian Mocktail in decorative glassware against a red background

BEST WHITE RUSSIAN MOCKTAIL

APPLE CARAMEL ESPRESSO MARTINI

CRANBERRY APPLE CIDER ORANGE SANGRIA

Closeup of an Apple Cider Mocktail in a jeweled cocktail glass with ice and a cinnamon stick

EASY APPLE CIDER MOCKTAIL

Oh-So-Satisfying Side Dishes

Get ready for side dishes that steal the show—we've got your classics and a few wildcards that I'm pretty sure will become your new favorites!

Mashed potatoes in a bowl with two gold spoons and garnish.

ULTRA CREAMY CHEESY GARLIC VEGAN MASHED POTATOES

Closeup of Loaded Mashed Potatoes topped with bacon and green onion

BEST LOADED SWEET POTATO MASH

Because what would Thanksgiving be without mashed potatoes?

Potato salad in a black bowl with a spoon.

Southern Potato Salad

Mac and cheese in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

My Childhood Velveeta Mac and Cheese

Baked mac and cheese in a yellow skillet with a wooden spoon and forks.

Smoked Baked Mac + Cheese Rigatoni

Spoon scooping some Southern Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs out of a baking pan

THE BEST SOUTHERN BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Baked gnocchi in mini cocottes with a spoon.

SOUTHERN BAKED GNOCCHI MAC + CHEESE

Wooden spoon stirring a pan of Vegan Mac and Cheese

THE ULTIMATE VEGAN MAC + CHEESE

Up close shot of baked mac and cheese in a skillet with a spoon.

BAKED WHITE MAC + CHEESE WITH BACON

I couldn't resist sharing at least six amazing mac + cheese recipes with all of you! They're seriously delicious, and I might end up making more than just one. Haha.

Seasoned Creamed Corn

Corn on a wooden platter with melted butter and a spoon and red mini pots.

How to Boil Corn on the Cob

Cooked yams in a white platter with a spoon.

Southern Candied Yams

Asparagus on a platter with lemon slices and garnish.

Air fryer Asparagus

Roasted tomatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Herb-Roasted Tomatoes

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Maple Herb Glazed Carrots and Cranberries on a light brown serving platter

MAPLE HERB GLAZED CARROTS + CRANBERRIES

Roasted zucchini on a plate with a fork and feta cheese.

Roasted Zucchini with Parsley, Feta, + Hot Honey

Roasted potatoes in a dish with a spoon and parmesan.

Parmesan Herb Crusted Roasted Potatoes

Green beans in a wooden serving platter with two gold spoons.

Sautéed Lemon Garlic Herb Green Beans

Up close shot of crispy quinoa on a yellow plate with a spoon.

Crispy Lemon Herb Quinoa

The Best Creamy Coleslaw

Garlic Herb Smashed Potatoes on parchment paper

CRISPY GARLIC HERB SMASHED POTATOES

Rice and peas in a bowl with a gold spoon.

Jamaican Rice + Peas

Cooked rice in a white bowl with a gold spoon with herbs.

Basmati Rice

Brown Rice

Rice in a black bowl on a grey table with a spoon.

Fluffy Coconut Rice

Serving spoon scooping Maple Sweet Potato Casserole

Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole

Wooden spoon on a half-served platter of Roasted Grapes and Brussels Sprouts

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH GRAPES

HOMEMADE VEGAN STUFFING

Wild rice in a serving bowl with two gold serving spoons and bowls of ingredients around.

VEGAN WILD RICE STUFFING

SOUTHERN-STYLED CORNBREAD STUFFING

At my Thanksgiving feast, stuffing's the real star! I love mixing it up and usually whip up a few different versions.

Avocado and chickpea salad in a platter on a yellow table.

Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad

Cucumber salad in a black bowl with a spoon and a red napkin.

The Ultimate Smashed Cucumber Salad

Tomato salad in a wooden serving bowl with a spoon and tomatoes on a yellow table.

Easy Herb Tomato Salad

Full kale salad tossed in dressing with two gold serving spoons.

FALL HARVEST BBQ CHICKPEA KALE SALAD WITH HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

Chicken pasta salad on a serving platter.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Salad on a white round plate with seasonings + herbs, lime wedges, dressing, and yellow napkin.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER GREEN GODDESS SALAD

Ingredients in a bowl with ingredients and a spoon.

My Fave Quinoa Salad

Adding a fresh touch to the feast is a must! Amid all the hearty mains and sides, a vibrant salad is my go-to.

Creamy pasta in a black skillet with a black spoon.

CREAMY ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA

Stuffed baked shells in a baking dish with wooden spoon.

SKILLET TUSCAN PUMPKIN STUFFED SHELLS

Baked gnocchi in a black skillet with a gold spoon, herbs, and pieces of bread.

SKILLET BAKED CHEESY PUMPKIN GNOCCHI

Overhead shot of Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella

MEATLESS BAKED ZITI WITH RICOTTA + MOZZARELLA

Up close shot of stacked biscuits on a wood platter.

Homemade Flaky Cheddar Bay Biscuits

VEGAN SWEET POTATO MAPLE HERB CORNBREAD

Vegan Sweet Cornbread

Up close shot of cornbread in a mini skillet with butter.

HOT HONEY SOUTHERN CORNBREAD

Hot Honey Herb Dinner Rolls in a baking dish

MY HUBBY’S HOT HONEY GARLIC DINNER ROLLS

FLAKY HONEY BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Biscuits on a brown wood table with a glass of milk, honey stick, jam, and plate with a knife.

HONEY BUTTER CORNBREAD DROP BISCUITS

Ah, bread in all its delicious forms steals the show on the holiday table! Surrounded by saucy goodness, using bread to soak up those flavors is an absolute must for me.

Irresistible Thanksgiving Mains

These main dishes bring warmth + comfort to the table. Each dish offers unique flavors, making them ideal centerpieces for a festive Thanksgiving feast.

Lemon Garlic Herb Butter Roast Turkey

JERK WHOLE ROAST CHICKEN

If you're going for a different Thanksgiving vibe and want something smaller than a whole turkey, chicken is my go-to! It's just as tasty and opens up a world of creative possibilities in the kitchen.

CRANBERRY MAPLE ROAST CHICKEN

Fancy Pomegranate Lamb Chops

Chicken breasts in a red skillet with a spoon and fork.

HOT HONEY BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS

Lobster and salmon in creamy sauce in a skillet.

Garlic Butter Salmon + Lobster in Creamy Lemon Parmesan Sauce

Smothered chicken in a white pot with a wooden spoon.

Delicious Southern Smothered Chicken

ONE SKILLET CREAMY CAJUN CHICKEN ORZO

Air fried pork chops on a blue platter with a fork.

Southern Fried Pork Chops

SHEET PAN MAPLE APPLE CHICKEN + VEGGIES

CRISPY SOUTHERN HOT HONEY FRIED CHICKEN

Pan Seared Steak

Wooden spoon stirring a pan of Braised Apple barbeque Ribs with Potatoes

Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes

Lobster and orzo in skillet with gold serving spoons.

BBQ Jerk Lobster + Garlic Herb Orzo

Plate full of plant-based oxtail with two forks and two cups of drinks.

Plant-based Jamaican Oxtail

Spoon stirring a skillet of Chicken Pot Pie with Cheddar Herb Biscuits

EASY CHICKEN POT PIE WITH CHEDDAR HERB BISCUITS

Up close shot of broccoli cheddar pot pie in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Pot Pie

Vegan Pot Pie

Up close shot of sweet potato bowl with two gold forks.

Maple Chili Sweet Potato Bowl

Food bowl with two forks topped with dressing.

Vegan Fall Harvest Farro Bowl

Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken

Up close shot of stuffed butternut squash with two forks and garnish.

WILD + BROWN RICE STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

I make sure to include some plant-based dishes so that my vegetarian/vegan guests can fully savor the meal too!

MAPLE HERB ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

SPICED CHICKPEA STUFFED SWEET POTATOES

Stuffed peppers on a serving platter with a gold spoon.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

VEGAN JAMAICAN POWER BOWL

Shepherd's pie scooped out of skillet with two gold forks, side of drink + bread.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SWEET POTATO SHEPHERD’S PIE

Vegan barbeque Wellington on a white serving platter

VEGAN BBQ BEEF WELLINGTON

Roasted cauliflower sliced atop herbs + cranberries on a platter with two serving spoons.

STICKY BBQ TERIYAKI WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Up close shot of blueberry compote in a bowl with a spoon.

Simple Blueberry Compote

Gravy in a pot and bowl with a spoon and side of bread.

EASY MAKE AHEAD GRAVY

PERFECT CRANBERRY SAUCE

Cranberry sauce and gravy? They're non-negotiables on my holiday spread! I prefer making them ahead of time, so when the kitchen turns into chaos, those essentials are all set!

Desserts That'll Make You Drool

Leave a little room for the sweet finale—whether you opt for a variety of desserts or stick to just one, here are my all-time favorites to choose from!

Sliced pie on stacked white plates with a fork and the whole pie in the background.

BLENDER MAPLE SWEET POTATO PIE

Iced Cinnamon Rolls in a baking dish with a fork.

Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

A cake slice being eaten with surrounding cake slices.

Coconut Rum Cake

Up close donuts on a wire rack with oranges.

Vegan Carrot Cake Olive Oil Donuts

Cinnamon rolls in a baking dish with orange slices.

Fluffy Homemade Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Up close shot of slice of cake on a white plate with whipped cream, strawberries, and fork on a peach colored table.

Olive Oil Cake

Baked banana pudding in a baking dish half scooped out with a spoon on a white table.

My Grandma's Baked Southern Banana Pudding

Slice of Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Best Red Velvet Cake + Cream Cheese Frosting

Baked Vegan Apple Cider Donuts

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp

Top view of fully frosted cake with drips of salted caramel on top on a cake stand on a brown table with a dark green background.

Southern Salted Caramel Cake

Vegan Sweet Potato Crumble Bread

Baked apple crisp in a black skillet with scoops of ice cream, spoons, apples, and herbs.

Vegan Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

Sliced cake on a wood plate with a fork and scoop of ice cream on top.

1-Layer Maple Sweet Potato Cake

Vegan Maple Pumpkin Pie

Stacked donuts on a brown plate with glasses of milk.

Baked Vegan Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Slice being taken from a Vegan Pumpkin Pie

DELICIOUS VEGAN PUMPKIN PIE

Blueberry Crumble Pie

Overhead shot of a slice of Dutch Apple Pie topped with ice cream

GRANDMA’S DUTCH APPLE PIE

Vegan Apple Cranberry Crumble Pie

Up close shot of upside down cake with knife + spatula.

Caramel Oatmeal Apple Upside Down Cake with Brown Butter

Pie with ice cream scoops and spoons with herbs.

My Favorite Peach Crumble Pie

VEGAN SOUTHERN BOURBON PECAN PIE

Peach dump cake in a baking dish with serving spoons and ice cream.

Cinnamon Sugar Peach Cobbler Dump Cake

Crisp with ice cream topping and two spoons with oats in a bowl.

CARAMEL APPLE PEAR CRISP

VEGAN APPLE CRANBERRY CRISP

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH BISCOFF COOKIES

Slice of Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Pecan Crust being drizzled with caramel

CARAMEL PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE + PECAN CRUST

Sliced Caramel Apple Spice Cheesecake on a white plate

BEST CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE

Up close shot of baked cobbler with scoops of ice cream and serving spoons.

DAIRY-FREE APPLE COBBLER WITH CHEDDAR HERB BISCUITS

Overhead shot of Biscoff Banana Pudding with Caramel

THE BEST BISCOFF BANANA PUDDING WITH CARAMEL

Up close shot of frosted cinnamon rolls.

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN CHAI CINNAMON ROLLS

VEGAN SWEET POTATO CINNAMON ROLLS

Closeup of Southern-Style Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls

SOUTHERN-STYLE CARROT CAKE CINNAMON ROLLS [SOFT + GOOEY]

Peach cobbler in a white bowl on a white wood table next to a plate and baking dish and herbs.

EASY SOUTHERN PEACH COBBLER [WITH CANNED PEACHES]

Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bites

APPLE CINNAMON OLIVE OIL CAKE

Slice of Vegan Chocolate Cake on a plate

THE BEST VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

ORANGE OLIVE OIL BUNDT CAKE

Plate of Deconstructed Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Deconstructed Vegan Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Up close shot of three bowls of ice cream with pecans and herbs.

No-Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Sticky Buns

Apple Cider Cake with Cinnamon Maple Buttercream topped with cinnamon sticks, rosemary, and apple slices

APPLE CIDER CAKE + CINNAMON MAPLE BUTTERCREAM

Half-sliced Sweet Potato Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze

SWEET POTATO BUNDT CAKE + MAPLE GLAZE

An overview shot of decorated table for Thanksgiving.

That's A Wrap!

And there you have it! If you're craving more Thanksgiving menu recipe inspiration, feel free to explore my Thanksgiving category. I hope you enjoyed this list and have a beautiful Thanksgiving. I'm truly grateful for you!

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THE RECIPES ON THIS LIST!

Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with many of the recipes on this list of The Ultimate 2024 Thanksgiving Menu. Everything from my fave glassware, baking sheet, skillet, mixing bowls, cooking thongs, cooking utensils, skillets, dutch ovens, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

More Thanksgiving Recipes + Holiday Guides!

It's that time of year, y'all, and I'm prepped and ready to make Thanksgiving smooth and enjoyable! Check out my other guides for all the tips + tricks you need!

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried any recipes from The Ultimate 2024 Thanksgiving Menu or any other Thanksgiving recipes on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!