This Basic Thanksgiving Menu Is the Only One You’ll Ever Need

Introduction

A well-planned Thanksgiving meal unites tradition, comfort, and crowd-pleasing flavors into one unforgettable feast. This basic Thanksgiving menu highlights beloved classics—roast turkey, savory stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, and an irresistible pie—with just enough simplicity to keep things stress-free and organized. Whether you’re hosting for the first time or looking to streamline your celebration, these dishes ensure your holiday table is both timeless and effortlessly satisfying.

Why This Basic Thanksgiving Menu Is a Crowd-Pleaser

The charm of this menu lies in its familiar flavors and foolproof combinations. Each dish has stood the test of time, guaranteeing broad appeal among family and friends. With straightforward recipes and make-ahead options, you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying company. From juicy roast turkey to perfectly seasoned sides and a classic pie finale, this menu is everything you need for a successful Thanksgiving—no last-minute scrambling, no overlooked essentials.

Building the Ultimate Thanksgiving Plate

The heart of Thanksgiving is the plate loaded with comforting favorites. Start with golden roast turkey—tender and moist—balanced by herbaceous stuffing and fluffy mashed potatoes. Drizzle with savory gravy, add tart cranberry sauce, and fill out the plate with fresh green beans and sweet potato casserole. Finish on a sweet note with a classic pumpkin pie. The harmonious blend of textures and flavors is what makes this menu truly stand out and ensures everyone leaves the table content.

Simple, Foolproof Preparation Tips

Each recipe in this menu is engineered for ease and reliability. Roasting the turkey with a simple brine guarantees juicy results, while stove-top or oven-baked stuffing saves oven space. Many sides, like mashed potatoes and casseroles, can be prepped in advance and reheated—cutting down day-of stress. Strategic planning, like prepping pie dough ahead of time and assembling vegetables for quick cooking, lets you relax and savor the holiday.

Classic Thanksgiving Menu

• Roast Turkey (with simple pan gravy)
• Herbed Bread Stuffing
• Buttery Mashed Potatoes
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce
• Green Beans with Garlic
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Classic Pumpkin Pie

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this Thanksgiving menu to automatically generate an organized shopping list, sorted by store section, making holiday grocery trips seamless and helping you plan each dish in advance.

Instructions

1. Roast Turkey & Gravy: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat turkey dry, season inside and out with salt and pepper. Fill cavity with onion and herbs. Rub butter onto skin. Place in roasting pan; add broth to pan. Roast, basting every hour, 2.5–3.5 hours, until thermometer reads 165°F at the thickest part. Rest 20 minutes before carving. For gravy, pour drippings into saucepan, simmer with 2 tbsp flour to thicken.
2. Herbed Bread Stuffing: Sauté onions and celery in butter until soft. Toss with bread cubes, herbs, salt and pepper. Mix in stock and eggs until moistened. Transfer to baking dish; cover and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 minutes more.
3. Mashed Potatoes: Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain and return to pot. Mash with butter and warm milk; season to taste.
4. Cranberry Sauce: In saucepan, bring cranberries, sugar, water, and orange zest to a boil. Simmer until berries burst and mixture thickens, 10–15 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
5. Green Beans with Garlic: Blanch green beans in boiling water 3 minutes, drain, and sauté in olive oil with garlic just until bright green. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Sweet Potato Casserole: Mix mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, cinnamon, and salt. Spread in baking dish. Stir together topping ingredients and sprinkle over potatoes. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
7. Pumpkin Pie: In large bowl, whisk pumpkin, sugar, spices, salt, and eggs. Stir in evaporated milk. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F and bake 40–50 minutes until set. Cool before serving with whipped cream.

Weekly Meal Planning

Thanksgiving planning is easier than ever when you make use of weekly meal planning tools. Save and schedule this menu in advance to not only organize your holiday grocery shopping but also map out prep timelines for each dish.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically sums ingredients across recipes for accurate bulk shopping
• Sorts your shopping list by store section for a streamlined trip
• Keeps track of make-ahead sides and desserts, helping you prep efficiently
• Reduces waste and potential ingredient shortages
• Offers reminders for thawing, marinating, or baking tasks

Pro Tip: When you schedule your full menu, CookifyAI identifies ingredient overlap—like eggs or herbs used in multiple dishes—for a precise, waste-free shopping list.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 90 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours (depending on turkey size and sides)
Total Time: 6 hours (allows for overlapping prep/baking; may vary)