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Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

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By: MadelinePosted: 11/18/2020Updated: 11/11/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

It is possible to put together a Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, cook the whole meal in one day, and have everything taste delicious!

Follow these steps to see how I set up my menu for the day and the timeline that I followed to make sure we had a simple, but tasty Thanksgiving meal!

Step 1: Choose your Thanksgiving dinner recipes

I wanted to keep my Thanksgiving dinner menu very simple so I stuck to the basics. I used some of my own recipes, but many are from other blogs.

  • Whole Turkey – Recipe by Tastes Better From Scratch
  • For a smaller Thanksgiving I recommend my Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy or learn How to Roast a Turkey Breast
  • Gravy – Recipe by Tastes Better From Scratch

  • Mashed Potatoes – My recipe for Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes made in one pot!
  • Stuffing – Recipe by The Girl Who Ate Everything
  • Cranberry Sauce – Recipe by Erin Lives Whole
  • Brussels Sprouts – My recipe for Crispy Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts or this Cheesy Brussels Sprouts recipe
  • Charcuterie Board Appetizer – Follow my guide to make an epic charcuterie board! or use this guide to make a Fall Charcuterie Board

To accompanying this simple Thanksgiving dinner menu I asked my guests to please bring alcohol and dessert. If you want to add some other items to your menu I recommend the following:

  • Many people like to serve macaroni and cheese at their Thanksgiving tables this One Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is SO creamy and delicious and simple to make.
  • Prepare this Apple Cider Sangria for a festive fall cocktail to serve with your appetizers
  • For an easy dessert that will be a hit with children try these Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins or this Easy Apple Tart with Caramel Drizzle

Step 2: Gather the Ingredients for your Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

I got our 12.85 lb turkey from Butcher Box. The rest of the ingredients were easy to grab from local grocery stores.

Then, I made sure to double check my ingredients first thing in the morning and sent Amy out with a list of anything that I missed.

Be sure to defrost your turkey a few days prior to cooking! It took our bird about two and a half days in the refrigerator to defrost.

You should allow 24 hours of defrost time per 5 lbs of turkey.

 

Step 3: Plan it out

Beyond picking my recipes and gathering my ingredients there were a couple of other things that I did to prepare for cooking my simple Thanksgiving dinner.

First, I chose which serving dishes I wanted to assign to each dish. Then, figured out roughly how long it would take to cook each item so that I would have enough oven space and so that the turkey would be cooked in time.

My to do lists are my lifesavers so I made lots of lists to prepare to cook our Thanksgiving dinner. Then, on the actual day I was ready to get down to business and cook!

Step 4: Cook your Thanksgiving Meal

The best way to show you guys how I made this simple Thanksgiving dinner meal is to share my timeline for the day.

8am – Cube the white bread for stuffing and place on a large baking tray. Double check for all ingredients.

8:30am – Pull the turkey out of the refrigerator and double check that it has thawed. Preheat oven to dry out bread for stuffing.

9am – Pop the stuffing in the oven to dry out.

9:30am – Prep the Brussels sprouts.

10am – Roast the Brussels sprouts in the oven

10:30am – Start cooking the mashed potatoes.

(Pancake break!)

12pm – Mashed potatoes are finished. Start prepping stuffing.

12:30pm – Stuffing into the oven.

1:15pm – Start cranberry sauce

1:20pm – Stuffing is finished. Start prepping turkey with herb butter.

1:50pm – Turkey into the oven.

2pm – Cranberry sauce is complete

(Shower break!)

3:20pm – Tent the turkey breasts with foil. Prepare the charcuterie board and apple cider sangria.

4:50pm – Take the turkey out of the oven to rest.

5pm – Prepare the gravy.

5:30pm – Serve the charcuterie board, apple cider sangria and any other appetizers.

6pm – Carve the turkey.

6:30pm – Reheat the sides in the oven.

7pm – Eat dinner!

Step 5: Enjoy!!!

The last step is pretty simple! Enjoy the meal that you worked on all day.

I hope this helps you plan for a simple and delicious Thanksgiving dinner with loved ones! Remember that its all about giving thanks and spending time with those you love.

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Above view of maple bacon brussels sprouts in a frying pan with a wooden spoon
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Crispy Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
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About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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  1. kelly says

    Posted on 11/18 at 9:18 pm

    Turkey looks great!

    Reply
  2. Sofya says

    Posted on 12/13 at 2:50 pm

    Would be good if you could write it shorter adn esier steps in photos or videos, i like the dishes but everytime i want to see the ecepie so many things written I don’t get even what after and run out of patience and just don’t continue to read and make it. Sorry

    Reply
  3. Maggie says

    Posted on 1/24 at 3:34 pm

    Used this to make thanksgiving this year and it was a huge hit! It was my first time making a turkey so the timeline was super helpful!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/25 at 10:56 am

      aw thanks so much!!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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