These easy Thanksgiving recipes are here to bring some cozy, nourishing foods to your table, plus a boost of color and seasonal ingredients (no stress required!).
Thanksgiving is honestly one of the best holidays for cooking with the seasons.
November seasonal produce is full of color and cozy veggies like squash, cranberries, seasonal greens, and herbs - all perfect for peak flavors with low effort dishes. This collection of recipes includes some of my top simple dishes, so you can keep things easy and feel great about what you're serving.
So if you're hoping you don't have to choose among ease, nourishment, and seasonal eating this year, this list has you covered with simple dishes, big flavor, and a rainbow of colors.
Jump to:
- Tips for Creating More Space In Your Kitchen
- Simple Appetizers
- Rosemary Roasted Nuts
- Easy Marinated White Beans
- Easy Lemon Dill Hummus
- Thanksgiving Mains That Aren't Turkey
- No Fuss Whole Roasted Chicken with Herbs
- One Pan Berbere Chicken with Dill Roasted Potatoes
- Comforting Pumpkin Pasta with Fresh Sage
- Easy Thanksgiving Salads
- Gorgeous Wild Rice Salad with Pomegranate (Holiday-Ready!)
- Everyday Leafy Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
- Italian Chopped Brussels Sprouts Salad (Vegetarian!)
- Kale Salad with Feta and Pomegranate
- Simple Citrusy Greens Salad with Beets and Carrots
- Kale Coleslaw With Ramen
- Bright + Crunchy Healthy Vinegar Coleslaw (Meal Prep Friendly!)
- Kale Caesar Salad with Chickpeas and Avocado
- Cozy & Hearty Sides for Thanksgiving
- Simple Oven-Roasted Delicata Squash
- Easy Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes
- Maple Walnut Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- The Coziest Butternut Squash & Apple Soup for Chilly Nights
- Comforting Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes (Easy Recipe!)
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash (Quick, Roasty & Caramelized)
- Easy Cranberry Relish with Orange & Apple (5 Minutes!)
- Roasted Butternut Squash Made Easy (Cubes or Halves!)
- Thanksgiving Desserts You Can Make Ahead
- Cozy Apple Crisp with Oats (Easy Fall Dessert!)
- Easy Apple Pear Crisp Recipe for Cozy Nights
- Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread (No Mixer!)
- Almond Butter Apple Crisp
- Ideas for Using Up Leftover Turkey
Tips for Creating More Space In Your Kitchen
A couple tools we rely on to free up oven and stove space are our air fryer and pressure cooker! Sometimes a slow cooker, too.
- Pressure cooker - Using your pressure cooker for mashed potatoes not only makes this beloved side super easy, but it also frees up space for other oven and stove items. You can cook and mash the potatoes directly in your pressure cooker (whether an Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi), plus you can keep them warm and serve them from there too.
- Air Fryer - If you have an air fryer, this is also a super helpful tool for freeing up oven space! You can roast sweet potatoes, delicata squash, butternut squash, or pretty much any veggie in the air fryer.
- Slow cooker - If you're serving butternut squash soup as a side or starter, you could also use a slow cooker to make it and keep it warm.
Another great way to save space is to make some sides and desserts in advance. Some favorites are cranberry relish, pear apple crisp (or apple crisp), wild rice and pomegranate salad, and a marinated white beans appetizer.
Simple Appetizers
Rosemary Roasted Nuts
These rosemary roasted nuts get gobbled up every time! Made with dried rosemary, honey, and your favorite mix of nuts, they bake up golden and fragrant in just 15 minutes. Perfect for snacking, topping salads, or gifting in a cute jar for the holidays.
Easy Marinated White Beans
These easy marinated white beans come together so quickly and make the perfect plant-based appetizer, snack, or light lunch. The beans are soaked in Mediterranean flavors for a couple hours or overnight for incredible flavor. Top crostini, toast, pita chips, or salads!
Easy Lemon Dill Hummus
This easy lemon dill hummus is super smooth and creamy, flavored with lemon and fresh dill! Perfect as an appetizer with pita chips, crackers, and veggies.
Thanksgiving Mains That Aren't Turkey
Feel free to breeze past this section if you're making turkey this year! But it's nice to have some alternative ideas if you're hosting a smaller scale Thanksgiving, or just looking for something different.
No Fuss Whole Roasted Chicken with Herbs
This simple whole roasted chicken recipe is made with fresh herbs and comes together in about an hour for the perfect elegant, nourishing dinner and most amazing house smells (and leftovers!).
One Pan Berbere Chicken with Dill Roasted Potatoes
This one-pan berbere chicken with dill roasted potatoes is bold, cozy, and no-fuss-perfect for an easy dinner with big flavor. Serve with cucumber salad, pickled onions, and feta for fresh and balanced dinner.
Comforting Pumpkin Pasta with Fresh Sage
This delicious and creamy pumpkin pasta recipe comes together in 25 minutes and is a warm, comforting, and nourishing meal for fall or winter dinners!
Easy Thanksgiving Salads
Gorgeous Wild Rice Salad with Pomegranate (Holiday-Ready!)
This wild rice salad is packed with pomegranate, kale, feta, and walnuts for a colorful, hearty salad that's perfect for fall and winter gatherings. Better yet, it can be made ahead!
Everyday Leafy Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
For those times when you need one more side dish to round out the meal! This simple leafy green salad will go with any meal and comes together quickly.
Italian Chopped Brussels Sprouts Salad (Vegetarian!)
Fresh, crunchy, and bursting with flavor! This Italian chopped Brussels sprouts salad comes together in 15 minutes with peperoncini, olives, and a zesty brine dressing. Perfect for pizza night, meal prep, or your holiday table.
Kale Salad with Feta and Pomegranate
This kale salad with feta and pomegranate is loaded with superfoods and other flavorful ingredients: sweet pomegranate arils, finely shredded kale, salty feta, red onion, salted maple butter almonds, and a simple homemade vinaigrette. Bring as a dish to pass over the holidays, or start the New Year with something healthy and fresh!
Simple Citrusy Greens Salad with Beets and Carrots
This simple citrusy salad with beets and carrots is fresh, vibrant, and packed with winter flavors. Featuring leafy greens, crisp raw beets, crunchy carrots, and a bright citrus vinaigrette, it comes together in just 15 minutes. Enjoy it as a refreshing side or add protein for a hearty, nourishing meal!
Kale Coleslaw With Ramen
A healthy kale slaw recipe that includes crunchy toasted ramen noodles, slivered almonds, sesame seeds, kale, and green onions. Tossed in a simple sesame soy vinaigrette with a hint of orange. It's also naturally vegan and gluten-free if you use gluten-free noodles (we LOVE this ramen by Lotus Foods!).
Bright + Crunchy Healthy Vinegar Coleslaw (Meal Prep Friendly!)
This vinegar-based, simple everyday coleslaw recipe is our absolute favorite! It's all-purpose, so it can be used as a stand-alone side or salad, or as a crunchy topping for tacos, BBQ, or any sandwich/wrap.
Kale Caesar Salad with Chickpeas and Avocado
This kale Caesar salad is vegetarian-friendly and nourishing! Complete with garlic roasted chickpeas for protein, buttery avocado for creaminess, parmesan for that salty goodness, and yogurt-based homemade Caesar dressing.
Cozy & Hearty Sides for Thanksgiving
Sides are honestly sometimes the best part of a Thanksgiving menu! And these easy sides use colorful, gorgeous produce for the ultimate nourishing comfort food.
Simple Oven-Roasted Delicata Squash
Roasted delicata squash is a healthy, simple, and elegant side dish that can be easily paired with a main meal or tossed into hearty grain bowls and salads. Perfect for fall and winter seasonal eating!
Easy Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes
These pressure cooker mashed potatoes are so creamy, delicious, and easy to make! Mashed with whole milk Greek yogurt, you get that sour cream flavor and thick, creamy texture with an extra dose of protein in the mix. Use an Instant Pot or a Ninja Foodi!
Maple Walnut Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Maple walnut roasted Brussels sprouts are perfect for cozy fall and winter dinners! Crispy edges, caramelized flavor, and just enough sweetness to steal the Thanksgiving side show.
The Coziest Butternut Squash & Apple Soup for Chilly Nights
This creamy butternut squash and apple soup is cozy, lightly sweet, and full of fall flavor. Perfect for weeknights or as a simple holiday starter, it's made with wholesome, seasonal ingredients and finished with your favorite toppings.
Comforting Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes (Easy Recipe!)
Easy roasted sweet potatoes that come together in 30 minutes using your oven! These are perfect as a simple side dish that the whole family will love, or a sweet and comforting add-in to your favorite salad, bowls, or tacos.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash (Quick, Roasty & Caramelized)
This air fryer butternut squash recipe makes tender, caramelized cubes in 20 minutes. Perfect for healthy sides, bowls, salads, or meal prep!
Easy Cranberry Relish with Orange & Apple (5 Minutes!)
My family favorite cranberry relish recipe made with orange, apple, and fresh cranberries. Ready in 5 minutes for a bright, tangy, no-cook Thanksgiving side that you can make advance!
Roasted Butternut Squash Made Easy (Cubes or Halves!)
Roasted butternut squash is a delicious and nourishing fall staple for soups, butternut mash, side dishes, grain bowls, and salads! Learn how to roast butternut squash halves or cubes.
Thanksgiving Desserts You Can Make Ahead
I adore pie, but crisp recipes are amazing for an easy Thanksgiving menu. You don't need to make a crust, and you can make a large pan that serves many. And you can make it in advance, making hosting day so much simpler.
Plus, you get to use seasonal November fruit and warm, cozy spices. The perfect way to end a meal!
Cozy Apple Crisp with Oats (Easy Fall Dessert!)
This cozy apple crisp recipe strikes the balance between wholesome and indulgent, so it's the perfect cozy and sweet addition to your fall or holiday table! The oat topping creates an incredible texture atop saucy, cinnamon-spiked apples. YUM!
Easy Apple Pear Crisp Recipe for Cozy Nights
This easy apple pear crisp combines tart apples, sweet pears, and a buttery oat crumble for the perfect cozy dessert. Simple to make, and always a hit with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread (No Mixer!)
A super moist and wholesome fall treat, this pumpkin chocolate chip bread hits the spot every year! Enjoy as a snack with coffee, make it with your kids as a fun fall activity, or share with guests at holiday gatherings. YUM!
Almond Butter Apple Crisp
A twist on classic apple crisp, this almond butter apple crisp is a healthier, real food dessert recipe with plenty of cinnamon, that'll make your house smell amazing. Almond butter, oats, and spelt flour give that topping some extra texture and heartiness.
Ideas for Using Up Leftover Turkey
While these recipes are ones I often make with chicken, cooked turkey is an excellent swap. Plus, it makes them quick and easy to whip up! And if you're turkey was dry... these will help disguise it 🙂
Did you make any of these easy Thanksgiving recipes? I'd love to hear how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️ rating and comment below, and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and my newsletter for more everyday seasonal recipes.
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