Ready to spruce up your Thanksgiving menu this year? I know tradition is a big part of Thanksgiving, but even a little twist on the classics can bring your Holiday meal from boring to exciting in a flash!
Here’s the quintessential list for keeping it fresh: 40+ Exciting Thanksgiving Recipes 2023. A list of every side dish, cocktail, and dessert you need to make a plentiful plate, as well as some of my favorite vegetarian main courses for the non-turkey eaters out there.
Whether it’s just you, or a table full of family members, there’s power in having nostalgic, homecooked, memory-inducing foods that simultaneously fill your heart and your tummy, with or without the Thanksgiving turkey.
While Thanksgiving means a lot of different things to different people, these exciting Thanksgiving side dish recipes are all dishes that make me feel at home—wherever my plate might be.
40+ Exciting Thanksgiving Recipes 2023
Sides
- Creamy Brie and Gouda Mac and Cheese (No-Bake!)
- Roasted Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Everything Bagel Stuffing
- Vegan Truffle Mac and Cheese
- Quick Garlic and Lemon Asparagus
- Sweet and Salty Brussels Sprouts
- Green Bean Casserole with Secret Ingredient
- Roasted Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts
- Cheesy Baked Asparagus Casserole
- Crispy Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts
Appetizers
1. One-Pot Carrot Pumpkin Soup
This Carrot Pumpkin Soup is the cozy Fall soup you need, with nutrient-dense carrots and pumpkin accompanied by aromatic spices, coming together in under an hour and in just one pot.
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2. Easy Sheet Pan Caprese Asparagus
This Easy Sheet Pan Caprese Asparagus brings roasted asparagus to the next level by topping it with melted cheese, bursting cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and sweet balsamic vinaigrette.
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3. 10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Crostini
This Whipped Ricotta Crostini is comprised of crunchy toasted bread with velvety seasoned ricotta, honey, and fresh herbs on top! Ready in just ten minutes.
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4. Creamy Sweet Potato Hummus
This Creamy Sweet Potato Hummus is the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and nutty with a hint of citrus served cold as a dip or delicious spread.
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5. Guilt-Free Creamy Vegan Spinach Dip
This Creamy Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip has all the indulgent texture and flavor of a silky, cheesy spinach dip, but without any dairy and with added protein.
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6. Creamy Roasted Sweet Potato Soup
This Roasted Sweet Potato Soup is the creamiest soup to cozy up with, perfectly balanced between savory and sweet, with aromatic Fall spices.
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7. Four-Ingredient Cream Cheese Pumpkin
This Cream Cheese Pumpkin is a combination of cream cheese and cheddar, perfectly seasoned and coated in pumpkin seeds for a festive and savory appetizer.
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Vegetarian Main Courses
8. One-Pot Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce
This Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce is quick and easy to make, easy to clean up, and will feed the whole family! It's hearty, flavorful, creamy and cozy.
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9. Creamy Pumpkin and Mushroom Risotto
This Pumpkin and Mushroom Risotto is perfectly creamy, balancing the subtle sweetness of pumpkin with earthy mushrooms and other savory flavors.
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10. One-Dish Baked Goat Cheese Pasta
This Baked Goat Cheese Pasta is a veggie-packed creamy pasta dish that comes together in less than 45 minutes and with just one dish!
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11. Creamy Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil
This seriously creamy and delicious truffle mushroom risotto features dried porcini mushrooms and is finished with truffle oil. Gourmet and umami, this one-pot risotto dinner is the perfect, decadent vegetarian meal.
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12. Easy Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
This Easy Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese takes creamy macaroni and cheese and infuses it with the rich and comforting flavors of pumpkin.
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Potato Dishes
13. Creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes
The herbed cheese in these Creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes takes them up a notch infusing flavor and extra creamy texture into your favorite starchy side dish.
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14. Five-Ingredient Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
This 5-Ingredient Maple Sweet Potato Casserole maximizes the caramel and vanilla flavors of maple syrup and the natural sweetness of the potatoes to bring bold taste with just a few ingredients!
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15. Roasted Garlic and Feta Mashed Potatoes
These Roasted Garlic and Feta Mashed Potatoes are creamy and fluffy with the perfect amount of salt and garlic to amp up each bite.
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16. 35-Minute Roasted Honey Gold Potatoes
Beautifully golden brown with crispy edges and perfectly seasoned, these Roasted Honey Gold Potatoes make the most delicious side dish!
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17. Sweet Potato Zucchini Fritters
These Sweet Potato Zucchini Fritters are the perfect balance of savory and sweet, with a delightfully crispy exterior.
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18. 30-Minute Truffle Mashed Potatoes
These Truffle Mashed Potatoes are creamy and elegant, with truffle oil to bring extra earthy umami and tons of aromatic flavor.
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Sides
19. Creamy Brie and Gouda Mac and Cheese (No-Bake!)
What’s the best cheese combo for homemade mac and cheese? It’s brie and gouda, for sure! This extra-creamy stovetop brie mac and cheese recipe is a different and delicious twist on classic mac and cheese. Ready in 30 minutes!
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20. Roasted Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
These Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts are roasted to perfection with a flavor punch that's perfectly balanced between sweet and savory.
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21. Everything Bagel Stuffing
This unique take on a Thanksgiving classic makes this Everything Bagel Stuffing a delicious enough side dish to eat all year round!
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22. Vegan Truffle Mac and Cheese
Comfort food has a whole new meaning when it’s vegan and packed with nutrients! This Vegan Truffle Mac and Cheese is elevated, creamy as ever, and downright delicious.
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23. Quick Garlic and Lemon Asparagus
This 20-Minute Garlic and Lemon Asparagus is fresh, earthy, cheesy, and zesty! The perfect side dish. But, don't limit this recipe just to asparagus. Use the same ingredients and techniques for all your green vegetables!
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24. Sweet and Salty Brussels Sprouts
These Sweet and Salty Brussels Sprouts will turn even the pickiest of eaters into brussels-obsessed veggie lovers with this lick-your-fingers worthy recipe.
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25. Green Bean Casserole with Secret Ingredient
This Green Bean Casserole utilizes a secret ingredient to boost the natural flavors of your traditional Thanksgiving favorite for a whole new dinner sides experience.
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26. Roasted Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts
These Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts are roasted to perfection with a flavor punch of sauce that's perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy.
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27. Cheesy Baked Asparagus Casserole
This Asparagus Casserole combines the earthy goodness of asparagus, garlic, shallots, and cream of mushroom soup, with the bold flavor of melty cheddar cheese and tops it with golden panko breadcrumbs for that perfect crunch.
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28. Crispy Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts
Savor the irresistible combination of tender, roasted Brussels sprouts with a crispy, golden Parmesan crust in these Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts.
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Gravies and Sauces
29. Easy Brandy Cranberry Sauce
This Easy Brandy Cranberry Sauce is simple to make, boasting the perfect balance between tangy and sweet and a subtle hint of floral brandy.
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30. Shallot Cream Sauce
This thick and rich Shallot Cream Sauce is a delicious and easy way to add moisture and flavor to any dish! Great over veggies, fish, meat, and even on pasta or rice!
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Desserts
31. Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk
Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk is a rich and creamy dessert that combines the earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes with the velvety smoothness of condensed milk, creating a delectable and comforting treat perfect for any occasion.
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32. Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
This recipe is simply the best of both worlds. Light, fluffy and gooey Cinnamon Rolls with an Apple Pie Filling. What more could you want… really? These cinnamon buns are cozy, comforting, and smothered with a creamy icing that takes this breakfast treat to the next level. Plus, I’ve included my tips for making the best cinnamon rolls with yeast.
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33. Mouth-Watering Drunken Apple Pie With Bourbon Drizzle
Kick your apple-pie up a notch with a boozy twist! This Drunken Apple Pie with Bourbon Glaze plays off the natural oak, vanilla, and caramel flavors of bourbon to add depth to your favorite classic.
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34. Pumpkin Muffins with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
Fall has arrived with these fluffy and moist Pumpkin Muffins with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting. If you love pumpkin spice, you will LOVE these muffins.
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35. Vegan Apple Cake with Streusel Topping
This Vegan Apple Cake With Streusel Topping is the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of fall with fragrant cinnamon and the addition of 4 juicy apples to lock in moisture.
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36. Chocolate Mint Pie with Oreo Crust
This Chocolate Mint Pie strikes that perfect balance of gooey fudgy chocolate and fresh mint atop a crunchy Oreo crust.
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37. Rich Vegan Chocolate Oreo Pie
This Rich Vegan Chocolate Pie with Aquafaba is a sustainable alternative to a classic mousse-filled pie with a cookies-n-cream crust with a rich chocolate taste and creamy mousse-like texture.
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Drinks
38. Sparkling Mulled Cranberry Cocktail
A boozy and refreshing take on classic Fall flavors makes this Sparkling Mulled Cranberry Cocktail the best way to enjoy the tradition and comfort of cinnamon and spices even on the hottest day.
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39. New Old-Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon
The New Fashioned is a satisfying and delicious twist on the classic Old-Fashioned. This cocktail is deliciously made using bourbon, honey, and vanilla
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40. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cosmo
With sweetness from the cranberry sauce, citrus from the triple sec and lime juice, and a generous amount of vodka, this Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cosmo is sure to bring the holly jolly this Holiday season.
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41. Simple Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned
This Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned is a fun Fall take on a classic cocktail, bringing festive pumpkin pie spice to every sip.
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42. Creamy Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate for Two
A cozy and indulgent autumn treat, Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate combines the comforting warmth of hot cocoa with the aromatic spices of pumpkin pie, and earthiness of real pumpkin, creating a delightful seasonal beverage that's perfect for sipping by the fire.
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Thank you for checking out my list of 40+ exciting recipes to try this Thanksgiving. Whether your gathering is large or small, there is something here that will knock the socks off those at the dinner table. Happy Thanksgiving!
If you’re still unsure where to start, here’s one of my annual family favorites, this Easy Brandy Cranberry Sauce.
40+ Exciting Thanksgiving Recipes 2023, including Easy Brandy Cranberry Sauce
Print Save RateAll the Thanksgiving appetizers, potato dishes, sides, sauces, desserts and drinks you'll need in 2023, plus this Brandy Cranberry Sauce that boasts the perfect balance between tangy and sweet with a subtle hint of floral brandy.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- ¾ cup Brandy
- ¼ cup water
- ½ to ¾ cup granulated sugar (see note below)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (2 tbsp usually = juice of ½ an orange)
- 1 ½ tablespoons orange zest (1 ½ tbsp usually = zest of ½ an orange)
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Rinse your cranberries and set them aside to dry.
- In a large pot, bring Brandy, water, orange juice, and sugar to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved (about 5 minutes).
- Add 3 and ½ cups cranberries, cinnamon, and orange zest, and continue to cook on medium-high heat uncovered until cranberries burst (about 10 minutes). Conserve the remaining ½ cup of cranberries to add later.
- Once your cranberries burst, turn off the heat but keep the pot on the hot burner. Use a potato masher or wooden spoon to crush cranberries and stir until you have a thick sauce.
- Add remaining cranberries and cover, leaving your pot on the burner (with heat off) for another 5 minutes until whole cranberries soften.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and allow to cool before serving.
Pro Tips
- If you like your cranberry sauce on the tangier side, use ½ cup of sugar. If you like it on the sweeter side, use ¾ cup sugar. I always make it with ½ cup because I find it to be sweet enough with the subtle sweetness of the Brandy or orange juice, but I’ve tested it thoroughly both ways and enjoyed both!
- Conserve ½ cup of cranberries to add last to add texture to your cranberry sauce.
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