Every Recipe You Need To Make A Killer Turkey Dinner

turkey dinner
Image: iStock / bhofack2

It’s that time of year where all the celebrations happen and the two biggest family gatherings happen just a few weeks apart. There is so much going on at the end of the year between Thanksgiving and the end of the year and planning for it all can be stressful. Hosting the turkey dinner at your house can up the stress factor. Its a lot to put on your plate (lol) between the pre-planning of the menu, executing on all your ideas, and of course making it all come together at the end. It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work but totally worth it. It’s really nice to get everyone together in one place for a few hours, over good food and great conversation. Isn’t that what the holidays are all about? Well, that and the delicious food.

We know that putting all this together is a lot of work and can be super stressful to the point that it takes away from the magic of this season. And we don’t want that for you – or for us. So, we’ve got this list of turkey dinner recipes all in one place for you. It’s sure to wow everyone’s taste buds and won’t leave you scrambling for time. All of the deliciousness with less of the exertion. Maybe this year, we won’t be too tired to actually enjoy our family.

Cranberry Orange Sauce

cranberry and lemon
Image: iStock / La_vanda

Forget the canned gelatinous canned stuff. It’s okay in a pinch but we all prefer something with a little better mouthfeel. This particular cranberry relish was one that you actually used to be able to store buy (talk about quick and easy Thanksgiving recipes) but the company that made it has since closed but we were addicted so, I developed my own recipe. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare with your handy food processor or blender and then allows time for the jello to set. We recommend that you make this recipe the night before and let it set. Find the Full recipe on The TRUTH about Motherhood.

Slow Cooker Turkey

turkey
Image: iStock / bhofack2

Running out of stove space on the holidays or just want to make life easier? How about a slow cooker turkey? It takes 6-8 hours in the slow cooker but it only takes 15 minutes of prep time. Basically, you prep it and let it go on its own for 6-8 hours. No fuss, just moist turkey. This is perfect if you have lots of running to do on Thanksgiving Day and can’t stand guard while your turkey cooks.  Find full recipe on The Little Kitchen.

Basic Stuffing

turkey stuffing
Image: iStock / bhofack2

There is nothing like homemade stuffing. For some reason, most people think that homemade has to mean lots of work. It doesn’t. This simple recipe only consists of 5 ingredients and only takes 10 minutes of prep time but is absolutely delicious. Find full recipe on EatPicks.

Vegan Creamed Kale

kale
Credit: iStock / alice dias didszoleit

Everybody does different veggies at Thanksgiving. Most of us are used to potatoes and sweet potatoes.  You know all the starchy ones. Every once in a while we like to throw in a green vegetable just to mess with my family. Normally, my mother-in-law brings this very simple but delicious green bean casserole that my husband grew up on or bacon covered, roasted Brussel sprouts. Recently, we stumbled across creamed kale which is surprisingly scrumptious and only takes 10 minutes from start to finish. Find full recipe on April Go Lightly.

Mini Cheese Balls

cheeseball
Image: iStock / Lindsay Guido

There is nothing worse than getting to Thanksgiving dinner and having to wait an hour for the food to be ready especially if you’re like me, we come to the party ready to eat. If you are hosting you know there is nothing worse than having people stare at you with starving eyes while you are trying to finish cooking so mini cheese balls are an awesome appetizer and only take 20 minutes to get them done. They are perfect to make ahead. But in a pinch, you could throw a few together while the turkey is cooking just to hold people over. Bonus, they are delicious. Find full recipe on Live, Love, Texas.

Sweet Potato Casserole

sweet potato
Image: iSztock / nata_vkusidey

This is one of those recipes that you will be handing down to your children. Each bite of this casserole is like biting into the holidays. If pumpkin spice was a sweet potato casserole, this would be it. we have never had anyone who has bitten into it not be pleasantly surprised. It’s warm and sweet with just the perfect amount of crunch. Believe me, once you make this for your family, this sweet potato casserole will not only be making an appearance at every Thanksgiving from now until eternity, you will be asked for an encore performance by Christmas. It takes about 20 minutes prep time and 45 minutes cook time but again, this can be made the night before and popped in the oven on Thanksgiving day. Find the full recipe on The TRUTH about Motherhood.

Butternut Squash Soup

butternut squash soup
Image: iStock / emiu

Butternut squash soup just sounds like a warm hug from your mom. Am I right? So this is a savory, hearty creamed soup that is the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s filling but not so much that you won’t have room left for your turkey and potatoes. Find Full Recipe at Lady and the Blog.

Spicy Asian Meatballs

spicy meatballs
Image: iStock / Nopadol Uengbunchoo

Like a little something spicy on the side? When we think of appetizers, we like something that not only fills my stomach but satisfies my taste buds. Spicy Asian Meatballs are delicious and take less than 30 minutes to make. Maybe they’re not traditional but why not start your own delicious traditions? These meatballs are healthy and made with ground turkey so you could even use this appetizer recipe to use up your leftovers after the holidays. Best.Recipe.Ever Find fill recipe on Girl and the Kitchen.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

buffalo chicken dip
Image: iStock / ALLEKO

This is a five-minute recipe. The recipe for this classic buffalo chicken dip is easy to make and fun for any family or holiday gathering. It’s perfect for dipping and hanging with friends and family. It only takes five ingredients and they are probably in your pantry already. Simply mix the ingredients and serve with celery, carrots or crackers. Your guests will be thanking you and asking you for your recipe. Find the full recipe on Honest and Truly.

Macaroni and Cheese

mac & cheese
Image: iStock / Roxiller

Macaroni and cheese is a traditional side for many on Thanksgiving day. If you like creamy, cheesy, baked macaroni and cheese this recipe is for you. It’s easy to make and only takes 35 minutes from start to finish. The best part is that your kids will love it and what’s more festive then little ones with happy bellies? Find the full recipe on Crazy Adventures in Parenting.

Lemon Cranberry Squares

lemon squares
Image: iStock / Tatiana Volgutova

Most recipes involving cranberries usually call for dried cranberries, but not these lemon cranberry squares. They are fresh and delicious. The lemon flavor paired with the cranberries is delightfully refreshing. The flavor combo with the sweetness of the cream cheese is out of this world and gives a new spin on traditional Thanksgiving desserts. It takes about 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes to bake. Find the full recipe on Alaska from Scratch.

Roast the Perfect Turkey

woman turkey
Image: iStock / Woman showing Christmas turkey for family dinner at home

There are about a zillion ways to cook, fry, grill and slow cook a turkey and there is no right way. It is all about preference. The recipe that I’ve followed for the past 14 years which has consistently yielded a juicy on the inside, golden brown on the outside turkey is one that takes about 10 minutes prep time. The cook time is anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on the size of the turkey but the recipe never disappoints if you like a traditional roasted turkey.  Find the full recipe on The TRUTH about Motherhood.

Slow Cooker Buttery Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes

garlic mashed potato
Image: iStock / YelenaYemchuk

Creamy, buttery garlic and herb mashed potatoes made right in the slow cooker! These are the easiest, best tasting mashed potatoes you will ever make! Who can argue with that kind of recommendation? Plus, you cook it in the crockpot so it doesn’t take up precious real estate on the stove. All you do is add some chopped red potatoes to your greased slow cooker. That’s step one. No liquid needed. After 2-3 hours of cooking on high (or 5-6 on low) you add the rest of the ingredients. All of them. Just dump them in, no need to be graceful about it. Easy peasy. Find the full recipe on Crème de la Crumb.

Cranberry Brie Bites

brie cranberry bites
Image: iStock / jenifoto

We don’t know if there is anything better to eat in the world than warm brie but if there is it’s probably these cranberry brie bites. Buttery, flaky, and filled with tangy cranberry + creamy brie cheese, each one of these addictive little nuggets tastes like a mini baked brie. They’re perfectly sized for popping right into your mouth but beware they have a dangerous way of disappearing at holiday parties because they are so dang delicious. My recommendation is to make extras. Did we mention that these cranberry brie bites are the perfect make-ahead appetizer? They can be assembled and frozen, either baked or unbaked, weeks before a party. Find full recipe on Well Plated.

Caramel Toffee Ice Cream Pie

toffee cake
Image: iStock / ChuckPlace

Can you say decadent? If you love ice cream, you will love Caramel Toffee Ice cream pie. While this pie isn’t technically ice cream it is frozen and creamy so we’ll call it Ice Cream pie.  This frozen dessert is super easy to make, and it’s always a huge hit at parties.  It just needs to be made the day before so it has time to set. The thing about this amazing pie is that you can either make it all from scratch or from ready-made items. Just so you know, there is nothing wrong with store-bought. With ingredients like graham cracker crust, caramel syrup, whipped cream and toffee bits, how can you go wrong? Even with everything made from scratch, prep time is only 20 minutes (ten if you’re going the store-bought route). Freeze time is 6 hours so we’d make this pie ahead of time. Find the full recipe on Ashlee Marie.

Slow Cooker Brown Butter Glazed Carrots

glazed carrrots
Image: iStock / I_rinka

This sweet tender glazed carrots recipe gets a boost from the best ingredient of all time: brown butter. An additional secret ingredient, Mexican pure vanilla extract, put the flavor of these slow cooker carrots over the top! A perfect (and easy) side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It serves 10. Takes about 5 minutes to prep and 3 hours in the slow cooker and you have the most delicious glazed carrots you could ever imagine. Find the full recipe on The Food Charlatan.

These are just a few quick, easy and delicious Thanksgiving Dinner recipes. We have everything from appetizers to the turkey and the dessert and everything in between.

What are your favorite quick and easy Thanksgiving recipes?

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