Easy Thanksgiving Recipes + How to Make Gravy (2024)

I thought I would share some ideas on how to make some easy Thanksgiving recipes from scratch. Please share with us the family favorites that you like to make on Thanksgiving in the comments below, I love to hear them and pass them on to my readers. Several readers have requested tips on making homemade gravy. I made it in a printable form for you. I love gravy!!

You may make some of the recipes I’ve listed below for your Thanksgiving feast, plus some I have never tried. I think it would be too cumbersome to share the actual recipes, but I would love to hear the names of the favorites you fix every year. Of course, we typically all have a turkey roast or a ham during the holidays, but it’s the Thanksgiving sides and the desserts I want to hear about. Let the holiday season begin! I love updating older posts so we learn new things each year. Roaster Pan for Turkey

I also want to hear if your family loves gravy or not. I have to say, I put gravy on my turkey, mashed potatoes, and the dressing. Here’s another question, do you call it stuffing or dressing? You know the yummy stuff we all like to make this time of year. I have always called it dressing.

Not sure if that is right or wrong, but my mother-in-law made the best dressing in the world. So, my daughters grew up calling it dressing. My kids and grandkids love my gravy so I’m sharing my recipe today. It’s easy to make and really yummy. So let’s get started.

Easy Thanksgiving Recipes + Gravy

1. Mark’s Family’s Turkey Dressing

As I mentioned, Mark’s mother was a great cook. She especially enjoyed having family over and fixed her favorite things for them. She was a gravy “specialist.” Both Mark and I like to put gravy over the meat, potatoes, and dressing. It makes everything so flavorful, and they tend to be moister too.

There are so many ways to make dressing, and each family seems to have their favorite. Some families use the giblets from the turkey as part of their dressing. Others will purchase a “packaged” dressing and then add their favorite fresh herbs and spices like garlic and sage. I have friends who enjoy a special version of cornbread stuffing and others who make their own sausage stuffing. Don’t you just love this holiday as we gather with family, friends, and other guests to enjoy great food and conversation?

2. Lisa’s Apple Yams

Growing up I learned to love yams and sweet potatoes. I haven’t had them as often since getting married. Neither of them is Mark’s favorite. He’ll give them a try if they’re smothered with a really sweet sauce like you make with cinnamon, but I like them plain just as well. Mark would rather have mashed potatoes with any and all meals!

3. My Sister’s Cranberry Pie

Like most of you, I’m sure, I grew up with cranberry sauce as a tasty part of every Thanksgiving meal. We’d spread the cranberry sauce all over the turkey meat and it seemed to give it a unique and special flavor. I hadn’t ever had a cranberry pie until my sister introduced this recipe to me. Give making it a try, I’m sure it will become one of your favorite holiday dessert treats.

There are so many varieties of pie classics served during the holidays, particularly as part of a Thanksgiving dinner menu. We have always had the traditional pumpkin pie, but also have tried pecan and mince pies. Each one provides some unique and fun dessert options based on flavor and texture variations. Why not be bold this year as you put together your Thanksgiving menu that includes some different appetizers and desserts?

4. Linda’s No-Fail Dinner Rolls

One of my very first posts years ago was one where I introduced bread-making to my readers. I have made bread all my married life, and we’ve found bread to be one of the staples for every quality meal we enjoy together. I usually make a whole bunch of smaller loaves and then take some to neighbors who I know will appreciate the thought and the delicious flavor.

Some people seem to be afraid to give bread-making a try. I’ve had a few readers who’ve mentioned they used to be afraid to try making bread then they tried my recipe. It works, I promise. If you’ll try this no-fail dinner roll recipe those fears will disappear, and you’ll be making them for every special occasion.

Try to use fresh ingredients to get the best results for your bread and rolls. Having fresh yeast is very critical since it’s the yeast that prompts the dough to rise. I used to use all-purpose flour, but for many years now I have used bread flour for my bread making. It consistently provides a delicious bread that my family loves. Whether you like just butter or jams and jellies on top, you can’t go wrong with fresh bread and rolls right out of the oven.

5. Linda’s Gravy

Mark’s mom was a great teacher as she showed me the way she made her gravy for the 64 years Mark’s parents were married. Mark tells me she always had a treat of some kind ready for her kids when they got home from school. Cookies were her specialty, but she excelled at so many other meal options, including this gravy recipe. You need to be a little creative as you determine how many of some ingredients to use based on the size of the meat offering and how much of the drippings are available. Try it and I’m sure you’ll love it too.

I’m sure there are families who view gravy as one of many Thanksgiving side dishes available. Boy, not our family! Gravy is such an important part of this special holiday meal every year.

6. Allison’s Creamed Corn Recipe

Allison is my oldest daughter and one who has learned to love cooking. Early on after moving from home, she started dabbling with various recipes and found cooking to be a pleasant way to unwind. Although she works a lot of hours these days making it harder for her to find time for meal prep, she still loves to heat up the kitchen as she makes a fun meal for family and friends.

This creamed corn recipe can be a meal option you set to cook in your slow cooker while running errands. It takes no time at all to prepare, but a few hours to cook. If you like corn, you’ll especially enjoy this creamed version of a veggie staple.

There are lots of options as you try to incorporate some veggies into your meals. At this time of year, we’ll see green bean casserole, various squash entries like butternut squash soup, or one of my favorites, brussels sprouts. Try to be creative and experiment with things your family could grow to love. A salad isn’t necessarily a meal option we think a lot about at Thanksgiving time, but there are some exciting and delicious choices available if you do some salad recipe research. We’re told that fruits and vegetables are a vital part of meal planning to ensure we stay healthy, do your part and fix meals that make healthy eating a reality.

Final Word

Do you love the holidays as much as I do? The leaves are starting to turn colors right now and the weather is getting colder. What a great time to spend in the kitchen trying out new recipes for that traditional Thanksgiving dinner, a night of dinner and games with friends, or a casual evening with loved ones.

Be sure to properly take care of those leftovers after dinner. Don’t let the food sit on your kitchen counter at room temperature too long before you put things in containers for the freezer or refrigerator. We love to have turkey sandwiches for days after the guests have all gone home!

Let me know if you have some easy Thanksgiving recipes you make every year so I can share your ideas with my readers. Thanks again for being prepared for the unexpected. May God bless this world.

Linda’s No-Fail Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Copyright pictures:

Thanksgiving:AdobeStock_58186058 by Cobra photo, Sweet Potato Casserole AdobeStock_434326684 by Angelika Heine, Roasted Turkey AdobeStock_182614277 by Fahrwasser, Turkey on Platter Depositphotos_267835890_S by NewAfrica, Turkey on Platter Depositphotos_619715422_S by Bhofack2

CDC Turkey Time Safety Tips