The Ultimate Cozy Thanksgiving Menu: Our Family Favorites Year After Year
Thanksgiving in our house is all about comfort food, family, gratitude, and the kind of recipes that make the whole house smell like home. I love the ritual of planning our menu each year, even though it rarely changes much now that we’ve nailed down these favorites. These are the dishes my family asks for again and again. Think smoked turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, browned butter vegetables, and the softest dinner rolls you’ve ever had.
Whether you’re hosting for the first time or just looking for a few cozy sides to add to your Thanksgiving table, this menu is full of tried-and-true favorites that are easy, flavorful, and festive.
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Smoked Turkey
Every Thanksgiving starts with a smoked turkey from our local FFA chapter. It’s smoky, tasty, and best of all: idiot-proof. Bonus: it frees up my oven for everything else. If your local high school has an agriculture program, check to see if they offer smoked turkeys for the holidays. Supporting students and getting a delicious turkey? Win-win.
A note: The only downside here is if you like to make your own turkey gravy. There aren’t really juices here for that. I just cheat and use a packet or a jar.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
The Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes from The Salty Marshmallow are my secret weapon. They’re ultra-creamy, perfectly salted, and done in less than 30 minutes. No boiling, no mess, just perfect mashed potatoes every single time.
Pro tips: Warm a little extra milk and butter before serving so they stay silky smooth on the table. Also, when you quick-release the steam (I use a long-handled wooden spoon so as not to scald myself) it can get a bit messy, so I always throw a dish towel over the vent, and one underneath just to contain it all. Wipes away like it never happened!
Roasted Parsnips and Carrots with Browned Butter & Herbs
If you want something that feels a little elevated without being fussy, roasted parsnips and carrots are it. They caramelize beautifully in the oven, and the browned butter drizzle takes it to another level. I toss in whatever herbs (dried, ground, or fresh) I have one hand, usually sage, thyme, and a pinch of sea salt right before serving for that cozy fall flavor. I’m drooling just writing about it.
Green Bean Casserole
The classic green bean casserole never leaves our table. This is the version I use, – except I add a few extra shakes of pepper and a little onion powder, as well as extra french-fried onions (because they’re the best part!). You can make it ahead, refrigerate, and bake right before dinner to save time.
Deviled Eggs
A staple that vanishes faster than anything else. I keep mine simple: mashed yolks with a little mayo, yellow mustard or Dijon if you’re fancy, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. They make the perfect snack while everyone’s waiting for the turkey. If you need a recipe, I’ve got mine here.
Skillet Dinner Rolls
I love The Pioneer Woman’s Rosemary Rolls, except I skip the rosemary for the kids. Sometimes I make two skillets, one with and one without. They come out of the oven golden and ready for a swipe of salted butter or leftover turkey the next day. If you have time, you can mix up some cinnamon butter or herbed butter to make them extra-special.
Pumpkin Pie
No Thanksgiving is complete without pumpkin pie. This version has the perfect balance of spice and sweetness, with a velvety filling that sets beautifully every time. Top it with homemade whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon sugar for the finishing touch.
Bonus Favorites
I’ll usually round out the spread with store-bought cranberry sauce (no shame) and sometimes a pecan pie (or these spiced pecans, trust me, they’re INCREDIBLE) and sweet potato casserole if we’re feeding a crowd. I also like to offer my guests some options of beverages such as red & white wine, a few options of fall beers, and apple cider mimosas (just apple cider + champagne, add a cinnamon sugar rim if you want to get bougie).
Together, this menu lineup is comfort food to the MAX without a lot of hassle. Whether you make just one of these dishes or the whole spread, I hope it brings warmth, laughter, and peace to you and yours this season.
Your Thanksgiving Prep Checklist
One or Two Weeks Before Thanksgiving
- Finalize menu and grocery list
- Order smoked turkey (if buying from local FFA or butcher)
- Check serving dishes, foil pans, and storage containers
- Make pie crusts and freeze (or buy frozen)
Sunday (4 days before Thanksgiving)
- Move frozen turkey to fridge to thaw (it takes about 24 hours per 4 lbs)
- Make (or buy) any freezer-friendly desserts (like pumpkin or pecan pie)
- Chop herbs for sides and store in sealed containers
Tuesday (2 days before Thanksgiving)
- Peel and slice carrots + parsnips, store in water in the fridge
- Peel and chop potatoes, store in water in the fridge
- Boil eggs for deviled eggs, refrigerate unpeeled
- Prep casserole ingredients (green beans, onions, soup mixture)
- Set butter out to soften & make cinnamon butter for rolls, if using
Wednesday (1 day before Thanksgiving)
- Bake pumpkin pie if you haven’t already
- Optional: Make Instant Pot mashed potatoes ahead and refrigerate (reheat with milk and butter). You can keep them right in the Instant Pot’s inner bowl, covered, and just stick the whole thing back in the machine on low or warm to reheat gradually. Just stir gently every now and then, adding milk/butter as needed.
- Optional: Roast the parsnips and carrots, reheat on Thanksgiving Day at 350°F for 10–15 minutes
- Peel and mix deviled eggs; store filling separately and assemble right before serving (I like to put it in a Ziplock and then just snip off a corner for easy filling)
- If using frozen Cool Whip, move it to the fridge to thaw out
- Set the table
Thanksgiving Morning
- Set rolls out to rise (do this EARLY – they can take 4-5 hours)
- Set butter dishes out on the table so the butter can soften
- Fill deviled eggs and garnish (this is a great job for older kids if you’re using the Ziplock bag idea – easy!)
- Reheat (or make) mashed potatoes
- Assemble and bake green bean casserole
- Bake rolls
- Warm the smoked turkey at low heat or serve room temperature
- Reheat or roast the parsnips & carrots (these lose their heat the quickest so I do them last)
- Warm gravy
- Set out crudites and/or charcuterie
- Brew coffee, pour yourself a drink, and take five minutes to breathe before everyone arrives! You did it!
Recommended Gear
Here are some of my favorite kitchen tools for making this menu go off without a hitch.
- Instant Pot – She’s not pretty but she’s a workhorse
- Folding Potato Masher
- Gravy Boat with Warmer
- Deviled Egg platter – yes, you need one
- Rotating Divided Crudite Platter – these are so convenient with the removeable containers (and it spins!)
- Butter Dish – this one is gorg!
- Roasting Pan – this one is perfect for your turkey or roast
- Stand mixer – I know, it’s pricey, but I have used mine at least once a week for 15 years and it has NEVER once faltered! I recommend grabbing an extra bowl and paddle or two if you’ll be doing a lot at once.
- Color-Your-Own Thanksgiving Table Cover – perfect for the kids’ table!
- Shop my “Turkey Day Tools” Benable list for more ideas!
