16 Easy Thanksgiving Recipes: How to Cook a Turkey and More
Updated November 01, 2021 
If you live in America, just hearing the word "Thanksgiving" is enough to make you hungry. This collection, 16 Easy Thanksgiving Recipes: How to Cook a Turkey and More, is everything you need to make a Thanksgiving dinner that your family won't soon forget! It might be intimidating to think about preparing the holiday meal, but there's no need to stress - we've got the secrets to making your family's Thanksgiving the best one yet.
First, learn how to cook a turkey with our delicious roast turkey recipes. Then, while it's cooking, you can whip up any of the Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts for a guaranteed great meal! Many of these recipes can even be prepared in advance, so you won't even have to miss the football game.
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Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
The holiday's main event -- the Thanksgiving turkey! While you don't want to wait till the day of to start thinking about your turkey, these easy turkey recipes are all easy to master and oh-so-good and will make the most stressful dish a breeze.
Plus, the turkey is the foundation of the Thanksgiving meal. It doesn't matter how delicious and amazing your side dishes and desserts are if the main course doesn't live up to its full potential.
Thanksgiving Appetizers
Turkeys take a long time to cook, so placate your hungry guests with these delicious Thanksgiving appetizers in the hours before dinner is finally served! These are also great to take along if you're not the one hosting Thanksgiving dinner but still want to contribute to it.
When it comes to appetizer recipes, the easier and the more rustic, the better. Yes, appetizers are important, but you don't have to spend tons of time in the kitchen to create a starter that will please your guests.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and stuffing, oh my! These classic side dishes taste just as good as the ones from your childhood -- except now you can be the one preparing them! They also all travel well if your family dinner is more of a potluck.
Let's be real. Thanksgiving is about the side dishes. They are where the real diversity of flavor, texture, and palate come from and what can make or break the meal. Get your sides right this year with any of these delicious recipes.
For more great holiday recipes, check out our collection of Thanksgiving recipes here!
Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
Don't fill up on turkey -- you'll want to leave room for dessert! These Thanksgiving dessert recipes include classics like pumpkin pie, but also some fun new takes that your family will love.
Be sure to eat them before the tryptophan kicks in -- they might disappear before you wake up from your post-dinner nap! Thanksgiving truly is a time for pumpkin everything -- especially desserts. Try any of these simple pumpkin dessert recipes below, and you'll be smiling your way through the best time of the year.
