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Gobble Up Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

Once you select your bird, we have all the sides and desserts (and a cocktail!) that everyone will want to feast on.

Theresa Gambacorta

Published: Nov 02, 2022 | Modified: Oct 23, 2026

The best Thanksgiving recipes cover the whole day, from a roasted chicken with pears, leeks, and bacon to three-cheese baked mac and cheese, brown sugar sweet potatoes, and pumpkin cheesecake. Here you'll find 10 recipes: a main, sides, appetizers, desserts, a Moscow mule, and two breakfasts for Thanksgiving morning and the day after. We've also included pre-cooked dishes from Harry & David that save time in the kitchen, so you can spend more of the day with the people you love. 

The fourth Thursday in November not only lets us spend the entire day watching football but gives all the home cooks out there an opportunity to showcase their culinary skills for family and friends with their favorite Thanksgiving recipes. But in addition to making the many elements of this sit-down or family-style feast for the senses — from traditional, crispy-skin roasted turkey to a bevy of sides: creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, classic stuffing, tender-crisp roasted Brussels sprouts, and, of course, sweet, decadent pumpkin pie and holiday cheesecake — you hard-working folks also have to put on your hosting hat.

We love Thanksgiving cooking, too (maybe that's why 80% of Americans consider the holiday their favorite), but we wish for you to put your energy where it matters most: enjoying the company of those you love at gatherings large and small.

In this round-up of mouthwatering sweet and savory Thanksgiving recipes, we're grateful for time-saving techniques and new holiday traditions that reduce stress and spark joy, such as selecting beautifully prepared foods to include in your holiday repertoire. And if you're not at the helm of Thanksgiving festivities this year, these dishes make great holiday potluck offerings for you and yours to "gobble" up!

Roasted Thanksgiving Chicken

thanksgiving recipes roast chicken

Roasted Thanksgiving Chicken

Shop : The Favorite® Royal Riviera® Pears from Harry & David

The beauty of this roasted chicken alternative to traditional turkey is that it cooks in less time and is guaranteed to stay moist! Plus, this recipe has a “built-in" side dish. Serve your bird on a platter surrounded by a mélange of pears, leeks, and bacon hash that comes together in the roasting pan while it cooks.

Shop : The Favorite® Royal Riviera® Pears from Harry & David


Thanksgiving Dinner for Any Size Party

thanksgiving recipes wellington

Thanksgiving Dinner for Any Size Party

Shop : Turkey and Stuffing Wellington  from Harry & David

Twice-Baked Potatoes  from Harry & David

Signature Baklava Duo from Harry & David

No matter the number of people coming over, big flavor is still in order. A pre-ordered menu of turkey and stuffing Wellington — tender turkey breast and stuffing hand-wrapped in puffed pastry — scrumptious twice-baked potatoes, black truffle and almond green beans, and a duo of traditional Greek baklava for dessert says celebration. And these pre-cooked dishes save time in the kitchen so you can spend the day as you wish.

Shop : Turkey and Stuffing Wellington  from Harry & David

Twice-Baked Potatoes  from Harry & David

Signature Baklava Duo from Harry & David


Baked Brie With Pumpkin Butter

thanksgiving recipes pumpkin baked brie

Baked Brie With Pumpkin Butter

Shop : Pumpkin Butter from Harry & David

Buttery sweet baked Brie, a soft French cheese known for its edible “blooming" rind, makes an elegant addition to a traditional Thanksgiving cheeseboard. Spread a thick dollop of creamy pumpkin butter on store-bought puff pastry dough, add a sprinkle of chopped candied walnuts for crunch and sweetness to offset the Brie's signature earthy flavor, and then wrap it up like a holiday package and bake to a golden brown. Pair your baked Brie with chardonnay or pinot gris to complement all the savory, creamy goodness.

Shop : Pumpkin Butter from Harry & David


Savory Puff Pastry Pinwheels

thanksgiving recipes puff pastry pinwheels

Savory Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Shop : Roasted Red Pepper & Artichoke Spread from Harry & David

Classic Bruschetta from Harry & David

Red Pepper and Cheese Spread from Harry & David

These delicious puff pastries are the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer shortcut. Use store-bought puff pastry and a wide selection of Harry & David spreads to make several “pinwheels" — so named because you roll the pastry into a log and then slice off rounds to bake, revealing the sumptuous, colorful filling.

Shop : Roasted Red Pepper & Artichoke Spread from Harry & David

Classic Bruschetta from Harry & David

Red Pepper and Cheese Spread from Harry & David


Three-Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese

thanksgiving recipes baked mac and cheese

Three-Cheese Baked Mac & Cheese

Shop : Gourmet Cheese Assortment from Harry & David

There is no better comforting holiday side dish than macaroni and cheese! Three tips to make everyday mac and cheese Thanksgiving worthy:

  1. Select a blend of cheeses — sharp, tangy cheddar, creamy Gouda, and nutty Parmesan — for smooth, mild, complementary flavors, or add shredded Colby or Gruyère for a more robust profile.
  2. Add a pop of fresh green herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, or chives.
  3. Finish it with breadcrumbs for a toasty crunch.

Shop : Gourmet Cheese Assortment from Harry & David


Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes

thanksgiving recipes sweet potatoes

Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes

Shop : Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes  from Harry & David

If roasting turkey is your jam, let Harry & David provide the sides! Brown sugar-whipped sweet potatoes topped with a marshmallow streusel capture all the comfort and deep flavor of homemade in a fraction of the time. Pair these sweet potatoes with two more sides, such as creamy Brussels sprouts and bacon and blue cheese scalloped potatoes, for a trio of side dishes to bring to a Friendsgiving potluck!

Shop : Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes  from Harry & David


Pumpkin Cheesecake

thanksgiving recipes cheesecake

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Shop : Pumpkin Cheesecake from Harry & David

A holiday cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory can be the centerpiece of your dessert board. Order one (or more!) of nine delicious flavors available online exclusively through Harry & David. Flavors include white chocolate raspberry truffle — creamy cheesecake swirled with seedless raspberries and set in a chocolate crust. Or keep it traditional and order the classic original flavor, the recipe for which dates back to the 1940s. Or do like we do and get in on the exclusive Thanksgiving holiday pumpkin cheesecake — a spiced pumpkin cheesecake filling and graham cracker crust.

Shop : Pumpkin Cheesecake from Harry & David


Moscow Mule

thanksgiving recipes moscow mule

Moscow Mule

Shop : The Favorite® Royal Riviera® Pears from Harry & David

Served in an iconic copper mug, the Moscow mule is an easy-to-prepare refreshing toast to Thanksgiving. This recipe takes the classic ginger beer, vodka, and squeeze of lime combination to new heights, with minimal effort that is big on flavor. Create a spiced pear syrup from Royal Riviera Pears with treasured, warm fall spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, and clove. Add the syrup to ginger beer for a perfect non-alcoholic libation.

Shop : The Favorite® Royal Riviera® Pears from Harry & David


Breakfast Apple Crisp

thanksgiving recipes apple toast

Breakfast Apple Crisp

Shop : Apple Medley from Harry & David

Grade-A Pure Maple Syrup  from Harry & David

Layer sturdy Wolferman's English muffin bread with cream cheese, and maple and cinnamon spread, top with warmed apples and a pan-toasted oat and walnut topping, and conjure up a classic, bubbly, baked fall crisp for a quick, celebratory Thanksgiving day breakfast.

Shop : Apple Medley from Harry & David

Grade-A Pure Maple Syrup  from Harry & David


Bundt Cake French Toast

thanksgiving recipes bundt cake french toast

Bundt Cake French Toast

Pumpkin spice Bundt cake stands in for traditional challah bread for this rich and moist holiday breakfast. The nutmeg- and cinnamon-laced cake absorbs the classic sweet egg and milk wash, griddled to perfection, and is on the table in less than 10 minutes! Serve with warm, cozy, buttered rum coffee for a fantastic day-after Thanksgiving breakfast, brunch, or dessert.


Read more to help plan the most delicious and entertaining Thanksgiving meal

Steps to Hosting Thanksgiving
Illustrated Guide to Carving a Turkey
Best Thanksgiving Wine & Food Pairings
Start Your Feast With a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Top Thanksgiving Host Gifts
Thanksgiving Dinner in Clicks
Thanksgiving Games Everyone Will Love
Let's Talk Turkey: A Full Serving of Little Known Facts About Thanksgiving
Quotes About Giving Thanks and Gratitude

Q & A

What can I make instead of a turkey for Thanksgiving?

Roasted chicken is a good swap, and it cooks in less time than a traditional turkey. Our version comes with a built-in side. You roast pears, leeks, and bacon in the same pan, then serve the chicken on a platter surrounded by the hash. 

What can I bring to a Thanksgiving potluck?

Any dish here makes a great potluck offering. For a Friendsgiving, try a trio of sides: brown sugar sweet potatoes, creamy Brussels sprouts, and bacon and blue cheese scalloped potatoes. 

How can I save time on Thanksgiving cooking?

Lean on pre-cooked dishes and store-bought pastry. A pre-ordered menu of turkey and stuffing Wellington, twice-baked potatoes, black truffle and almond green beans, and baklava saves time in the kitchen. Store-bought puff pastry gets you to baked Brie and pinwheels quickly. 

What are good Thanksgiving appetizers?

Baked Brie with pumpkin butter and savory puff pastry pinwheels are both easy to make with store-bought puff pastry. For the Brie, spread pumpkin butter on the pastry, add chopped candied walnuts, wrap it up, and bake until golden brown. For the pinwheels, roll the pastry with a spread into a log, then slice and bake the rounds. 

What Thanksgiving desserts can I serve?

Pumpkin cheesecake with a spiced filling and graham cracker crust is a natural choice. A duo of traditional Greek baklava works well too. A Cheesecake Factory cheesecake, such as white chocolate raspberry truffle or the classic original, can anchor a dessert board.