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🦃 How to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner: A Cozy Guide for a Memorable Feast
If you’re wondering how to cook Thanksgiving dinner without stress, burnt rolls, or last-minute panic you’re in the right place! This comforting guide walks you through the essentials of making a traditional Thanksgiving meal that’s warm, nostalgic, and surprisingly doable. From a golden roast turkey to classic mashed potatoes and cozy pies, this spread balances flavor, family tradition, and simplicity.
Whether it’s your first time or your 30th, this is your no-fuss, full-flavor roadmap to cook Thanksgiving dinner everyone will remember.
🍽️ Full Menu to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner
When planning how to cook Thanksgiving dinner, stick to the classics:
🦃 Roast Turkey & Gravy
Ingredients:
- 12–14 lb whole turkey (thawed)
- 1/2 cup butter
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme
- Lemon, onion, garlic cloves, fresh rosemary
Gravy:
- 1/4 cup turkey drippings
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2–3 cups broth
- Salt & pepper
Tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure 165°F at the thickest part.
🥔 Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs russet potatoes
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- Salt & pepper
Boil, mash, stir in butter and milk. Season well!
🍞 Classic Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf cubed bread (day-old)
- 1/2 cup butter
- Onion, celery, poultry seasoning
- 2 cups broth
Bake in a dish at 350°F for 30 minutes. Crispy on top, soft inside!
🍠 Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients:
- 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 egg, cinnamon, milk
- Marshmallows or pecans on top
🥫 Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water or orange juice
Simmer until thickened. Make it ahead it’s even better chilled!
🥧 Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 pie crust
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- Eggs, sugar, cinnamon, cloves
Bake at 425°F for 15 min, then reduce to 350°F for 45 min.
📅 Your Step-by-Step Thanksgiving Timeline
2–3 Days Before:
- Thaw turkey
- Prep cranberry sauce
- Cube bread, chop veggies
1 Day Before:
- Make casseroles
- Bake pies
- Season turkey
- Set the table
Day Of:
- Roast turkey in the morning
- Boil and mash potatoes
- Bake stuffing & sweet potatoes
- Make gravy with drippings
🧡 Why You’ll Love Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner This Way
- ✅ No-stress timeline
- ✅ Simple, classic ingredients
- ✅ Family-favorite flavors
- ✅ Great for beginners
- ✅ Make-ahead friendly
Want a shortcut for dessert? Try our Lemony Snack Mix another cozy favorite from our kitchen to yours.
👩🍳 Final Thoughts from Emma
Cooking Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t mean you have to do it all at once or alone! Take your time, let the kitchen smell like butter and spice, and sneak a slice of pie while the turkey rests.
📌 Follow Spedy Recipes on Pinterest for holiday ideas, quick prep tips, and desserts grandma would be proud of:
👉 Follow on Pinterest
Thanksgiving Dinner
Ingredients
Roast Turkey & Gravy
- 1 whole 12–14 lb whole turkey (thawed)
- 1/2 cup butter
- to taste salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme
- 1 whole lemon
- 1 whole onion
- 3 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1/4 cup turkey drippings For gravy
- 1/4 cup flour For gravy
- 2-3 cups broth For gravy
Mashed Potatoes
- 3 lbs russet potatoes
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- to taste salt & pepper
Classic Stuffing
- 1 loaf cubed bread (day-old)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 whole onion
- 2 stalks celery
- to taste poultry seasoning
- 2 cups broth
Sweet Potato Casserole
- 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 whole egg
- to taste cinnamon, milk
- as desired Marshmallows or pecans on top
Cranberry Sauce
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water or orange juice
Pumpkin Pie
- 1 whole pie crust
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- to taste cinnamon, cloves
Instructions
Preparation
- Thaw turkey 2-3 days before the dinner.
- Prep cranberry sauce and ensure it's refrigerated for better flavor.
- Cube bread and chop veggies for stuffing.
Day Before
- Make casseroles and bake pies.
- Season turkey and set the table.
Day Of
- Roast turkey in the morning.
- Boil and mash potatoes.
- Bake stuffing and sweet potatoes.
- Make gravy with turkey drippings.