Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (1)

Toss your boring Thanksgiving dishes out the window and try something new and crazy and fun. Regular mashed potatoes? Nope. Standard stuffing? Not this year. Roasted whole turkey? We're making a turkey purse instead. We're not kidding. It's a turkey purse. (You'll have to keep reading to learn more about it.)

Wow your guests with any of the recipes ahead, which all take a dish you're used to and put a new spin on it. Some of them might even be something you would have never even thought of trying, and that's what makes them exciting. Your guests will thank you for such an amazing holiday experience. We promise!

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (2)

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Put a twist on mashed potatoes by adding goat cheese.

Get the recipe: goat cheese mashed potatoes

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (3)

Pumpkin and Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes

You can't go wrong with the most iconic Fall flavor: pumpkin!

Get the recipe: pumpkin and cheddar scalloped potatoes

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (4)

Red Hot Oyster and Kimchi Dressing

Bet you never thought of adding oysters and kimchi to your Thanksgiving dressing.

Get the recipe: red hot oyster and kimchi dressing

04

Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (5)

Stuffing Muffins

Turn your standard stuffing into an appetizer by making it in muffin pans.

Get the recipe: stuffing muffins

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (6)

Squash Casserole

Anyone can have regular squash, so why not bake it into a festive casserole instead?

Get the recipe: squash casserole

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (7)

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole With Sweet ‘n’ Savory Bacon Pecans

This recipe adds bacon to your potato casserole. That should convince you to try it.

Get the recipe: bourbon sweet potato casserole with sweet 'n' savory bacon pecans

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (8)

Coca-Cola Ham

You read that right. This recipe includes Coca-Cola in your ham.

Get the recipe: Coca-Cola ham

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (9)

Walnut and Angostura Pie

Top off your holiday meal with this tasty pie made with walnuts and angostura.

Get the recipe: walnut and angostura pie

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (10)

Cranberry Apple Pie

Invoke the flavors of Thanksgiving with this tasty pie.

Get the recipe: cranberry apple pie

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (11)

Pecan Pie Shooters

Break your pecan pie down into something more fun with these shooters.

Get the recipe: pecan pie shooters

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (12)

Roasted Red Kuri Squash and Wild Rice Salad

Try out a new type of squash for Thanksgiving — like red kuri squash.

Get the recipe: roasted red kuri squash and wild rice salad

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (13)

Boneless "Turkey Purse" With Stuffings and Peppercorn Gravy

Yes, you read that right. This is a turkey purse stuffed with all the good things Thanksgiving has to offer.

Get the recipe: boneless "turkey purse" with stuffings and peppercorn gravy

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (14)

Bourbon Maple Pumpkin Seed Caramels

These could be a dessert or even a sweet appetizer if you so choose.

Get the recipe: bourbon maple pumpkin seed caramels

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Tahini-Thyme Brussels Sprouts

Make your brussels sprouts stand out on the table with the addition of fun flavors.

Get the recipe: tahini-thyme brussels sprouts

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (16)

Rice Pilaf With Cranberries and Pears

Throw cranberries into your rice for a pop of tart sweetness.

Get the recipe: rice pilaf with cranberries and pears

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (17)

Savory Pumpkin Custard

If you make this recipe, you absolutely have to serve it in a pumpkin. It's required.

Get the recipe: savory pumpkin custard

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (18)

Butternut Squash Lasagna

This isn't your regular lasagna! It's packed with squash fit for a Thanksgiving table.

Get the recipe: butternut squash lasagna

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (19)

Cranberry Salad

Toss out your boring cranberry sauce and make a cranberry salad instead.

Get the recipe: cranberry salad

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (20)

Deep-Fried Stuffing

If your family is the type that loves fried food, this recipe is for you.

Get the recipe: deep-fried stuffing

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (21)

Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Pack your acorn squash full of this delicious quinoa mix.

Get the recipe: quinoa stuffed acorn squash

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (22)

Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese

What's better than plain brussels sprouts? Brussels sprouts made into mac and cheese.

Get the recipe: brussels sprouts mac and cheese

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (23)

Air Fryer Baked Brie With Cranberry Filling

Dust off your air fryer for this delicious holiday recipe.

Get the recipe: air fryer baked brie with cranberry filling

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Cheddar Apple Butternut Squash Soup With Cinnamon Pecan Crumble

Start your Thanksgiving meal with this yummy warm soup.

Get the recipe: cheddar apple butternut squash soup with cinnamon pecan crumble

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (25)

Cheddar Rye Apple Hand Pies

Send your guests out the door with one of these hand pies.

Get the recipe: cheddar rye apple hand pies

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (26)

Mini Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pies

How darling are these mini mushroom and goat cheese pies?

Get the recipe: mini wild mushroom and goat cheese pies

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (27)

Sweet Potato Noodles With Prosciutto and Cranberries

Instead of roasting or mashing your sweet potatoes, why not make them into noodles?

Get the recipe: sweet potato noodles with prosciutto and cranberries

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (28)

Banana Bread Pudding

Give your bread pudding a fruity twist by using bananas.

Get the recipe: banana bread pudding

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Instant Pot Stuffed Acorn Squash

Try making this Fall recipe in your Instant Pot.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot stuffed acorn squash

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (30)

Thanksgiving Pull-Apart Bread

This recipe may be billed as leftover pull-apart bread, but you could also make it for the main show.

Get the recipe: Thanksgiving pull-apart bread

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (31)

Beer Bread Muffins

Beer bread muffins? Sign us up.

Get the recipe: beer bread muffins

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (32)

Turkey Soup With Stuffing Dumplings

Rather than roasting your turkey, try making a soup with it instead.

Get the recipe: turkey soup with stuffing dumplings

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Wow Your Guests With 30+ Totally Creative Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook a large group for Thanksgiving? ›

The best dishes to make for big groups are things that you can make ahead, which is why casseroles are such a Thanksgiving icon. Mac and cheese, green bean casserole, stuffing or dressing (whichever name you call it), and baked yams can all be finished in advance and put into the oven while your turkey is resting.

What foods can you make the day before Thanksgiving? ›

Mashed Potatoes
  • Classic Make-Ahead Macaroni And Cheese.
  • Easy Cauliflower Casserole.
  • Double-Crust Pie Pastry.
  • Savory Sweet Potato Casserole.
  • Homemade Cranberry Sauce.
  • Lacey's Cornbread Dressing.
  • 5-Ingredient Thanksgiving Recipes To Make The Holiday Just A Bit Easier.
  • Can You Leave A Turkey Out To Thaw Overnight?

What is a true Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes but the First Thanksgiving likely included wildfowl, corn, porridge and venison.

What to bring to Thanksgiving dinner as a guest? ›

Here are a couple of suggestions:
  1. Flowers (arranged in a vase or container)
  2. Cornucopia.
  3. Box of chocolates.
  4. Box of teas.
  5. Gourmet treats like specialty cheeses, jam containers, crackers or a beautifully packaged gourmet gift basket.
  6. Wine.
  7. Holiday drink mix.
  8. Book.
Nov 16, 2023

How much Thanksgiving food do you need for 25 people? ›

Quantity planning for soups, sides, main courses, and desserts
EntreePer PersonCrowd of 25
Chicken, turkey, or duck (boneless)1/2 pound13 pounds
Chicken or turkey (with bones)3/4 to 1 pound19 pounds
Turkey (whole)1 pound25 pounds
Mar 26, 2016

How do you cook for large amounts of people? ›

15 tips to save time and stress when cooking for a large crowd
  1. Go for a buffet setup instead of individual plates. ...
  2. Use slow cookers, chafing dishes, or warming trays to keep food at the right temperature. ...
  3. Make space at your table by using multi-height serving platters. ...
  4. Use your crock-pot for desserts.
Dec 21, 2015

How much stuffing do I need for 50 people? ›

In order to fill the cavity of the bird you are stuffing, you should make 3/4 cup of stuffing per person. You may not be able to fit all the stuffing into your turkey. If this is the case, then you can even make a casserole to fill up your guests!

What to do 2 days before Thanksgiving? ›

2 Days Before:

Assemble casseroles. Sweet potato or green bean casseroles can be stored uncooked in the fridge and baked on Thanksgiving. Bake rolls and breads. Make pie crust or thaw your pie crust; bake pumpkin pies.

What side dishes can you make ahead of time for Thanksgiving? ›

Best Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Make-Ahead Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes in Orange Cups. ...
  • Make-Ahead Potato Crescent Rolls. ...
  • Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  • Creamy Cranberry Salad. ...
  • Double Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese. ...
  • Green Bean and Quinoa Salad with Maple Citrus Dressing. ...
  • Fruit & Nut Brussels Sprouts Slaw.
Nov 21, 2023

What can I cook for Thanksgiving besides turkey? ›

For smaller crowds, swap the turkey with chicken, Cornish game hens, or stuff and roast individual quails for each guest, which is very elegant for a plated meal. Our roast chicken with sourdough stuffing, pomegranate roast chicken, and cranberry stuffed cornish game hen bring a festive Thanksgiving vibe to the table.

What are 5 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer. The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie.

What are the 5 most common sides served on Thanksgiving Day? ›

  • 01 of 21. Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • 02 of 21. Bacon-Topped Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • 03 of 21. Buttered Stuffing with Mushrooms. ...
  • 04 of 21. Classic Dinner Rolls. ...
  • 05 of 21. Bacon-Mushroom Twice-Baked Potatoes. ...
  • 06 of 21. Best Four-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese. ...
  • 07 of 21. Bourbon and Cider Pan Gravy. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Nov 9, 2023

What are 3 main foods on Thanksgiving? ›

Many Americans would regard Thanksgiving dinner as "incomplete" without stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and cranberry sauce. A recipe for cranberry sauce to be served with turkey appeared in the first American cookbook, American Cookery (1796) by Amelia Simmons.

What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

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