|
November 17, 2016

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

A roundup of Thanksgiving Menu Ideas to add extra love to your Thanksgiving Feast! Find more on Shutterbean.com

One week away from the big day!!!!  I’m starting to put together my Thanksgiving menu.

Are you wanting to shake things up a bit and try some new recipes?

LET ME HELP!

Here are a bunch of Thanksgiving Menu Ideas to help inspire your meal planning:

TURKEY CRANBERRY MEATBALLS

When I was a kid, there were always meatballs at my parent’s friend’s get-togethers. I loved it. It’s gotta be the fact that you can eat something off of a toothpick. That makes things special, right?

MUSHROOM POLENTA BITES

These can be made ahead of time for sure! If you’re looking for a warm appetizer, I would recommend them! Plus they’re portable and people don’t have to eat them with a stick.

BAKED ARTICHOKE SQUARES

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be thanksgiving without my mom’s Baked Artichoke squares. The best part is that you can totally make these the night before & reheat. I’m currently working on an artichoke dip recipe that taste just like these squares…it’s so good.

BAKED BACON ARTICHOKE DIP

Gahhhhhhhh. If you’re looking for your guests, you can probably find them huddled around a bowl of this dip. Seriously. THERE’S BACON IN IT.

ROASTED GRAPE & SAGE PIZZA

You could easily shape this pizza into a flatbread and serve it with your appetizer spread. People like little warm bites of pizza…especially when there’s gorgonzola involved.

 

APRICOTS with BASIL GOAT CHEESE & ALMONDS

Don’t they look pretty?! The colors will brighten up an appetizer assortment.

I wrote a post about Creating an Antipasti Platter if you need some help! Cheese plate! Flavored olive oil! It’s all in there.

CARROT COCONUT SOUP

I was thinking that you could make these into soup shooters & pass them around as appetizers. YUM

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP- EIGHT WAYS!

Or, you can fix up a box of soup with some really fancy toppings.

SAUSAGE JALAPEÑO HUSHPUPPIES

If I get my act together I’m gonna make these this Thanksgiving! Or maybe the day after.

 

HERBED FLATBREAD

Serve fresh flatbread with a cheese plater and you’re golden!

MINI CHEDDAR POPOVERS

So simple yet BOLD. People will be touched at your effort…they don’t have to know it’s easy!

SPICY SESAME GUACAMOLE

Let’s add a little green to your appetizer plate with guac! This one is fun. If I had my act together, I would chop up some fresh ahi tuna and serve it with this guacamole and sesame crackers.

ORANGE SPICED CASHEWS

Who doesn’t like a bowl of spiced nuts?

Stuffed Mushroom Rolls

These might be better as sides…OR you could have a few rolls and some marinara to dip them into on your appetizer table. Either way, mushroom lovers will thank you endlessly.

EASY APPETIZER IDEAS

Here are a bunch of simple recipes that will get you thinking of how some of your favorite snacks can pass as legit appetizers!

 

PECAN TOPPED SWEET POTATOES

It’s what I make every year! I’m always on sweet potato duty!

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH & ARUGULA SALAD 

If you’re looking for an awesome/unique salad, this one is your winner!

Skillet Roasted Cauliflower with Breadcrumbs

I miiiiiiiiight make this this year…. and if not, I am going to have it for dinner next week.

SWEET & SOUR ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH

One of my favorite recipes from last year. All the meat eaters are gonna be eating this vegetarian side dish. Vegans! Vegetarians! Get your fill on servings before they clean you OUT.

CRISPY FRIED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

I mean…just DO IT.

BREAD APPLE SAUSAGE HASH

If you have any leftover bread….or maybe you’re not even having Thanksgiving but you want the flavors of Thanksgiving….FOR BREAKFAST or BREAKFAST FOR DINNER make this recipe!

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS & BUTTERNUT SQUASH

You’re guests will love this combo! There are cranberries up in it too! This was a real hit with my readers!

BRAISED BRUSSELS SPROUTS W/ PANCETTA

I would be so happy if a little gravy crossed paths with this dish!

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Pecorino & Oranges 

A bold/flavor packed salad. So much crunch and flavor. The orange cleans the palate. It would be nice to serve this one before the big meal!

LITTLE GEM LETTUCE SALAD WITH BEETS & WALNUTS

An elegant salad that exploits beet season! I love how delicate gem lettuce is. So tender.

Roasted Carrots with Chile Yogurt + Cilantro Sauce

I’d be happy eating this for Thanksgiving…and nothing else. Well. Wait. Is there pie?

THE BEST CREAMED SPINACH

Da best. Da boss. It’s really supreme. Do it.

PUMPKIN BOURBON MILKSHAKES

You could serve these milkshakes in addition to your dessert. Imagine them in mini glasses. Perfect!

CARAMEL APPLE FLOATS

Kids AND parents will get a kick out of this recipe. Sparkling apple cider AND ice cream!! What could go wrong?

CLOVE-SCENTED SIDECAR

It’s clove season! Let’s warm up the holidays with a nice clove/sugar rimmed cocktail.

Holiday parties should have signature cocktails, don’t ya think?

HOT VANILLA CIDER 

Something for the kids if you take out the bourbon and something to make your old Aunt Bessie tolerable if you feel like adding bourbon.

CRANBERRY ROSEMARY SPRITZERS

I can’t think of a better cocktail to have with turkey!

POMEGRANATE MANHATTAN

Oh wait. I found something better to go with turkey. THESE MANHATTANS.

Just keep your cool. Manhattans can bring out some interesting family dynamics. hehe

BOOZY FRUITY MULLED CIDER

For the in between dessert & dinner time….

Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream Cake 

This easy to make dessert is such a savior! It’s easy to slice (unlike pie!) and it requires no time to make. You just need a few hours in your freezer and you’re good to go.

PUMPKIN PECAN ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

They’re small…which means that people who are STUFFED will be like “Oh, I’ll just take one!”

Then their ONE turns into 4. WATCH OUT.

MINI APPLE PIE CHEESECAKES

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to always been about pie! You can make cheesecakes!

Persimmon Spice Cake 

It’s a snacking cake….for people who are over the whole pie thing….or people who can’t wait for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving.

Sticky Cranberry Gingerbread

Get people excite for December with this Sticky Cranberry Gingerbread. I think I ate half of this cake when I made it.

GOOD SIGN.

Burnt Butter Ginger Pear Crumble

Oh gosh. Now that I am looking at this, maybe I should make a crumble for thanksgiving??!!

Maybe I should make it and we’ll have it for breakfast.

PUMPKIN GINGERSNAP ICE CREAM 

Imagine scoops in little glasses…served with a dollop of whipped cream & some pralines. OMG.

pumpkin cake with brown butter icing

PUMPKIN CAKE WITH BROWN BUTTER ICING 

You could easily turn this recipe into cupcakes. Your guests will LOVE the brown butter icing & moist cake.

PUMPKIN CREAM PIE

You just gotta. This one has a gingersnap crust! It’s light/ fluffy and you don’t have to bake the final pie.

Pear Cranberry Walnut Bread

If you’re one of those hosts or guests who likes to give loaves as presents, MAKE THIS BREAD.

PUMPKIN PIE IN A MUG!

I’m just gonna throw that one out there and remind you that you can make a little mini pumpkin pie IN A MUG. All you need is a microwave.

ALSO!!

Don’t forget to save leftovers so you can have a bonkers sandwich like this one!

TURKEY CRANBERRY BACON SANDWICH

That’s right. We add bacon to this sandwich because more is more!

  • Emma @ General contractor

    This is a remarkable Thanksgiving menu. Incorporating a few of these right into our techniques thanks !! Keep it up! Delighted Thanksgiving to you!

  • mary

    used to run from the creamed spinach when I was a kid – now can’t WAIT to add that to my table!!

  • jessica mcleod

    Today I am thankful that Tracy Shutterbean made an, Ideas for Thanksgiving, post! I’ve been googling your search for ideas like crazy. Now they’re all on one page! YES!

  • Sabrina

    Beautiful photos, love your food styling, such great ideas.
    Mahalo for sharing!!!

  • India

    Just texted my mom and I’m bringing the brussel sprout salad to Thanksgiving. I’m excited to bring a bit of Shutterbean home with me. Hopefully the wine will be flowin’… 🙂 Enjoy the time with your family!

  • Kristin P

    Can’t wait to see that artichoke dip! My mom has made those artichoke squares for years too. One of my favorites that you don’t see around that often but your recipe is almost identical to ours. Must have made the rounds in the Bay Area in the 80s!

Leave a Comment