Thanksgiving mains are the heart of every holiday table. They carry tradition, warmth, and the promise of shared memories. Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or a cozy dinner for a few, choosing the right main dish sets the tone for everything that follows.
Start with your centerpiece — a juicy turkey, a glazed ham, or both for a bountiful spread. Then layer in what makes Thanksgiving special: rich brown butter gravy, fluffy buttermilk rolls, and a golden cornbread dressing that brings comfort in every bite.
To balance the meal, add festive drinks that sparkle with fall flavors — from fruity sangrias to cozy non-alcoholic sips. They keep guests refreshed while you finish those last-minute kitchen touches.
And when the feast is over, don’t let the leftovers go to waste. With a few smart recipes, those extra slices of turkey transform into creamy casseroles, hearty soups, and satisfying bakes that stretch the celebration a little longer.
This guide brings together all your essentials in one place: the best Thanksgiving mains, the sauces and sides that make them shine, cozy holiday drinks, and creative leftover ideas. It’s your complete menu plan — simple, flavorful, and stress-free.
Why You’ll Love This Roundup
Thanksgiving planning just got easier. This collection gives you everything — from juicy turkey mains to cozy gravy, buttery bread, festive drinks, and smart leftover ideas.
- Stress-free menu building: Follow the order — mains, gravy, bread, drinks, and leftovers.
- Tested and trusted recipes: Each dish is kitchen-tested for flavor, texture, and presentation.
- Perfect pairings: Every main has its matching sides and drinks for a complete meal plan.
- Creative leftovers: Turn extra turkey into delicious next-day dinners without waste.
- Crowd-pleasing options: There’s something for everyone — classic, modern, or cozy comfort food.
This roundup keeps your holiday organized, flavorful, and stress-free, so you can focus on what matters most — enjoying Thanksgiving around the table.
🍗 Turkey & Holiday Mains
Your Thanksgiving mains set the tone for the whole feast. Whether you’re team turkey, ham, or both, these recipes guarantee tender, flavorful results that please everyone at the table.
🦃 Juicy Brined Roast Turkey
Juicy Brined Roast Turkey — Soak your bird in a simple salt-and-herb brine for maximum juiciness. It’s foolproof and perfect for beginners.
The quest for a perfectly juicy roast turkey is won in the brine. This simple but transformative process of soaking the bird in a saltwater solution, often aromatized with herbs, citrus, and spices, works a kind of culinary magic. The brine seasons the meat deep to the bone and, through the power of osmosis, allows the turkey to absorb moisture, which it then retains during roasting. The result is a turkey with an exceptionally moist and flavorful texture from the inside out, not just from basting. While the skin crisps to a beautiful golden-brown, the meat itself remains succulent and tender, ensuring that even the prized breast slices are anything but dry. This fundamental technique elevates the classic roast turkey from a potential holiday worry to the undisputed, juicy centerpiece of the feast.
🔪 Crispy Spatchcock Turkey
Crispy Spatchcock Turkey — Flattened for even roasting, this turkey cooks faster and delivers crisp golden skin and tender meat.
For those who prioritize crispy skin and remarkably fast, even cooking, spatchcocking is the ultimate turkey technique. By removing the backbone and flattening the bird into a single layer, the entire surface area of the skin is exposed directly to the oven’s heat, allowing it to render fat and turn irresistibly golden-brown and crackling. This method isn’t just about the skin; because the legs and breasts lie flat at the same level, they cook in perfect unison, preventing the dreaded scenario of dry breast meat before the thighs are done. The result is a turkey that cooks in nearly half the time, with exceptionally juicy meat from the crown to the drumstick, all protected by a shield of the crispiest, most flavorful skin you’ve ever experienced.
🍯 Honey Garlic Spiral Ham
Honey Garlic Spiral Ham — Sweet, sticky, and garlicky. This classic pairs beautifully with turkey and reheats like a dream for leftovers.
A Honey Garlic Spiral Ham is the quintessential centerpiece for a festive gathering, offering both stunning presentation and foolproof, crowd-pleasing flavor. The pre-sliced spiral cuts are the secret to its glory, creating perfect pockets and ridges that catch every drop of a glossy, sticky glaze made from sweet honey, pungent garlic, and rich butter. As it bakes, the glaze caramelizes into a shimmering, sweet-and-savory crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender, inherently salty smoked ham beneath. Each slice is already perfectly portioned, ensuring that every serving comes with its share of the caramelized exterior and juicy, succulent interior, making it as easy to serve as it is impressive to present.
🥣 Gravy, Stuffing & Bread
No Thanksgiving meal is complete without the right companions. A silky gravy, hearty dressing, and fluffy rolls turn a good meal into a memorable one.
🍂 Brown Butter Herb Turkey Gravy
Brown Butter Herb Turkey Gravy — Nutty brown butter deepens the flavor of this smooth, herb-packed gravy. Perfect over mashed potatoes or roasted turkey.
Brown Butter Herb Gravy is the sophisticated, deeply flavorful upgrade that transforms the essential turkey drippings into the undisputed star of the plate. It begins by carefully cooking butter until its milk solids turn a toasty, nutty brown, releasing an aroma reminiscent of hazelnuts and caramel. This fragrant brown butter is then married with the rich, savory foundation of turkey drippings and flour, creating a roux with unparalleled depth. As stock is whisked in, the gravy thickens to a velvety consistency, while fresh herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary are stirred through, infusing every spoonful with their aromatic essence. The result is a complex, luxurious gravy that elevates the entire meal, offering a harmonious blend of savory, nutty, and herbaceous notes in every pour.
🌽 Southern Cornbread Dressing
Southern Cornbread Dressing — Moist, savory, and just the right amount of crispy edges. A beloved Southern staple that complements any main dish.
Southern Cornbread Dressing is a cherished, soulful staple that bears little resemblance to its stuffing counterpart, defined by its tender, almost spoonable texture and deep, savory flavor. It begins with a base of homemade, slightly sweet cornbread that is dried out, crumbled, and combined with the holy trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers, all sautéed in butter. This mixture is generously moistened with rich chicken or turkey broth and often enriched with hard-boiled eggs, creating a custardy interior as it bakes. The result is a beautifully golden crust that gives way to a soft, savory, and deeply comforting interior that soaks up gravy perfectly, embodying the taste of tradition and home with every bite.
🥖 Flaky Buttermilk Dinner Rolls
Flaky Buttermilk Dinner Rolls — Buttery layers and a soft crumb make these rolls irresistible. They’re also perfect for leftover sandwiches.
A perfect Flaky Buttermilk Dinner Roll is a study in beautiful contrasts: a crisp, golden-brown exterior that shatters delicately at the touch, giving way to an impossibly soft, tender, and airy interior. The magic lies in the buttermilk, which not only imparts a subtle, welcome tang but also tenderizes the dough, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth crumb while contributing to those ethereal, paper-thin layers. As they bake, the rolls swell and pull apart at their seams, releasing a warm, comforting aroma of butter and yeast that promises pure comfort. Whether served warm from the oven with a pat of melting butter or used to sop up the last bits of gravy from your plate, these rolls are an essential, hands-on part of the feast, not just an afterthought.
🍷 Holiday Drinks (Thanksgiving-Friendly)
Drinks tie your menu together. Choose cozy punches, fall sangrias, or non-alcoholic sips that pair effortlessly with Thanksgiving mains.
🍹 Thanksgiving Punch
Thanksgiving Punch — A fruity, fizzy mix that brings instant holiday cheer to any table.
Thanksgiving Punch serves as the celebratory centerpiece of the drink table, a festive and communal way to welcome guests and toast to gratitude without the fuss of individual cocktails. It masterfully balances the warm, spiced flavors of the season—like cinnamon, apple, and cranberry—with a bright, effervescent lift from sparkling cider or ginger ale. Often featuring a base of autumnal fruit juices mingled with perhaps a hint of bourbon or rum for the adults, it’s a versatile brew that can be tailored for all ages. Presented in a large pitcher or punch bowl adorned with floating orange slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks, it’s not just a drink, but a reflection of the harvest’s bounty, offering a refreshing, flavorful, and visually stunning start to the festivities.
🍎 Cranberry Apple Sangria
Cranberry Apple Sangria — Refreshing and festive. A blend of cranberry, apple, and a hint of spice—like fall in a glass.
Cranberry Apple Sangria is the vibrant, festive pitcher drink that effortlessly captures the essence of autumn in a glass. It marries the tart, jewel-toned brightness of cranberry juice with the sweet, crisp notes of apple cider, creating a beautifully balanced base. This is generously loaded with fresh, sliced apples and oranges that steep in the mixture, absorbing the flavors while also lending their own. A bottle of white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, provides a crisp backbone, and a splash of brandy or Cointreau adds a warm, spirited depth. Served chilled over ice and often topped with a fizzy sparkle from club soda or ginger ale, it’s a visually stunning, refreshingly fruity, and crowd-pleasing cocktail that allows the host to enjoy the celebration right alongside their guests.
🍏 Apple Cider Sangria
Apple Cider Sangria — Bursting with fresh fruit and warm cider notes, it’s a favorite for cozy gatherings.
Apple Cider Sangria is the quintessential fall libation, transforming the classic Spanish punch into a celebration of autumn’s harvest. It starts with a foundation of fresh, spiced apple cider, which is combined with a crisp white or fruity red wine to create a harmonious blend of sweet and tart. This base is then loaded with seasonal fruits like crisp apple slices, juicy pears, and oranges, which steep and macerate, infusing the liquid with their natural juices and creating a potent, flavorful brew. A hint of brandy or cinnamon liqueur adds a warm, spirited kick, making it deceptively strong. Served chilled over ice and often garnished with a cinnamon stick, this sangria is a refreshing, crowd-pleasing pitcher drink that perfectly captures the cozy, festive spirit of the season in every glass.
🍐 Harvest Sangria
Harvest Sangria — Sweet pears, pomegranate seeds, and crisp wine make this drink as beautiful as it is delicious.
Harvest Sangria is the ultimate autumnal pitcher drink, a beautiful and robust concoction that tastes like a farmer’s market in a glass. It deepens the classic sangria formula by embracing the full, rich flavors of the season, often using a base of red wine like Garnacha or Zinfandel mingled with apple cider and a touch of maple syrup or brown sugar for warmth. The pitcher is then packed with a hearty harvest of fruits—crisp apple wedges, juicy pear slices, pomegranate arils, and oranges—which steep and soften, releasing their juices into the spiced wine. Enhanced with warming notes from cinnamon sticks, star anise, or a splash of bourbon, this sangria is best made ahead, allowing the flavors to meld into a complex, fruity, and deeply satisfying blend. Served with the macerated fruit in each glass, it’s a celebratory and shareable drink that truly embodies the spirit of fall.
Optional cozy sips:
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate
🍲 Leftovers (Post-Thanksgiving Winners)
Turn leftovers into new favorites. These smart ideas make the most of extra turkey without feeling repetitive.
🧀 Turkey Noodle Casserole
Turkey Noodle Casserole — Creamy, comforting, and quick to assemble. The perfect way to revive leftover turkey.
Turkey Noodle Casserole is the ultimate comfort food and a brilliantly practical solution for post-holiday leftovers, transforming roasted turkey into a creamy, satisfying new meal. At its heart lies tender egg noodles, enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce made from a base of sautéed onions and mushrooms, often condensed soup, broth, or a homemade béchamel. This is generously folded with chunks of leftover turkey and perhaps a handful of frozen peas or carrots for a pop of color and sweetness. The entire mixture is then topped with a crispy, golden blanket of buttery breadcrumbs or shredded cheese that bakes into a textural contrast to the creamy interior beneath. Bubbling and fragrant from the oven, this casserole is the epitome of cozy, delivering a warm, nostalgic, and complete dinner in every scoop.
🥬 Cheesy Turkey & Spinach Bake
Cheesy Turkey & Spinach Bake — Packed with greens, cheese, and flavor. It’s an easy dinner win after the holiday rush.
The Cheesy Turkey & Spinach Bake is the ultimate comfort food alchemy, masterfully transforming leftover roast turkey into a luxurious and satisfying one-dish meal. It brings together tender pieces of turkey and fresh spinach in a rich, creamy sauce—often a garlic-infused béchamel or a tangy sour cream base—that is generously laden with melted cheese, such as sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyère, or creamy Monterey Jack. This hearty filling is typically combined with a carb like pasta, rice, or cubed bread, then topped with a final blanket of more cheese and buttery breadcrumbs that bakes into a golden, bubbling crust. Emerging from the oven hot and fragrant, it’s a gloriously decadent yet balanced casserole where the savory turkey, earthy spinach, and gooey cheese unite in perfect, cozy harmony.
🌶️ Smoky Chipotle Turkey Chili
Smoky Chipotle Turkey Chili — A hearty and smoky twist that keeps leftovers exciting. Serve with cornbread or a dollop of sour cream.
Smoky Chipotle Turkey Chili is a brilliantly flavorful and satisfying twist on the classic beef chili, offering a lighter yet deeply complex alternative. Ground turkey is simmered with onions and garlic, then infused with the star of the dish: smoky, slightly spicy chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, which provide a warm heat and a profound depth that is unmistakable. This base is joined by a hearty medley of beans, sweet corn, and fire-roasted tomatoes, all swimming in a rich, cumin-scented broth. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld, resulting in a chili that is robust, warming, and layered with a subtle smokiness that lingers on the palate. Topped with a cool dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of sharp cheddar, or fresh cilantro, it’s a comforting, modern bowl of comfort that is both nourishing and exciting.
🥧 Round out your menu with classic sides everyone expects.
Explore our Thanksgiving Side Dish Collection — from green bean casseroles to sweet potato bakes, everything you need for a perfect holiday table.
Thanksgiving Mains, Gravy, Drinks & Leftovers — FAQ
Quick tips for stress-free planning, cooking, and serving.
What are the best Thanksgiving mains to start with?
Turkey remains the most traditional centerpiece. Try the Juicy Brined Roast Turkey for flavor or the Crispy Spatchcock Turkey for faster cooking. Spiral ham also pairs beautifully for variety.
How far ahead can I prepare gravy and stuffing?
Make gravy and stuffing one to two days before Thanksgiving. Store in airtight containers and reheat slowly with a splash of broth to restore texture.
What drinks pair best with Thanksgiving mains?
Fruity sangrias, cider-based cocktails, and non-alcoholic punches work beautifully. Try Cranberry Apple Sangria or Thanksgiving Punch to complement savory dishes.
How can I use leftovers creatively?
Turn turkey leftovers into easy casseroles or soups. Favorites include the Turkey Noodle Casserole, Cheesy Turkey & Spinach Bake, and Smoky Chipotle Turkey Chili.
What’s the easiest way to keep the meal stress-free?
Plan your mains first, prepare sides early, and set up drink pitchers in advance. Simple organization ensures smooth serving and happy guests.