American Thanksgiving is coming up and I wanted to share my Thanksgiving Menu with you! If you are Canadian (like me) and have already celebrated, these holiday recipes are also great for Christmas dinner or you can put them in your back pocket until your next Thanksgiving dinner! I have included the usual suspects, classic favorites as well as options for healthier and lighter versions of your favorite holiday foods. If you're looking for something a little different or Thanksgiving dinner alternatives, that are Weight Watchers friendly or gluten-free, I've got lots of options!
Whether you are hosting a get together or need to bring along a dish to a Thanksgiving gathering, you'll find what you need right here! And if you are following the Weight Watchers plan, you can rest assured that no one will even suspect your dish is WW friendly!
I have selected are all my favorite Thanksgiving recipes and created a menu so you only have to go to one place- right here! If you were to have dinner with my family on Thanksgiving, these would be the dishes you'd find on my Thanksgiving menu. I have also included make- ahead information so you don't have to stress about doing it all at once!
Thanksgiving Appetizers
I like to keep my Thanksgiving appetizers on the lighter side, since Thanksgiving is a pretty big meal! All of these appetizers are WW friendly as well.
Slow Cooking your appetizer is a great way to save room in the oven and on the stovetop for the main show! You can also make these easy Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Meatballs ahead and store them in the fridge for a few days.
This light appetizer is just like eating a Caprese salad on a stick! It's no cook, quick to make and so fresh! You can make it a day in advance, but just don't add the reduced balsamic vinegar until just before serving.
These classic Dill Devilled Eggs are a popular staple at my family gatherings (my Aunt Leanne's recipe). Gluten-free and WW friendly, you can make them day before. But if you simply want to make the eggs, you can make them up to 5 days in advance (if you store them whole/in their shells)
Stuffed mushrooms are a light and healthy appetizer that's perfect for pre Thanksgiving dinner. These can be made up to 2 days in advance, but I prefer to make them the day before, as they are best fresh!
Thanksgiving Main Dishes
Ham is a classic Thanksgiving dish, but this ham recipe is quicker and easier to make than regular ham because it's a picnic ham. Picnic ham's are already technically cooked (although you still have to cook them) so they are faster to make. But it's the orange glaze that really makes it shine and is a little different than your typical Thanksgiving fare. It pairs perfectly with my Carrot Casserole and Potatoes Romanoff!
You can make this a couple of days in advance.
Make your turkey and dressing in your slow cooker! This Slow Cooker Turkey breast with Quinoa Dressing is ideal if you're having a smaller gathering (up to 6) and/or don't want to cook up an entire turkey. It's also gluten-free and WW friendly. My Healthy Roasted Carrots with Brown Sugar is the perfect pairing for this recipe!
You could make this a couple days in advance.
If you're looking for something a little different, healthier and lighter, you'll love these WW Cornish Game Hens! Try it with my Chipotle Mashed Potatoes and Green beans and Mushrooms.
You can make these a day in advance.
Thanksgiving Sides
If I'm having a simple roasted turkey, this stuffing is what I stuff it with. And although it's indulgent, if you're looking for classic, you'll love this old-fashioned traditional stuffing! You can stuff it in a turkey or cook it on the side. I usually make this a day in advance, but it can be made up to 3 days in advance.
Potatoes Romanoff is a great alternative to the typical mashed potatoes. Made with frozen hashbrowns, it's quick and easy to make and it's oh so delicious! This recipe can be made up to 3 days in advance.
If you want mashed potatoes with a kick, you'll love these guys! You can make them a little spicy or a lot spicy. They are also lightened up with homemade light buttermilk. You can make them up to 3 days in advance.
This Sausage and apple rice is a great alternative for your gluten-free guests! You can use turkey sausage to lighten it up and make it up to 3 days in advance.
Cabbage rolls are a staple at holiday meals in my family, but I don't always want to all that effort of stuffing cabbage rolls, when I'm already investing in making a big meal. That's why I make these slow cooker lazy cabbage rolls. They can be thrown together fairly quickly, made up to 2 days in advance and they don't take up prime real estate on your stove!
This is my Granny's bun recipe. She used to make these for holidays and they are out of this world fresh and delicious! They are a little indulgent and a bit of time a investment, but they are well worth it. These buns can also be made 2-3 days in advance.
This is a dish you'll always find at my family's holiday gatherings (my Auntie Carol would bring it). This carrot casserole is perfect if you want stuffing and veggies but you don't have a turkey to stuff OR you simply don't want to stuff a turkey!
This Turnip and Apple Casserole is a lightened up version of a casserole my husband's Auntie Joan used to make. It will even make a turnip lover out of any hater (I'm testimony to that!) I make this up to 2 days in advance.
Corn Succotash is a healthy and fresh side dish that's perfect for your gluten-free Thanksgiving dinner guests! It's easy to make and can be made up to 2 days in advance.
This simple Green Beans with Mushrooms is another one of my Auntie Carol's holiday side dishes we can't live without during the holidays! It's quick and easy to make and best if you make it the day of. She always made it in an electric frying pan on the table, to save space on the stove.
These Roasted Carrots are a lightened up version of the traditional recipe. They are sooo good that you'd never know they are WW friendly! I make them earlier in the day before I put the turkey in the oven or while I'm slow cooking the turkey breast.
Caesar Salad (minus the chicken, of course) is a family holiday dinner staple! You can make the dressing the day before and even prep the lettuce, but don't put it together until just before you are ready to eat!
Thanksgiving Desserts
Sweet potato pie is a nice change up from the traditional pumpkin and my version is super easy using baby food! You could also use canned sweet potatoes/yams if you prefer. I top it with a delicious and easy marshmallow whipped cream. This can be made up to 2 days in advance.
If you love a classic apple pie, you'll LOVE this award-winning one! It's easy to make and can be made a couple of days in advance. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
And if you're looking for lighter alternative Thanksgiving desserts, this Skinny Pumpkin Cheesecake is one of my most popular Thanksgiving desserts. It's also our favorite cheesecake in my house! You can make it up to 2 days in advance.
Rice Pudding is an easy and delicious way to change things up for Thanksgiving dessert! This can be made a couple of days in advance.
Crustless Pumpkin Pie is a great way to enjoy pumpkin pie without guilt and it's gluten-free! You can make it up to a day in advance.
Thanksgiving Drinks
This Cranberry Cosmo mocktail is non-alcoholic and really fun for kids. It can be spiked, if you so desire. It can be made 4-5 days in advance and stored in a juice jug in the fridge.
This Cranberry punch is really easy to make with only 4 ingredients and a fun and festive cranberry ice ring! The punch ring can be made up to 2 months in advance and stored in the freezer. The punch can be made in 5 minutes or 3-4 days in advance and stored in juice jugs.
Whether you're looking for classic, lighter or Weight Watchers Thanksgiving recipes, I've got you covered!
Thanksgiving Leftovers
Oh and if you have Thanksgiving leftovers, you'll want to check out my Thanksgiving Leftovers! I also have some classic and lighter dishes for leftovers as well.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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