13 Great Thanksgiving Menus

If we were to vote, Thanksgiving would be neck-and-neck with Christmas as our all-time favorite holiday. Think about it: Practically everyone celebrates it, and the stars are family and food. Despite the fact that people from all different backgrounds and circumstances seem to unite around this holiday, that doesn't mean we all celebrate the same. Sure, there are some common themes, particularly on the dinner table: turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie ―and an abundance of everything. But there are probably as many variations on the Thanksgiving theme as there are folks who start their holiday shopping the day after (and if you've ever been to the mall post-Thanksgiving, you know that's a lot).

Not sure where to start when preparing your Thanksgiving dinner? We've rounded up some of our best techniques, with handy step-by-step visuals, to make the big day a breeze:

• How To Perfectly Truss & Roast a Turkey
• How to Achieve Silky Mashed Potatoes
• The Easiest Way to Make Classic Gravy

To accommodate our individual tastes, but with the Thanksgiving theme in mind, we've put together 13 menus―a mix of the traditional and the modern. Many of the recipes are based on holiday classics, with small twists to upgrade the food you know and love.

We've also got something for non-turkey-eaters out there: a pork roast menu, yummy vegetarian meal, and diverse vegan dinner. Each retains the holiday flavors and feel despite the absence of the bird. And all 13 demonstrate that the year's biggest (in popularity and in size) meal can be healthful and delicious. We give thanks for that.

Epic Thanksgiving Menu:

• Tricolored Beet Tart
• Broiled Shrimp with Buttermilk Rémoulade
• Honey Whole-Wheat Pull-Apart Rolls
• Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
• Skillet Green Bean Casserole
• Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
• Classic Herb Stuffing
• Tuscan Turkey
• Classic Turkey Gravy
• Grape Galette

Modern Twist on Thanksgiving Menu:

• Sautéed Green Beans with Spice-Glazed Pecans
• Linguica Sausage Stuffing with Mushrooms
• Cardamom-Glazed Carrots
• Maple-Walnut Cranberry Pie
• Caramelized Onion and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Rosemary Butter-Rubbed Turkey with Porcini Gravy
• Cherry-Port Cranberry Sauce

The Thanksgiving Menu for Procrastinators:

• Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote
• Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
• Sweet Potato Stacks with Sage Browned Butter
• Brussels Sprouts with Crisp Prosciutto
• Simply Herby Stuffing
• Spicy Maple Turkey Breast with Quick Pan Sauce

Adventurous Thanksgiving Menu:

• Farro Stuffing with Butternut Squash, Red Onion, and Almonds
• Hazelnut Rye Rolls
• Roasted Fennel with Rosemary Breadcrumbs
• Port-Glazed Pear Tart with Rosemary-Cornmeal Crust
• Spiced Cranberry-Mango Chutney
• Moroccan-Spiced Turkey with Aromatic Orange Pan Jus
• Sautéed Green Beans with Miso Butter
• Leek and Pancetta Potato Rösti

Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Menu:

• Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Chive Sour Cream
• Honey-Roasted Butternut Squash
• Three-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce
• Fennel and Cumin-Roasted Turkey Breast with Thyme Gravy
• Sautéed Haricots Verts with Bacon Breadcrumbs
• Apple-Sage Stuffing Cups
• Pecan-Pumpkin Drops
• Mocha Pie with Coffee Whipped Cream

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu:

• Spinach-Artichoke Bites
• Honey Whole-Wheat Pull-Apart Rolls
• Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Oat Topping
• Skillet Green Bean Casserole
• Acorn Squash with Pomegranate and Kale Tabbouleh
• Double-Crust Apple Pie
• Chai Carrot Pie

Vegan Thanksgiving Menu:

• Quinoa Salad with Pistachios and Currants
• Kale, Jicama, and Orange Salad
• Roasted Fennel with Rosemary Breadcrumbs
• Whole Roasted Carrots with Black Lentils and Green Harissa
• Grapefruit Granita with Pear-and-Pom Relish

Clean Eating Thanksgiving Menu:

• Honey-Bourbon Spatchcocked Turkey
• Quinoa with Toasted Pine Nuts
• Coal Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Lemon-Herb Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Spiced Apple Chips

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Menu:

• Caramelized Leek and Spinach Dip
• Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
• Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
• Smoky Spatchcocked Turkey
• Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Gastrique
• Mushroom and Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
• Macadamia-Almond Cake

Fall Harvest Menu:

• Roast Stuffed Pork Loin with Port Sauce
• Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Gastrique
• Asparagus with Lemon and Pecorino
• Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Pecan Spice Cake with Maple Frosting

Thanksgiving Spice Menu:

• Moroccan-Spiced Turkey with Aromatic Orange Pan Jus
• Sweet Potato Medallions with Almond Sauce and Chickpea Salad
• Haricots Verts with Pancetta and Garlic
• Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Cream
• Spicy Jalapeño Corn Bread
• Miso Caramel-Apple Pie

Big Flavors Menu:

• Lemon-Thyme Turkey
• Dirty Farro Stuffing
• Roasted Broccoli with Pistachios and Pickled Golden Raisins
• Orange-Tarragon Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
• Sweet Potato Biscuits with Honey-Pecan Butter
• Can't Be Beet Tart with Goat Cheese

Southern Classics Menu:

Brown Sugar-Cured Turkey with Apple-Bourbon Gravy

Mom's Smashed Mashed Potatoes

Southern Cornbread Dressing Squares

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots

Buttermilk Biscuits

Chessame Pie