Fall Back In Love With Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner
The holiday season can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner. I know because I’ve been there! The first time that Chris and I hosted, it was a very near disaster. Planning, prepping, and hosting dinner is a lot to take on!
That’s why I created this super approachable 3-hour Thanksgiving menu. These classic Thanksgiving recipes are some of my most popular and perfect for beginner hosts or anyone looking for a more laid-back holiday this year.
And since you’ll save so much time with meal prep, I’ve also included 6 bonus recipes (like appetizers, drinks and dessert!) They’re there if you want to go above and beyond, but no pressure. We’re keeping things simple this year. 🙌🏼
For extra convenience, download my free 3-Hour Thanksgiving Guide, which includes all the core and bonus recipes, a grocery list, a meal prep timeline, and tips to help you host your easiest Thanksgiving yet.
Keep reading for everything you need—all in one place—for a streamlined Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving dinner. No stress, no overwhelm, just good food on your holiday plate this year!
The PWWB 3-Hour Thanksgiving Guide
A FREE printable download with a full menu, grocery list, checklist, and bonus recipes to make this Thanksgiving your easiest yet.
Must-Have Thanksgiving Equipment
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Buy Now → The Perfect Thanksgiving Menu (Ready in Under 3 Hours!)
These 7 recipes make up the perfect 3-hour Thanksgiving menu—with all the must-have staples! From a juicy turkey centerpiece to creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, this menu is packed with crowd-pleasers everyone will love.
How to Spatchcock a Turkey: 3-Step Miracle Method for an Extra-Juicy Thanksgiving Bird
The key to a perfectly juicy turkey in 2 hours or less! Spatchcocking helps the turkey cook evenly, giving you the juiciest, most flavorful bird with half the effort and cooking time of traditional roasting. This easy 3-step method saved my first Thanksgiving 10 years ago, and I’ve never looked back.
Ready in 30 minutes.
Always-Juicy Roast Spatchcock Turkey with Lemon Herb Butter
This turkey recipe has been my go-to for years! Spatchcocking ensures perfectly juicy, tender meat with crispy skin every time. By removing the backbone, the turkey lays flat, cooking evenly in 2 hours or less. Before roasting, slather it with a rich blend of butter, herbs, garlic, and lemon—the perfect poultry pairing!
Ready in 3 hours.
Sticky-Sweet Maple Glazed Spatchcock Turkey (Guaranteed Juicy!)
Say goodbye to bland turkey! The sticky-sweet maple glaze caramelizes the skin until it’s golden and crispy, while herb butter keeps the meat juicy and tender. This spatchcock turkey is packed with classic fall flavors, making it a show-stopping, flavorful centerpiece for your holiday dinner.
Ready in 3 hours.
Easy Turkey Gravy: Making Homemade Gravy from Turkey Drippings
Beginner-friendly gravy for every Thanksgiving host! The secret to rich, flavorful gravy? It’s all in the juicy turkey drippings left in your roasting pan—don’t let them go to waste! My foolproof recipe always turns out smooth and glossy, perfect for pouring over everything on your plate.
Ready in 20 minutes.
Chris’ Kinda-Famous Roasted Garlic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Perfectly fluffy, made-from-scratch mashed potatoes! My husband, Chris, created this recipe with Yukon Gold potatoes, buttermilk, and a whole head of roasted garlic, and now they’re a staple in our house. The roasted garlic adds a deep, rich, caramelized flavor that takes these mashed potatoes to the next level.
Ready in 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Pecan Topping
Skip the fuss, keep the classic! Boiled sweet potatoes are mashed with butter and milk, then whipped in a food processor for the creamiest texture. Fold in maple syrup and warm cinnamon, and top it off with a candied pecan and walnut crunch that’s sweet, but not too sweet. All the cozy fall flavors—ready in half the time!
Ready in 40 minutes.
Crispy & Caramelized Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Perfectly crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts seasoned with pure maple syrup and two types of mustard! Smoky, rich pancetta and parmesan take the flavor up a notch as they roast in the oven. This dish wins over Brussels sprouts lovers and skeptics alike!
Ready in 45 minutes.
Parmesan Crusted Roasted Delicata Squash
The BEST delicata squash recipe out there! Delicate, soft, and subtly sweet, this winter squash is topped with a homemade parmesan-herb panko crust—no peeling required. Just slice, coat, and roast until tender with crispy parmesan bits on the outside. Low effort, super delicious!
Ready in 40 minutes.
Optional Flavor-Packed Add-Ons
Feeling a little extra? 💁🏻♀️ Try one (or all!) of these fall-inspired recipes. They’re beginner-friendly and guaranteed to impress your guests!
Bourbon Ginger Cider Cocktails
The perfect autumn cocktail! Bold bourbon meets real apple cider, warm cinnamon, spicy ginger beer, and a spritz of lime juice. It’s the ideal balance of strong and sweet—perfect for sipping all season long.
Ready in 10 minutes.
10-Minute Cozy & Creamy Pumpkin Hummus
Fall spices and pumpkin turn traditional chickpea hummus into a festive, seasonal snack. It whips up in minutes in the food processor and gets topped with pomegranate arils for a fancy touch! Creamy, cozy, and budget-friendly—perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ready in 10 minutes.
30-Minute Swirled Cranberry Cornbread Muffins
Easy to make and impressive to serve! My Grandpa Clarence’s secret cornbread recipe gets a festive twist with swirls of whole berry cranberry sauce. Baked in a muffin tin for quicker cook time and perfect individual portions, it’s the ideal balance of savory and sweet!
Ready in 35 minutes.
Thanksgiving Salad with Cinnamon Cider Vinaigrette
Every holiday table needs a hearty salad! This harvest-inspired mix features roasted sweet potatoes, candied nuts, and massaged kale, all tossed in a warm cider-cinnamon vinaigrette. It’s the perfect savory-sweet combo—tastes just like fall in a bowl!
Ready in 1 hour, 25 minutes.
No-Stir Pumpkin Risotto
Luxuriously creamy risotto without the stirring! Arborio rice simmers on the stovetop with creamy pumpkin puree, parmesan, and a hint of nutmeg. No need to babysit the pot—this low-effort, totally delicious autumn risotto practically cooks itself.
Ready in 40 minutes.
Best-Ever Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust
Like cheesecake and pumpkin pie wrapped into one decadent dessert! This creamy pumpkin cheesecake with a spiced gingerbread crust is a Thanksgiving favorite. It’s light, airy, and perfectly make-ahead friendly—ideal for your holiday table.
Ready in 12 hours (includes resting time).
The Ultimate Guide to a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner
Download my free 3-hour Thanksgiving Guide for a convenient, printable booklet of the entire above menu along with:
- A full grocery list, getting you in and out of the store in no time.
- A step-by-step prep checklist to keep you right on track the day of your big holiday dinner, plus some extra prep tips to make life even easier.
- Tips to customize your Thanksgiving menu as needed (based on your preferences or dietary restrictions.)
Plus, tons of extra hosting tips and PWWB resources to help you host with ease this holiday season.
I’m so excited for you to join PWWB in making this year’s Thanksgiving dinner your easiest yet! ♡ Happy cooking!
Follow along with Plays Well With Butter on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest for more unfussy recipes that pack a big punch of flavor!
Spatchcock Turkey is the only way to roast turkey! So easy, fast, and moist. No flaky dried out turkey breast.