Thanksgiving is the time to bring your best to the table, and these dishes are guaranteed to help you win the day—and the family’s love. Whether you’re serving classics with a twist or something entirely new, these recipes will have everyone talking long after the meal is over. They’re not just crowd-pleasers; they’re the secret to becoming the star of the holiday. This year, don’t just host Thanksgiving—win it.
Gluten-Free Pecan Pie with Maple Syrup and Maple Dulce de Leche
This gluten-free pecan pie is the kind of dessert that wins Thanksgiving and the hearts of everyone at the table. Ready in about an hour, it combines bourbon, maple syrup, and pecans for a rich, nutty flavor that will make you forget it’s gluten-free. The maple dulce de leche brings extra depth and sweetness to every bite. Serve this, and no one will be thinking about gluten—they’ll be thinking about how much they love you.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Pecan Pie with Maple Syrup and Maple Dulce de Leche
Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie
This old-fashioned lattice top apple pie is the kind of classic dessert that will have your family reminiscing while savoring every bite. In about an hour, tender apples and warm spices come together under a flaky crust for a dessert that feels like home. It’s the perfect way to end Thanksgiving on a comforting note. After tasting this, you’ll be the one everyone credits with making Thanksgiving unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie
Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad
Moroccan pearl couscous salad is a vibrant dish that brings a burst of flavor to your Thanksgiving, winning over even the pickiest family members. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a mix of couscous, feta, roasted pumpkin, and fresh herbs that makes for a refreshing side. The tangy tahini lemon dressing is the secret twist that gets everyone talking. Serve this, and you’ll have everyone praising your taste before they even finish their plate.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad
4 Easy Middle Eastern Apple Appetizers
These Middle Eastern apple appetizers are the unexpected star that will have your family looking at apples in a whole new way. With a quick 30-minute prep, they combine spices like cumin, cinnamon, and sumac with sweet apples for a surprising blend of flavors. This dish delivers a sweet and savory twist that keeps guests coming back for more. Bring these out, and you’ll have secured your title as the family’s culinary genius this Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: 4 Easy Middle Eastern Apple Appetizers
Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf
Butternut squash wild rice pilaf is the kind of side dish that will leave your guests asking for the recipe before the meal is even over. Ready in 45 minutes, it combines nutty wild rice with the sweet, tender flavor of butternut squash for a perfect balance. It pairs beautifully with any main dish on the table. After one bite, this pilaf will seal your status as the hero of Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf
Tabbouleh Salad with Feta
This tabbouleh salad brings a light, refreshing twist to the Thanksgiving table, cutting through heavier dishes and winning over everyone who tries it. Ready in just 20 minutes, the combination of bulgur wheat, feta, tomatoes, and herbs creates a flavorful, fresh side. It’s the perfect way to brighten up the meal. Bring this out, and you’ll have your family hooked from the first bite.
Get the Recipe: Tabbouleh Salad with Feta
Chicken Marbella
Chicken Marbella will have you winning Thanksgiving with a dish that combines juicy chicken, sweet prunes, and tangy olives for a flavor explosion. In just over an hour, this savory and sweet main dish adds an exotic twist to the holiday feast. The combination of flavors will make guests forget about the turkey. Serve this, and everyone will be talking about your amazing dish well into next year.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella
Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli, and Peppers
Roasted lemon potatoes, broccoli, and peppers bring bold, refreshing flavors to the Thanksgiving table that will win you all the compliments. Ready in 40 minutes, this dish combines roasted veggies with a tangy lemon finish, offering a delicious contrast to traditional sides. The earthy turmeric adds extra depth. These veggies will make everyone forget about the stuffing this year, and remember your cooking.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli, and Peppers
Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts
Pomegranate chicken is the dish that will make everyone stop thinking about the turkey and start talking about your cooking. In just an hour, the sweet, tangy pomegranate molasses and crunchy walnuts combine with juicy chicken for a dish that steals the show. It’s the perfect blend of bold and rich flavors. Once this is served, you’ll be the real Thanksgiving winner.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts
Caramelized Onion and Pumpkin Puff Pastry Pockets
Caramelized onion and pumpkin puff pastry pockets are the bite-sized appetizers that will make your guests fall in love with you from the start of the meal. Ready in about 35 minutes, these sweet and savory bites wrapped in flaky pastry are perfect for kicking off Thanksgiving. They’re a hit with both kids and adults alike. Serve these, and they’ll remember your hosting skills long after the holiday.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Onion and Pumpkin Puff Pastry Pockets
Greek Vegetarian Moussaka
This Greek vegetarian moussaka swaps meat for zucchini, but it still delivers the kind of rich, comforting flavors that will win over your family this Thanksgiving. Ready in just over an hour, it’s topped with creamy béchamel and baked to perfection. The gluten-free twist makes it an easy favorite for all guests. Bring this dish to the table, and you’ll have everyone’s love and praise.
Get the Recipe: Greek Vegetarian Moussaka
Fried Halloumi Salad
Fried halloumi salad is the surprise side that will make your Thanksgiving spread unforgettable. Ready in just 20 minutes, it combines crispy, salty halloumi with fresh greens and a zesty dressing for a dish that packs a flavorful punch. The contrast in textures will have guests reaching for seconds. This salad might just win the title of “most talked-about dish” of the night.
Get the Recipe: Fried Halloumi Salad
Baked Feta Dip with Honey, Dates, and Hazelnuts
Baked feta dip is the crowd-pleasing appetizer that will have your guests raving about your cooking before the meal even begins. In just 25 minutes, creamy feta, sweet honey, dates, and crunchy hazelnuts come together for a perfect sweet and savory combination. It’s easy, but feels fancy enough to impress. Serve this, and it just might outshine the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Dip with Honey, Dates, and Hazelnuts
Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
This vegan, gluten-free pumpkin pie will have you winning over even the most skeptical family members this Thanksgiving. Ready in about an hour, it delivers all the classic flavors of a spiced pumpkin pie without the dairy or gluten. The creamy filling and flaky crust will make everyone forget what it’s missing. After one slice, you’ll be the hero of dessert time.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
Sheet pan paprika chicken and veggies will have your family loving both the meal and your time-saving genius this Thanksgiving. Ready in just 45 minutes, it brings smoky paprika-spiced chicken and roasted veggies together on one pan for an easy yet flavorful dish. The paprika adds warmth and depth to every bite. With just one pan to clean, you’ll be everyone’s Thanksgiving hero.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Kale apple salad is the kind of fresh, bright dish that will have your family excited about salad this Thanksgiving. Ready in just 15 minutes, it combines crisp apples with kale and a tangy poppy seed dressing for a refreshing contrast to heavier sides. The mix of textures is irresistibly delicious. After serving this, everyone will be asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Apple Cranberry Muffins with Streusel Topping
These apple cranberry muffins mix sweet apples and tart cranberries for a dessert that’s sure to win over the family this Thanksgiving. Ready in just under 40 minutes, they’re topped with a crunchy streusel that adds the perfect finishing touch. The balance of flavors will make these muffins hard to resist for both kids and adults. Serve these, and you’ll definitely steal some love from the dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Muffins with Streusel Topping
Baked Cranberry Cheesecake
Baked cranberry cheesecake combines rich cream cheese with tangy cranberries and orange zest, offering a fresh take on Thanksgiving desserts. In about 90 minutes, this creamy cheesecake with a buttery crust becomes a crowd-pleasing centerpiece. The tart cranberry topping brightens each bite. After serving this, you’ll win Thanksgiving dessert and make everyone forget about the pumpkin pie.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cranberry Cheesecake
Vegan Hubbard Squash Pie
This vegan Hubbard squash pie brings a creamy, spiced filling with hints of orange and cloves, making it the perfect Thanksgiving treat for everyone. In about an hour, this dessert with its flaky coconut oil crust is ready to be devoured. The natural sweetness of maple syrup makes it hard to believe it’s vegan. Serve this pie, and you’ll win hearts without anyone missing the traditional options.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Hubbard Squash Pie
Middle Eastern Spiced Butternut Squash Pickles
Middle Eastern spiced butternut squash pickles add a sweet and savory twist to your Thanksgiving table that no one will see coming. Ready in under an hour, these pickled pieces burst with warm spices and a tangy flavor that perfectly complements holiday dishes. They bring out the best in butternut squash. After just one bite, these pickles might replace the traditional cranberry sauce as your family’s new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Spiced Butternut Squash Pickles
Buttermilk Brined Turkey
Buttermilk brined turkey is the key to serving up a show-stopping Thanksgiving bird that wins over everyone at the table. The tangy buttermilk brine, infused with rosemary, thyme, and sage, works its magic in about 24 hours, leaving you with the juiciest turkey. The flavors are balanced perfectly for the big day. Once you’ve served this centerpiece, no other brine will measure up, and neither will anyone’s expectations.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Brined Turkey
Cranberry Apple Stuffing
This cranberry apple stuffing brings a fresh twist to the Thanksgiving table by blending sweet apples and tart cranberries into a flavorful side. Ready in about 45 minutes, it can be served as either a stuffing or a side dish. The sweet and tangy mix adds brightness to every plate. Once you try this, your family will never look at plain stuffing the same way again.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Apple Stuffing
Orange Cranberry Sauce
Orange cranberry sauce offers a fresh, tangy alternative to the usual canned stuff, with the bright flavor of orange zest mixed into tart cranberries. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this sauce adds an extra zing to every Thanksgiving dish it touches. The citrus brings out the best in the cranberries. After this, your family won’t be asking for the canned version again.
Get the Recipe: Orange Cranberry Sauce
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