I know it’s last minute, but if you’re anything like me, you might still be doing some final shopping for ingredients. No worries! You still have time to place that pickup order before stores close and before you need to start your Thanksgiving prep.
We usually celebrate Thanksgiving at home. I make most of the dishes the day before and then just heat them in the oven when we’re almost ready to eat. That way, I can actually enjoy the day—relaxing, having a drink, watching football, and listening to the kids run around and play. My mother-in-law usually stops by to hang out, and that’s how we keep it simple around here. I love not having to go anywhere.
*This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love or would recommend. Affiliate income helps me keep creating free content—thank you for your support!
If you’re looking for a simple, cozy menu you can still pull together, here’s what I’m making for our Thanksgiving meal this year:
Appetizer: Charcuterie Board
A simple charcuterie board is one of my favorite ways to keep everyone’s bellies from rumbling while they wait for the main meal—and it’s a big hit with our family.
You can keep it really flexible:
- A variety of meats and cheeses
- Crackers and/or sliced baguette
- Olives and pickles
- Berries or sliced fruit
- Dried fruits
- Nuts (we skip nuts here since I’m allergic to tree nuts)
- Chocolate bark or chocolate-covered pretzels
- Dips and spreads
Arrange everything on a large cutting board or platter or even some kraft paper and call it good. It looks special, but it’s mostly just opening packages and arranging. Here’s a kit that has all your charcuterie hosting needs.
Main Dish: Deep-Fried Turkey
For the main event, we’re making a deep-fried turkey. You’ll need:
- A large turkey fryer
- Plenty of oil (make sure to follow your fryer’s instructions)
- A meat/marinade injector – We don’t typically follow a recipe (I let my husband wing it) but there are so many out there! This gives the meat some extra flavor and locks in those juices.
If you’ve never had fried turkey, it’s a game changer. No more waiting all day for a turkey to finish in the oven, and the meat turns out so juicy with perfectly crispy skin. I honestly never want turkey any other way now.
Sides We’re Serving
Here’s what’s on our side dish lineup:
- Yeast rolls – Perfect for soaking up extra gravy.
- Mashed potatoes – Creamy, classic, and non-negotiable.
- Turkey gravy – Made from the drippings, of course.
- Baked mac ’n’ cheese – Comfort food, and the kids’ favorite. I’ll be trying out Anthony Bourdain’s Mac-n-cheese recipe (leaving out the cayenne for the littles).
- Glazed carrots – A little sweet, a little savory, and so easy.
- Salad – Something fresh and green to balance everything out.
- Homemade cranberry sauce – Once you make it from scratch, it’s hard to go back. I love this one from Joanna Gaines recipe book!
- Pasta salad – A loved addition by my husband. We use a recipe similar to the salad supreme recipe nixing the broccoli and adding a few other ingredients.
- Small sweet potato casserole – Just enough for a few scoops each. I’ll be trying this recipe out from Modern Honey.
Most of these can be made or prepped the day before, then reheated or finished right before you eat. That’s the key for me: do the work ahead of time so the actual holiday feels relaxed.
Desserts
For dessert, I like to keep it simple but cozy and nostalgic:
- Pumpkin bread – We have a special family recipe that my grandma used to make and share with friends, family, and neighbors. It’s not Thanksgiving without it. This loaf pan is so festive for Thanksgiving!
- Apple crisp – Warm, cinnamon-y apples with a crunchy topping, served with vanilla ice cream. So easy and always a hit.
You Can Still Make Thanksgiving Feel Special
Even if you’re planning things at the last minute, you can absolutely pull together a cozy, delicious Thanksgiving meal. A simple appetizer, a main dish you love, a handful of favorite sides, and one or two desserts are more than enough.
You don’t have to make everything from scratch or cook a dozen dishes to make it memorable. A little bit of prep the day before and a simple menu can go a long way toward a calm, enjoyable holiday where you’re actually part of the fun—not just stuck in the kitchen.
💬 What are you making this year? Are you team turkey, ham, something else entirely? And what’s one side dish or dessert that has to be on your table for it to feel like Thanksgiving?
I’d love to hear your plans and maybe get some ideas for next year!
