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Home › Saturday Chitchat › Thanksgiving Food

Thanksgiving Food

Saturday Chitchat
By Janine Waite · Published on Nov 22, 2025
Affiliate Disclosure: This Post May Contain Affiliate Links.

Get inspired today with all the Thanksgiving Food ideas that will help you create a delicious holiday celebration!Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s officially time to dust off those recipe cards, stock up on festive ingredients, and start planning the menu. This is always one of my favorite times of the year because the kitchen becomes the heart of the home—warm, busy, and full of delicious anticipation. If you’re anything like me, you’re already thinking about what dishes will make a return to the table this season. There’s something so magical about preparing for this holiday: the crisp fall air drifting in through an open window, the aroma of spices ready to be used, and the excitement of knowing that family and friends will soon be gathering around the table. It’s that perfect blend of comfort and tradition that makes the planning process just as enjoyable as the day itself.

A collage of four thanksgiving food favorites: glazed ribs in a baking dish, a pot of stuffing, pumpkin pie with leaf-shaped crust, and roasted carrots. Each is styled with fall decor and warm lighting for an autumn feast.

I love taking this time to revisit old favorites, tweak a few ideas, and get inspired all over again for the season ahead. 

It’s a little ritual I look forward to every year. And as the holiday gets closer, the anticipation only grows sweeter.

Saturday Chitchat with Janine – Volume 236

My Yearly Thanksgiving Food Roundup

Every year, I find myself gravitating back to the same comforting Thanksgiving foods that have become staples in my home. 

They’re the dishes I look forward to making all season long, and rounding them up always gets me excited for the holiday ahead. 

There’s something special about returning to those familiar recipes—almost like welcoming back old friends.

Preparing Ahead for a Smooth Holiday

One of the best parts about gathering these recipes each year is knowing they’ll help guide my cooking schedule. 

Thanksgiving can definitely feel overwhelming if you don’t plan, so I always make sure to spread out the prep, shopping, and cooking to make everything feel more manageable. 

These go-to recipes help you feel organized, confident, and ready to take on the holiday with ease.

A Delicious Holiday Awaits

As we head into this cozy season, I hope my yearly Thanksgiving food roundup inspires you to plan, enjoy the process, and cook with a little extra joy this year. 

With organization, warmth, and a few tried-and-true favorites, your holiday will be filled with delicious moments from start to finish!

A Personal Note from Janine

Elegant fall-themed table setting with an ornate plate, gold flatware, orange napkin, menu card featuring my favorite Thanksgiving recipes, and a brown ribbon. Decorated with autumn leaves, candles, and glassware on a white tablecloth.

We’ve had a lot of big life changes this year. We sold our home, moved across the country, and now we’re in the process of buying a new home in Florida. It’s been exciting—but also a little emotional. I’m no longer near my family on the West Coast, and I miss them so much.

My brother used to take all the photos for my blog. We saw each other weekly, and I always loved his creativity and support. Losing that regular connection and his artistic eye has been tough. The holidays will feel a little different this year, with one less place setting at the table.

But even with the changes and the distance, there’s still so much to be thankful for. We’re heading to Vermont next week to spend Thanksgiving with my husband’s extended family—something we haven’t done in years! I’m looking forward to the cozy gatherings, the laughter, and making new memories.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with friends and family around the table, warm hugs from loved ones, and plates piled high with your favorite dishes.🧡

Cheers,

The image displays the cursive word "janine" in light gray text on a white background.

PS: Make sure to tap on this link to receive your free Thanksgiving Cookbook!!!

This Week’s Inspiration – Thanksgiving Food

A slice of bread pudding, a classic Thanksgiving food, is topped with a scoop of whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon, served on a white plate. Another plate with a similar dessert is blurred in the background.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding Recipe

Pumpkin bread pudding recipe lovers, this is the cozy fall dessert you didn’t know you needed.

It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for Thanksgiving or any autumn gathering, and you can serve it with whipped cream, caramel sauce, or even a scoop of ice cream for an extra treat.

A white oval dish filled with mashed potatoes, a classic thanksgiving food, topped with a pat of butter and garnished with fresh herbs. Surrounding the dish are a plate with more butter, a small bowl, and a yellow flower.

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

If you need a quick and easy side dish, these Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes are the answer. Made with just four simple ingredients—potatoes, garlic, butter, and herbs—this recipe delivers creamy, flavorful results in just ten minutes.

Best of all, there’s no milk needed to get that smooth, buttery texture!

A rectangular plate filled with sliced, cooked carrots seasoned with pepper—perfect as Thanksgiving food—sits next to a spoon, a checkered cloth, carrot greens, and a wooden pepper grinder on a white surface.

Sauteed Carrots Recipes

If you’re looking for a quick and flavorful side dish, this Sauteed Carrots Recipe is the one to try!

The butter adds richness, while the honey gives a light glaze that makes these sautéed carrots irresistible.

Whether you’re serving them for a holiday meal or a simple weeknight dinner, this easy side dish is always a hit!

A Dutch oven filled with baked stuffing—a classic Thanksgiving food—sits on a white countertop, surrounded by bread slices, croutons, a wooden spoon, pot holders, a napkin, and a jar of dried herbs.

Homemade Sourdough Stuffing Recipe

This Homemade Sourdough Stuffing Recipe is a must-have for Thanksgiving! My husband created this recipe years ago and continues to perfect it yearly.

It’s so delicious that you’ll want to make extra—because the leftovers are just as irresistible!

A pumpkin pie with a golden crust and star-shaped pastry decorations sits on a table, surrounded by thanksgiving food like small pumpkins, candles, and an orange-checked napkin. A white pumpkin is displayed on a cake stand in the background.

Costco Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Costco Pumpkin Pie Recipe Copycat is a must-try if you love Costco’s rich, creamy, perfectly spiced slice of pie. This made-from-scratch version brings all the fall flavors you crave, with the bonus of making it right in your kitchen.

Whether you’re prepping for a holiday feast or just want a slice of nostalgia, this copycat recipe is the ultimate fall dessert.

Prepare to impress your family and friends with an easy pumpkin pie that tastes like the original!

A baking sheet with golden, twisted breadsticks—perfect Thanksgiving food—rests nearby a plate of more breadsticks, a small dish of butter cubes, a spoon, and jam. The scene sits on a light-colored surface.

Homemade Breadsticks

This recipe for Homemade Breadsticks without Yeast is straightforward and delicious. They’re so quick to prepare that I often make them at the last minute to complement our dinner.

Since we prefer dipping them in jam, they don’t contain any cheese.

However, incorporating some Parmesan into the dough is an effortless modification.

A bowl of hearty beef stew with carrots and potatoes served over mashed potatoes—classic Thanksgiving food—surrounded by sliced onion, garlic, rustic bread, a fork, and a checkered napkin on a wooden table.

Beef Bourguignon Instant Pot

This Beef Bourguignon cooked in an Instant Pot is the ultimate, savory comfort food. The beef chunks and vegetables become melt-in-your-mouth tender, making it a perfect dish for any occasion.

A grilled cheese sandwich with cranberries, a creative twist on classic thanksgiving food, is cut in half and sits in a black cast iron skillet. A checkered cloth and some loose cranberries are nearby on a light gray surface.

Cranberry Grilled Cheese Recipe

If you haven’t tried a Cranberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich, you must make it now! I had no idea that this version of grilled cheese could be so delicious. Use either Brie or mozzarella cheese to create this sandwich.

If you have a little leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving, you’ll have to make this for a holiday lunch.

A plate with baked fish topped with onions, boiled baby potatoes, and roasted vegetables sits on a table—a fresh take on Thanksgiving food. A bottle of olive oil and a bowl of Brussels sprouts are blurred in the background.

Parmesan Crusted Halibut

This Parmesan Crusted Halibut is an old-time family recipe! The crispy cheese topping that is smoother in butter is so delicious!

If you have anyone you know who doesn’t like fish for dinner, this recipe will convert them. The fish tastes very mild in flavor, and the butter, onions, and parmesan cheese make this recipe so delicious!

A vintage floral-patterned plate filled with roasted Brussels sprouts, golden and caramelized, sits on a light-colored surface next to a brown and white checkered cloth napkin—perfect as classic Thanksgiving food.

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

These Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts take 7 minutes to make! This recipe makes crispy, tender, flavorful sprouts that are quick and easy to make.

The apple cider, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and brown sugar create a tasty blend of ingredients!

Raw pork ribs coated in a dark brown marinade sit arranged in a white rectangular baking dish, ready to become a savory Thanksgiving food. A wooden spoon, yellow and white towel, and bowls of brown sugar and ginger are nearby.

Marinade for Pork Ribs

Here’s the Best Marinade for Pork Ribs BBQ recipe! The miso and brown sugar make such a thick sweet mouth-watering sauce that is like no other BBQ rib sauce you’ve ever had.

They’re so good that you’ll be licking every last bit of sauce off the ribs.

A bowl of chunky cranberry sauce with apple pieces and a spoon, placed on a white plate. Nearby are chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and measuring spoons on a plaid tablecloth—perfect thanksgiving food.

Jazz Up Canned Cranberry Sauce Recipe

If you need a simple and quick Canned Cranberry Sauce Recipe, then look no further. Canned cranberry sauce never tasted this amazing with just a few additional ingredients, and it’s shocking how delicious this hack version tastes with a few yummy ingredients.

Save time in the kitchen this Thanksgiving by making this recipe.

More Recipes From My Friends

A sliced tart topped with fresh cranberries and pear slices sits on a marble surface, surrounded by scattered cranberries—the perfect Thanksgiving food with its golden crust and creamy filling.

Fall Pear and Cranberry Tart

This fall pear and cranberry tart is terrific. It is a perfect combination of sweet and tart, and it is a must-have recipe for fall baking!

A large bowl of arugula salad topped with shaved parmesan, candied walnuts, and dried cranberries—perfect as a refreshing Thanksgiving food—rests on a wooden table with two serving spoons inside.

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Salad

In the post the author highlights a vibrant, prep-friendly salad that blends seasonal greens, crunchy nuts, and a flavorful dressing—perfect for adding a fresh, make-ahead component to your Thanksgiving menu!

Latest Obsession – Mincer

A clear plastic garlic press with grated garlic, garlic cloves, and images of ginger, chili, herbs, and walnuts nearby—perfect for preparing my favorite side dishes and showcasing the tool’s versatility with different ingredients.

The Best Mincer Ever!

I can’t tell you how much I love this garlic mincer—it’s seriously become one of my favorite kitchen tools! It doesn’t just peel and mince garlic like a pro, it also handles other ingredients like fresh ginger beautifully. I used it the other night and was blown away by how easy it made the whole process.

Usually, I dread prepping fresh ginger—it’s fibrous, sticky, and a pain to chop. But with this gadget, I peeled and chopped it into some small pieces, gave it a couple of twists, and in seconds I had a generous pile of perfectly minced ginger ready for my dinner recipe. So easy!

Honestly, what used to be one of my least favorite tasks is now something I kind of look forward to—thanks to this handy little tool! If you’re looking to make kitchen prep quicker and less messy, this is such a great item to have on hand (or to gift!).

This Week’s Tip – Glass Pot

A clear glass Simmer Pot with handles and a lid, filled with liquid, lemon slices, rosemary, a pink flower, and white flowers. Icons are printed on the pot—perfect for experimenting with new Simmer Pot Recipes.

Glass Pot

I grabbed this pretty glass pot for simmering cranberries and spices, but once I had it in my kitchen, I realized it’s way too gorgeous to use just for that!

It’s been popping up all over social media, and I totally get the hype—it’s perfect for serving soups and holiday sides, or even for showing off a festive simmer pot gift. I love it when something is both beautiful and practical!

My Amazon Finds – Thanksgiving

A set of vintage-style dinnerware featuring plates, bowls, and mugs, each decorated with a colorful turkey and brown decorative borders—perfect for serving Thanksgiving food. The set is arranged neatly on a white background.
A stainless steel Instant Pot electric pressure cooker with a digital display showing 18 minutes and various cooking function buttons on the front panel, perfect for preparing delicious Thanksgiving food with ease.
A shiny stainless steel gravy boat with a wide spout and a handle, perfect for serving thanksgiving food, placed on a white background.
A set of five cream-colored ceramic soup bowls and tureens shaped like pumpkins, perfect for serving Thanksgiving food; each features brown handles and stems, with one bowl’s lid removed and placed to the side.

Hello friends!

Here’s to a smooth, festive, and flavor-filled Thanksgiving! See you next time on the blog, and have a great holiday!

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Janine Waite
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Janine Waite
I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!
Janine Waite
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Latest posts by Janine Waite (see all)
  • Thanksgiving Food - November 22, 2025
  • Simmer Pot Recipes For Gifts - November 20, 2025
  • Walmart Christmas Decor - November 19, 2025

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