Looking for crowd-loving Thanksgiving recipes and Christmas dinner ideas that won't stress you out? Grab these easy appetizers, salads, entrees, sides, and desserts suited for both casual and formal Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Most of these recipes are gluten free and can be made-ahead. Some are even vegan! My super scrumptious roast turkey breast recipe and my air fryer turkey breast lets you skip right past the intimidation of cooking a whole turkey. Yeah, let's do this!

Go ahead and steal these easy Thanksgiving recipes and Christmas dinner ideas! Categories include appetizers, salads, mains, sides, and desserts. Many of these recipes can be made ahead, which makes your Thanksgiving dinner more efficient and makes YOU feel like a rockstar!
You'll notice that many of the recipes are gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan! But I've never had any complaints about them tasting too healthy, even though some of them really are!
Oh, and if you're looking for ways to use leftover turkey, we rounded up 40 of them just for you!
Easy Thanksgiving dinner recipes for appetizers, salads, entrees, sides, and dessert. This collection is suitable for formal AND casual holiday dinners. You'll find endless ideas for Thanksgiving or Christmas breakfast recipes, holiday potlucks, Christmas brunch recipes, and the list goes on. There are endless gluten free Thanksgiving recipes too!
Breakfast or Brunch
This Blood Orange Mimosa is a spin on a classic mimosa recipe, made with blood orange juice in place of orange juice. It's less sweet than a classic mimosa and is garnished with rosemary for aroma and flavor. It's a simple, elegant, daytime cocktail.
Dutch baby is a light, puffy, golden brown pancake served with fresh fruit, powdered sugar, and maple syrup for breakfast or brunch. This easy dutch baby recipe requires a 5-minute prep, 15-minute bake, and no special skills.
Cranberry Walnut Bread is a fluffy, plump, slightly sweet bread perfect for turkey sandwiches or toasted with soft cheese. This simple yeast bread recipe is mixed by hand or stand mixer and perfect for bread beginners.
Start your holiday with the perfect breakfast! This Vegetarian Crustless Quiche is a hassle-free, low carb breakfast casserole with eggs, bell peppers, mushrooms, and your choice of leafy greens. It’s made without crust, so it's naturally gluten-free. You can even make it ahead!
Enjoy a holiday brunch with this easy salmon dip recipe. It's made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and fresh dill. Serve with crackers, crostini, bagels, or vegetables.
Appetizers
Easy Christmas charcuterie board made with cured meats, cheeses, nuts, jam, crackers, and seasonal ingredients. It's the perfect sweet and savory snack or appetizer for every holiday gathering.
Cranberry Brie Crostini is a simple crostini recipe topped with brie cheese, pomegranate cranberry relish, and walnuts. This savory, sweet, crostini appetizer is love at first bite and will make your mouth water just thinking about it!
This Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe is made with cream cheese, yogurt, artichokes, fresh spinach, parmesan cheese, and mayo. Bake-and-serve in a bread bowl or oven-safe dish. Once you try it, you'll be tempted to make spinach artichoke dip for every future gathering.
This White Bean Dip is an easy bean dip recipe made with cannellini beans, artichokes, fresh herbs, and (optional) feta cheese. Serve this scrumptious dip with crackers, vegetables, or bread for any occasion and watch it fly off the plate!
Toasted bread slices with olive oil and salt. Perfect for bruschetta!
Mains and Sides
Herb Roasted Turkey Breast is a bone-in, turkey breast half, brushed with herbed butter and olive oil, and baked to perfection. This juicy number with slightly crispy skin is perfectly sized for smaller meals. Serve roast turkey breast for holiday meals or weeknight dinner!
Golden brown air fryer turkey breast with a tender, juicy inside. Air fried bone-in or boneless turkey breast is ready to eat in 40 minutes!
Alaskan king crab legs recipe: pressure cooked, grilled, baked, or steamed, I'm showing you how to cook crab legs to perfection.
How to make gravy without drippings and only 5 ingredients! It's the perfect last-minute or make ahead turkey gravy for any dinner!
How to cook Instant Pot sweet potatoes tender, fluffy, and perfect. No peeling or chopping makes pressure cooker sweet potatoes even faster!
Instant Pot mashed potatoes with heavy cream are rich, fluffy, delicious, and guaranteed to disappear at any meal. Perfect for holiday dinner!
This shaved Brussels sprout salad recipe is festive, healthy, and loaded with raw foods like kale, pomegranate, and apples. It's the perfect combo of sweet and savory with TONS of texture in every bite! It's vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for the holidays...or ANY day!
This mushroom soup recipe is so rich and creamy, even with the no-cream option. Button mushrooms simmered in a silky cream broth make homemade mushroom soup a delicious substitute for canned soup!
Fresh green bean casserole with velvety mushroom soup and French fried onion topping is an essential Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish. No canned soup or beans needed!
This sausage stuffing recipe is a savory holiday side dish with a hint of apple sweetness. It starts on the stove and finishes in the oven. It’s hassle-free and includes make-ahead instructions! It’s the perfect dressing for Thanksgiving, or any holiday, bringing classic flavor to your festive meal.
Cranberry orange sauce is a mouthwatering holiday cranberry sauce with subtle citrus flavor from orange juice and orange zest. Quick and easy!
This Pomegranate Cranberry Relish recipe has pomegranate and cranberries, macerated in sugar, creating a sweet and tart relish. Make cranberry relish a day or two ahead for deep flavor!
Vegan Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans, vegan mushroom soup, caramelized onions, and a crispy Panko and almond topping. So creamy and delectable, you won't believe it's a dairy free green bean casserole.
A cream of mushroom soup that's vegan AND gluten free? Yep! It's so rich and creamy, no one will ever believe it's vegan mushroom soup!
Smashed Potatoes are crispy roasted potatoes with a soft inside where baby potatoes are cooked, smashed, oiled, and baked to crispy perfection. Serve smashed potatoes sprinkled with salt or your favorite toppings as an appetizer or side dish for any meal.
Make classic macaroni and cheese in the pressure cooker and free up your stove space. It's the perfect side for holiday turkey or ham and loved by the whole family!
Savory, sweet, roasted Brussels sprouts with SO much flavor and texture. Fresh Brussels sprouts are oven roasted with fennel and onion, maple syrup-drizzled, then topped with pomegranate and pepitas. Perfect for holiday meals or ANY meal calling for a healthy side dish.
Savory Sweet Potato Salad is made with sweet potatoes, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, arugula, dried cherries, and pomegranate, in apple cider vinaigrette. This sweet potato salad is loaded with texture and flavor!
This Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese recipe is made with a lightened-up, butternut squash sauce. The sauce is poured over pasta noodles and is baked under crispy panko and stretchy jack cheese. The perfect holiday side dish!
Desserts
Pear Cranberry Apple Crisp is a simple, warm, holiday dessert. Fresh pears, apples, and cranberries are nestled in a scrumptiously sweet sauce under a crispy oat and walnut topping. It's so juicy and delicious ... one of our favorite holiday recipes.
This Peanut Butter Pie is a luscious, no-bake dessert with flaky graham cracker crust, fluffy peanut butter filling, and lightly salted chocolate topping. This super easy and not-too-sweet pie is a crowd pleaser for any occasion!
New Orleans-inspired EASY Bananas Foster recipe with bananas cooked in a caramel rum sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream. Date night approved
Edible Gifts
Peppermint White Chocolate Covered Pretzels are pretzel rods dipped in white chocolate and crushed candy cane. Christmas pretzels are the perfect holiday snack and edible gift that's fun to make! Everyone loves sweet and salty chocolate covered pretzels.
Christmas Rice Krispie Treats are classic rice krispie treats topped with white chocolate and peppermint candy. This no-bake holiday treat is fun, easy, and downright craveworthy.
Sweet and salty Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters are made with toasted mixed nuts, dark chocolate, and a touch of salt. They're super easy to make and they make elegant edible gifts!"
Bernadette says
Hi Traci! I spoke to your Dad last night and he told me about your blog. So far I've printed three recipes and the first one I'll try is No Bake Energy Bites -- they look healthy and easy!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awww, I love hearing that you talked to my papa and I'm so glad you're finding recipes you can enjoy. I love those energy bites ... healthy AND addictive LOL. Please let me know if you have any questions at all, Bernadette. Sending hugs to you!
Andrea Metlika says
So many fantastic recipes here. I'm going to start with the quiche and salmon dip. Then I'll go from there.
Traci Antonovich says
Sounds like a great plan 🙂 Thanks, Andrea!
Anita says
This is such a nice article. My mind is racing trying to pick which ones to prepare. Is it bad I want them all? LOL. This is truly the case of my brain thinks it can eat way more than what my stomach can possibly handle. 😀
Traci Antonovich says
Haha, this is a good problem, Anita 😉 Thank you!
Calleigh says
I l ove these collections of Thanksgiving recipes, they'll bring the family together and will satisfy your cravings every year!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Calleigh! Love the family gatherings 🙂
Haley D. Williams says
I love the selection of traditional and nontraditional recipes! So many good ones to choose from
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Haley 🙂 Love hearing it!
Danielle says
I am so happy I've stumbled upon these ideas - I can officially declare that I am all set for Thanksgiving now 🙂 I think you've got everything one needs here - thank you!
Traci Antonovich says
So nice to hear that...thank you, Danielle. The list will grow too...stay tuned 🙂
Mary says
OMG, drooling! I love the great Brussels sprout inspiration!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Mary! Yep, it's Brussels sprout city over here 🙂