Terrific Turkey Recipes

Thanksgiving FAQs

For many, Thanksgiving is the biggest and most anticipated meal of the year. From turkey to stuffing to desserts, we’re here to help you get it right. Here are the answers to our most frequently asked questions on preparing, cooking, and serving Thanksgiving dinner.

How can I tell when my turkey is done?

Turkey is safe to consume with the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The easiest way to check this is to poke an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey thigh.

How long can I store Thanksgiving leftovers?

Most leftovers, including turkey, stuffing, vegetables, potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and any desserts made with cream or milk, need to be refrigerated. Keep them in separate sealed containers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for longer storage. Dinner rolls and desserts that aren’t made with dairy can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to 3 days.

How many dishes should I serve at Thanksgiving dinner?

It depends on how many people you are serving. If you’ve got a crowd of 8 to 12 people, plan on serving one big main, such as roast turkey, 4 to 5 side dishes, including stuffing, potatoes, and vegetables, and 2 to 3 desserts.

How much wine do I need to buy?

As a general rule, plan for 1/2 a bottle of wine per drinking adult.

How to Carve a Turkey

A carved turkey on a wooden cutting board.

Classic Side Dishes

Pumpkin Meringue Pie

At long last, a slice of pumpkin pie that can be considered complete in and of itself—no dollop of whipped cream required. Pumpkin and meringue. So happy together.

3 hrs 15 mins

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Pecans. Chocolate. Bourbon. Dunno about you, but that’s sufficient to make us forget all about that other traditional Thanksgiving dessert. Pumpkin who?

55 mins

Hot Buttered Rum Apple Pie

An unconventional approach to apple pie that happily involves booze and lotsa butter. Even more memorable than the classic.

4 hrs 25 mins

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Tart and buttery, with a touch of orange liqueur, this cake is a showstopper. And it’s actually easier than it looks. You’re welcome!

1 hr 40 mins

Thanksgiving Leftovers

All Thanksgiving

Ina Garten’s Mashed Potatoes with Lemon

If Ina believes mashed potatoes need a little acidity to smooth out the richness, so be it. Here's our new go-to approach to this oh-so-comforting side dish.

40 mins

Cheese Danish with Fruit Filling

A startlingly spectacular made-from-scratch cheese Danish that is going to forever change your notion of what a cheese Danish ought to be.

1 hr

Peppery Cheese Straws

For these easy homemade cheese straws, the rich, peppery bite of cacio e pepe is married with flaky puff pastry to create an unforgettable hors d'oeuvre.

35 mins

Potatoes Dauphinoise

Potatoes. Cream. Cheese. And a French lineage. We really don't think comfort food gets any more comfort-y than this.

2 hrs 30 mins

Spiced Beef Tenderloin Roast

Skip the traditional beef tenderloin seasonings and try this shawarma-inspired version that gets coated in fragrant spices and quickly cooked in the oven.

4 hrs 35 mins

Turkey Tetrazzini

This creamy turkey tetrazzini with crispy panko-Parmesan topping is why you'll want to make sure there's leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

1 hr

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Not your everyday mashed potatoes, these are ridiculously rich and comforting thanks to butter, sour cream, Parmesan, and roasted garlic. Leftovers freeze and reheat beautifully.

1 hr

Pecan Pie Cobbler

Want all the caramel-y crunch goodness of pecan pie without the effort? This easy cobbler delivers all that and more.

1 hr 45 mins

Dry Brine Turkey

All the juicy, tender perks of brining. None of the fuss of finding a container large enough to contain a turkey and cramming it in your already overstuffed fridge.

1 d 4 hrs 20 mins

Pumpkin Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

An impressive dessert, created by David himself, gets an autumnal lilt from pumpkin purée in the batter and maple syrup in the frosting. One of our most popular cakes.

1 hr 15 mins

Caramel Apple Pie

Classic apple pie just went next level with the addition of sweet caramel on top.

5 hrs

Whole Wheat Pie Crust

There are pie crusts, and there's this crust--nutty, crisp, buttery, and oh-so-perfect for your favorite pie--sweet or savory.

1 hr 5 mins

Braided Cinnamon Bread

This Dutch oven braided loaf is swirled with cinnamon and topped with vanilla glaze and toasted pecans. It's perfect anytime of the day, breakfast included.

3 hrs

Sweet Potato Patties

Prepare to be wowed by these crispy panko-crusted mashed sweet potato cakes. We certainly were.

50 mins

Roasted Fennel with Rye Crumble

Getting your five servings of vegetables per day is easy when you can feast on tender caramelized fennel that's smothered in toasted rye-Parmesan crumble.

1 hr 5 mins

Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart

Chocolate and peanut butter might just be the most perfect marriage possible. This dessert is also elegant. Oh, and did we mention easy too?

7 hrs