Pancetta and Herb Stuffed Turkey Breast
2 hrs 30 mins
Terrific Turkey Recipes
Roast Turkey with Stuffing and Vegetables
5 hrs 30 mins
Smoked Turkey
4 hrs 30 mins
Roasted and Braised Turkey
6 hrs 15 mins
Simple Roast Turkey
2 hrs 30 mins
99 of Thanksgiving’s Biggest Questions Answered
Got a burning question about Thanksgiving dinner? We’ve got answers. Even if you’re an old hand, we have 99 tips that might help you out on food’s biggest day of the year.
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
Classic Side Dishes
Classic Green Bean Casserole
1 hr 15 mins
Classic Dinner Rolls
1 hr 45 mins
Spicy Cranberry Sauce
30 mins
Popular Thanksgiving Desserts
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
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
Cheryl Day’s Icebox Rolls
The fluffiest, most tender dinner rolls you can imagine. All thanks to one secret ingredient.
3 hrs 45 mins
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
Clove-Infused Tomato Soup with Puff Pastry Lids
A warmly spiced tomato soup—that also has an adorable little topper made of flaky pastry—that will seriously impress your guests.
1 hr 15 mins
Pomegranate Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese
This beet and goat cheese side dish brings bright flavors and colors to your table, easily. Creamy, tangy, sweet, and earthy, it's all here.
1 hr 45 mins
Green Beans with Browned Butter and Almonds
If regular green beans aren't cutting it anymore, give this elegant yet easy side dish a try. They're full of flavor and look impressive, too.
30 mins
Pear and Cardamom Caramel Upside-Down Cake
A moist cake with caramel and pear topping, flavored with orange and cardamom, makes a lovely dessert. Not too heavy or sweet, it's superbly satisfying.
1 hr 30 mins
Spicy Cranberry Sauce
A sweet-tart little condiment to slather on everything on your holiday table. It gets a little bit of heat from ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and chile.
30 mins
Rosemary Buns with Olive Oil
Light and fluffy, with a gorgeous crust and a chewy interior, these buns are brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary and sea salt.
16 hrs
