Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (1)

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Thanksgiving dinner may be one of the most important meals you will serve all year — which means it's especially critical to only use recipes you trust (read: now is not the time to experiment!). When it comes to tasty, trustworthy recipes sure to please, Ina Garten (aka the Barefoot Contessa) has proven herself to be a reliable source. So while the pros in the GH Test Kitchen dream up their own triple-tested recipes for every holiday and occasion, we're thrilled to share Ina Garten's Thanksgiving recipes for extra inspiration.

The award-winning cookbook author and television host has put together a no-stress but superb meal for all of us, starting with her thyme-roasted marcona almonds and ending on a sweet note with pumpkin mousse parfaits, pecan squares and her famous apple crostata. In between, she has everyone covered with her top-rated Thanksgiving turkey, plus all-star side dishes (including roasted veggies and mashed potatoes).

If you're thinking there's no way you can cook like this celebrity chef, think again. Ina has shared her top tips for Thanksgiving with us in the past. And her advice is all about keeping things simple and straightforward. Two rules of thumb? "Never, ever test a new recipe on guests for any reason. This is particularly true on Thanksgiving," and "skip complicated appetizers," she said. Instead, she suggests serving nuts, good olives, or figs and prosciutto with wine or Champagne.

She also recommends writing out a menu and making a game plan in advance. So, go ahead and get started by taking a look through these top-notch Thanksgiving recipes from Ina Garten herself.

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1

Luscious Roast Turkey

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2)

Brush the turkey all over with butter for a flavorful — and gorgeously golden-brown — bird.

Get the Luscious Roast Turkey recipe.

RELATED: 45 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes That You Won't Get Tired Of

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2

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (4)

These creamy and slightly garlicky spuds swap in olive oil for the usual butter, but don't hold back on the heavy cream.

Get the Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe.

RELATED: How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes and Make Your Holidays a Little Easier

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3

Cape Cod Chopped Salad

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This well-balanced salad, featuring crispy bacon, toasted walnuts and fancy blue cheese feels fit for a holiday feast.

Get the Cape Cod Chopped Salad recipe.

RELATED: 21 Thanksgiving Salads That Complement Turkey Perfectly

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4

Herb and Apple Stuffing

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (8)

Studded with apples, celery and parsley, this stuffing packs in tons of fresh fall flavor.

Get the Herb and Apple Stuffing recipe.

RELATED: 28 Leftover Stuffing Recipes That Make the Most Out of Thanksgiving's Best Dish

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5

Homemade Gravy

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (10)

A splash of Cognac or brandy takes this gravy over the top. No Thanksgiving turkey is complete without it!

Get the Homemade Gravy recipe.

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6

Thyme-Roasted Marcona Almonds

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (12)

Marcona almonds are extra buttery and delicious — just buy 'em from the store, sprinkle with salt and herbs and roast until warm and nutty.

Get the Thyme-Roasted Marcona Almonds recipe.

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7

Winter Squash Soup

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (14)

Start off your celebrations with a super-cozy one-pot soup.

Get the Winter Squash Soup recipe.

RELATED: 32 Easy Butternut Squash Recipes Perfect for Cozy Fall Dinners

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8

String Beans with Shallots

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Leave it to Ina to find a way to make these often-overlooked veggies the standout dish on the dinner table, using just four ingredients.

Get the String Beans with Shallots recipe.

RELATED: 23 Thanksgiving Green Beans That Are Delicious and Easy to Make for Turkey Day

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9

Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips

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These OJ-braised veggies get a little flavor kick from crushed red pepper flakes — double the amount for even more oomph. No shallots? Half a small onion also works.

Get the Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips recipe.

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10

Brussels Sprouts Lardons

The addition of a smoky meat like bacon or pancetta will help convert any Brussels sprout haters.

Get the Brussels Sprouts Lardons recipe.

RELATED: 38 Brussels Sprout Recipes That Will Have You Asking for Seconds

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11

Cranberry Fruit Conserve

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (22)

It's time to skip the canned cranberry sauce. This sweet and tangy side gets crunch from walnuts and tang from lemon and orange zest.

Get the Cranberry Fruit Conserve recipe.

RELATED: 19 Cranberry Sauce Recipes That'll Convince You to Ditch the Can Opener

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12

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (24)

Squash and apples in one dish? Talk about a fall dream come true. Serve with toasted baguette slices spread with goat cheese.

Get the Butternut Squash and Apple Soup recipe.

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13

Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits

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If assembling pumpkin pie recipes is too much work (we feel ya!), keep it simple with these 30-minute parfaits.

Get the Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits recipe.

RELATED: 80 Best Thanksgiving Desserts That Make Turkey Day Extra Sweet

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14

Green Beans Gremolata

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (28)

Top crisp-tender green beans with a bright and crunchy gremolata of parsley, Parmesan, pine nuts, lemon peel and garlic. Yum!

Get the Green Beans Gremolata recipe.

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15

Raspberry Cheesecake

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (29)

For a lacquer-like topping, toss fresh berries in warmed jelly. Easy!

Get the Raspberry Cheesecake recipe.

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16

Baked Chocolate Pudding

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (31)

This one's for all the chocolate lovers: A splash of framboise liqueur adds an elegant touch to Thanksgiving night's dessert.

Get the Baked Chocolate Pudding recipe.

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17

Pecan Squares

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (33)

Pecan pie has a whole new look — but the same quintessential (and delicious) flavor.

Get the Pecan Squares recipe.

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18

Apple Crostata

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (35)

The dough for this easier, free-form version of apple pie can be made in advance. All you have to do on the big day is roll it out, fill it, and pop it in the oven as you sit down to feast.

Get the Apple Crostata recipe.

RELATED: 50 Apple Desserts That Are Delicious to the Core

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19

Ultimate Pumpkin Pie with Rum Whipped Cream

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (37)

This pumpkin pie and its whipped cream topping are made with a splash of dark rum, making this American classic even more irresistible.

Get the Ultimate Pumpkin Pie with Rum Whipped Cream recipe.

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20

Clarkson Potter Modern Comfort Food

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (39)

20

Clarkson Potter Modern Comfort Food

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Can't get enough? We totally understand. Check out Ina's latest cookbook for more staple sides, comforting mains and delicious desserts that will wow your guests at any dinner party.

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you feed a lot of people on Thanksgiving? ›

Plan Ahead:

Making and freezing a large batch of your favorite recipe ahead of time to have on hand will save you a bunch of time—and cleanup. Keep it simple (you'll have ample opportunity to impress your guests on Thanksgiving) and go for one-pot wonders you can easily reheat, like a hearty stew.

What is the least favorite side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

According to the poll by Tastes Better from Scratch, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole were the least-liked Thanksgiving side dishes.

What is a good pre-Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Pasta with Sausage and Arugula

It's easy to justify a pre-Thanksgiving pasta dinner when it feels like a salad, and this recipe does just that. Crumble up bits of spicy Italian sausage and roast them with sliced red onion and fennel: the sausage bits get nice and crispy and help season the vegetables as they cook.

What to cook first on Thanksgiving? ›

Since it's the main event, the turkey should be the first dish you start cooking in the morning. "The resting process is an absolutely imperative part of the cooking process," Holzman said. Many people overcook their turkeys in the oven and overlook letting them rest, rendering the final product dry and rubbery.

What to make the Tuesday before Thanksgiving? ›

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving you can begin making food and chilling it in your fridge. Use today to make cranberry sauce and pie crusts, and prep the ingredients for stuffing and casseroles.

What is a Thanksgiving dinner specifically for friends? ›

Instead, Friendsgivings are held in addition to the traditional Thursday turkey dinner, specifically scheduled on a different day so as not to conflict with family get-togethers. New Yorker Hannah Redfield says she and her 20-something friends are “really into” Friendsgiving, which they've celebrated since 2014.

How many side dishes should you have for Thanksgiving? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

What is a classic Thanksgiving dinner? ›

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. But the way these dishes are made or added to is everchanging because of food trends and different dietary requirements.

How can I make Thanksgiving more special? ›

In keeping with the true meaning of the holiday, you could also try a tradition that incorporates the idea of gratitude: Write thank-you notes to loved ones near and far, start a gratitude jar, or give back to your community by volunteering at a soup kitchen.

What is the most important food on a Thanksgiving table? ›

A Thanksgiving meal is not complete until the turkey is on the table. Turkeys are large, so we get it, but they don't have to be intimidating. The one thing you can do to ensure a bird that stays juicy and doesn't dry out in the oven: Brine it! Get the Dry Brine Turkey recipe.

What is the main meal for most Americans on Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey is the most common main dish of a Thanksgiving dinner, to the point that Thanksgiving is sometimes colloquially called "Turkey Day." Alexander Hamilton proclaimed that "no citizen of the United States should refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day", and Benjamin Franklin had high regard for the wild turkey as an ...

What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side dish? ›

In a survey among U.S. consumers 76 percent of respondents stated that stuffing/dressing was a side dish they enjoyed eating during Thanksgiving, followed by mashed potatoes with 71 percent of the votes. Mashed potatoes were the most picked side dish.

How many sides should a Thanksgiving dinner have? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

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