7 Recipes to Add Flair to Your Thanksgiving Feast

Updated November 23rd, 2021

Halloween has come and gone and believe it or not, some folks have already have “All I Want for Christmas is You” on repeat. But not me! I dare not fast forward past the holiday where food is the star. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it is time to start thinking about all the fabulous food. Planning your Turkey Day menu is a big deal. It is more than just the bird and sides. For many the food starts with breakfast or brunch ,and we eat our way through dinner. Don’t worry- I have got your back!

I have collaborated with some talented recipe creators and food bloggers to bring you 7 tasty recipes to add some flair to your feast. We have you covered from cocktail time to dessert. Really everything but the turkey (don’t worry you can find that recipe here). It may be a bit nerve-racking to try a new recipe on such a big day. But these recipes are our tried and true favorites that will not disappoint. Not only are the dishes beautiful but they are sure to be delicious additions to your table.

Read on to learn more about why we love these dishes and want to share them with you. Don’t forget to bookmark this page because I assure you, you will want to come back to it!

Sweet Potato Scones with Maple-Pecan Glaze

Recipe by Savor and Sage

Start your day with scones: “Every year, we host an open-house style brunch for Thanksgiving. Friends and family stop by for a quick bite or take their time to chat with new and old friends & stay for some games. This brunch is always a highlight of the year. The menu features brunch items with a twist on traditional Thanksgiving dinner items. There’s always a sweet potato pie at our Thanksgiving dinner so for a twist, these sweet potato scones are the perfect addition for your holiday breakfast or brunch. Kickstart your Turkey Day, or any day, with these moist sweet potato scones spiced with cinnamon & nutmeg, hints of orange and cardamom, studded with cranberries, and topped with a divine maple-pecan glaze. You won’t be disappointed.”

Click here for recipe.

Elder Orchard Tipple

Recipe by Blasian Bon Vivant

A signature cocktail will set things off: “When entertaining, I am a big fan of a signature cocktail. A signature cocktail that complements the theme or in this case, meal, will make your gathering even more festive. Plus, we all know libations will help us get through the long day! This is a simple Fall cocktail with easy to find ingredients. The apple and elderflower are light and refreshing. All you have to do is shake it up and pour (or recruit a family member to be bartender but make sure they keep your glass full!).”

Click here for recipe.

Vegan Sweet Potato Fritters with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Recipe by My Eager Eats

Switch things up with vegan fritters: “This dish is special to me because it’s a great pre-Thanksgiving snack or day after brunch option for the family and guests. I also love to combine popular fall flavors and add a Caribbean twist.”

Click here for recipe.

Butternut Squash Turnovers

Recipe by Blasian Bon Vivant

Why you need this handheld pastry: “Want your family to quit nagging you about when dinner will be ready? Then you need to be ready with some light bites to hold them over. These savory pastries will do the trick! I usually have these on hand along with something like a French Onion dip. The butternut squash is complemented by caramelized onions and tangy feta cheese. To save you some time, the pastry is store bought. And to save you even more time, you can make these ahead. Just be sure to freeze them in an air-tight container. This is a crowd-pleasing starter that will leave guests satisfied until dinner time.”

Click here for recipe.

Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Recipe by Beloved Plate

Swap out your green bean casserole: “This dish is really unique because it’s not your typical bacon wrapped green bean dish. The green beans are marinated in a mixture of shallots, garlic, and lemon to name a few. The bacon has an added touch as well. This would be the perfect addition to a Thanksgiving meal because all of the flavors compliment any holiday meat or side dish.”

Click here for recipe.

Fancy Cranberry Sauce

Recipe by jenny+spice

Ditch the canned stuff: “Growing up I never enjoyed cranberry sauce. My family always bought the canned version and I wasn’t a fan of the way it looked or tasted. I love this Cranberry Sauce because it has a delicious bright fruit flavor and presents beautifully! I created this recipe with a little champs which is perfect for holiday celebrations, but you can make yours with more cranberry juice or water. You should try it because addition of champagne, orange zest, and cinnamon takes this side dish up a notch and makes turkey day that much more more festive!”

Click here for recipe.

Brown Butter Black Bottom Sweet Potato Pie

Recipe by Chenée Today

End your meal with a special pie: “This pie was the very first recipe I shared on my blog, Chenée Today, in November 2019. It features the nutty richness of brown butter and a black-bottom blind bake, all in my flaky, all-butter pie crust. It’s truly a special occasion dessert, and this past year it was a huge part of my motivation to start a blog to share my recipes. I’ve been making this pie for my family on Thanksgiving for several years, and my hope is that this pie will become a tradition on the tables of other families like mine for years to come.”

Click here for recipe.