10 Thanksgiving Recipes Every 30-Something Woman Should Know How To Make

Not in a “chained-to-the-stove” or “suppressed slave” way, but in the admirable productivity that is so essentially part of the woman’s touch. Some of my favorite memories growing up were centered around the kitchen and cooking with my mom, and during the holidays (especially Thanksgiving), all of our family members would be in the kitchen side by side with music playing in the background. Everyone would have a job, and we all contributed to the wonderful spread, but my mom would be the head chef. When I grew older and became responsible for more cooking, I appreciated knowing the classics.

Now, whether you’re a seasoned wife or a newlywed embarking on your first Thanksgiving, prepping for our favorite pie holiday can sometimes feel overwhelming (especially with so much going on in our country at the same time). So, it’s helpful to plan a strategy to make you feel less stressed and allow you to slow down and soak in the day in all its glory. Here are some recipes, fun facts, and tips to make your Thanksgiving a drool-worthy success! And don’t forget, even if you're only expecting a short guest list or you're simply cooking for you and your husband this year, Thanksgiving leftovers are also well worth the investment.

Shopping List Tips

If these items aren't in your kitchen already, buy them the week before Thanksgiving before they run out of stock. Shopping ahead of time is essential for holiday stress management! And don’t forget to check recipe specifics for the food items.

Utensils and tools you might need:

• aluminum turkey roaster pan and broth baster 

• meat thermometer

• serving platter, pie pans, casserole pans

• aluminum foil and parchment paper

• hand mixer or a KitchenAid stand mixer

• chopping board

• measuring cups and spoons

• rolling pin, whisk

Appetizer Board

Recommended Recipe: Harvest Charcuterie Board

Setting out a fun and festive charcuterie board is a great way to tease your appetite while preventing anyone from getting lightheaded or hangry in the midst of all the prep. Some good charcuterie additions include nuts, dried fruit, cheeses and chèvre, salamis, crackers, grapes, pita chips and hummus, and any other fall-themed treats. Trader Joe’s is an excellent place to go for all the charcuterie board goodies! And don’t forget to break out the Thanksgiving music playlist or the Macy's Day Parade along with your charcuterie. 

Turkey

Recommended Recipe: Gordon Ramsay’s Roast Turkey

Time to sharpen those carving skills and prepare for a sleepy tryptophan crash! For those who don’t like turkey or want to have options, this Glazed Ham recipe is the perfect swap for your table. 

Tip: Be sure to set timers to remind yourself to baste the turkey well with the drippings to avoid the meat drying out.

Fun Fact: Only male turkeys, also named gobblers, make the gobble sound. The females make a cackling sound.

Gravy

Recommended Recipe: Easy Brown Gravy

For Thanksgiving, you simply must have gravy. And although the perfect gravy might sound chef-level complicated, it’s actually pretty simple and easy to make. And who doesn’t love freshly homemade gravy on…like…almost everything? Yes, please!

Tip: You can use beef or turkey stock for the above recipe, or just use turkey drippings from your roasting turkey, like in this recipe How to Make Gravy from Drippings. Add ¼ tsp. of both onion and garlic powder, as well as a dash of Italian seasoning or fresh herbs like rosemary and sage.

Allergy Note: To make either recipe gluten-free, use cornstarch or tapioca starch in place of flour. Just be sure to mix the cornstarch in a bit of cold or room-temperature water to dissolve it before adding it into the melted butter and drippings. 

Fun Fact: Gravy actually dates back centuries. The term “gravy” is found in The Forme of Cury, a cookbook from 1390 AD compiled by the Master-Cooks of King Richard II. 

Stuffing

Recommended Recipe: The Best Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing

Three, two, one, drool. This stuff (pun intended) may look unappealing to the estranged who can’t get past the texture, but the stuffing fans know it’s an iconic must-have for the Thanksgiving spread! And if you (or your family) are die-hard cornbread dressing devotees, here’s a mouthwatering recipe below.

Tip: If you’re pressed for time or energy, you can buy dried stuffing mix (such as the Whole Foods 365 stuffing mix bag). Sauté 1 chopped onion and 2-3 minced celery stalks in half a stick of butter (or per the bag’s instructions), add the listed amount of turkey stock, then add the mix and prepare according to instructions. Add ¼ cup minced parsley and add an extra tablespoon of Italian seasoning per bag (optional but flavorful). Optional add-ins: ¼ cup chopped pecans and ¼ cup dried cranberries. This tastes best baked in the bird or baked covered at 350F for about 35 minutes. 

Allergy Note: For a gluten-free alternative, try this Classic Gluten-Free Stuffing recipe. For a quicker option, follow the above tip for dried stuffing mix and simply use a gluten-free option. For those sensitive to dairy butter, swap for vegan butter.

Fun Fact: Stuffing originates much further back in history than the pilgrim settlers, all the way back to the ancient Romans, actually. Stuffing is mentioned in the 4th-century cookbook De re Coquinaria by Apicius, where the Romans stuffed a variety of animals to roast and eat.

Cranberry Sauce

Recommended Recipe: Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Cranberry sauce is one of the most classic and simplest Thanksgiving foods to make from scratch, and it’s oh so yummy when made fresh! Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time and store! Once you’ve tasted the homemade, there’s just no going back to the stuff on the shelf. Ready, set…pour. 

Fun Fact: Cranberry sauce became a Thanksgiving staple in 1941, when canning the seasonal fruit made it available year-round and it became a Thanksgiving addition across the country. Cranberry is also a native American fruit, which makes it a perfect accent to the American holiday’s menu. 

Mashed Potatoes

Recommended Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Talk about restaurant level of creamy deliciousness! Mashed potatoes are such a comfort food, and they’re definitely not rocket science. This recipe is by far one of the best, and it’s so easy! 

Tip: For fluffier texture, after mashing by hand, whip the mashed potato mixture with a handheld eggbeater (or Kitchen Aid mixer) for 2-3 minutes, or until desired texture forms. Additional seasoning and garnish options include fresh, chopped chives, dill, or rosemary.

Allergy Note: To make this dairy-friendly, swap out the milk for lactose-free Lactaid (best option for taste) or coconut milk (stronger taste but still creamy). I’ve also used turkey stock or bone broth in a pinch, and I’ve seen other recipes that use olive oil instead of milk and butter.  

Fun Fact: The inventor of mashed potatoes as we know them today was Hannah Glasse, who was the Julia Child of mid-18th century England. 

Mac n’ Cheese

Recommended Recipe: The Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

This decadent recipe takes the generic classic to the next level! For those who would like a simpler recipe, try this yummy Easiest Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe. 

Tip: For those who appreciate the extra savory twist, you can sprinkle a dash or two of granulated garlic into the cheese sauce and/or the breadcrumb topping. 

Allergy note: Mac and cheese ingredients are actually easy to make allergy-friendly. For gluten-free, swap the macaroni for gluten-free or chickpea noodles. For both dairy and gluten-free, try the Annie’s or Banza mac n’ cheese mix and gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs, and voilà! Use unsweetened coconut milk, oat milk, or lactose-free Lactaid. 

Fun Fact: The earliest known mac n’ cheese was recorded in 160 BC, where Marcus Porcius Cato described a dish he called “Placenta,” which was made of layers of cheese in between layers of dough, a distant ancestor of our modern mac n’ cheese.

Dinner Rolls

Recommended Recipe: Best Dinner Rolls

If you want homemade rolls to go with dinner, you have to have them fluffy! And you have to make enough to have plenty for leftovers for turkey sliders, of course.

Apple Pie

Recommended Recipe: Best Homemade Apple Pie

Apple pie is a Thanksgiving classic because it’s the ultimate harvest dessert! For those who prefer a simpler option, this Apple Crisp recipe is delicious, quick, and easy to make, and it’s naturally gluten-free! 

Fun Fact: Early American apple pies had “take off” crust. The apples were first baked in the crust, then the top crust was taken off and sugar and spices were added. The top crust was then put back on, and the pie was served. 

Pumpkin Pie

Recommended Recipe: Perfect Pumpkin Pie

What says fall more than pumpkin spice? Don’t forget the whipped cream (coconut-based for those lactose-intolerant)! For those who don’t like pumpkin pie, however, or who want another dessert option, try this Pumpkin Spice Trifle recipe.

Fun Fact: The largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 3,699 pounds!

Maple Pecan Pie

Recommended Recipe: Maple Pecan Pie (Without Corn Syrup)

Maple syrup easily swaps for corn syrup and lends such a delicious twist to this classic dessert! Enjoy plain or with vanilla ice cream. 

Tip: Contrary to popular belief, pecan pie is best made with chopped pecans instead of pecan halves.

Fun Fact: The first pecan pie recipe recorded was published in a Texas church charity cookbook in 1898.