A Thanksgiving Feast to Remember

We all have meals that stand out in our memories. From a perfect potluck to a five-star dinner, the combination of delicious food and the people we love can leave an indelible impression. Holiday celebrations tend to have all of the ingredients for a memorable meal—but sometimes, the repetition of traditions can make one indistinguishable from the next. With a fresh take and a little effort, you can ensure that this year’s gathering becomes one you’ll never forget.

We've collected all of our best ideas for a special feast, from soup to nuts—or tablescapes to leftovers, as the case may be. Just add friends and family, and make it a Thanksgiving that will stay with you for years to come.

Setting the Table

Setting the table isn’t simply about providing the tools for a meal. A well-set table allows guests to eat comfortably—but also, importantly, sets the mood. When you create a beautiful table, it lets your guests know that they are in for something special. And then it serves as the backdrop for the meal itself, making each dish part of a beautiful composition—a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. From the star of the show, the turkey platter, to serving dishes and centerpieces, here's everything you need to create an ambiance that will take your feast from mundane to magical.

Meal Prep Made Easy

Hosting Thanksgiving has a reputation for being labor-intensive. And while feeding a fabulous multi-dish meal to a horde of people indeed takes some work—that work is also half the fun. That said, no host wants to be ready for bed when the first guests arrive. This is why we fervently believe in well-executed meal prep. You may want to start early on Thursday to get everything in motion, but having the bulk of the work behind you makes the day much more enjoyable—and the feast as well. Use our menu ideas, shopping lists, and make-ahead meals to ensure the day goes off without a hitch.

Easy-Yet-Impressive Appetizers

Pulling off the perfect Thanksgiving appetizers requires tactical planning. Guests will arrive hungry, and you’ll want something to serve with drinks—and this will take some strategy. Starting with something beautiful and delicious is a must, but it shouldn’t be too big or too rich. Meanwhile, preparing dishes that take your attention away from the main event means you’ll want appetizers that are easy to plate and serve. What to do? A grazing board is a great place to start, as are any of the options from our collections of easy-yet-impressive appetizers.

Spectacular Sides

The turkey may steal the show, but what is a star without its supporting cast? And who among us doesn’t dream of Thanksgiving for the stuffing alone? The Thanksgiving feast is a celebration of an abundant harvest, which can be seen in the variety of side dishes that are part and parcel of the meal. And while we’d never be disappointed with a standard set of sides—and especially ones that are a part of any time-honored traditions—we love trying new techniques and entirely new recipes to keep things fresh. Designing a Thanksgiving menu is often a lesson in curating side dishes; here are some of our favorites and methods for mastering the classics.

Turkey Tips

And now, it’s time to talk turkey—because no matter how happily we could feast on sides and nothing more, there’s no denying that a beautifully prepared turkey is the pièce de résistance. For much of the holiday’s history, turkey was prepared in a relatively straightforward fashion—roasted with salt, pepper, and plenty of basting. But few things stay static in the American kitchen, and the variety of ways Thanksgiving turkeys are now prepped, cooked, and embellished is nothing short of staggering. With that in mind, here we have beginner to expert turkey tips to ensure success, as well as a variety of spectacular recipes to suit an array of tastes.

Alternative Dishes

Anyone who has ever hosted a gathering in the modern era knows that one size does not fit all when it comes to what people can (or choose to) eat. Maybe your family or a member thereof eschews meat or is fully vegan, or perhaps you have guests who can’t tolerate gluten—we’ve got you covered. And if you simply want to buck tradition and present a magnificent main that doesn’t involve Meleagris gallopavo domesticus (aka a domestic turkey), consider our recipes for everything from a regal crown roast to showstopping salmon that will feel right at home on the holiday table.

Sweet Endings

No Thanksgiving would be complete without a selection of sweets to finish the feast. Pumpkin pie will always have its cadre of diehard loyalists (and perplexingly, its detractors)—but pumpkin plays beautifully in all kinds of other iterations as well. For the pumpkin-averse, there are any number of confections to fill the bill. Seasonal fruits lend themselves perfectly to a parade of pies, tarts, cakes, cheesecakes, puddings, parfaits, and more. Our recipes do double duty in presentation and taste, with beautiful designs almost too pretty to eat—because there’s no better way to ensure a memorable meal than to end with an unforgettable dessert.

Drinks Made for Toasting

You may have wine during dinner, but starting with a festive drink to celebrate the day helps set the tone for the rest of the meal. Thanksgiving may not be as cocktail-forward as other holidays (hello, New Year’s Eve), but that certainly doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be drinks. And especially given the bounty of fall flavors that are so harmonious with cocktails and their kin. Whether warming a pot of cider, serving a big batch of seasonal punch, or setting up a bar for guests to mix their own, a celebratory drink is a must. Try any of our autumn-inspired libations and raise your glasses in honor of friends, family, and the feast ahead.

An Edible Encore

The unwritten rule of Thanksgiving is that there must be more food than your guests could possibly consume—it’s a celebration of abundance, after all. And it guarantees one of the greatest joys of the season: Leftovers. We love sharing the bounty with guests so that they, too, can eat cold stuffing for breakfast. We also love recreating the perfect day-after-Thanksgiving plate with all the fixings. But perhaps best are all the ways that leftovers can be transformed into new dishes, from turkey tacos to soups and leftovers pie. See all of our best practices for leftovers, including 14 glorious sandwiches that will let you relive the reverie of the day—and savor the memories of a feast done well.