Reimagine Gathering: A Modern Thanksgiving Menu Guide

Celebrate a modern Thanksgiving with innovative recipes and themed menus. Break free from tradition and create a feast that reflects your creativity.

Mix, Match, and Make it Yours

Forget everything you know about Thanksgiving dinner—those days of identical tables groaning under identical dishes are officially over. This isn’t about throwing tradition out the window—it’s about opening that window and letting some fresh, delicious air inside.

We’re the generation that knows cooking is an adventure, not a strict family script. Want seafood at your Thanksgiving? Cool. Craving a charcuterie board instead of green bean casserole? Go for it. 

Think of this guide as your backstage pass to a Thanksgiving that actually reflects who you are: creative, bold, and definitely not afraid to play with your food. So, here are five new modern Thanksgiving menus – choose one that speaks to you or mix and match recipes to create your own celebration meal!

Five Modern Thanksgiving Menus

If you just can’t break with tradition, I do have a classic Turkey Day menu (complete with timeline…down to the minute). Or, if you’re just dipping your toes into the modern holiday menu pool, then I’ve also got a “somewhat” non-traditional menu for you (as in: no turkey in sight).

If you’re truly ready to reimagine Thanksgiving, explore my Friendsgiving Cocktail Party menu or any of the little gems below!

Small Bites, Bright Lights

Everything in this menu is handheld and shareable, perfect for mingling. The menu incorporates traditional flavors in fun, modern presentations. It’s perfect for the host who wants make-ahead options, minimal clean up and maximum social time! Twinkly lights, optional.

The Recipes

• Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs with Spicy Cranberry Barbecue Sauce – think throwback cocktail meatballs.
• Stuffing Waffles – cut these into bite size pieces or sticks and serve with gravy for dipping.
• Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts – like savory little truffles; includes a maple mustard dipping sauce.
• Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board – this is a grazer’s dream and can easily be the centerpiece of your holiday spread.
• Cranberry Orange Vodka Cocktail – all the flavors of homemade cranberry sauce, but drinkable!

Make Ahead Notes

• 2 days ahead: Make the BBQ sauce; prep the turkey meatballs.
• 1 day ahead: Cook the stuffing waffles; wrap the Brussels sprouts.
• Day of: Cook the meatballs and sprouts; assemble the charcuterie board; set up cocktail ingredients.
• Last hour: Heat everything up; set up serving stations.

La Famiglia Feast

Italian influences meet Thanksgiving comfort, creating a warm, family-style experience that encourages sharing and conversation. This is perfect for pasta lovers who also appreciate elegance and a beautiful tableau.

The Recipes

• Baked Camembert with Apples + Blackberries – (ok…so, not Italian, but they’re neighbors) consider swapping blackberries for sweetened cranberries, fresh figs, or pomegranate arils for autumn flair.
• Sparkling Pear + Kumquat Sangria – definitely reach for Prosecco when mixing this delicious cocktail.
• Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce – quick and easy, but totally gorgeous.
• Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Casserole – we’re sneaking a little pumpkin in with this make-ahead dish.
• Olive Bar Focaccia – load this hearty loaf with your favorite items from the grocery store’s olive bar. (NOTE: This recipe was originally intended for the grill. Make as instructed using a cast iron skillet, and bake in a preheated 450°F oven for 20 to 30 minutes.)
• Mini Tartufo – this mini gelato dessert is just right after carb loading! Pick seasonal gelato flavors to customize it for the holiday.

Make Ahead Notes:

• 2 days ahead: Make honey simple syrup for sangria; assemble the pumpkin pasta except for the bacon topping; make the tartufo.
• 1 day ahead: Prep fruit topping for the baked camembert; prep the focaccia to cold proof overnight
• Day of: Assemble the camembert; bake the focaccia.
• Last hour: Bake the camembert; mix the sangria; bake the pumpkin pasta; prep the shrimp pasta.

Harvest + Hearth

This cozy autumn menu showcases fall vegetables and fruits with sophisticated presentations while maintaining comfort food appeal. This menu is perfect for palates that a enjoy the combination of healthy ingredients with indulgent twists.

The Recipes

• Rustic Rainbow Carrot & Kale Galette – kick things off with this savory tart that mimics the colors of autumn leaves.
• Holiday Party Punch – this non-alcoholic punch is a visual stunner…adults might like to tip a little spirit in to their glass.
• Baked Creamy Cheesy Chicken Breasts – a quick cooking main dish with comfort appeal.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts Panzanella – with pops of fresh, tangy flavor, it’s the perfect counterbalance to our main dish.
• Rosemary Rolls with Poppyseed Honey Butter – what is more cozy than a warm roll slathered in melting butter?
• Apple Cider Donut Bread Pudding – enjoy this addictive dessert hearthside with some spiced cider or mulled wine.

Make Ahead Notes:

• 2 days ahead: Make the pastry crust.
• 1 day ahead: Mix the base for the punch; make the rosemary rolls and butter; reduce apple cider for dessert.
• Day of: Assemble and bake the galette; assemble the chicken breasts; make the panzanella; assemble the bread pudding.
• Last hour: Assemble the punch; bake the chicken breasts; heat up the rolls.
• During dinner: Bake the bread pudding.

A Coastal Holiday

This seafood-forward menu feels special and celebratory! Paired with holiday classics, you get to enjoy some familiar comfort…and won’t even miss the roast turkey. Perfect for seafood lovers, of course!

The Recipes

• Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs – whet their appetites with a bold fusion of flavors and textures.
• Good Tidings Grapefruit Pomegranate Cocktail – also great as a mocktail!
• Crab Stuffed Flounder with Lemon Caper Sauce – can we say decadent? And, ready in an hour!
• Roasted Garlic + Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes – a little twist on a classic.
• Easy French Green Beans with Garlic – this uses a one-pan, stove-top method and is ready in a snap.
• Muffin Tin Apple Cranberry Pies with Walnut Streusel – just the right size after a filling meal, but also great topped with your favorite ice cream.

Make Ahead Notes:

• 2 days ahead: Roast garlic for the mashed potatoes.
• 1 day ahead: Steam and peel the eggs; make the mashed potatoes; make the mini apple pies.
• Day of: Make the deviled eggs except for the shrimp; mix the crab stuffing.
• Last hour: Make the shrimp and top the eggs; set up the drinks; heat up the potatoes; stuff and bake the flounder; make the French beans.
• During dinner: Warm up the apple pies.

Modern Comfort Classic

This menu takes familiar Thanksgiving elements and elevates them with unexpected ingredients and techniques. Perfect for pleasing guests who desire familiar classics, but you know they’re more adventurous than they let on.

The Recipes

• Havarti + Apple Stuffed Pork Chops with Cider Pan Sauce – crisp apples, gooey cheese and a sweet-tart pan sauce elevate the humble pork chop.
• French Onion Green Bean Casserole – because caramelized onions are always the way to go.
• Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Pumpkin Seed Pesto Butter – you may never go back to marshmallow sweet potato casserole again.
• Parmesan & Thyme Buttermilk Biscuits – perfect for wiping those plates clean.
• Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake Trifles – pairs perfectly with after dinner coffee or a digestif.

Make Ahead Notes:

• 2 days ahead: Make the pumpkin seed pesto butter; make the biscuits; bake the pumpkin cake; make praline
• 1 day ahead: Assemble the green bean casserole; make the cheesecake mix for the trifles.
• Day of: Prep the pork chops; bake the hasselback sweet potatoes; assemble the mini trifles.
• Last hour: Cook the pork chops and make pan sauce; top the casserole with breadcrumbs and bake; heat up the sweet potatoes with pesto butter; warm up the biscuits.

Mix + Match Recipe List

Want to create your own modern Thanksgiving menu? Mix and match recipes from this list to create a holiday feast done YOUR way!

All the menu recipes are listed below, as well as other celebration-ready favorites…hand selected for their seasonal ingredients or festive holiday vibes!

Drinks

• Cranberry Orange Vodka Cocktail
• Cranberry-Lime Natale Sparkler
• Easy Sparkling Holiday Party Punch
• Good Tidings Grapefruit Pomegranate Cocktail
• Sparkling Pear + Kumquat Sangria

Appetizers

• Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts with Maple Mustard
• Baked Camembert with Apples + Blackberries
• Cornbread + Bacon Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms
• Cranberry + Brie Donuts (Cronuts!)
• Crispy Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs Recipe
• Fresh Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip + Spread
• Goat + Gouda Pimento Cheese Spread
• Mini Sweet Potato Biscuits with Prosciutto Butter
• Olive Oil Whipped Potatoes on Russet Coins
• Red Pepper Jam + Goat Cheese Crostini
• Savory Palmiers with Brussels Sprouts
• Spiced Nuts (Vegan + Just 5 Ingredients)
• Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Main Dishes

• Baked Cheesy Pasta + Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
• Baked Creamy Cheesy Chicken Breasts
• Budget Friendly Braised Beef Roast
• Crab Stuffed Flounder with Lemon Caper Sauce
• Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Casserole
• Freezer-Friendly Vegetarian Pesto Lasagna
• Havarti + Apple Stuffed Pork Chops with Cider Pan Sauce
• Juicy Pan Roasted Bone-in Split Chicken Breast
• New England Seafood Casserole
• Oven Roasted Turkey + Chorizo Roulade with Chimichurri
• Roasted Butterflied Cornish Hens with White Wine Pan Sauce
• Sauteed White Fish + Broccolini Over Creamy Mascarpone Polenta
• Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce
• Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs
• The Ultimate Lobster Mac and Cheese
• TikTok-Inspired Easy Tortellini Recipe

Side Dishes

• Asiago Creamed Spinach Casserole
• Beet + Baby Greens Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing
• Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole with Corn Flake Topping
• Curried Butternut Squash + Granny Smith Soup
• Easy French Green Beans with Garlic
• French Onion Green Bean Casserole
• Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Pumpkin Seed Pesto Butter
• Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing with Fresh Herbs
• Roasted Acorn Squash Bisque with Crispy Bay Scallops
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts Panzanella
• Roasted Garlic + Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
• Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Orange Brown Sugar Glaze
• Rosemary Parmesan Roasted Baby Potatoes Recipe
• Rustic Rainbow Carrot and Kale Galette Recipe
• Skillet Fried Potatoes and Onions with Sherry Aioli
• Stuffing Waffles (No Leftovers Needed)

Breads

• “Olive Bar” Focaccia
• Overnight Honey Wheat Angel Biscuits
• Parmesan & Thyme Buttermilk Biscuits from Scratch
• Prosciutto + Parm Brunch Rolls with Fig Jam Drizzle
• Rosemary Dinner Rolls + Poppy Seed Honey Butter

Sauces

• Mushroom Marsala Sauce with Gorgonzola
• Spicy Cranberry Barbecue Sauce

Desserts

• Apple Cider Donut Bread Pudding
• Chai Maple Swirl Ice Cream
• Cinnamon Ice Cream (No Churn)
• Easiest Cranberry White Chocolate Cookie Bars
• Mini Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake Trifles
• Mini Tartufo: An Italian Gelato Dessert
• Muffin Tin Apple Cranberry Pies with Walnut Streusel
• Pumpkin + Maple Semifreddo with Graham Cracker Streusel
• Spiced Honey + Wine Poached Pear Pie

Let me know what recipe combinations you come up with in the comments!

And now that Thanksgiving is a wrap, it’s time to start your Holiday Party Planning!

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