Easy Thanksgiving Feast Ideas

Menu Cards

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

The menu is all laid out for you. We've printed our menu cards on thick stock paper (and cut them out to four-by-eight cards) then propped one up against potted plants and a votive candle. Print out the Thanksgiving menu so you can do the same.

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Serve the Feast Buffet Style

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Passing dishes is a lovely tradition if there is room at the table. But if you're like us (and live in a small apartment), find a long countertop to act as a buffet table and let guests serve themselves.

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Herb-Butter Roasted Turkey

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This turkey receives its flavor from an herby compound butter (chopped-up herbs whipped into butter). Plus the cavity is stuffed with more herbs and lemon wedges to amp up the aromatics in your kitchen.

The recipe: Herb-butter roasted turkey

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Turkey Accoutrements

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Don't skip the gravy, baby. This easier-than-instant version is made in the roasting pan itself with the turkey drippings, flour, and some stock.

The recipes: Pan gravy and cranberry sauce

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Warm Dinner Rolls With Compound Butter

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

The same recipe for the compound butter (that is used for the turkey) can be cut into rounds and served at the table on little pieces of parchment paper. Sprinkle some flaky salt over the top and garnish with a thyme leaf. It's Michelin-star quality! Serve warm dinner rolls, or use a pan d'epi (pull-apart baguette) as a table centerpiece. Each of the "petals" can be tugged apart to form individual rolls.

The recipe: Herby compound butter

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Garlicky Mashed Potatoes

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Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple. This classic, creamy recipe receives a flavor update with the addition of a full head of roasted garlic cloves. But if that seems too much to handle, mash in a teaspoon of minced garlic to the hot potatoes.

The recipes: Roasted garlic and creamy mashed potatoes

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Green Beans With Caramelized Onions

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Green beans and onions go together like . . . Need we finish that saying? But rather than make a creamy casserole, simply steam up the veggies, toss them in olive oil, and top them with sweet caramelized onions.

The recipe: Green beans with caramelized onions

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Cornbread and Bacon Dressing

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Bacon truly does make everything taste better. It's the key ingredient in this cornbread-based dressing. Yep, even this recipe has seven ingredients.

The recipe: Cornbread and bacon dressing

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Twice-Cooked Sweet Potatoes

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It's time to put the marshmallows away. These sweet potatoes are fried in butter and then sent to the oven to roast to golden perfection. It's Thanksgiving. Paula Deen-ify your life for one day.

The recipe: Twice-cooked sweet potatoes

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The Plate

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Now is the moment where you must agonizingly wait for everyone else to serve themselves and sit down. Fill your glass with some Pinot Noir and try to take some deep, relaxing breaths.

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Pumpkin Pie With Whipped Cream

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Thanksgiving is not complete without pie! After you've taken a turkey nap, brew some coffee and serve up slices of whipped-cream-topped pumpkin pie (made with graham cracker crust instead of pie crust).

The recipes: Pumpkin pie with graham cracker crust and whipped cream

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