19 Ina Garten Thanksgiving Recipes That Are a Must-Have for Turkey Day
Try these Barefoot Contessa holiday dishes for your best menu yet.
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It's time to start planning your Thanksgiving menu! Whether you're hosting the whole crew at your house or want to bring something delicious to Friendsgiving, there's one woman who can guide you through it: the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten. From perfect turkey recipes to autumnal stuffing dishes, Ina's got the recipes that will impress everyone. We've rounded up our favorite Ina Garten Thanksgiving recipes to inspire your Thanksgiving dinner.
These featured dishes are guaranteed to be crowd-pleasers that you're asked to make again and again. Even if you're not a particularly experienced chef, these recipes are plenty approachable. Garten shared with Good Housekeeping in a prior interview that the key to a great Thanksgiving meal is to "Write out a menu, then go through and simplify it." She also recommends avoiding testing new recipes on Thanksgiving, writing out a game plan to help you figure out when to prep or cook different elements of the meal, and asking guests to bring dessert.
If you're looking for even more Thanksgiving inspiration, don't miss our roundups of Thanksgiving appetizers, vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes, and non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas.
Luscious Roast Turkey
You can expect plenty of oohs and ahhs when you set this beautiful bird down on the Thanksgiving table. You'll need plenty of butter and vegetables for roasting.
Get the Luscious Roast Turkey recipe.
RELATED: 45 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes That You Won't Get Tired Of
Herb and Apple Stuffing
This Ina Garten recipe brings together plenty of autumnal flavors, including apple, rosemary and toasted almonds. It's also easy to make, giving you plenty of time to focus on the rest of the dinner.
Get the Herb and Apple Stuffing recipe.
RELATED: 28 Leftover Stuffing Recipes That Make the Most Out of Thanksgiving's Best Dish
Cape Cod Chopped Salad
Balance out the starchy dishes on the table with a salad that's full of flavor. It's made with delicious ingredients like peppery arugula, walnuts, apples, cranberries, and best of all, bacon.
Get the Cape Cod Chopped Salad recipe.
RELATED: 21 Thanksgiving Salads That Complement Turkey Perfectly
Homemade Gravy
No Thanksgiving is complete without gravy. You'll want to add butter, chicken broth or stock, heavy cream and Cognac or brandy to your pre-dinner shopping list.
Get the Homemade Gravy recipe.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
You'll want to break out the good olive oil for this recipe. It uses a whole cup of olive oil, plus a little heavy cream, to provide that luscious texture. You'll definitely want to leave room for a second serving.
Get the Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe.
RELATED: How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes and Make Your Holidays a Little Easier
Thyme-Roasted Marcona Almonds
Marcona almonds are extra buttery and delicious — just buy 'em from the store, sprinkle with salt and herbs and roast until warm and nutty.
Get the Thyme-Roasted Marcona Almonds recipe.
Winter Squash Soup
Start off your celebrations with a super-cozy one-pot soup.
Get the Winter Squash Soup recipe.
RELATED: 32 Easy Butternut Squash Recipes Perfect for Cozy Fall Dinners
String Beans with Shallots
Leave it to Ina to find a way to make these often-overlooked veggies the standout dish on the dinner table, using just four ingredients.
Get the String Beans with Shallots recipe.
RELATED: 22 Thanksgiving Green Beans That Are Delicious and Easy to Make for Turkey Day
Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips
These OJ-braised veggies get a little flavor kick from crushed red pepper flakes — double the amount for even more oomph. No shallots? Half a small onion also works.
Brussels Sprouts Lardons
The addition of a smoky meat like bacon or pancetta will help convert any Brussels sprout haters.
Get the Brussels Sprouts Lardons recipe.
RELATED: 38 Brussels Sprout Recipes That Will Have You Asking for Seconds
Cranberry Fruit Conserve
It's time to skip the canned cranberry sauce. This sweet and tangy side gets crunch from walnuts and tang from lemon and orange zest.
Get the Cranberry Fruit Conserve recipe.
RELATED: 19 Cranberry Sauce Recipes That'll Convince You to Ditch the Can Opener
Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
Squash and apples in one dish? Talk about a fall dream come true. Serve with toasted baguette slices spread with goat cheese.
Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits
If assembling pumpkin pie recipes is too much work (we feel ya!), keep it simple with these 30-minute parfaits.
Get the Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits recipe.
RELATED: 75 Best Thanksgiving Desserts That Make Turkey Day Extra Sweet
Green Beans Gremolata
Top crisp-tender green beans with a bright and crunchy gremolata of parsley, Parmesan, pine nuts, lemon peel and garlic. Yum!
Get the Green Beans Gremolata recipe.
Raspberry Cheesecake
For a lacquer-like topping, toss fresh berries in warmed jelly. Easy!
Get the Raspberry Cheesecake recipe.
Baked Chocolate Pudding
This one's for all the chocolate lovers: A splash of framboise liqueur adds an elegant touch to Thanksgiving night's dessert.
Get the Baked Chocolate Pudding recipe.
Pecan Squares
Pecan pie has a whole new look — but the same quintessential (and delicious) flavor.
Get the Pecan Squares recipe.
Apple Crostata
The dough for this easier, free-form version of apple pie can be made in advance. All you have to do on the big day is roll it out, fill it, and pop it in the oven as you sit down to feast.
Get the Apple Crostata recipe.
Ultimate Pumpkin Pie with Rum Whipped Cream
This pumpkin pie and its whipped cream topping are made with a splash of dark rum, making this American classic even more irresistible.
Can't get enough? We totally understand. Check out Ina's latest cookbook for more staple sides, comforting mains and delicious desserts that will wow your guests at any dinner party.
Samantha (she/her) is the Senior Editor at Delish, where she edits the most-talked-about food news and features on the internet. In her previous role as Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, she taste-tested hundreds of products and recipes (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.
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