Want to know 13 fun Thanksgiving recipes for families that every parent should know about? These are the best Thanksgiving recipes for families that are sure to make this Thanksgiving the yummiest one yet!
Fun Thanksgiving recipes is such a big deal, so you want to make sure you have the absolute best fun Thanksgiving recipes for all the people in your life! It’s so much fun to cook fun Thanksgiving recipes because you can make Thanksgiving side dishes to impress or new Thanksgiving sides!
I just had a Thanksgiving party not too long ago, and these are some of my very favorite fun Thanksgiving recipes. Your family will be obsessed with these impressive Thanksgiving recipes. Plus, you will read about weird Thanksgiving recipes, extravagant Thanksgiving recipes and there is a Thanksgiving side dishes list!
This post is all about fun Thanksgiving recipes:
A Complete Guide to 13 Fun Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. Lots of food. And while the turkey may be the star of the show, it’s not the only dish that deserves attention. From start to finish, your Thanksgiving feast should be a smorgasbord of deliciousness.
To help you plan the ultimate holiday meal, I have rounded up 13 of my families favorite Thanksgiving recipes. From creative takes on traditional dishes to show-stopping desserts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
Fun Thanksgiving Recipes
1. Cranberry Brie Bites
These bite-sized appetizers are the perfect combination of sweet and savory. They’re also super easy to make and are sure to be a hit with your guests.
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup cranberry sauce
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine Brie cubes, cranberry sauce, and walnuts.
3. Place mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
4. Serve immediately.
2. Thanksgiving Turkey Cups
These cute turkey cups are made with just a few simple ingredients and can be assembled in minutes. They’re perfect for little ones (and big kids!) to enjoy as an appetizer or snack.
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup cranberry sauce
1 green onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
24 wonton wrappers
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, cranberry sauce, green onion, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Place wonton wrappers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Spoon cream cheese mixture into the center of each wonton wrapper.
5. Brush the edges of the wrappers with melted butter and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Remove from oven and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Serve immediately.
3. Sweet and Spicy Nuts
These nuts are the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. They’re also incredibly addictive, so be warned!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
2 cups mixed nuts
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, cayenne pepper, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together egg white and water.
4. Add nuts to the egg mixture and toss to coat.
5. Add sugar mixture to the nuts and toss to coat.
6. Place nuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Remove from oven and let cool before serving.
4. Cranberry Salsa
This fresh and flavorful salsa is perfect for scooping up with chips or spooning over turkey or ham. It can also be made ahead of time, which is always a bonus!
Ingredients:
1 cup cranberries, chopped
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine cranberries, red onion, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, and lime juice.
2. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Pumpkin Spice Dip
This sweet and creamy dip is perfect for Fall. Serve it with apples or graham crackers for a tasty treat.
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.
2. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
6. Apple Cider Cocktail
This refreshing cocktail is perfect for Fall. It can be made with or without alcohol, so it’s perfect for all your guests.
Ingredients:
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup sparkling water
1/2 cup vodka (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large pitcher, combine apple cider, cranberry juice, lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Just before serving, add sparkling water and vodka (if using).
4. Serve over ice.
7. Crockpot Cranberry Cider
This cider is the perfect way to warm up on a cold day. It’s also super easy to make, thanks to the crockpot!
Ingredients:
1 gallon apple cider
1 (12 ounce) bag cranberries
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions:
1. In a crockpot, combine apple cider, cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Mix well and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
3. Serve warm and enjoy!
8. Cranberry Orange Bread
This bread is perfect for breakfast or a snack. It’s packed with flavor and it’s oh-so-moist.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup orange juice
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (14 ounce) can cranberry sauce
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until well blended.
4. Stir in vanilla extract and orange juice.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until just blended.
7. Fold in cranberry sauce.
8. Pour into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
9. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Let cool before slicing and serving.
9. Sweet Potato Bites
These sweet potato bites are a fun and festive twist on traditional potato skins. They’re baked, not fried, and are topped with all your favorite Thanksgiving fixings.
Ingredients:
4 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup cranberry sauce
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil and salt and pepper.
3. Arrange sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes or until tender and lightly browned.
4. Remove from oven and top with shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, and cranberry sauce.
5. Serve immediately.
10. Creamy Pumpkin Soup
This creamy pumpkin soup is the perfect way to start your Thanksgiving feast. It’s rich and flavorful, but not too heavy. And it can be made ahead of time, which frees up valuable oven space on the big day.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 (15 ounce) cans pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup heavy cream
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat olive oil.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add chicken or vegetable stock, pumpkin puree, thyme, salt and black pepper.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Stir in heavy cream and continue cooking until heated through.
6. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
11.Corn Chowder
This corn chowder is the perfect way to use up those end-of-summer sweet corn. It’s creamy, comforting, and can be made ahead of time, which frees up valuable oven space on the big day.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 pounds sweet corn, kernels only
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup heavy cream
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat olive oil.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add chicken or vegetable stock, corn kernels, thyme, salt and black pepper.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Stir in heavy cream and continue cooking until heated through.
6. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
12. Turkey Chili
This turkey chili is the perfect way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey. It’s hearty, flavorful, and can be made in the slow cooker, which frees up valuable oven space on the big day.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 pounds cooked turkey, shredded
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon chili powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat olive oil.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add chicken or vegetable stock, shredded turkey, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt and black pepper.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
13. Creamed Spinach
This creamed spinach is a rich and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. It can be made ahead of time and reheated.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/4 cup heavy cream
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt butter.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add chicken or vegetable stock, spinach, heavy cream, salt and black pepper.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. These recipes are perfect for your Thanksgiving feast. They’re hearty, flavorful, and can be made ahead of time. So relax and enjoy your holiday.
This post was all about fun Thanksgiving recipes.
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