51 Unique Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas to Impress Your Guests

October 03, 2024

Thanksgiving is one of our favourite times to gather with family and friends and have a feast celebrating the season.

Want to surprise your guests this year?  Consider incorporating a variety of unique dishes into your Thanksgiving dinner.

Here are 51 creative ideas, each more intriguing than the last, to elevate your holiday meal and leave a lasting impression.

Appetizers:

1. Roasted Delicata Squash: A delicious appetizer made with walnuts, goat cheese and tahini.
2. Savoury Sweet Potato Waffles: Sweet potato waffles topped with crème fraîche and chives.
3. Gourmet Cheese Board: An assortment of local cheeses, charcuterie, nuts, and seasonal fruits.
4. Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts: Tender Brussels sprouts wrapped in crispy bacon and drizzled with balsamic glaze.
5. Roasted Wild Fall Mushrooms with Cheese: Made with fresh mushrooms, sherry, lavender & cheese curds.

Salads:

6. Roasted Yam, Cranberry and Feta Salad: Mixed greens topped with maple syrup, smoked bacon & herbs.
7. Broccoli & Bacon Salad: A colourful salad with broccoli, dried raisins, and a creamy dressing.
8. Brussel Sprout Caesar Salad: A twist on the classic Caesar with brussel sprouts, homemade croutons, and a creamy dressing.
9. Pumpkin Cranberry Quinoa Salad: Fresh cranberries, quinoa, and pumpkin tossed with a light dressing.
10. Zucchini Ribbon Salad: Fresh Zucchini Ribbons with Parmesan, Lemon & Mint.

Main Dishes:

11. Pear Stuffed Chicken Breast: A succulent chicken breast seasoned with fresh herbs and stuffed with pear.
12. Porcini Rubbed Turkey Leg Au Vin: Made with chestnuts, porcini & easy to make at home.
13. Maple-Glazed Turkey Breast: Turkey breast brushed with a maple syrup glaze and roasted to perfection.
14. Roasted Turkey Breast with Ginger & Orange: A fresh take on Thanksgiving - freshen it up with some orange zest and fresh ginger! 
15. Pork Tenderloin with Porcini Sauce: Crispy pork tenderloin served with a rich porcini and sage spaetzle.

Side Dishes:

16. Truffle Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes infused with truffle oil for a gourmet touch.
17. Scalloped Potatoes: A homemade dinner classic!
18. Simple Roasted Roots: These seasonal roots & veggies are the perfect side or garnish.
19. Zucchini Gratin: A cheesy zucchini side that’s easy to make & everyone will enjoy. 
20. Thanksgiving Cole Slaw: Made with cabbage, apple & bitter leaves.

Special Ideas from the Well Seasoned chefs:

21. Port Chunky Cranberry Sauce: A Canadian twist on your favourite cranberry sauce!
22. Baked Camembert with Cranberries: A flavorful camembert cheese that is complimented by fresh cranberries.
23. Best Ever Turkey Burgers: Planning a smaller gathering? Try these delicious turkey burgers!
24. Turkey Leftover Inspiration: As seen on Global News, explore creative ways to use your leftovers!
25. Sweet Spiced Roasted Nuts: A tasty recipe for a quick Thanksgiving snack!

Desserts:

26. Cookie Butter Banana Bread: Yes, we mixed the best things ever and made banana bread out of it!.
27. Ready To Eat Cookie Dough: Made with gourmet ingredients and are super yummy to snack on!
28. Cranberry Pear Cobbler: A decadent cobbler with pears and cranberry.
29. Coconut Pineapple Pecan Cake: A dessert without pumpkin - I think YES!
30. French Macarons: French Macarons are meringue-based cookies that are absolutely delicious!

Drinks:

31. Spiced Apple Cider: Warm apple cider infused with cinnamon and made to warm you up!
32. Pumpkin Spice Martini: A festive cocktail with pumpkin puree, vodka, and spices.
33. Cranberry Orange Martini: A refreshing drink with cranberry juice and orange liquer.
34. Cranberry Negroni: A delicious cocktail that combines cranberries, gin & sweet vermouth.
35. Mulled Wine with Apple Cider: A warm blend of red wine and spices, perfect for the holiday season.

Creative Ideas:

36. Spicy Cranberry Chicken Wings: A delicious Thanksgiving twist to a finger-lickin’ favourite!
37. Best Thanksgiving Gravy: A delicious gourmet turkey gravy recipe you can make at home!
38. Turkey & Sweet Potato Hash: Made with poached eggs & blender hollandaise..
39. Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup: A delicious recipe for using that extra turkey!
40. Butternut Fritters: Crispy cakes made with fresh zucchini.

For the Sides:

41. Egg Nog French Toast: A decadent French Toast made with egg nog for a holiday spice!
42. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Delicious mashed potatoes made with roasted garlic.
43. Braised Maple Orange Carrots: Carrots roasted with a sweet maple glaze.
44. Tomato & Ricotta Tartlet: A flaky tart featuring fresh tomatoes and creamy ricotta cheese.
45. Pomegranate and Arugula Salad: A vibrant salad with pomegranate seeds and fresh arugula.

Final Touches:

46. Port Chunky Cranberry Sauce: A Canadian twist on your favourite cranberry sauce!
47. Turkey Brine: An aromatic base brine you can use to cook your turkey and give it that extra flavour.
48. Turkey Gravy: An essential staple to any Thanksgiving dinner!
49. Citrus Cranberry Sauce: A warm cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving..
50. Whole Roasted Corn: A locally sourced corn side, roasted to perfection!
51. Cheesy Garlic Bread: A delicious cheesy garlic bread complements the meal.

There are SO many options for Thanksgiving dinner, dessert and even leftovers to take advantage of! Don't be afraid to get creative and try cooking up something new.

Or, if you decide to just enjoy gourmet Thanksgiving dinner without the hassle, preorder an "Everything but the Bird" Thanksgiving Dinner for 6 before the big day (if you're in the Lower Mainland BC!)

Also in Articles