30 Dishes You Want To See At A Thanksgiving Potluck
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Potlucks are fun for everyone. It’s an excellent opportunity for a group of people whether it be family, co-workers or friends to share food together and mingle. Potlucks are also great because this means the food prep won’t be left for one person.
If you’re attending a potluck this Thanksgiving we’re going to help you bring the best dishes possible. These recipes will range from sweet to savory and either way will make an excellent contribution to the potluck. Thanksgiving is a fun time of year because along with the weather change, it’s a signal that the comforting dishes are here and they’re here to stay. And of course, it’s a great holiday to spend time with those you care about as well as give thanks for everything you have.
1. Instant Pot Turkey
When you commit to making a turkey dinner for the holidays, it becomes a day-long affair. From basting to making sure it doesn’t dry out to worrying about the side plates, it makes sense why not everyone may want to tackle such a task. But what if you could cook a delicious turkey in just one hour using your Instant Pot instead?
Following this recipe from Temecula Blogs will save you a ton of time on Thanksgiving Day. All you have to do is prep the pressure cooker with broth and vegetables. Rub spices on the turkey, set it on the trivet, and close the lid. Set it on high pressure for six minutes per pound and it can be cooked in less than one hour.
The writer recommends choosing a turkey no bigger than eight pounds for an eight quart pot. If you want to make the skin crispier, you can put it on a baking sheet and put it under your broiler for about four minutes. Easy peasy!
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2. Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham
Put your slow cooker to good use during holiday season by trying out this honey-glazed ham recipe. This juicy and oh-so-flavorful ham is sure to be a hit at the dinner table. It literally takes minutes to prepare and will be ready to eat after cooking for two to three hours on low setting
All you have to do is place the ham in your slow cooker, followed by the honey mustard glaze. Once the ham is cooked, reduce the glaze for about five minutes on the stovetop and pour it back over the ham. Put the whole ham under the broiler for a few minutes and you’re good to go.
It’s up to you whether or not you want to cook a bone-in ham. While boneless ham is easier to work with, bone-in ham can hold moisture better.
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3. “Stuffins” Stuffing Muffins
You can’t have Thanksgiving Day dinner without stuffing. It’s a holiday comfort food that is the perfect pairing for turkey, mashed potatoes, and just about every other side dish to exist. If you’re looking for a convenient and cute way to serve up stuffing this year, look no further than this Forkly recipe for stuffing muffins.
This side combines all the traditional stuffing ingredients into decadent bite-sized muffins. It’s packed with bread crumbs, onion, celery, garlic, and other savory flavors that bake together in perfect harmony. This recipe yields 12 servings and bakes in the oven, using a muffin tray, for just over half an hour.
4. No-Boil Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
One of the most classic foods to have on the dinner table at Thanksgiving is mashed potatoes. The soft, buttery, and creamy texture is a must-have alongside turkey and other holiday favorites. You can let your slow cooker work its magic by following this mashed potato recipe.
There’s no need to boil the potatoes for this recipe. Simply peel and chop the potatoes into chunks, then throw them into the cooker. Add in your flavoring ingredients and let it cook on low for six to seven hours. If you’re short on time, cook on high for three to four hours. Mash the potatoes once they’re cooked, add some garnish, and you’re good to go!
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5. Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter
Prepare yourself for compliments after you serve this show stopping cheese platter at Thanksgiving dinner. It uses classic cheese board foods like crackers, cheddar cheese, and salami, but arranges it to look like a turkey. So cute! This could also be a fun way to have your kids help out in the kitchen.
This recipe teaches you how to put together the platter, starting with the turkey’s head, body, and legs. It uses raisins or peppercorns for the eyes and swiss cheese for the beak. To start making the body, you alternate circles of salami and cheese around the body. Finish it off with a layer of Ritz crackers and your edible masterpiece is complete.
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6. Crock Pot Stuffing
Switch up your stuffing this year with this recipe from Well Plated. What sets this stuffing apart is it includes nutty wild rice and cranberries. There’s also almonds for a crunch and mushrooms to provide some savoriness. This not only elevates the dish, but guarantees that your guests will enjoy a burst of flavor with every bite.
Using the crock pot is a helpful way to save oven space on Thanksgiving Day. It only has three steps and can be cooked in as little as two hours on high heat. If you want to add some protein to the mix, consider sautéing some ground turkey or pork sausage in a skillet before transferring it to the slow cooker.
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7. Turkey Pinwheels
Looking for bite sized snacks to serve up on Thanksgiving Day? Check out this turkey pinwheel recipe that aims to please. This recipe has cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, ranch dressing, and turkey wrapped together in a tortilla — and it’s really easy to make homemade.
Start by mixing together the cream cheese, ranch, bacon, and cheese along with a bit of milk. Once it’s spreadable, put some cream cheese over a tortilla and top with some turkey. Roll it up tightly, then wrap the tortillas in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least half an hour, then slice and serve!
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8. Jalapeno Popper Rollups
Bring some spice to the Thanksgiving Day table with these jalapeno popper roll ups. These bite-sized snacks are cheesy, rich tortilla snacks with a kick. This recipe also shares a variation of the poppers to make them less spicy, if that’s something you’d prefer.
The bacon adds an extra bit of flavor, but can also be omitted if you want the poppers to be vegetarian-friendly. Make the poppers ahead of time, or whip them up the day of since it only takes about half an hour to prepare. They stay fresh for two to three days if you store them refrigerated in an airtight container.
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9. Turkey Veggie Tray
Decorate your Thanksgiving Day table with an edible arrangement. This veggie tray is creatively designed in the shape of a turkey! It’s a fun way to make the vegetables appear more interesting and is sure to earn the host some compliments.
To achieve a stellar looking turkey veggie tray, opt for vegetables that can lay flat. Choose a variety of different colors to give your turkey some flair. The creator of this recipe made the turkey’s face with a pepper and carrots, placed on top of the dip. Surround the turkey with layers of veggies and you’re good to go.
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10. Crockpot Drunken Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs
No matter what time of year it is, there’s always a spot for meatballs on the menu. The saucy, filling, and flavorful meatballs are always a fan favorite among meat eaters. You can take meatballs to the next level by following this Forkly bourbon whiskey meatball recipe.
This crockpot recipe, which provides 20 servings, is about as easy as it gets. Starting with your sauce ingredients, pour and mix all of them in the crockpot. Add in your frozen meatballs until they’re completely coated. Once they are cooked, your guests will rave over the mouthwatering sauce and look for them at the next potluck!
11. Grape Jelly Party Meatballs
Prepare this tasty Thanksgiving Day appetizer with just four ingredients and your slow cooker. This grape jelly party meatball recipe uses frozen meatballs, chili sauce, and grape jelly. You could even add some Worcestershire sauce for extra flavor if you’re up for it.
To make the meatballs, add the sauce and grape jelly to your slow cooker and stir until completely combined.You can add the meatballs and stir until they are evenly covered by the sauce. Let it cook for eight hours on low heat or on high for four hours, depending on when you started prepping. Add some toothpicks for easy munching and it’s ready to be eaten.
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12. Easy Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is the cherry on top of just about everything at Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes? Delicious duo. Turkey? Mouthwatering. Stuffing? Perfect combination. This year, consider skipping the canned cranberry sauce and making your own from scratch. One you see how easy it is to make, you’ll never go store-bought again.
All you need is orange juice, granulated sugar, and cranberries. You can choose to use either frozen or fresh cranberries, and add a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor if you like. It’s cooked in a saucepan and must be refrigerated overnight. Prepare this sauce the night before and there is one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving Day.
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13. Thanksgiving Turkey Bread Bowl
While you may expect a cooked turkey to be the centerpiece on Thanksgiving, this bread bowl shaped like a turkey just might replace it. This perfectly arranged appetizer is insanely cute and makes it really easy for guests to dip veggies into the homemade dip.
This recipe yields six servings, but can easily be multiplied if you’re looking to make extra. To make the dip, you just have to blend all ingredients together in a bowl and refrigerate. Assembling the turkey will require some creativity and skill hollowing out the boule bread loaf. It will look like you put in tons of effort, when in reality it only takes 20 minutes to make!
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14. Apple Cider Sangria
Apple cider is a holiday season staple both adults and kids will love. You can upgrade the adults-only table with this spiked apple cider recipe. It’s sangria that delivers a classic apple flavor guests are sure to rave over. Luckily, it’s really easy to make.
Pick up a bottle of white wine and nine other flavorful ingredients listed here. Then, mix it altogether and let it sit for anywhere from two to 24 hours. Add in the carbonated water once you’re ready to serve. To make this holiday sangria even more festive, you can garnish the glasses with paleo caramel.
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15. Crock Pot Apple Cider
Apple cider is a crowd favorite in the fall time. Its warm, rich, and flavors are something to crave all year round — but especially on Thanksgiving Day. Serve up some fresh and homemade apple cider by following this easy recipe with your slow cooker. All you need is five minutes of prep and let the cooker do its magic.
Start by adding all the fruit into your slow cooker, followed by the cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Pour some water over top to cover the fruit and cook on high for four hours or low for six hours. Mash the fruit once the timer goes off, cover it up, and cook on low for one more hour. Once the solids are strained from the liquid, the cider is ready to serve!
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16. Easy Mozzarella Bites
Small handheld foods make for the best Thanksgiving Day appetizers, which is why you should consider making some delicious mozzarella bites. These take 20 minutes to prepare, 35 minutes to cook, and only use four ingredients. This recipe yields 24 servings that are perfect for dipping.
Roll out a pre-made dough and cut them into 24 rectangles using a pizza cutter. Stick a piece of cheese in each rectangle and bring the dough up and around, pressing the edges to seal them. Make a mixture with melted butter and bread crumbs, then evenly coat all of the mozzarella bites. Cook them in the oven until they appear golden brown and you’re done!
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17. Mini Pumpkin Pies
Why bake one pumpkin pie when you can make 48 mini pumpkin pies instead? This recipe is easy enough for inexperienced bakers to follow and only takes about half an hour of your day to complete. Opting for mini pies will result in evenly sized servings that are easy enough to eat handheld without a fork — which means less dishes for later!
You will have to buy mini tart shells from the grocery store, which acts as the crust. The pumpkin filling can be mixed together in one bowl. Scoop the mix onto your tart shells and let them bake in the oven until they appear golden. Top it off with some whipped cream and dessert is ready to be served.
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18. Apple Pie Bites
Skip the store-bought apple pie this year and make these apple pie bites from scratch instead. It only takes 30 minutes to prepare and yields eight servings. Plus, it could taste decadent alongside some vanilla ice cream or caramel syrup. All you need are six ingredients.
Start by mixing together the brown sugar and apple pie spice. Separately, melt the butter and put in the apple slices. You will then place crescent roll triangles on the baking sheet along with the brown sugar mix and chopped pecans. Place an apple slice, wrap the dough around, and let them bake until golden brown.
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19. Slow Cooker Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Make sure there are plenty of greens to munch on this Thanksgiving by making this fresh green bean casserole. You can use your slow cooker and have it ready in as little as three and a half hours! It yields 12 servings, but can easily be multiplied according to your needs.
This recipe notes that your sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon. You can make it thicker by whisking a couple tablespoons of flour with sauce into the sauce and let it simmer. If you’re hosting vegetarians this year, simply omit the bacon and use a veggie broth to make it meat-free.
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20. Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Have scalloped potatoes on the menu to make sure you include everyone’s favorite potato dish this holiday season. These creamy, cheesy, and saucy side dishes can be prepared with your crock pot in a little over three hours.
What’s cool about this Well Plated recipe is that it uses both Yukon Gold potatoes and sweet potatoes. The mix of flavor along with the other ingredients will make the dish a whole lot more interesting in taste and presentation. Any leftovers can be refrigerated for up to four days, but don’t bet on there being any left after dinner! It will taste way too good.
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21. Butternut Squash Soup
Another classic Thanksgiving Day ingredient is butternut squash — and for good reason. The decadent vegetable can be prepared in so many different ways and is one of the ultimate comfort foods for the season. If you’re looking for a way to cook butternut squash, follow this recipe and turn it into soup.
This slow cooker recipe has only three steps. You literally toss all your carrots, onions, vegetable broth, and other ingredients into the slow cooker and let it cook. Transfer it to a blender once it’s cooked and serve warm. This soup is also vegetarian and vegan-friendly, so more of your guests are able to enjoy this side dish.
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22. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Upgrade your bowl of corn this holiday with this slow cooker creamed corn recipe. With just five ingredients, you can turn a boring side plate into something that just might take attention away from the main course! Its sweet and creamy taste can be achieved in just two steps.
All you have to do is place corn into the slow cooker and stir in the milk, sugar, and pepper. Then, top it with butter and cream cheese before cooking on high heat for two to three hours. When the timer goes off, stir until the butter and cream cheese are combined and cook for an extra 15 minutes. Then it’s ready to serve!
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23. No-Boil Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese
While macaroni and cheese can be the main course any day of the year, it can also work as a decadent side dish for Thanksgiving Day. It’s especially hassle-free and easy to prepare when you follow this slow cooker recipe. After 10 minutes of preparation, it will cook on low for about two to three hours.
While this recipe yields six servings, you can easily multiply it to make more if there’s space in your slow cooker. Take note that cook time can vary depending on the slow cooker you have, so make sure to keep an eye on it. It’s also recommended that you use freshly grated cheese to achieve optimal creaminess.
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24. Dinner Rolls
The ultimate side dish for any dinner are rolls, so there’s no reason why it should be forgotten on Thanksgiving Day! Especially when they are easy peasy to make from scratch. Unlike other types of bread that can be day-long affairs to bake, dinner rolls take less than a few hours to prepare.
After mixing all the ingredients to make the dough, you’ll have to knead it thoroughly into a ball shape. It needs to be covered with a kitchen towel until it’s doubled in size. Once that’s done, it’s ready to be shaped into balls and left to rise for another 45 minutes. Then all it takes is 20 minutes maximum in the oven and they’re ready to eat.
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25. Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes
Cheese and potatoes are delicious enough on their own, so why not combine them to be one extra-delicious side dish? This crockpot cheesy potato recipe delivers just that. It yields six servings, takes five minutes to prepare, and is a decadent side that will leave dinner guests wanting more of.
To make this dish, toss your ingredients into the slow cooker and set it to low heat for four hours. Once that’s done, you can remove the lid and add the remaining cup of cheese. Cover it again, cook until the cheese is melted, and your cheesy potatoes are good to go.
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26. Autumn Crunch Pasta Salad
What better way to celebrate the fall season than by making a salad with just about every fall favorite ingredient? This recipe combines pasta and spinach salad along with apples, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries. It’s basically autumn in a bowl!
The author recommends using short pasta, such as orecchiette, so that it’s able to catch as much of the dressing as possible. Salting the pasta water can also ensure that all flavors stand out instead of blending altogether. It takes about half an hour to prepare and provides six to eight servings.
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27. Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
If you hate brussels sprouts then maybe you need to try them again but reinvented. Roasted or steamed plain sprouts can be utterly dull but share this platter of bacon wrapped brussels sprouts at the Thanksgiving potluck and they’ll surely be gobbled up quickly.
Simply wrap each brussels sprout with a slice of bacon and adhere with a toothpick. You’ll cook them in the oven until the bacon and the brussels sprouts are nice and crispy. While the sprouts are roasting you can whip together the delicious balsamic dip. Once everything is complete, serve together and be prepared to be amazed.
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28. Cranberry Brie Bites
If you’re looking for something to whip up that taste as festive as they look, then cranberry brie bites are the way to go. These bite-sized treats are made with just five ingredients and yield 24 servings. Better yet, this recipe takes a mere 25 minutes to make! Grab a muffin tin and sprinkle the counter with flour to get started.
Roll out a tube of crescent rolls and cut them into even squares. Place them into the muffin tin followed by a small piece of brie cheese. Throw on some cranberry sauce and a sprig of rosemary, and these bites are ready for the oven. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the crescents are golden brown. Enjoy!
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29. Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread
Sweeten up your cheese tray this year with some caramel! This recipe combines delicious flavors into one spread — caramel, apple, and cream cheese. This dessert-in-disguise is the perfect addition to any potluck meal, especially on Thanksgiving Day.
All you have to do is place cream cheese on a serving dish and pour as much caramel as you want on top of it.Add some toffee bits and serve alongside sliced apples, pears, or pretzels — that’s it!
If you’re craving lots of caramel, shape the cheese into a circle and pour as much caramel as you like in the center. This gives guests prime opportunity for dipping.
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30. Cranberry And Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms With Sage
Stuffed mushrooms are always a hit at potlucks. To cater this appetizer for the holidays, check out this twist on a classic that uses cranberry, sausage, and sage. But beware: once you make this savory dish, it will inevitably be requested at every function with foods going forward!
The filling takes no more than 10 minutes to cook in a saucepan on medium heat. Once it’s done, you can combine it with the cranberries, sage, and whisked eggs. Place it evenly into each mushroom and put it in the oven for 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready once edges appear golden brown.
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