If you're cooking Thanksgiving for the very first time this year, guess what? It doesn't have to be a stressful proposition. This easy menu, which includes our simplest roast turkey recipe and a few foolproof sides, will take you from cocktails to dessert with your wits intact.
Head this way to find our full slate of Thanksgiving recipes and ideas.
Casual Cocktail Time
A touch of scotch adds smoky undertones to this bittersweet whiskey drink, which can be made up to two weeks before you plan to drink it. Alongside, offer olives that have been gently warmed with lemon, bay leaves, and chile flakes.
The Simplest Dinner Hour
For all the talk of basting and stuffing, all you really need for a great Thanksgiving turkey is salt, pepper, and the ideal roasting method (for a smaller crowd, buy a bone-in turkey breast instead of a whole bird and follow the adaptations indicated in the recipe). Pair it with an essentials-only dressing, a bright salad of smashed green beans, and a make-ahead cranberry sauce. Don't forget the gravy.
An Impressive (But Easy) Dessert
If you want to go the extra mile, you could make your own Shortcut Puff Pastry for this dessert. Don't need the stress? Store-bought can be just as good. Either way, use kitchen shears or a pastry wheel to cut the pastry into irregular pieces and scatter them across apples that have been tossed with lemon, ginger, cinnamon, and sugar; then serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
