26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (2024)

    Stress less, spend less, feast more.

    by Hannah LoewentheilBuzzFeed Staff

    For many of us, Thanksgiving will look a bit different this year.

    Perhaps you're hosting a smaller get-together, celebrating away from home, or just looking for more affordable versions of your favorite seasonal dishes. Whatever the case, here are some simple yet delicious Thanksgiving recipes that call for five ingredients or fewer.

    Sweet Phi / Via sweetphi.com

    The Crock Pot does all the heavy lifting here — and you could also easily make this in an Instant Pot.

    Recipe: Five-Ingredient Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

    2. Cranberry Brie Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (2)

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    This crowd-pleasing party app starts with store bought puff pastry dough. Brush the pastry with butter and top it with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, cheese, and cranberries. Roll 'em up and bake until golden brown and melty.

    Recipe: Cranberry Brie Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls

    Wry Toast Eats / Via wrytoasteats.com

    Thanks to a mixture of Brussels sprouts, olive oil, bacon, jam, and apple cider vinegar, this festive side dish is the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, savory, and tangy.

    Recipe: Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts

    Cooking For Keeps / Via cookingforkeeps.com

    There are mashed potatoes and then there are these ultra-rich, extra creamy mashed potatoes. The difference lies in one secret ingredient: cream cheese.

    Recipe: Five-Ingredient Mashed Potatoes

    5. Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (3)

    Yellow Bliss Road / Via yellowblissroad.com

    Grab your favorite frozen meatballs, barbecue sauce, and cranberry sauce and whip it up into a satisfying app that can be served on toothpicks or as sliders.

    Recipe: Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

    7. Artichoke and Sun Dried Tomato Dip

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (4)

    Dishing Out Health / Via dishingouthealth.com

    Every holiday get together calls for a good party dip. This one is made with cannellini beans, canned artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, tahini, and lemon juice. Serve it with pita chips or veggies.

    Recipe: Artichoke and Sun Dried Tomato Dip

    8. Cheesy Garlic and Herb Pull Apart Rolls

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (5)

    Blue Bowl Recipes / Via bluebowlrecipes.com

    Serve these pull apart rolls when they're nice and warm, straight from the oven. They're buttery, fluffy, garlicky, and everything delicious.

    Recipe: Cheesy Garlic and Herb Pull Apart Rolls

    Grits and Pine Cones / Via gritsandpinecones.com

    Phyllo dough shells are stuffed with brie and topped with a blend of pecans and bourbon. Bake the shells in the oven for about 10 minutes until gooey and bubbly.

    Recipe: Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites

    10. Air Fryer Honey Goat Cheese Balls

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (6)

    The Creative Bite / Via thecreativebite.com

    Freeze balls of goat cheese so that they keep their shape, then dredge them in egg, flour, and panko bread crumbs and air fry until crispy. Finish these babies off with a drizzle of honey.

    Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Goat Cheese Balls

    11. Roasted Carrots With Curried Yogurt

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (7)

    Dishing Out Health / Via dishingouthealth.com

    These carrots are tossed in olive oil, salt, and pepper then roasted whole and served with slivered almonds on top of plain yogurt that gets a spicy kick from curry powder.

    Recipe: Roasted Carrots With Curried Yogurt

    Unicorns in the Kitchen / Via unicornsinthekitchen.com

    Don't feel like roasting a whole bird this year? Who can blame you? Change things up with these comforting turkey and cheese sliders brushed with a mixture of creamy mayo and tangy whole grain mustard.

    Recipe: Five-Ingredient Turkey Swiss Sliders

    Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com

    This decadent side dish couldn't be easier. Start with frozen corn and pulse it in the blender with half and half until it forms a purée. Then toss the corn purée into the slow cooker with cream cheese, butter, and sugar.

    Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

    A Sassy Spoon / Via asassyspoon.com

    Chopped chipotle peppers and adobo sauce are an irresistible smoky and spicy complement to mashed sweet potatoes.

    Recipe: Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    15. Five Ingredient Faux Roasted Chicken

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (8)

    Cooking For Keeps / Via cookingforkeeps.com

    Chicken > turkey. It's like tomato vs. tomahto. Put this easy sage butter roasted chicken on your holiday table and no one will complain.

    Recipe: Five Ingredient Faux Roasted Chicken

    Sweet Simple Vegan / Via sweetsimplevegan.com

    Take advantage of winter squash season with this festive recipe. Tossed with maple syrup, orange zest, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice, this acorn squash roasts under tender and sweet.

    Recipe: Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

    Cooking for Keeps / Via cookingforkeeps.com, Cooking For Keeps / Via cookingforkeeps.com

    Ridiculously easy yet surprisingly flavorful, this creamy soup comes together with roasted butternut squash, cream, onion, chicken stock, and olive oil. Get fancy and top your bowl with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of pine nuts.

    Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

    The View From Great Island / Via theviewfromgreatisland.com

    Buttermilk, butter, and self-rising flour is all you need. Don't believe it? Give these fluffy biscuits a try. Topped with more butter, they literally melt in your mouth.

    Recipe: Three-Ingredient Biscuits

    19. Garlic Roasted Potatoes

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (9)

    The Forked Spoon / Via theforkedspoon.com

    These crispy skinned baby potatoes boast a fluffy interior that basically melts in your mouth. Grab some potatoes and toss them with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and lemon juice (plus some salt and pepper).

    Recipe: Garlic Roasted Potatoes

    Cooking For Keeps / Via cookingforkeeps.com

    It may not be a traditional Thanksgiving dish, but these pinwheel sandwiches are easy to make, super affordable, and perfect for sharing.

    Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

    21. Cheesy Baked Cauliflower

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (10)

    Once a Foodie / Via onceafoodie.com

    Coated in garlic paste, parmesan, and panko bread crubs, this might just be your new favorite veggie side dish.

    Recipe: Cheesy Baked Cauliflower

    Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com

    It's basically mac 'n' cheese for adults, and it belongs on your holiday table.

    Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

    Skinny Taste / Via skinnytaste.com

    A tangy mixture of cream cheese, sugar, sour cream and egg gets topped with melted chocolate, baked in the oven until set, then cooled in the fridge overnight.

    Recipe: Chocolate Cheesecake Cups

    Blackberry Babe / Via blackberrybabe.com

    This shortcut dessert starts with boxed cake mix, but shhh — your guests don't need to know that.

    Recipe: Caramel Apple Dump Cake

    25. Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Dip

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (11)

    The Salty Marshmallow / Via thesaltymarshmallow.com

    Cream cheese and canned pumpkin purée form the base of this light and fluffy but decadent dessert dip.

    Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Dip

    26. Pecan Caramel Bars

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (12)

    The Novice Chef Blog / Via thenovicechefblog.com

    While this dessert might look store-bought and fancy, you can make it right at home with just club crackers, caramel, pecans, chocolate chips, and butter.

    Recipe: Pecan Caramel Bars

    26 Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need Five Ingredients Each (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the 10 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

    Here are our favorite traditional Thanksgiving dishes that are delicious and easy to make.
    • Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Serves: Up to 4 people. ...
    • Stuffing. ...
    • Green Bean Casserole. ...
    • Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
    • Baked Corn. ...
    • Mac and cheese. ...
    • Peas & Water Chestnuts. ...
    • Fresh Rolls.
    Oct 28, 2021

    What are the 12 most popular Thanksgiving dishes? ›

    Scroll through to take a look at our most popular Thanksgiving recipes.
    • 01 of 24. Perfect Turkey. ...
    • 02 of 24. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
    • 03 of 24. Cranberry Sauce. ...
    • 04 of 24. Homemade Mac and Cheese. ...
    • 05 of 24. Sweet Potato Pie. ...
    • 06 of 24. Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll. ...
    • 07 of 24. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast. ...
    • 08 of 24. Cream Corn Like No Other.
    Oct 26, 2023

    What are the top 20 Thanksgiving foods in America? ›

    Top 20 Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Apple Stuffing.
    • Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread.
    • Asparagus Bake.
    • Creamy Green Bean Casserole.
    • Cranberry Sauce.
    • Creamy Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes.
    • Turkey Gravy.
    • Apple Pie.

    What are the top 5 Thanksgiving side dishes? ›

    Top 10 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes
    1. Holiday Stuffing. This easy recipe for Holiday Stuffing is our number one must-have Thanksgiving side dish!
    2. Best Mashed Potatoes Ever. ...
    3. New Green Bean Casserole. ...
    4. Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
    5. Baked Cranberry Sauce. ...
    6. Cauliflower Blossom. ...
    7. Butternut Squash Mash. ...
    8. Creamy Corn for a Crowd. ...

    What are 4 other traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

    The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. But the way these dishes are made or added to is everchanging because of food trends and different dietary requirements.

    What are 4 common foods at Thanksgiving? ›

    The 10 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes
    • Roast turkey. We've already filled you in on how to carve a turkey like a chef. ...
    • Stuffing. Good stuffing is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. ...
    • Mashed potatoes. ...
    • Green bean casserole. ...
    • Corn casserole. ...
    • Sweet potato casserole. ...
    • Honey-glazed Brussels sprouts. ...
    • Cranberry sauce.
    Nov 2, 2022

    What are the 3 traditional foods Americans eat during Thanksgiving? ›

    FoodTimeline library Food Timeline> What does the average American eat for Thanksgiving? If you ask the "average" American today what he eats for Thanksgiving he will likely answer turkey & stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes and pies (yes, plural!).

    What is a true Thanksgiving dinner? ›

    Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes but the First Thanksgiving likely included wildfowl, corn, porridge and venison.

    What was the original Thanksgiving meal? ›

    There are only two surviving documents that reference the original Thanksgiving harvest meal. They describe a feast of freshly killed deer, assorted wildfowl, a bounty of cod and bass, and flint, a native variety of corn harvested by the Native Americans, which was eaten as corn bread and porridge.

    What is the unhealthiest Thanksgiving food? ›

    Worst: Sausage Stuffing

    It's often made with fatty processed meat, butter or margarine, and refined bread or rice. It's a high-calorie food that packs a load of fat, carbs, and nitrates, which are cancer-causing. If you add dried cranberries, there's a good chance they're sweetened and add sugar to your stuffing.

    What do Californians eat for Thanksgiving? ›

    7 Signs You're Having a California Thanksgiving
    • GRILLED TURKEY IS THE CENTERPIECE. ...
    • SOURDOUGH SNEAKS IN SOMEWHERE. ...
    • VEGETABLE SIDES AREN'T GLOPPED IN MAYO. ...
    • GARLIC BREAD IS THE CARB OF CHOICE. ...
    • BRUSSELS SPROUTS PREVAIL OVER GREEN BEANS. ...
    • MAYBE YOU'LL SEE PECAN PIE, MAYBE YOU WON'T. ...
    • PINOT NOIR NEVER STOPS FLOWIN'.
    Nov 18, 2015

    What is the most unpopular Thanksgiving food? ›

    The Most Disliked Traditional Thanksgiving Foods
    • Ham — 25.57%
    • Coleslaw — 25.57%
    • Pumpkin Pie — 24.28%
    • Mashed Potatoes — 18.66%
    • Macaroni and Cheese — 17.47%
    • Carrots — 16.98%
    • Apple Pie — 16.29%
    • Corn — 15.50%
    Nov 21, 2023

    What are the 3 most popular food dishes served on Thanksgiving? ›

    The 10 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes
    • Roast turkey. We've already filled you in on how to carve a turkey like a chef. ...
    • Stuffing. Good stuffing is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. ...
    • Mashed potatoes. ...
    • Green bean casserole. ...
    • Corn casserole. ...
    • Sweet potato casserole. ...
    • Honey-glazed Brussels sprouts. ...
    • Cranberry sauce.
    Nov 2, 2022

    What is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu? ›

    Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing (or “dressing”), and some kind of pie for dessert, typically pumpkin, apple, or pecan. Common sides are green bean casserole, scalloped corn, and roasted sweet potatoes.

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