Easy Thanksgiving Recipes with Just 6 Ingredients or Fewer

Cooking for Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be overwhelming. You can make delicious dishes without a huge list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen. These easy Thanksgiving recipes focus on minimal ingredients, so you can enjoy your holiday with less stress.

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Classic Cranberry Sauce: Thanksgiving Recipes

Cranberry sauce adds a pop of color and brightness to the Thanksgiving table. Here’s how to make a homemade version with only a handful of ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fresh cranberries
• ½ cup of sugar
• ½ cup of orange juice
• ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Rinse the cranberries under cold water.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and cinnamon.
3. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10–15 minutes. The cranberries will start to pop.
4. Once thickened, remove from heat and let it cool. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
5. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tip: Add a hint of zest for extra flavor, if you like.

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Simple Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but you don’t need fancy recipes to make them tasty. This recipe is creamy, smooth, and requires only six ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Peel and chop the potatoes into even pieces.
2. Place them in a large pot of salted water and bring it to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
3. Drain the water and add the butter, milk, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Mash the potatoes until smooth, adjusting milk to reach your preferred consistency.
5. Serve warm with an extra pat of butter on top if desired.

Tip: For added flavor, sprinkle a bit of garlic powder or chives.

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Thanksgiving Recipes: Sweet and Savory Glazed Carrots

Glazed carrots are a delicious addition to any Thanksgiving meal. This recipe combines the sweetness of honey with a touch of butter, creating a comforting side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. of carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil the carrots in a pot of salted water for 5-7 minutes, or until just tender.
2. Drain the carrots and set aside.
3. In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
4. Add the honey, salt, and pepper, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
5. Add the carrots back to the pot and toss until coated.
6. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the glaze to stick to the carrots.

Tip: For a bit of warmth, sprinkle in a tiny pinch of cinnamon.

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Easy Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

Skip the whole turkey if you’re cooking for a small crowd. A turkey breast offers just enough, and it’s much easier to cook and handle. This recipe keeps it simple with just a few seasonings.

Ingredients:

• 1 turkey breast (around 4 lbs.)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the turkey breast and rub it in with the thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Roast for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Tip: This turkey breast pairs perfectly with the cranberry sauce for a classic taste.

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Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes

These sweet potatoes are simple but full of flavor. With a touch of brown sugar, they make a fantastic side that’s sweet but not overpowering.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into cubes.
3. In a baking dish, combine the cubed potatoes with butter, brown sugar, and salt.
4. Toss until everything is well-coated.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway, until the potatoes are tender and caramelized.

Tip: Add a dash of cinnamon if you’d like a hint of warmth.

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Quick and Creamy Green Bean Casserole

A green bean casserole is another Thanksgiving classic. This recipe uses only six ingredients, making it one of the easiest to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (10.5 oz) of cream of mushroom soup
• 1 lb. of fresh green beans, trimmed
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup crispy fried onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the green beans and toss to coat.
4. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake for 25 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the crispy fried onions on top.
6. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until the onions are golden brown.

Tip: For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder to the soup mixture.

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Homemade Pumpkin Pie with a Twist

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without pie! This easy pumpkin pie uses just a few ingredients and will be the perfect ending to your meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pre-made pie crust
• 1 can (15 oz) of pumpkin purée
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 large eggs

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin purée, sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin pie spice, and eggs until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for another 30–35 minutes, or until the center is set.
5. Let the pie cool before slicing.

Tip: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

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Thanksgiving Recipes: Cheesy Garlic Bread Rolls

Everyone loves bread at Thanksgiving. These garlic bread rolls are simple to make and perfect for soaking up gravy.

Ingredients:

• 1 tube of refrigerated biscuit dough
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ¼ cup shredded cheese
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven according to the biscuit dough package.
2. Melt the butter and mix it with the garlic powder.
3. Dip each biscuit in the butter mixture, then sprinkle with shredded cheese.
4. Bake as directed on the package.
5. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Tip: These rolls are great for soaking up all those delicious Thanksgiving flavors.

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Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe with 6 Ingredients

Stuffing is a Thanksgiving must-have, and it’s surprisingly easy to make with just a few ingredients. This recipe brings out the classic flavors of herbs and butter, perfect for pairing with turkey and sides.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of day-old bread (cubed)
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried sage (or thyme)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until slightly dry.
3. In a large pan, sauté the onion and celery in melted butter over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes, sautéed onion and celery, and dried sage.
5. Pour in the broth gradually, stirring until the bread is moist but not soggy.
6. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the top is golden and crispy.

Tip: For a bit of extra crunch, mix in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.

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Thanksgiving Recipes: Simple Thanksgiving Gravy Recipe with 5 Ingredients

This gravy is smooth, savory, and quick to make. It’s perfect for pouring over turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups turkey or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons pan drippings (from roasted turkey or butter if unavailable)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme (optional for flavor)

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the pan drippings over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, forming a roux.
2. Slowly pour in the broth, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
3. Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme, stirring to combine.
5. Serve warm over your Thanksgiving favorites.

Tip: For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine or a bit of fresh sage while simmering.

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Final Prep Tips for Your Thanksgiving Recipes

Cooking for Thanksgiving doesn’t have to feel like a marathon. Here are some tips to keep things manageable:

• Prepare ingredients early: Chop, slice, and measure ingredients in advance. This saves time on the day.
• Limit your dishes: Fewer dishes mean fewer dishes to clean! These recipes use minimal pots and pans, helping you keep the kitchen tidy.
• Delegate if you can: Family members are often happy to help, whether it’s setting the table or stirring the pot.

Thanksgiving is about spending time with loved ones. When you’re not bogged down with a long list of ingredients or steps, you get to enjoy that time a little more.