Holiday Recipes for First-Time Cooks

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Thanksgiving is the Olympics of feasting, but if you’re not a kitchen gold medalist, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with Beginner-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes to Make and Share. Whether you’re tackling the main event with a foolproof Honey Baked Turkey or wowing with sides like Candied Sweet Potatoes and Green Bean Casserole with Bacon, you’ll look like a pro without breaking a sweat. For a touch of elegance, the Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts or buttery Rainbow Carrots in Tarragon Brown Butter are easy showstoppers. And don’t forget the no-fail Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, perfect for keeping things stress-free. Hosting or potlucking, this lineup will make your Thanksgiving delicious and delightfully low-key.

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts

Yummy Sauteed Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts picture
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This sauteed Brussels Sprouts recipe with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts is our favorite way to dress up a healthy side dish.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Brussels Sprouts Recipe with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts

Honey Baked Turkey

Scrumptious Honey Baked Turkey photo
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This honey baked turkey recipe might just be my new favorite centerpiece for Easter. It’s deliciously sweet and savory!
Get the Recipe: Honey Baked Turkey

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Mouthwatering Candied Sweet Potatoes
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These easy candied sweet potatoes are coated in a buttery glaze and baked until tender and deliciously sweet!
Get the Recipe: Candied Sweet Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This tasty Green Bean Casserole with Bacon recipe is the ultimate side dish, featuring a creamy sauce and a crunchy topping.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Sweet Potato Casserole

A beautifully presented photo of Sweet Potato Casserole
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This easy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe is a classic holiday side dish. Marshmallows and pecans make for a great texture and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Scrumptious Crockpot Mashed Potatoes photo
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are one of the easiest and best side dishes for any dinner or holiday. So much flavor and none of the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Rainbow Carrots in Tarragon Brown Butter

A white oval dish filled with roasted baby carrots in various colors, garnished with herbs. The dish is on a green surface next to a wooden spoon and a white and green checkered cloth.
Image Credit: Sense & Edibility

Rainbow Carrots in Tarragon Brown Butter adds a vibrant and elegant touch to your Thanksgiving table. This colorful side dish comes together quickly, making it a great pick for beginner-friendly Thanksgiving dishes. The tarragon-butter glaze brings out the best in these sweet roasted carrots.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Carrots in Tarragon Brown Butter

Crispy Chipotle Herbs Muffin Tin Potato Stacks

A muffin tin containing individual servings of sliced, baked potatoes garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs. The golden-brown potatoes are neatly stacked and seasoned, displayed on a light-colored surface.
Image Credit: A Latin Flair

Crispy Chipotle Herbs Muffin Tin Potato Stacks delivers crispy, flavorful layers of potatoes in a bite-sized format. These potatoes are fun to serve and even easier to prepare, which makes them perfect for anyone trying beginner-friendly Thanksgiving dishes. They’re sure to be a crowd favorite!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chipotle Herbs Muffin Tin Potato Stacks

The 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe That Changes Everything

A honey-glazed roast ham garnished with red berries and herbs sits atop a plate surrounded by roasted potato wedges and orange slices. A bowl in the background and a checkered cloth complete the rustic table setting.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe That Changes Everything delivers bold flavor with just orange juice, brown sugar, and mustard. This foolproof glaze makes ham shine, both in taste and presentation, perfect for beginner-friendly Thanksgiving dishes. Every slice feels like a celebration, and it’s simple enough for any cook to master.
Get the Recipe: The 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe That Changes Everything

Easy Corn Pudding Casserole Recipe Without Jiffy Mix

A plate of creamy scrambled eggs mixed with corn and garnished with chopped chives. A fork rests on the plate. The dish is served on a white plate with a blue rim.
Image Credit: An Edible Mosaic

Easy Corn Pudding Casserole Recipe Without Jiffy Mix offers rich, creamy comfort with every bite. This sweet and savory dish is incredibly easy to make, making it a standout choice among beginner-friendly Thanksgiving dishes. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing side for any table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Corn Pudding Casserole Recipe Without Jiffy Mix

Butternut Squash Casserole

Yummy Butternut Squash Casserole picture
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This creamy and cozy Butternut Squash Casserole is so easy to make, and it checks off all the comforting side dish boxes for holiday feasts!
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Casserole

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

A close up image of crispy roasted Brussels Sprouts on a sheet pan.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Get ready for the most amazing Brussels sprouts that are crispy and golden on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, and can be on your table in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Superfoods Brussels Sprout Salad

Several bowls of vibrant salad containing shredded vegetables, cranberries, and seeds are set on a light woven surface. A large serving bowl and metal forks are nearby, enhancing the fresh and inviting presentation.
Image Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens

Superfoods Brussels Sprout Salad combines nutritious ingredients like pistachios and cranberries with a tangy maple-balsamic dressing. This fresh, crunchy salad is a breeze to toss together, making it perfect for those looking for beginner-friendly Thanksgiving dishes. It’s healthy, delicious, and anything but boring.
Get the Recipe: Superfoods Brussels Sprout Salad

Easy Skillet Pan Gravy

A clear glass pitcher filled with brown gravy sits on a wooden table. Behind it, a white plate holds several golden-brown patties. Fresh sage leaves and a wooden spatula are beside the pitcher, adding a rustic touch.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Easy Skillet Pan Gravy guarantees smooth, flavorful gravy without any fuss. Ready in under 20 minutes, this recipe simplifies Thanksgiving prep, making it a must-have among beginner-friendly Thanksgiving dishes. It’s the perfect finishing touch for your turkey and mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Skillet Pan Gravy

Sweet Potato Cheesecake

Yummy Sweet Potato Cheesecake picture
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This flavorful Sweet Potato Cheesecake has everything you love about sweet potato pie combined with creamy cheesecake!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cheesecake

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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