Thanksgiving Menu Planning: How Many Dishes for Your Guests?
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, delicious food! Planning the perfect menu can be tricky, especially when it comes to deciding how many dishes to prepare. Here’s a guide on how many stuffings, entrees, and desserts to serve based on your guest count, along with example menus for different regional styles.
How Many Dishes to Prepare?
Here’s a quick breakdown of how many dishes you might want to prepare based on the number of guests:
| Guest Count | Stuffings | Entrees | Desserts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | 1-2 | 1 | 1-2 |
| 12 | 2-3 | 2 | 2-3 |
Example Menus by Regional Theme
Southern Cooking Thanksgiving Menu
- Entree:
- Mustard Honey-Glazed Turkey
- Stuffing:
- Cornbread Stuffing with Chicken Sausage
- Sides:
- Collard Greens
- Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Desserts:
- Apple Pie
- Red Velvet Cake
Southwest Cooking Thanksgiving Menu
- Entree:
- Chipotle-Glazed Turkey
- Stuffing:
- Corn and Black Bean Stuffing
- Sides:
- Roasted Corn Salad
- Green Chili Mashed Potatoes
- Jalapeño Cornbread
- Desserts:
- Pumpkin Flan
- Tres Leches Cake
Midwestern Chicago Thanksgiving Menu
- Entree:
- Roast Turkey with Herb Butter
- Stuffing:
- Traditional Bread Stuffing
- Sides:
- Creamed Spinach
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Cranberry Bread
- Desserts:
- Apple and Cranberry Pie
- HoneyNut Squash Bars with Vanilla Ice Cream
New York Thanksgiving Menu
- Entree:
- Herb-Roasted Turkey or Vegetarian Chicken Thighs
- Stuffing:
- Wild Rice and Mushroom Stuffing
- Mushroom and Cranberry Stuffing
- Sides:
- Roasted Vegetables
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Classic Stuffed Mushrooms.
- Desserts:
- Pumpkin Bars
- Lemon Meringue Pie
No matter where you are, Thanksgiving is a time to gather and enjoy good food. By planning your menu based on the number of guests and choosing a regional theme, you can create a memorable feast that everyone will love.
Happy Thanksgiving!