Midwestern Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

These Midwestern traditional Thanksgiving recipes are dependable, delicious, holiday staples. Whether you are from the Midwest and crave a taste of home or want to try something new for the holidays, you can't go wrong with these dishes.

There are classic Midwestern side dishes, casseroles, condiments, turkey, and more recipes to help you build a perfect, well-rounded, Thanksgiving menu.

Whether you're a pro at hosting Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties or giving it a try for the first time this year, you're sure to find my ultimate guide to planning Thanksgiving a help! Don't forget to safely thaw your holiday turkey early, too!

1. Easy Stuffing

When it comes to Thanksgiving, no Midwest holiday meal is complete without stuffing. A light crust is formed on top, allowing the stuffing to be soft, buttery, and well-seasoned with herbs.

This Midwestern staple only takes 5 minutes to prepare. It features classic stuffing ingredients such as celery, onion, stuffing cubes, butter, and tasty herbs.

2. Roasted Turkey

Roasting a turkey is one of the easiest ways to cook up a tender, moist, and super tasty main course bird. No dryness here, this roasted turkey cooks beautifully every time.

Impress your family with this juicy, tender roasted turkey on your next Thanksgiving dinner.

3. Turkey Gravy

A delicious homemade turkey gravy using drippings and giblets from a roasted turkey. It's rich, creamy, and perfect to top almost everything.

You'll be thankful that you made this Midwestern-style homemade gravy over buying store-bought. It only takes minutes to prepare and it's super simple to make.

4. Green Bean Casserole

A Midwestern classic side dish that you will see on everyone's Thanksgiving menu! This upgraded casserole features a cheese sauce, crispy pieces of bacon, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.

Everyone will fight for seconds because this green bean casserole is that good.

5. Cranberry Sauce

Sweet, tangy, and juicy cranberry sauce is an absolute must for Thanksgiving dinner in my home. Fresh apple slices and apple cider are mixed in with tangy cranberries to create an elevated homemade cranberry sauce.

6. Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are always a hit at Midwestern Thanksgiving gatherings and a must-have at my family Thanksgiving dinners. My classic deviled egg recipe features a tangy blend of mayo and mustard plus some crispy bacon crumbles for crunch.

7. Corn Casserole

Corn Casserole is a versatile and delicious side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or any time of year. No need to worry if this cornbread will turn out dry, the sour cream and butter guarantee a moist outcome every time.

This cornbread casserole recipe is the ultimate Midwestern comfort food.

8. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving staple dessert dish topped with marshmallows and pecans. You can even prepare it ahead of time and bake it Thanksgiving Day.

This sweet and savory casserole is always a fan-favorite in my house and I'm sure it will be in yours too.

9. Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

These cream cheese mashed potatoes are simple to make and absolutely delicious. Slather them on your plate then put some turkey and gravy right on top.

The addition of cream cheese and a hint of garlic makes mashed especially rich and flavorful.

10. Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes

Traditional Midwestern layered creamy scalloped potatoes are a Thanksgiving favorite made even easier with your slow cooker. This layered russet potato casserole is savory, cheesy, and rich.

11. Funeral Potatoes

This cheesy potato casserole topped with crunchy cornflakes is a Midwestern classic for large gatherings. The cereal adds a delectable crunch to the rich, cheesy, potato godness baked underneath.

12. Ranch Cheese Ball

Cheeseballs are a quintessential Midwestern appetizer, and I like mine seasoned with cheddar, bacon, and ranch seasoning. This recipe includes an optional crushed pecan crust that I highly recommend for that extra crunch.

13. Vegetable Casserole

This vegetable casserole is a Midwestern classic side dish loaded with frozen veggies, Velveeta, and a Ritz cracker topping. The casserole can be assembled the day before to save you some stress on Thanksgiving.

With a cheesy center and a crunchy crumb topping, everyone will be wowed by how delicious this casserole is.

14. Homemade Crescent Rolls

Homemade crescent rolls are easily one of the first things gone at any holiday dinner. They are buttery, flaky, and chewy, perfect for sopping up turkey gravy on Thanksgiving.

These delicious rolls are easier to make than you think, there is no need to pop open a premade package again.

15. Cranberry Fluff

Cranberry fluff is a sweet and tangy fruit salad made with cranberries, apples, green grapes, nuts, and mini marshmallows. It's the perfect light dessert that won't fill you up too much while you eat your turkey meal.

16. Tater Tot Hotdish

This mouthwatering tater tot hotdish is a must-have for any Thanksgiving meal in the Midwest! Green beans (or sweet corn) and cream of mushroom soup are combined with ground meat before being topped with tater tots and cooked to perfection!

Whether you call it a casserole or a hotdish, it's guaranteed to be loved by your guests!

17. Snickers Salad

Snickers salad is a delicious and creamy dessert dish made with Snickers candy bars, cool whip, vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip! Top it with some caramel sauce and you have yourself a perfect year-round dessert that the family will love!

When you make this dessert to serve along your Thanksgiving feast and you won't be disappointed!

💭 Tips For A Perfect Midwestern Thanksgiving

1. Appetizers, entree, sides, and dessert. Ideally, you want one or two appetizers, one main course, at least two or three side dishes, and a dessert or two. You can always opt for sweet sides in place of dessert (like sweet potato casserole or cranberry fluff).
2. Feel free to incorporate classics. Some Thanksgiving recipes like green bean casserole, stuffing, and turkey are classics country-wide. You can mix your favorite holiday recipes seamlessly with any of these Midwestern dishes.
3. Aim for hearty and casual. This goes for the food, there should be plenty of comfort food, and the decor. The holiday is about feasting with family and relaxing.
4. Don't forget the drinks. Warm apple cider and hot tea or coffee pair beautifully with pie as a way to finish off the meal.

I hope these Midwestern Thanksgiving menu ideas helped you pull off the perfect holiday dinner. Let me know which recipes you tried.

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