Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (1)

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Thanksgiving dinner may be one of the most important meals you will serve all year — which means it's especially critical to only use recipes you trust (read: now is not the time to experiment!). When it comes to tasty, trustworthy recipes sure to please, Ina Garten (aka the Barefoot Contessa) has proven herself to be a reliable source. So while the pros in the GH Test Kitchen dream up their own triple-tested recipes for every holiday and occasion, we're thrilled to share Ina Garten's Thanksgiving recipes for extra inspiration.

The award-winning cookbook author and television host has put together a no-stress but superb meal for all of us, starting with her thyme-roasted marcona almonds and ending on a sweet note with pumpkin mousse parfaits, pecan squares and her famous apple crostata. In between, she has everyone covered with her top-rated Thanksgiving turkey, plus all-star side dishes (including roasted veggies and mashed potatoes).

If you're thinking there's no way you can cook like this celebrity chef, think again. Ina has shared her top tips for Thanksgiving with us in the past. And her advice is all about keeping things simple and straightforward. Two rules of thumb? "Never, ever test a new recipe on guests for any reason. This is particularly true on Thanksgiving," and "skip complicated appetizers," she said. Instead, she suggests serving nuts, good olives, or figs and prosciutto with wine or Champagne.

She also recommends writing out a menu and making a game plan in advance. So, go ahead and get started by taking a look through these top-notch Thanksgiving recipes from Ina Garten herself.

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1

Luscious Roast Turkey

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2)

Brush the turkey all over with butter for a flavorful — and gorgeously golden-brown — bird.

Get the Luscious Roast Turkey recipe.

RELATED: 45 Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes That You Won't Get Tired Of

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2

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (4)

These creamy and slightly garlicky spuds swap in olive oil for the usual butter, but don't hold back on the heavy cream.

Get the Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe.

RELATED: How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes and Make Your Holidays a Little Easier

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3

Cape Cod Chopped Salad

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (6)

This well-balanced salad, featuring crispy bacon, toasted walnuts and fancy blue cheese feels fit for a holiday feast.

Get the Cape Cod Chopped Salad recipe.

RELATED: 21 Thanksgiving Salads That Complement Turkey Perfectly

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4

Herb and Apple Stuffing

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (8)

Studded with apples, celery and parsley, this stuffing packs in tons of fresh fall flavor.

Get the Herb and Apple Stuffing recipe.

RELATED: 28 Leftover Stuffing Recipes That Make the Most Out of Thanksgiving's Best Dish

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6

Thyme-Roasted Marcona Almonds

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (12)

Marcona almonds are extra buttery and delicious — just buy 'em from the store, sprinkle with salt and herbs and roast until warm and nutty.

Get the Thyme-Roasted Marcona Almonds recipe.

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7

Winter Squash Soup

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (14)

Start off your celebrations with a super-cozy one-pot soup.

Get the Winter Squash Soup recipe.

RELATED: 32 Easy Butternut Squash Recipes Perfect for Cozy Fall Dinners

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8

String Beans with Shallots

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (16)

Leave it to Ina to find a way to make these often-overlooked veggies the standout dish on the dinner table, using just four ingredients.

Get the String Beans with Shallots recipe.

RELATED: 23 Thanksgiving Green Beans That Are Delicious and Easy to Make for Turkey Day

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9

Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (18)

These OJ-braised veggies get a little flavor kick from crushed red pepper flakes — double the amount for even more oomph. No shallots? Half a small onion also works.

Get the Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips recipe.

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10

Brussels Sprouts Lardons

The addition of a smoky meat like bacon or pancetta will help convert any Brussels sprout haters.

Get the Brussels Sprouts Lardons recipe.

RELATED: 38 Brussels Sprout Recipes That Will Have You Asking for Seconds

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11

Cranberry Fruit Conserve

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (22)

It's time to skip the canned cranberry sauce. This sweet and tangy side gets crunch from walnuts and tang from lemon and orange zest.

Get the Cranberry Fruit Conserve recipe.

RELATED: 19 Cranberry Sauce Recipes That'll Convince You to Ditch the Can Opener

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12

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (24)

Squash and apples in one dish? Talk about a fall dream come true. Serve with toasted baguette slices spread with goat cheese.

Get the Butternut Squash and Apple Soup recipe.

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13

Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (26)

If assembling pumpkin pie recipes is too much work (we feel ya!), keep it simple with these 30-minute parfaits.

Get the Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits recipe.

RELATED: 80 Best Thanksgiving Desserts That Make Turkey Day Extra Sweet

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14

Green Beans Gremolata

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (28)

Top crisp-tender green beans with a bright and crunchy gremolata of parsley, Parmesan, pine nuts, lemon peel and garlic. Yum!

Get the Green Beans Gremolata recipe.

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15

Raspberry Cheesecake

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (29)

For a lacquer-like topping, toss fresh berries in warmed jelly. Easy!

Get the Raspberry Cheesecake recipe.

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16

Baked Chocolate Pudding

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (31)

This one's for all the chocolate lovers: A splash of framboise liqueur adds an elegant touch to Thanksgiving night's dessert.

Get the Baked Chocolate Pudding recipe.

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17

Pecan Squares

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (33)

Pecan pie has a whole new look — but the same quintessential (and delicious) flavor.

Get the Pecan Squares recipe.

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18

Apple Crostata

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (35)

The dough for this easier, free-form version of apple pie can be made in advance. All you have to do on the big day is roll it out, fill it, and pop it in the oven as you sit down to feast.

Get the Apple Crostata recipe.

RELATED: 50 Apple Desserts That Are Delicious to the Core

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19

Ultimate Pumpkin Pie with Rum Whipped Cream

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (37)

This pumpkin pie and its whipped cream topping are made with a splash of dark rum, making this American classic even more irresistible.

Get the Ultimate Pumpkin Pie with Rum Whipped Cream recipe.

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20

Clarkson Potter Modern Comfort Food

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (39)

20

Clarkson Potter Modern Comfort Food

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Can't get enough? We totally understand. Check out Ina's latest cookbook for more staple sides, comforting mains and delicious desserts that will wow your guests at any dinner party.

Impress Your Friends With Ina Garten's Very Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is Ina Garten's claim to fame? ›

Ina Rosenberg Garten (/ˈaɪnə/ EYE-nə; born February 2, 1948) is an American television cook and author. She is host of the Food Network program Barefoot Contessa, and was a former staff member of the Office of Management and Budget.

How did Ina Garten get rich? ›

Garten first became wealthy thanks to real estate. Before becoming famous, she purchased, renovated and flipped old homes, which gave her the funds to buy her original Barefoot Contessa shop. After Barefoot Contessa closed, she retained ownership of the property, garnering income from new tenants.

How old is Barefoot Contessa? ›

Ina Garten was born on 2 February 1948 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Barefoot Contessa (2002), 30 Rock (2006) and Be My Guest with Ina Garten (2022)

What is the least favorite side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

The Most Interesting Discoveries:

Most people over 60 chose Green Bean Casserole as their most hated side dish. Those under 40 also disliked Green Bean Casserole, but they had equal distaste for Sweet Potato Casserole. These two “retro” or “vintage” recipes were the most disliked on the list.

Why did Ina Garten not have children? ›

Ina Garten hinted at having a challenging childhood during a recent interview — revealing that it's the reason why she decided not to start a family with her husband, Jeffrey. When asked if she thought having children would hinder her career, she responded “much harder,” before she went on in more detail.

Why do people like Ina Garten so much? ›

If it's a complicated recipe and I'm in the kitchen for most of the day, it's going to be worth the effort.” Garten meticulously crafts each recipe so even the most inexperienced of cooks can make them — perhaps the only skill set that transferred over from her budget analyst job.

Is Ina Garten Religious? ›

Garten is Jewish by birth and heritage, as is her husband, but rarely refers to her religion and ethnicity, though they are showcased through the inclusion of classic Jewish cooking in her television show and cookbooks, when she makes such dishes as rugelach, challah, and brisket.

How much is Ina Garten's husband worth? ›

Ina husband, Jeffrey, is also a financial powerhouse. According to Celebritynetworth.com, Jeffrey is worth $100 million, mostly thanks to his former jobs as managing director of Lehman Brothers and Blackstone Group.

Does Ina Garten own a home in Paris? ›

The Food Network star, 75, and her husband Jeffrey Garten rang in 2024 while in Paris, where they own an apartment. Sharing a snap of their exquisite, orange-themed tablescape, Garten wished her 4.2 million Instagram followers a Happy New Year.

Was Ina Garten a white house chef? ›

For over 20 years, Ina Garten has shared her comforting and foolproof recipes with the world through her beloved cookbooks and "Barefoot Contessa" show. But before becoming a Food Network star, Garten wrote budgets at the White House and ran a Hamptons grocery store.

Is Ina Garten still married to Geoffrey? ›

Ina and Jeffrey Garten: What to know about their relationship. The Food Network star and her husband have been married for over 50 years. Ina Garten, 76, has called her husband Jeffrey Garten the "love of my life" — and he seems to feel the exact same way.

Did Ina Garten go to culinary school? ›

She says it's just in her DNA. The rest is history: She didn't attend cooking school or learn from a grandmother, but she picked up skills out of necessity while running her specialty food store, Barefoot Contessa.

What does Ina Garten eat? ›

One of her favorite go-to comfort foods is a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. There are few pairings more perfect, which is why it's been a childhood staple for generations. Garten has a simple tip that takes peanut butter and jelly sammies to the next level: toasted bread.

What are 5 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer. The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie.

What side dishes can I make ahead for Thanksgiving? ›

Dishes you should definitely make in advance
  • Thanksgiving stuffing. "We always make my mom's sweet potato stuffing ahead of time. ...
  • Casserole. "Pretty much anything with 'casserole' in the name is built for being made in advance." — ...
  • Mise en place. ...
  • Gravy. ...
  • Turkey and chicken stock. ...
  • Most desserts. ...
  • Brussels sprouts. ...
  • Dinner rolls.
Nov 14, 2023

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