21 Thanksgiving Dishes That Will Get You A Slow Clap Around The Dinner Table

If there were ever a time to pull out the showstoppers, Thanksgiving is it, and these dishes are the ones that’ll have everyone clapping between bites. They’re bold, comforting, and totally doable, even if you’re juggling a dozen things in the kitchen. From golden roasts to creamy sides and dreamy desserts, every recipe here guarantees the “you really made this?” moment that makes all the effort worth it.

Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry brie bites are tiny but mighty when it comes to holiday charm. The flaky puff pastry, creamy brie, and tart cranberry jam come together in one elegant, delicious bite that feels straight out of a fancy gathering. They’re simple, stunning, and guaranteed to earn you compliments and maybe even a few recipe requests around the table.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Slow cooker spinach and artichoke dip is the definition of a crowd-pleasing appetizer that instantly makes you the Thanksgiving MVP. The rich, creamy blend of cheese, spinach, and artichokes melts together perfectly while your slow cooker does all the work. Set it out with some bread or crackers, and watch guests circle back for seconds and thirds while giving you that well-earned slow clap.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Honey Mustard Salmon

Honey mustard salmon delivers elegance and ease all in one pan, perfect for those wanting something special without the stress. The salmon bakes to tender perfection under a glaze that’s sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky, exactly the flavor combo that makes dinner guests swoon. It’s a dish that proves not all Thanksgiving stars have to come from the oven in roasting pans.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon

Cranberry Chicken Salad

Cranberry chicken salad adds a festive pop of color and flavor to the Thanksgiving lineup. The mix of juicy chicken, tangy cranberries, and crunchy pecans wrapped in a creamy dressing makes it both refreshing and hearty. It’s the perfect dish to lighten up a heavy meal and keep your guests talking about how creative you are in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad

Chili’s Baked Potato Soup

Chili’s baked potato soup brings cozy, restaurant-worthy comfort right to your Thanksgiving table. The creamy, hearty texture loaded with tender potatoes, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon makes it the perfect starter before the main feast. It’s a dish that gets quiet at the table, not because people aren’t talking, but because they’re too busy enjoying every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Chili’s Baked Potato Soup

Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf

Cheese and bacon cob loaf is the show-stopping appetizer your Thanksgiving spread didn’t know it needed. The golden crust, gooey cheese, and smoky bacon make every bite feel like an applause-worthy moment. Warm, rich, and indulgent, it’s a dish that makes everyone lean back, smile, and give an appreciative nod between bites.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Parmesan roasted green beans take an everyday vegetable and turn it into a showstopper. Crisp, cheesy, and lightly golden, they add both flavor and flair to the Thanksgiving table. It’s an easy win for when you want a side that looks effortless but tastes like you put in way more effort than you did.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

Cheesy garlic pull-apart bread is a comfort food that deserves its own round of applause. Each piece bursts with buttery garlic and molten cheese, making it impossible to stop at just one pull. It’s the perfect side to serve warm at Thanksgiving, soft, golden, and downright addictive, guaranteed to steal the spotlight from the turkey for a moment.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey-glazed carrots bring that golden, glossy magic to your Thanksgiving table that makes everyone stop mid-bite to admire them. Each tender slice is coated in a buttery honey-garlic glaze that tastes as rich and warm as the holiday itself. Simple to make and stunning to serve, they’re the little side dish that delivers big applause every single time.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots

Bacon Cheddar Dip

Bacon cheddar dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser that instantly turns any get-together into a celebration. Loaded with smoky bacon, creamy cheese, and ranch seasoning, it’s ready in minutes and gone just as fast. Serve it warm or cold with crackers or veggies, and watch your guests cheer like they’ve just witnessed the winning touchdown of Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Dip

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes are the comfort classic that no Thanksgiving table is complete without. Creamy, buttery, and infused with just the right amount of garlic, they’re the dish that makes everyone close their eyes for a second after that first bite. It’s simple, timeless, and always gets the slow clap only the best side dishes deserve.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Baked Ham

Baked ham with pineapple brings both drama and deliciousness to the Thanksgiving table, shining as both a main dish and a stunning centerpiece. The caramelized glaze pairs perfectly with the smoky ham, creating a harmony of sweet and savory that feels downright celebratory. It’s a dish that fills the room with applause before anyone even takes a bite.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ham

Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Bruschetta al pomodoro brings a burst of freshness and color to your holiday spread, balancing all the rich, hearty dishes on the table. Juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and crisp bread come together for that perfect bite that tastes like sunshine on a chilly fall day. It’s rustic, elegant, and guaranteed to earn you a well-deserved round of appreciation.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Pineapple cheese ball is a showpiece appetizer that practically demands center stage at the Thanksgiving table. The mix of creamy cheese, sweet pineapple, and crunchy pecans creates a bite that’s both festive and unforgettable. It’s a fun, flavorful dish that brings smiles, laughter, and maybe even a slow clap or two before the turkey is carved.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

Bacon-wrapped filet mignon brings an elegant, restaurant-worthy touch to your Thanksgiving feast without the stress. Juicy, tender beef wrapped in crisp, smoky bacon feels indulgent yet comforting, the ultimate way to impress your guests. It’s the dish that makes everyone pause, smile, and raise their forks in appreciation.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

Parmesan Potatoes

Parmesan potatoes are the unsung hero of any feast, small, crispy, and packed with flavor that makes people go back for “just one more.” The buttery centers and cheesy crust make them pure comfort on a plate, while their simplicity keeps your holiday stress-free. They’re the perfect side for anyone who believes applause should come standard with great food.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Potato Skins

Potato skins are that cozy, crispy favorite that can steal the spotlight even on Thanksgiving. Loaded with cheese, bacon, and green onions, each bite brings all the richness and comfort of the season in one handheld snack. They’re easy to make, impossible to resist, and guaranteed to earn a round of applause from everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins

Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits

Bacon and cheddar biscuits are the side that can turn a regular meal into a holiday-level event. Buttery, cheesy, and warm straight from the oven, they practically melt in your mouth and make every plate better. Whether paired with soup, ham, or a big Thanksgiving spread, they’ll have everyone clapping for the baker.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits

Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Mashed cauliflower potatoes deliver all the creamy comfort of the classic favorite with a lighter, guilt-free twist that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Smooth, buttery, and perfectly seasoned, they fit right in among the holiday heavy-hitters. It’s a side that makes everyone feel good about seconds, and might just surprise the pickiest eater at the table.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow cooker pot roast is the kind of meal that earns a standing ovation before dessert even hits the table. The beef cooks low and slow until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender, soaking up all the flavor from the vegetables and rich gravy. It’s classic comfort made effortless, the sort of dish that has guests asking for seconds, and maybe your secret.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Stuffed Dates

Stuffed dates are the sweet-and-savory bite-sized treasures that make guests stop and ask, “Who made these?” The creamy goat cheese filling and crunchy walnuts create a perfect balance that feels festive and sophisticated. They’re elegant, effortless, and exactly the kind of appetizer that earns you an encore.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Dates