23 Thanksgiving Mains That’ll Make Everyone Forget About the Sides

You know how Thanksgiving usually turns into a side dish love fest? Not this year. This lineup is full of juicy turkeys, cozy chicken dinners, show stopping beef, and even a couple of unexpected stunners that taste like you pulled off culinary magic. Whether you’re feeding two or twenty, going classic or trying something totally new, these mains bring big flavor without the stress. Get ready for the kind of meal that has people quietly unbuttoning their jeans and asking for leftovers containers before dessert even hits the table.

Air Fryer Turkey Legs

Roasted turkey legs on a cutting board with a knife. — Air Fryer Turkey Legs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

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Turkey legs get crispy skin and juicy meat in a fraction of the time, thanks to the air fryer. Perfect for smaller gatherings or as an extra protein when the main bird disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Legs

Cranberry Cherry Glazed Turkey

A roasted turkey is sitting on top of rice. — Cranberry Cherry Glazed Turkey. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A sweet-tart cranberry and cherry glaze coats the turkey in a glossy finish that tastes as festive as it looks. Every slice is juicy, slightly sticky, and full of holiday flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cherry Glazed Turkey

Tart Cherry Chestnut Stuffed Turkey Roulade

Boneless turkey breast gets rolled up with tart cherries, chestnuts, and herbs, then sliced into gorgeous spirals. It looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Tart Cherry Chestnut Stuffed Turkey Roulade

Air Fryer Cornish Hens

Whole Cornish hens roast to golden perfection with crispy skin and tender meat. They make an impressive, individual-sized main without any extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cornish Hens

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Chicken cooks low and slow in a tangy cranberry sauce with sweet Catalina dressing and savory onion soup mix. It is an effortless dump-and-go dish with spoon-worthy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Garlic Herb Prime Rib Roast

Sliced rib roast on a platter. — Garlic Herb Prime Rib Roast. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska..

A juicy prime rib coated in garlic and fresh herbs bakes into a tender, show stopping centerpiece. The flavor is rich, savory, and perfect for any holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Prime Rib Roast

How to Cook a Prime Rib

Cooked prime rib on a wooden cutting board. — How to Cook a Prime Rib. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

A straightforward guide that walks you through prepping, seasoning, and roasting prime rib for guaranteed success. Ideal if it is your first time or you just want zero guesswork.
Get the Recipe: How to Cook a Prime Rib

Stuffed Turkey Breast

Boneless turkey breast gets filled with spinach and cheese, wrapped in bacon, and baked with white wine until juicy and flavorful. It is elegant without being fussy.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Turkey Breast

Oven Roast Turkey with Stuffing

A cooked stuffed turkey with golden brown skin is placed on a white platter, accompanied by a carving knife and fork. — Oven Roast Turkey with Stuffing. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A classic roasted turkey with traditional stuffing that delivers dependable, delicious results. Step-by-step instructions keep the whole process simple and stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roast Turkey with Stuffing

Easy Roasted Chicken

Roasted chicken nestled amongst potatoes, onions, and carrots in the baking pan. — Easy Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: .

A simple roasted chicken with crispy skin and tender meat that works for small holiday meals or any cozy dinner at home.
Get the Recipe: Easy Roasted Chicken

Savory Stuffed Pumpkin

A pumpkin stuffed and bakked in a pan. — Savory Stuffed Pumpkin. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A whole pumpkin baked and filled with savory ingredients for a stunning fall centerpiece. It is seasonal, unique, and perfect when you want something unexpected.
Get the Recipe: Savory Stuffed Pumpkin

Easy Oven Roasted Chicken

Roasted Chicken in a baking dish. — Easy Oven Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: Little Frugal Homestead.

Juicy roasted chicken with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. It is a no-fail recipe that fits any weeknight or holiday menu.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Roasted Chicken

Dutch Oven Chicken Breast and Vegetables

A white pot containing four seasoned chicken breasts, sliced carrots, and celery in a tomato-based broth, garnished with chopped parsley. A bunch of parsley sits nearby. — Dutch Oven Chicken Breast and Vegetables. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Chicken breasts sear to golden brown before simmering with carrots, celery, and herbs in a rich pan sauce. It is comforting, hearty, and all made in one pot.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken Breast and Vegetables

Apple Cider Chicken Thighs

A seasoned, browned chicken thigh with apple slices on top of mashed potatoes, served with green beans on the side. — Apple Cider Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Chicken thighs bake in a sweet and savory apple cider glaze with brown sugar and garlic. The crispy skin and tender meat make it taste like fall in a pan.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Chicken Thighs

Hazelnut Crusted Turkey Breast

Sliced breaded chicken on a wooden cutting board next to a serrated knife. — Hazelnut Crusted Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Turkey breast gets coated in a crunchy hazelnut topping that bakes into a golden crust. It is elegant, flavorful, and perfect for smaller celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Hazelnut Crusted Turkey Breast

Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham

Sliced baked ham on a white plate, garnished with fresh parsley. — Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

A juicy ham baked with a sweet bourbon maple glaze until sticky and caramelized. It is a crowd favorite that works for any holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham

Cajun Turkey Breast

Turkey breast seasoned with bold Cajun spices bakes up juicy with crispy, flavorful skin. It brings a spicy twist to the traditional holiday bird.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Turkey Breast

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Slices of golden brown air-fried turkey breast. — Air Fryer Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Turkey breast roasts quickly in the air fryer with perfectly browned skin and tender meat. Ideal for small gatherings or bonus leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Low angle shot of an air fried whole chicken. — Air Fryer Whole Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A whole chicken cooks up crispy and succulent in the air fryer with barely any effort. It is a great alternative to turkey and ready faster than you would expect.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Baked Ham

Ham bakes with pineapple and brown sugar until caramelized and glossy. Just three ingredients turn into a stunning holiday centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ham

Bacon Wrapped Fillet Mignon

A plate with a cooked steak cut into pieces, accompanied by mashed potatoes and green beans. — Bacon Wrapped Fillet Mignon. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Filet mignon gets wrapped in bacon, seared in herb butter, and finished in the oven. It is tender, rich, and perfect for special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Fillet Mignon

Roasted Turkey

A classic oven-roasted turkey with golden skin, juicy meat, and simple seasoning. It is reliable, delicious, and perfect for any holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Turkey

Slow Cooker Rump Roast

A plate with sliced pot roast, potatoes, and carrots sits on a marble surface next to a slow cooker, a green towel, and fresh herbs. — Slow Cooker Rump Roast. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Beef rump roast cooks low and slow with simple ingredients until melt-in-your-mouth tender. It is cozy, hearty, and practically cooks itself.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rump Roast