Thanksgiving Ingredient List

Everything you need for Thanksgiving Day.

Here’s a comprehensive Thanksgiving shopping list with everything you’d need to stock, organized by category to make it easy to check off and ensure no ingredients are forgotten. Add or subtract based on your menu and number of guests.

Plus, check out the links below for make-ahead recipes, what you need to stock a home bar, and how to perfect hosting a get-together!

Turkey & Meat

• Whole turkey (12–20 lbs, depending on the number of guests)

• Turkey brine (or ingredients for homemade brine: kosher salt, brown sugar, herbs)

• Sausage (for stuffing)

Produce

• Potatoes (5–6 lbs for mashed potatoes)

• Sweet potatoes/yams (3–4 large, for casserole or roasting)

• Onions (yellow and red, at least 4–5)

• Garlic bulbs (2)

• Celery (1 bunch for stuffing, soup, etc.)

• Carrots (1 bag for mirepoix, soup, and sides)

• Leeks (2–3 for flavoring or sides)

• Green beans (1 lb for casserole or roasting)

• Brussels sprouts (1 lb)

• Corn on the cob or kernels (fresh or frozen)

• Cranberries (1 bag fresh for cranberry sauce)

• Herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley

• Lemons ( zest and seasoning)

• Apples (2–3, for stuffing or dessert)

• Oranges (zest, garnish, or cranberry sauce)

Dairy & Eggs

• Butter (2–4 lbs, unsalted and salted)

• Heavy cream (1 - 2 pints for mashed potatoes and desserts)

• Milk (1 quart - 1 gallon for recipes and drinks)

• Eggs (1 - 2 dozen)

• Cream cheese (1 - 2 blocks for dips or desserts)

• Sour cream (1 pint for mashed potatoes or topping)

• Cheddar cheese (1 block, sharp)

• Parmesan cheese (1 block)

Canned & Jarred Goods

• Chicken or turkey broth or stock (2–3 cartons)

• Canned pumpkin (for making pie or dessert)

• Evaporated milk (only if using in pies)

• Green bean casserole ingredients: cream of mushroom soup (2 cans), fried onions (1 canister)

• Jellied or whole berry cranberry sauce (if not making fresh)

• Stuffing mix (or bread cubes if making homemade stuffing)

Baking & Pantry Staples

• All-purpose flour (5 lbs for rolls, pie crusts, thickening)

• Sugar (granulated, brown, and powdered)

• Brown sugar (light or dark for sweet potatoes, brines)

• Honey (for glazing and desserts)

• Maple syrup (for glazing and desserts)

• Yeast (for rolls if making from scratch)

• Cornstarch (for thickening)

• Vanilla extract (for baking)

• Baking powder (for rolls or biscuits)

• Baking soda (for baking)

• Salt (kosher and table salt)

• Black pepper

• Ground cinnamon (for desserts)

• Ground nutmeg (for sweet potatoes and pies)

• Ground ginger (for pies and spicing)

• Poultry seasoning (for stuffing and turkey)

• Paprika (for seasoning)

Breads & Grains

• Bread for stuffing (if making homemade stuffing, consider a loaf of sourdough or French bread)

• Dinner rolls (or ingredients if making homemade)

Oils & Condiments

• Olive oil (for roasting and cooking)

• Vegetable oil (for frying or baking)

• Apple cider vinegar (for salads and cranberry sauce)

• Mustard (Dijon) (for seasoning and dressings)

• Worcestershire sauce (gravies or sauces)

Beverages

• Apple cider (for drinking and mulling)

• Sparkling water or juice

• Red and white wine (for cooking and serving)

• Beer

• Spirits and Liqueurs

Frozen Items

• Frozen peas or corn (if not using fresh)

• Pie crusts (if not making homemade)

Dessert Ingredients

• Pie crusts or ingredients (flour, butter, etc., if making from scratch)

• Pecans or walnuts (for pecan pie or toppings)

• Whipped cream or heavy cream (for topping pies)

• Fruit (for platters or toppings)

Optional for Holiday Flair

• Mini marshmallows (for sweet potato casserole and hot chocolate toppings)

• Bread crumbs (for added texture in casseroles)

• Olives, cocktail onions

• Toothpicks, tiny forks

• Coffee, espresso, tea

Check out these posts for more ideas.

How to stock a home bar. 

Simple, Delicious, Make-Ahead Meals

Host with ease, recipes included!

Plan the perfect get-together. 

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