It’s that time of year again!! I’m so excited!! Here we have golden roast turkey, buttery spanakopita, creamy potatoes with feta, and something sweet waiting for later. If you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu and want to bring a little Greek flavor to the table, I have so many delicious ideas for you!
These Mediterranean Thanksgiving recipes include appetizers, holiday mains, comforting sides, fresh salads, and desserts. Keep the turkey everyone looks forward to, add a few Greek favorites, and choose dishes you can prepare ahead so you have time to enjoy your company, too.
You don’t need to make everything here. Please don’t! I’ll help you choose what goes together, with three menu ideas and a simple preparation plan below.
Want your Thanksgiving recipes and cooking plan together in one place? My Mediterranean Thanksgiving Table cookbook includes 38 recipes, holiday menus, cooking schedules, and hosting worksheets. Download the PDF and start planning today, or choose the hardcover edition if you love having a beautiful cookbook in your kitchen.
How to Plan a Mediterranean Thanksgiving Menu
Start with the dish you’re most excited to serve, then build around it. A roast turkey with gravy, a lemony potato dish, a fresh salad, and flaky spinach pie already make a beautiful meal.
For a manageable starting point, choose:
- One main dish, with a hearty meatless option if needed.
- One or two appetizers, including something that doesn’t need the oven.
- Three or four sides with a mix of creamy, fresh, and savory flavors.
- One centerpiece dessert and, if you’d like, a platter of cookies for coffee.
Adjust the quantities to your guest count and each recipe’s yield. A longer menu doesn’t always mean a better dinner. Give your favorites enough space on the plate!
Before you commit, check the pans and oven temperatures. Two recipes might each look easy until you realize they both need the same oven rack at different temperatures.
Greek Thanksgiving Appetizers
1. Greek Salad Olive Oil Bread Dip
Juicy tomato, fragrant oregano, olive oil, feta, and olives turn the best part of a Greek salad into something you can scoop up with bread. Put this on the table while you finish dinner, and let everyone help themselves.
Why it belongs on the menu: It doesn’t need the oven. Pair it with one baked appetizer instead of choosing two pastries that both need last-minute attention.
Get the Greek Salad Olive Oil Bread Dip recipe.
2. Tiropita Puff Pastry Braid
Buttery, golden puff pastry wrapped around a creamy feta and ricotta filling. This braid looks so pretty on a serving board, and you can slice it into smaller pieces for everyone to enjoy before dinner.
Planning tip: The recipe includes instructions for freezing the assembled, unbaked braid. Remember to reserve baking time for it even when the assembly is done ahead.
Get the Tiropita Puff Pastry Braid recipe.
3. Classic Spanakopita
Of course we need spanakopita! Crisp layers of phyllo, spinach, creamy feta and ricotta, and herbs make this Greek pie such a lovely addition to Thanksgiving.
Cut smaller pieces for an appetizer, or serve larger slices as a vegetarian main. You can let one tray do either job, depending on your guests.
Make ahead: Assemble and freeze it unbaked up to a month ahead, following the recipe’s wrapping and frozen-baking directions.
Get my Best Spanakopita recipe.
Thanksgiving Main Dishes
4. Easy Roast Turkey and Gravy
If Thanksgiving wouldn’t feel complete without turkey, start here. Citrus, garlic, oregano, and herbed butter give this roast so much flavor, and the pan juices become homemade gravy.
Planning tip: Check the turkey size in the recipe before shopping. Your oven schedule needs to include roasting, resting, carving, and making the gravy.
Get the Easy Roast Turkey and Gravy recipe.
5. Thanksgiving Roast Chicken with Homemade Gravy and Lemony Potatoes
Golden skin, juicy chicken, homemade gravy, and brothy lemon potatoes. This is a wonderful option for a smaller Thanksgiving or a family that would rather have chicken.
The potatoes cook in their own dish at the same oven temperature as the chicken. Just check that both pans fit comfortably before you plan the rest of the meal around them.
Make ahead: Season the chicken and refrigerate it up to 24 hours ahead, following the recipe instructions.
Get the Thanksgiving Roast Chicken recipe.
6. Greek-Style Stuffed Cornish Hens
These little hens filled with Greek stuffing make such a beautiful holiday centerpiece. They’re a lovely choice when you want a special dinner without serving a whole turkey.
Menu tip: Since the stuffing is already part of this dish, choose a vegetable and a fresh salad alongside it before adding another filling side.
Get the Greek-Style Stuffed Cornish Hens recipe.
7. Greek Gigantes and Spinach Casserole
Tender giant beans baked with tomato sauce, spinach, and roasted peppers make a satisfying meatless main. Serve with bread for that delicious sauce, and your vegetarian guests have something substantial to enjoy.
Planning tip: This recipe starts with dried beans soaked overnight, so put that on your preparation list. The feta topping is optional, which also makes this a useful choice when planning for guests who avoid dairy.
Get the Gigantes and Spinach Casserole recipe.
Greek and Mediterranean Thanksgiving Side Dishes
8. Greek-Style Holiday Stuffing
Ground beef, rice, tomatoes, dried cranberries or raisins, and toasted pine nuts make this stuffing savory, a little sweet, and full of texture. It’s a delicious Greek addition to a traditional Thanksgiving plate.
Why it helps the cook: You can prepare and serve it from the stovetop. That’s especially useful when the turkey and potatoes have taken over the oven.
Get the Greek-Style Holiday Stuffing recipe.
9. Potato Gratin with Feta
Thinly sliced potatoes baked with cream, garlic, oregano, Gruyère, and feta. This is the rich, comforting side to choose when you want creamy potatoes with a little Greek flavor.
Make ahead: Assemble and refrigerate the gratin the day before. It has a long baking time plus a rest before serving, so read the full recipe before deciding when it goes into the oven.
Get the Potato Gratin with Feta recipe.
10. Greek-Style Roasted Potato Spiral
Thin slices of potato arranged in a spiral with onion, lemon, garlic, oregano, and feta make such a pretty dish. Choose this when you’d like lemony potatoes with crisp edges instead of a creamy gratin.
Menu tip: One potato dish is usually a good place to start. Pick the style you love and use your remaining sides to add vegetables and freshness.
Get the Greek-Style Roasted Potato Spiral recipe.
11. Green Bean Casserole without Mushroom Soup
Tender green beans, a creamy homemade sauce, cheese, and crispy fried onions bring all the comfort you want from this Thanksgiving favorite. There’s no canned mushroom soup in this version.
Menu tip: Pair it with lemony potatoes and a crisp salad for a plate with a little of everything.
Get the Green Bean Casserole recipe.
12. Greek Cornbread with Feta
This moist cornbread has creamy feta, grated zucchini, and roasted red pepper tucked into the batter. It’s colorful, savory, and delicious alongside turkey, chicken, or a spoonful of Greek stuffing.
Planning tip: The recipe calls for letting it come to room temperature before serving. Bake it before the final rush and free the oven for dishes you want to serve hot.
Get the Greek Cornbread with Feta recipe.
Fresh Salads for Your Thanksgiving Table
13. Roka Salata: Greek Arugula Salad
Peppery greens, dried figs, toasted pine nuts, tomatoes, and shaved cheese with a honey-balsamic dressing. That sweet, salty, tangy combination is so good beside roast meat and buttery pastry.
Serving tip: Have everything ready, then dress the greens and add the nuts and cheese just before serving.
14. Greek Fall Cabbage Salad
Crunchy cabbage, carrots, romaine, peppers, and herbs bring welcome freshness to a rich holiday meal. The honey-balsamic dressing ties everything together beautifully.
Menu tip: Choose this when you want plenty of crunch alongside soft potatoes, stuffing, and gravy.
Get the Greek Fall Cabbage Salad recipe.
15. Greek Beet and White Bean Salad with Feta
Roasted beets, creamy beans, crunchy vegetables, olives, herbs, and feta come together with a lemon-oregano dressing. It’s a hearty salad that works beautifully on a buffet or as something delicious to bring to dinner.
Make ahead: The recipe keeps for two to three days in the refrigerator, so you can prepare it a day ahead and have one dish completely finished.
Get the Greek Beet and White Bean Salad recipe.
16. Greek Beet and Yogurt Salad: Pantzarosalata
Sweet roasted beets over creamy garlic-mint yogurt, finished with toasted walnuts. The ruby beets against that white yogurt make such a beautiful platter, and there’s very little to do at serving time.
Make ahead: Prepare the dressed beets and yogurt sauce the day before and refrigerate separately. Arrange the platter close to serving and add the walnuts last.
Get the Greek Beet and Yogurt Salad recipe.
Want more choices for the sides? Browse my Greek holiday side dishes and choose the combination that works for your table.
Thanksgiving Desserts with a Little Greek Flavor
Now, we should probably talk about dessert. You knew I wasn’t going to leave that out.
17. Chocolate Hazelnut Baklava Pie
Buttery, crisp phyllo, a rich chocolate hazelnut filling, and ground hazelnuts make this pie such a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table. If you have chocolate lovers coming to dinner, this one is for them!
Planning tip: Leave time for the pie to cool completely after you pour the cooled vanilla syrup over the hot pastry. Pair it with an apple dessert for a little variety on the table.
Get the Chocolate Hazelnut Baklava Pie recipe.
18. Baklava Apple Phyllo Pie
If choosing between apple pie and baklava sounds impossible, make this. Tender spiced apples, a cinnamon-walnut layer, buttery phyllo, and honey-lemon syrup bring the two together in one delicious dessert.
Menu tip: Choose this as your apple dessert, then add chocolate hazelnut baklava pie or cookies if you want another option.
Get the Baklava Apple Phyllo Pie recipe.
19. Caramel Apple Galette in Puff Pastry
Buttery puff pastry, cinnamon apples, and homemade caramel sauce. This rustic galette gives you those cozy apple-pie flavors with the convenience of store-bought pastry.
Make ahead: Prepare the caramel sauce ahead and refrigerate it according to the recipe. That’s one less saucepan to deal with while you’re baking.
Get the Caramel Apple Galette recipe.
20. Melomakarona: Greek Honey Cookies
These orange-scented Greek cookies are soaked in honey syrup and topped with spiced walnuts. They’re traditionally Christmas cookies, but there’s no reason to wait when you’re putting together a holiday dessert platter!
Serve them with coffee after dinner, or bring a box as a sweet gift for your host.
Plan Your Holiday Baking with My Dessert Cookbook
If you’re already thinking about what to bake for Thanksgiving, what to bring to the next party, and which cookies to put in gift boxes, my 25 Days of Desserts & a Festive Holiday Cookie Collection will give you plenty of delicious choices.
You’ll find 25 desserts and 13 cookie recipes, including baklava cheesecake, caramel apple galette, pecan pie with phyllo crust, and Greek holiday cookies. Choose one special dessert for Thanksgiving, then come back to the collection for December gatherings and homemade gifts.
The PDF lets you keep the collection on your tablet, phone, or computer, or print the recipe you’re baking.
Get my 25 Days of Desserts & a Festive Holiday Cookie Collection.
Three Mediterranean Thanksgiving Menus to Help You Choose
These are combinations I’d put together from the recipes above. Use each recipe’s yield to work out quantities for your guests.
| Menu | Starter | Main | Sides | Dessert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A classic Thanksgiving with Greek favorites | Greek salad bread dip | Roast turkey and gravy | Greek stuffing, roasted potato spiral, Roka Salata | Chocolate hazelnut baklava pie and melomakarona |
| A cozy, smaller Thanksgiving | A small platter of tiropita | Thanksgiving roast chicken and gravy | The lemon potatoes included with the chicken recipe, green bean casserole, beet and yogurt salad | Caramel apple galette |
| A vegetarian Thanksgiving | Greek salad bread dip | Spanakopita and gigantes with spinach | Potato gratin with feta and fall cabbage salad | Baklava apple phyllo pie |
For the vegetarian menu, check the cheeses and other packaged ingredients against your guests’ dietary needs. If you add another recipe, check its broth as well; some vegetable sides use chicken broth.
What Can You Make Ahead for Thanksgiving?
A little preparation makes the day so much easier. Here’s where I’d start with this collection:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| A few weeks ahead | Assemble and freeze spanakopita or the tiropita braid, following each recipe’s freezing instructions. |
| The week before | Finalize the menu, check recipe yields, assign dishes to guests, and map out your pans and oven schedule. |
| One or two days ahead | Prepare the beet and white bean salad. Make the galette’s caramel sauce if that’s your dessert. |
| The day before | Prepare the beet and yogurt salad components separately. Assemble the potato gratin and refrigerate. Season the roast chicken if using. Soak the dried beans if you’re making gigantes the next day. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Follow your main dish’s cooking schedule, bake the remaining dishes, make the stovetop stuffing, and finish the salads close to serving. |
My biggest oven tip: An assembled dish still needs time to bake. Frozen pastry can need even longer. Write down the temperature, pan size, baking time, and resting time for every hot dish before you decide your menu is finished.
Choose a few dishes that don’t need oven time near dinner, such as the bread dip, a chilled beet salad, and stovetop stuffing. It makes a real difference when everything else is almost ready.
What Should You Bring to Thanksgiving Dinner?
If you’re visiting someone else, ask what would help before choosing your dish. A lovely casserole can be tricky if your host has no room to bake it!
The beet and white bean salad is useful when oven space is tight. Melomakarona make a lovely coffee-table treat or hostess gift. Spanakopita is another delicious choice, but agree on whether you’re bringing it baked or arranging to bake it there.
Bring any dressing, nuts, or finishing garnishes separately when the recipe calls for adding them at serving time. Include the serving spoon, too. It’s such a small thing, but your host will appreciate it.
Questions About Mediterranean Thanksgiving Recipes
What is a Mediterranean Thanksgiving dinner?
It can be a familiar Thanksgiving meal with Greek and Mediterranean dishes alongside it: roast turkey with lemon and herbs, spanakopita, Greek stuffing, a fresh salad, and phyllo desserts. There’s no single menu you need to follow. Keep your family’s favorites and choose a few new dishes you’re excited to share.
Can I serve chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely! My Thanksgiving roast chicken includes homemade gravy and lemony potatoes, so it makes a lovely holiday centerpiece. Check the recipe yield and plan the quantity around your guests and the other dishes you’re serving.
What Greek sides go with Thanksgiving turkey?
Greek stuffing, potato gratin with feta, a roasted potato spiral, spanakopita, and either beet salad all work beautifully. Choose a mix rather than making every rich side. Something crisp or tangy is especially welcome alongside turkey and gravy.
How do I plan for vegetarian guests?
Offer a substantial main, such as spanakopita or gigantes with spinach, and check the rest of the menu for broth, meat, and cheese ingredients. My Greek holiday stuffing contains ground beef, so it isn’t a vegetarian side.
Which cookbook should I start with?
If you’re hosting dinner, start with The Mediterranean Thanksgiving Table for recipes, menus, cooking schedules, and planning worksheets. If you’re bringing dessert or organizing holiday baking, choose 25 Days of Desserts & a Festive Holiday Cookie Collection. Together, they’ll help you plan dinner and keep delicious baking ideas close by throughout the holidays.
Let’s Make This Thanksgiving Delicious
Pick your main, choose a few sides you love, and decide on dessert. You don’t have to cook the whole collection to put a beautiful meal on the table.
For help bringing the meal together, download The Mediterranean Thanksgiving Table or order the hardcover. Then choose something sweet from 25 Days of Desserts & a Festive Holiday Cookie Collection to bake and share.
Tell me in the comments: which recipe is getting a place on your Thanksgiving table? And if you make something, tag me so I can see your beautiful dishes.
Kali Orexi!
Dimitra
Leave a Reply