24 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In November

Besides, you know, turkey.

Brooke Greenberg / BuzzFeed

And just like that, it's the best food month of the year. 🥧

While we've got plenty of Thanksgiving menu ideas for the big day, we also know there's tons of eating and drinking to be done during the rest of November. So here are some favorite fall recipes to round out your month, including hearty slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners, all-purpose vegetable sides and soups — and all of the desserts!

Here's what's in season this month:

Hannah Wong / BuzzFeed

1. Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Baby Potatoes Skillet

eatwell101.com

There's really no problem that paprika-spiced chicken, crispy potatoes, and buttery garlic sauce can't solve.

Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Baby Potatoes Skillet

2. Cranberry Almond Apple Pie

sallysbakingaddiction.com

If you're looking to upgrade standard apple pie this fall, try this from-scratch version — studded with tart cranberries and topped with coarse sugar for texture.

Recipe: Cranberry Almond Apple Pie

3. Creamy Lemon Orzo With Chickpeas & Broccoli

thefirstmess.com

This dish uses cashew cream to keep things vegan — but feel free to swap in regular cream if you'd like.

Recipe: Creamy Lemon Orzo With Chickpeas & Broccoli

4. Low-Carb Hearty Vegetable Soup

eatwell101.com

Keto-friendly, gluten-free, and loaded with all of your favorite vegetables.

Recipe: Hearty Vegetable Soup

5. Classic Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

thegirlonbloor.com

In a season where oven space is prime, the slow cooker is a perfect alternative for something like loaded potatoes. Bonus points that it can double as a warming station, too.

Recipe: The Best Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

6. Cranberry Margaritas

bonappetit.com

This version uses Chinese five-spice — a mixture that includes cinnamon and cloves — on the rim for a festive kick. (I've also tried this with a spicier rim. Just mix equal parts salt, sugar, and chili powder.)

Recipe: Cranberry Margarita

7. Instant Pot Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Beef

thegirlonbloor.com

Pressure-cooked beef is super versatile. Go full Chipotle-style with rice bowls or burritos — or try it in loaded baked potatoes, hoagie sandwiches, or lettuce wraps.

Recipe: Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef (Chipotle Copycat)

8. Roasted Carrots in Honey Garlic Butter

cafedelites.com

Perfect as a catchall side on Thanksgiving — or any other day of the month.

Recipe: Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

9. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Chili

foodiecrush.com

Packed with protein and vitamin C, thanks to the beans and peppers.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Chili

10. Overnight Pecan Pie French Toast

bakerbynature.com

The French toast soaks overnight in a vanilla mixture, then bakes in the oven the next morning with buttery pecans.

Recipe: Overnight Pecan Pie French Toast

11. Low-Carb Casserole With Cabbage, Ground Beef, and Cheddar

wonkywonderful.com

This Keto-friendly dish starts with lean ground beef — but you can also swap in ground turkey, chicken, or pork.

Recipe: Low Carb Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole Recipe

12. Crispy Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

chelseasmessyapron.com

The key to getting these extra crispy? Sprinkling them with a bit of panko bread crumbs before popping them into the oven.

Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

13. Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks With Sea Salt

justataste.com

You'll use a mix of chocolate chips and chunks — both semisweet and bittersweet — for the best blend of textures, shapes, and flavors.

Recipe: Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks

14. Paprika Chicken Pasta

pinchofyum.com

This recipe uses the brine-brush-bake method (which, TBH, I swear by) to keep the oven-baked chicken breasts extra juicy.

Recipe: Paprika Chicken Pasta

15. Arugula Salad With Smoked Salmon, Pear, and Avocado

downshiftology.com

Salty, sweet, creamy, crunchy — or basically, everything you could want in a salad.

Recipe: Smoked Salmon, Avocado, and Arugula Salad

16. Easiest Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

budgetbytes.com

Meet your new favorite holiday party snack. (But fair warning: It probably won't last the entire party. 😋)

Recipe: Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

17. Instant Pot Red Curry Lentils

pinchofyum.com

Lentils are a great (and cheap!) source of protein and fiber — and this spicy, creamy Instant Pot version makes enough to serve six.

Recipe: Instant Pot Red Curry Lentils

18. 5-Ingredient Butternut Squash Fritters

justatast.com

These simple fritters are hot, crispy, salty — and the ideal snack or side for just about anything.

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Butternut Squash Fritters

19. 3-Ingredient Maple Pear Galette

BuzzFeed

For those times when you need a last-minute holiday dessert that tastes good and looks impressive — but is actually impossibly easy to make.

Recipe: Maple Pear Galette

20. Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

jessicagavin.com

Don't skip making an ultraflavorful sauce to serve alongside these — like a five-minute chimichurri or homemade pesto.

Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

21. Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

sallysbakingaddiction.com

Can't decide between pumpkin pie and cheesecake? Go for this.

Recipe: Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

22. 15-Minute Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen

budgetbytes.com

This quick dinner is one of the most delicious ways to upgrade packaged ramen. If you're not vegan, top everything with a poached egg!

Recipe: Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen

23. Meal Prep Chicken With Kale Tabbouleh and Hummus

flavcity.com

The spice-crusted chicken is coated with a zesty glaze — and you'll end up with enough for five meals.

Recipe: Sticky Chicken Thighs With Tabouli and Hummus

24. Oven-Baked Pumpkin Donuts

sallysbakingaddiction.com

Craving donuts but don't want the mess of deep frying? This oven-baked version skips all of the stove-top hassle — but still delivers on flavor.

Recipe: Baked Pumpkin Donuts