Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family gatherings, and of course, a little humor. While the holiday brings people together around the dinner table, it also provides the perfect opportunity to break the ice and share some laughs. Whether you’re entertaining guests at a large family gathering or looking to add some spice to the conversation, Thanksgiving jokes can lighten the mood and get everyone chuckling.
In this article, we’ve curated 45 best Thanksgiving jokes specifically for adults—clever, witty, and perfect for the occasion. From cheeky quips about food to humorous takes on family dynamics, each joke is guaranteed to bring a smile. Just be sure to save the best for the dessert table, where the laughs are sure to be just as sweet as the pumpkin pie!
1. Why Did the Cranberry Turn Red?
Because it saw the turkey dressing!
2. What Do You Call a Running Turkey?
Fast food!
3. Why Don’t Turkeys Ever Tell Secrets?
Because they’re always gobbling everything up!
4. What’s the Best Way to Stuff a Turkey?
Serve it nothing but snacks until it’s too full to move!
5. Why Did the Pilgrim’s Pants Keep Falling Down?
Because they wore their belt buckles on their hats!
6. What Do You Call a Turkey on the Day After Thanksgiving?
Lucky!
7. Why Was the Thanksgiving Dinner So Quiet?
Because the mashed potatoes were too busy mashing each other’s nerves!
8. How Did the Turkey Become a Stand-Up Comedian?
It really knew how to wing it!
9. What Did One Piece of Turkey Say to Another?
I’m just here for the stuffing!
10. Why Was the Pumpkin Pie So Smart?
It had a lot of “good” filling!
11. What Do You Get if You Cross a Pilgrim with a Zombie?
Dead on arrival!
12. Why Did the Turkey Join a Band?
Because it had drumsticks!
13. What’s the Most Effective Way to Stop a Turkey from Gobbling?
Give it a really serious stare!
14. How Did the Turkey Become a Marathon Runner?
By putting a little “pepper” in its step!
15. What Do You Call a Turkey with No Legs?
Grounded.
16. What’s the Secret to a Happy Thanksgiving Dinner?
Make sure no one steals the last slice of pie!
17. Why Did the Pilgrim Bring a Ladder to Dinner?
Because he heard the turkey was high in protein!
18. What’s the Key to a Successful Thanksgiving Party?
Plenty of gravy and a sense of humor!
19. What Do You Call a Family of Turkeys?
A fowl family reunion.
20. Why Are Turkey Jokes So Hard to Tell?
Because they’re always a bit too cheesy!
21. What’s the Turkey’s Favorite Dessert?
Peach cobbler, but only if it’s served with a side of “stuffing.”
22. Why Do Turkeys Never Complain?
Because they’re afraid of getting roasted!
23. What’s a Turkey’s Favorite Type of Music?
Anything with a good “beat”!
24. Why Did the Thanksgiving Turkey Cross the Road?
To escape the fryer!
25. What Do You Call a Stuffed Turkey at the Gym?
A weight watcher.
26. Why Don’t Turkeys Like Fast Food?
Because they can’t catch it!
27. What Did the Pilgrim Wear to Dinner?
A suit made of “plum” material!
28. What’s the Most Expensive Part of Thanksgiving Dinner?
The “pilgrims’” bill!
29. How Do Turkeys Stay in Shape?
They do “pilgrim” stretches!
30. What Do You Call a Turkey Who’s Always on Its Phone?
A turkey “texting.”
31. Why Did the Pilgrim Take a Bath Before Dinner?
Because he wanted to look his “best” for the feast!
32. What’s the Turkey’s Favorite Drink?
A “baste” of cranberry juice!
33. What Happened When the Pilgrims’ Food Burned?
They made “Plymouth” stew out of it!
34. What Do You Get When You Cross a Thanksgiving Turkey with a Ghost?
A “fowl” haunting!
35. Why Was the Cranberry Sauce So Confused?
Because it didn’t know which way to “jam”!
36. Why Did the Sweet Potato Get All the Attention?
Because it was so “sweet”!
37. What’s the Difference Between Thanksgiving and Christmas?
At Thanksgiving, we just give thanks for turkey; at Christmas, we give thanks for turkey and pie!
38. What Do You Call an Overachieving Turkey?
A “self-baster.”
39. Why Was the Corn So Good at School?
Because it was “ear”-resistible!
40. What’s a Pilgrim’s Favorite Exercise?
Squats—because they’re always getting down on one knee!
41. Why Did the Turkey Refuse to Fight?
It didn’t want to “wing” it!
42. How Do You Make a Turkey Disappear?
You put it on the dinner table!
43. What Did One Pilgrim Say to Another on Thanksgiving Day?
“Let’s give thanks for not getting stuck in the corn!”
44. What’s the Turkey’s Favorite Social Media Platform?
Instagram—because it loves a good “feed”!
45. How Do You Know If You’ve Overcooked the Turkey?
It starts giving “fluff” answers to all your questions!
Conclusion
Thanksgiving jokes offer the perfect blend of humor to accompany your turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. From witty one-liners to playful puns, these 45 jokes are perfect for adults looking to spice up the holiday festivities. Whether you use them as icebreakers at the dinner table or slip them into your post-feast conversations, these jokes will surely ensure everyone leaves with a smile (and maybe a full belly too).
Laughter is the best side dish, so this Thanksgiving, let the jokes flow as freely as the gravy. And remember, while your turkey may not have the best sense of humor, you can always rely on your guests to keep things lighthearted.
Related Topics
47 Hilarious Thanksgiving One-Liners for a Good Laugh