The BEST Thanksgiving Recipes EVER (2024)

The BEST Thanksgiving recipes for turkey and stuffing, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, gravy, and tips to help you along the way. These recipes are classics for Thanksgiving leftover recipes and Thanksgiving desserts too. They NEVER get old and are so delicious that everyone will go back for seconds (and thirds!) during your Thanksgiving feast. Be sure to pin and save this post for November and December.

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Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

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1. Thanksgiving turkey recipe

One person said, “This is by far the best turkey I have ever made!” Step-by-Step Guide to The Best Roast Turkey. A tried-and-true recipe for making a perfectly cooked and moist turkey every time. A Thanksgiving menu item people look forward to the most!

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2.Smoked Honey Glazed Ham

This is a great way to take a regular cooked ham and turn it into something spectacular by applying a sweet and spicy rub and placing it in a smoker.

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3. Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Chili

You’ve got to taste it to believe it! It actually tastes like pumpkin spice mixed with a spicy and savory chili. Made with pumpkin purée in a slow cooker.

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4. The Perfect Turkey Gravy

Homemade brown gravy is better than packaged any day! Basic All-American Brown Gravy Recipe. Turkey Gravy made from drippings, the only way to do it!!!

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5. Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Another pinner said, “One bite and you will never go back.” The best green bean casserole EVER!!! Made with butter crackers, sour cream, cheese, and more.

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6. Mashed Potatoes

My Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes recipe is one you will come back to over and over again! Thick and creamy homemade mashed potatoes – Great as a side dish and an absolute staple recipe for the holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas!

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7. Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding

The BEST banana pudding recipe ever!!! I want to lay on the pudding pillow. This is one of our all-time favorite desserts. It’s wonderful any time of year dessert, but it’s especially wonderful for the holidays!

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8. Macaroni & Cheese

One reader said, “This is the best macaroni and cheese I have ever tasted!” Made of ooey-gooey mild cheese, jack cheese, sharp cheese, muenster cheese, Velveeta cheese, and half &half. OMG! Everyone knows that mac & cheese is the must-have pasta on Thanksgiving!

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9. Morning Punch

All fall and winter long, this kid-friendly and adult-friendly Brunch Punch is a hit! A funMorning Punchis a perfect way to kick off a special day.

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10. Pumpkin Risotto

Pumpkin Risotto is such a deliciously comforting fall and winter meal! While it looks elegant enough for Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is perfect for a weeknight dinner as well. Topped with goat cheese and cranberries, it’s also a wonderful vegetarian option!

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11. Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakesare tiny pumpkin pies you can eat with your hands. Such a yummy dessert recipe for fall and Thanksgiving!

12. Buttery Ranch Ritz Crackers

Addicting…as the recipe title states, plus they practically scream HOLIDAY SNACKING!

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13. Pumpkin Fluff Pie

No-bake Pumpkin Fluff Pieis a pumpkin cream pie with a graham cracker crust and a Cinnamon Toast Crush twist!

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14. Turkey Cheeseball

This Bacon Ranch Turkey Cheeseball will be a hit at the holiday table! This is a Thanksgiving appetizer you MUST add to your menu!

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15. Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

Delicious homemade Hawaiian sweet rolls, soft, fluffy, and fresh from the oven. Brush top with melted butter, and serve warm. You can also make it into one big loaf! By Linda Bailey (and family)

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16. Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

A creamy and cheesy green bean casserole with bacon will be a hit on your holiday table.

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17. Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake

Easy Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake Recipe! Take all 5 ingredients, dump them into a baking dish, and serve it warm with ice cream.

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18. Mini Thanksgiving Pies

Mini Pies for Thanksgiving are a great alternative for your friends and family who can’t decide which kind of pie to have for their Thanksgiving Dessert. They are small enough that you can eat a couple of them! Click the picture for the different mini-pie recipes.

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19. Cream Cheese Corn Casserole

Cream Cheese Corn Casserole. Thanksgiving recipe done right! Simple, decadent, and delicious. Click the picture for the full recipe.

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20. Amish Zucchini Bread

This easy homemade zucchini bread recipe is a no-fuss and no-fail recipe. This is a great recipe to always keep on hand! Make it for yourself, family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

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21. Crock Pot Turkey Breast

ShreddedCrock Pot Turkey Breasts in a delicious gravy! This slow cooker turkey breast recipe is the easiest and tastiest way to cook a turkey breast. No need for a big turkey at Thanksgiving? Try this!

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22. Ham and Cranberry Sliders

These sliders are the perfect way to use any leftover ham or turkey! Or, put them out as an appetizer on Turkey day. Topped with an irresistible glaze!

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23. Sweet Potatoes

Thanksgiving side dishes are just as important as the turkey! Candied Sweet Potatoes are a traditional side for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas with butter (or margarine), brown sugar, cinnamon, and marshmallows. This is a classic recipe that simply must be served for Thanksgiving!

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24. Brussels Sprouts

This easy Brussels sprouts and bacon recipe will have everyone asking for seconds! Pair this simple and cozy side dish with a roast or even Thanksgiving turkey. An optional air-fryer recipe is included!

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25. Butternut Squash

Roasted Butternut Squash makes an excellent fall-baked side dish. So easy and healthy, this savory squash is a delicious vegetable side you’ll want to make again and again.

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26. Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Look no further for the Best Ever Cranberry Sauce! This easy and delightful recipe takes only 15 minutes to make and a handful of ingredients! Spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with orange juice, it is the best combination of sweet and tart! The perfect complement to your holiday meal!

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27. Apple Pie

This classic apple pie recipe makes the BEST old-fashioned apple pie from scratch! This easy pie has a flaky, buttery pie crust and a sweet homemade apple pie filling. With simple directions for how to make apple pie, including which type of apples to use. Perfect for the holidays!

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28. Broccoli Salad

Everyone needs an easy recipe for Broccoli Salad! This side dish stuffed with bacon, cranberry, pecans (or walnuts), and cheese is a huge crowd-pleaser.

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29. Pecan Pie Brownies

Pecan Pie Brownies are fudgy chocolate brownies topped with a pecan pie filling for an irresistible treat. This is a Thanksgiving dessert FAVORITE but is delicious all year long.

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30. Apple Cider Donut Cake

Apple Cider Donut Cake! Baked to perfection in a circle bundt cake pan, brushed with melted butter, and covered in a cinnamon sugar coating.

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Thanksgiving Crock Pot Recipes

Are you running out of space in your oven yet? Consider some amazing Thanksgiving Slow Cooker Recipes instead. A crock pot recipe (or two) will save you so much time!

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FAQs

What is the perfect Thanksgiving menu? ›

Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
  • Roast Turkey. So, what are the top five traditional Thanksgiving foods? ...
  • Pumpkin Pie. If you only make one dessert for your traditional Thanksgiving food ideas, make sure that it's pumpkin pie. ...
  • Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  • Smoked Turkey. ...
  • Stuffing. ...
  • Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Gravy.
Jul 25, 2024

What is the best thing to make for Thanksgiving? ›

When it comes to the big Thanksgiving feast, we consider the roast turkey and the sweet potato casserole as sides to the STUFFING. A good stuffing makes or breaks Thanksgiving dinner, and this one will absolutely make your holiday meal all the better.

What is the number 1 rated side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

And the winner is... mashed potatoes! Rising from second place in 2022, mashed potatoes take the crown for America's favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Creamy, rich, and comforting, they're the perfect accompaniment to turkey and gravy, so it makes sense that mashed potatoes came out on top.

What is everyone's favorite Thanksgiving food? ›

Turkey and/or ham, mashed potatoes and gravy (usually made from the turkey or ham drippings), a stuffing (there are many varieties made many ways), green beans in some manner (green bead casserole is very popular), sweet potatoes (usually in a casserole topped with marshmallows but could be in a pie for dessert too), ...

What makes a great Thanksgiving dinner? ›

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie.

How can I make Thanksgiving more special? ›

Write down what you're thankful for.

In all the fun and frenzy, it can be easy to forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving: gratitude. Dole out black Sharpies and, before digging in, invite each guest to write what they're thankful for on a butcher paper cloth laid over the table.

What is the most bought item during Thanksgiving? ›

88% say they plan to purchase food for Thanksgiving, with the most popular items being turkey or turkey breast (59%), dinner rolls or bread (54%), holiday pies (52%), stuffing/dressing (50%) and vegetables (48%)

What is the most unpopular Thanksgiving food? ›

The Most Disliked Traditional Thanksgiving Foods
  • Ham — 25.57%
  • Coleslaw — 25.57%
  • Pumpkin Pie — 24.28%
  • Mashed Potatoes — 18.66%
  • Macaroni and Cheese — 17.47%
  • Carrots — 16.98%
  • Apple Pie — 16.29%
  • Corn — 15.50%
Nov 21, 2023

What is the least liked Thanksgiving dish? ›

The Most Interesting Discoveries:

Most people over 60 chose Green Bean Casserole as their most hated side dish. Those under 40 also disliked Green Bean Casserole, but they had equal distaste for Sweet Potato Casserole. These two “retro” or “vintage” recipes were the most disliked on the list.

How many sides should a Thanksgiving dinner have? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

What are the 5 most common sides served on Thanksgiving Day? ›

First things first: If you're going for the most quintessential Thanksgiving, you've got to have the classics. We're talking stuffing, sweet potato casserole, gravy, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce

What are 5 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. But the way these dishes are made or added to is everchanging because of food trends and different dietary requirements.

What is the most common food to eat on Thanksgiving? ›

At Thanksgiving dinner, turkey is served with a variety of side dishes which can vary from traditional, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, to ones that reflect regional or cultural heritage.

What are the traditional foods for Thanksgiving? ›

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a traditional American spread, including roast turkey with all the trimmings and indulgent pumpkin or pecan pie. Make sure you cater for everyone's sweet tooth with our Thanksgiving dessert recipes and our favourite Thanksgiving side recipes to accompany the main event.

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