The BEST Thanksgiving Recipes EVER (2024)

By Kelly

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Published: Oct 28, 2021

Updated: Feb 13, 2024

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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 key ingredient to a perfect Thanksgiving Day dinner? ›

Whether you're drizzling it over your roast turkey, mashed potatoes, or flaky biscuits, homemade gravy is an absolute must-have during the holidays. Since it's such a staple, it's gotta be perfect—THIS is the recipe you need.

What is the most important food on a Thanksgiving table? ›

Stuffing. Good stuffing is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. At its simplest, stuffing is seasoned bread cubes mixed with onions and herbs. The stuffing is traditionally baked inside the bird but can also be baked in a separate baking dish.

What are 5 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer. The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie.

What is the most important meal on Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey. Some would say a turkey is the most important food item at the table. A turkey is the center of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, 88 percent of Americans eat Turkey on Thanksgiving, with 46 million Turkeys eaten on the holiday.

What is a true Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes but the First Thanksgiving likely included wildfowl, corn, porridge and venison.

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

1. Holiday Stuffing. This easy recipe for Holiday Stuffing is our number one must-have Thanksgiving side dish!

What is the main meal for most Americans on Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey is the most common main dish of a Thanksgiving dinner, to the point that Thanksgiving is sometimes colloquially called "Turkey Day." Alexander Hamilton proclaimed that "no citizen of the United States should refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day", and Benjamin Franklin had high regard for the wild turkey as an ...

What am I forgetting for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Use this list to make sure you're prepared to have the feast you planned for.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk. A number of tasty desserts rely on this often forgotten item. ...
  • Cranberries or Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • Chicken Stock or Broth. ...
  • Simply Done Containers. ...
  • Foil, Parchment Paper, Pastic Wrap. ...
  • Centerpiece. ...
  • Nuts or Dried Fruit. ...
  • Dinner Rolls.
Nov 25, 2019

How do you make Thanksgiving unique? ›

42 Thanksgiving traditions to start with family and friends this...
  1. Create a Thankful Tree. ...
  2. Make an old-fashioned cornucopia. ...
  3. Take a family photo. ...
  4. Make a pumpkin dish. ...
  5. Run a turkey trot or road race. ...
  6. Offer a Thanksgiving blessing. ...
  7. Create a memory or memento table. ...
  8. Break the wishbone.
Nov 8, 2023

What color is for Thanksgiving? ›

While, technically, just about any color can be incorporated into a Thanksgiving table setting or holiday theme, the Thanksgiving color scheme most people associate with Turkey Day is orange, brown, red and yellow.

What is the least popular Thanksgiving food? ›

The Least Popular Thanksgiving Foods, Ranked
  • Sweet Potatoes or Yams — 25.12%
  • Stuffing/Dressing. — 22.33%
  • Pumpkin Pie. — 21.44%
  • Carrots. — 16.95%
  • Mashed Potatoes. — 15.45%
  • Corn. — 14.36%
  • Macaroni and Cheese. — 14.36%
  • Apple Pie. — 12.86%

What is the most loved Thanksgiving food? ›

America's different regions can favor different local cuisines, and Thanksgiving dinner provides no exception. While turkey is the top selection in every region, side-dish challenger mashed potatoes are tied for first place in the Midwest (both winning 85% of matchups) and West (both winning 79%).

What is a must for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

But a few things are guaranteed, no matter where I am or who I'm with: There will be turkey; there will be stuffing; there will be cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, and pie.

What are the top 5 Thanksgiving foods purchased in the US? ›

Here are my picks for the best Thanksgiving foods.
  • #5: Turkey. Coming in at number five we have the signature Thanksgiving dish: turkey. ...
  • #4: Sweet potatoes. ...
  • #3: Macaroni and cheese. ...
  • #2: Bread Rolls. ...
  • #1: Mashed potatoes.
Nov 22, 2023

What is the most popular side dish at Thanksgiving dinner? ›

It's no surprise that this is one of our Test Kitchen's most popular recipes ever. Mashed potatoes are a staple among traditional Thanksgiving side dishes, and this version is so delicious we could eat enough to make it the main course!

What are the 3 traditional foods Americans eat during Thanksgiving? ›

Along with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry the "traditional" table now included white bread, apple pie, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and various fruit pies.

What is the least favorite dish for Thanksgiving? ›

"For the third year in a row, cranberry sauce takes first place as the most disliked traditional Thanksgiving food. Over 31% of respondents, 82 million American adults, do not want cranberry sauce for their Thanksgiving dinner.

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