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!

The BEST Thanksgiving Recipes EVER (2024)

FAQs

What are the 12 most popular Thanksgiving dishes? ›

Scroll through to take a look at our most popular Thanksgiving recipes.
  • 01 of 24. Perfect Turkey. ...
  • 02 of 24. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 03 of 24. Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • 04 of 24. Homemade Mac and Cheese. ...
  • 05 of 24. Sweet Potato Pie. ...
  • 06 of 24. Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll. ...
  • 07 of 24. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast. ...
  • 08 of 24. Cream Corn Like No Other.
Oct 26, 2023

What is the key ingredient to a perfect Thanksgiving Day dinner? ›

I think if we're all honest, we know that Thanksgiving is mostly about the starches. Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, fresh-baked rolls – these are the true heroes of the meal, and there will be a lot of them on the table, which is totally fine.

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

We know that the turkey is the showstopper on the table, but we're mostly here for the stuffing. Check out all of our favorite stuffing recipes; our classic stuffing is the undisputed champ of the bunch.

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

An American Feast - Foods that Make Up an American Thanksgiving...
  • Turkey. Just as it's a traditional meat used for Christmas dinner, turkey is favoured because it's big – and that means it can feed a whole family. ...
  • Cranberry sauce. ...
  • Vegetables. ...
  • Marshmallow sweet potatoes. ...
  • Pumpkin pie. ...
  • Pecan pie.

What is the number one side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.

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

Turkey. Turkey is at the center of the classic Thanksgiving feast. Today we eat domesticated turkeys, which come from wild turkeys, a species only native to the Americas, making the bird an all-American entrée.

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.

How do you make Thanksgiving unique? ›

Different Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving
  1. Have a Mini-giving. This one is inspired by my daughter's love of ASMR and mini cooking videos. ...
  2. Go themed. ...
  3. Declare a spending embargo. ...
  4. Throw a co*cktail party. ...
  5. Make it a potluck. ...
  6. Go out to a really fancy meal. ...
  7. Spend the day hunting your food. ...
  8. Be intentional with your photos.
Nov 20, 2020

How can I make Thanksgiving more special? ›

In keeping with the true meaning of the holiday, you could also try a tradition that incorporates the idea of gratitude: Write thank-you notes to loved ones near and far, start a gratitude jar, or give back to your community by volunteering at a soup kitchen.

What do you drink on Thanksgiving? ›

  • Basic Red Wine and Brandy Sangria. 10 mins.
  • Simple Amaretto Sour co*cktail. 3 mins.
  • Keto Mulled Wine. 2 hrs.
  • Maple Pecan Latte Recipe. 12 mins.
  • Easy Rum Eggnog Recipe. 3 mins.
  • Eggnog Martini. 3 mins.
  • Keto Pumpkin Spice Latte. 10 mins.
  • Apple Cinnamon Mule. 5 mins.

What is the most favorite dessert on Thanksgiving? ›

In general, pie reigns supreme as a Thanksgiving dessert. While some families have their nice selections of pie servings, tradition says apple, pumpkin pie, and a southern pecan pie are the go-tos, typically made with a buttery pastry pie crust.

What is the most eaten meat on Thanksgiving? ›

The centerpiece of contemporary Thanksgiving in the United States is Thanksgiving dinner (informally called turkey dinner), a large meal generally centered on a large roasted turkey.

What are the 10 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Here are our favorite traditional Thanksgiving dishes that are delicious and easy to make.
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Serves: Up to 4 people. ...
  • Stuffing. ...
  • Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  • Baked Corn. ...
  • Mac and cheese. ...
  • Peas & Water Chestnuts. ...
  • Fresh Rolls.
Oct 28, 2021

What is the most popular meat for Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey is a classic main course for Thanksgiving dinner, but that certainly doesn't mean you have to serve it every year.

What are the top 10 Thanksgiving food? ›

Top 10 Thanksgiving Dishes
  1. Turkey.
  2. Stuffing/Dressing.
  3. Pumpkin Pie.
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole.
  5. Mashed Potatoes.
  6. Ham.
  7. Green Bean Casserole.
  8. Cranberry Jelly.
Nov 22, 2023

What are the top 20 Thanksgiving foods in America? ›

Top 20 Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Apple Stuffing.
  • Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread.
  • Asparagus Bake.
  • Creamy Green Bean Casserole.
  • Cranberry Sauce.
  • Creamy Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes.
  • Turkey Gravy.
  • Apple Pie.

What are the least favorite Thanksgiving dishes? ›

Other top disliked foods include green bean casserole (disliked by 28 percent), turkey (27.7 percent), stuffing or dressing (26.8 percent), ham (25.6 percent), coleslaw (25.6 percent) and pumpkin pie (24.3 percent).

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.

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