Our Favorite Traditional Recipes To Serve on Thanksgiving

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A traditional Thanksgiving menu wouldn't be complete without the star of the meal: a roasted bird. Coated in herb-infused butter, it's no wonder why this dish remains a long-time favorite.

If you thought homemade pumpkin pie was difficult to pull off, think again. This easy pie can be prepared and stored in the fridge up to two days before serving.

Sweet and lightly spiced, this yam side dish might just be the center of conversation at Thanksgiving dinner. The debate is, which do you like better: candied yams or sweet potato casserole? Make sure to include in your argument that this dish can be assembled up to three days in advance of your holiday meal.

This traditional cornbread dressing recipe can be made up to a month ahead of time and stored in the freezer. Who knew that delicious Southern-style dressing could be so stress-free come Thanksgiving?

Your roasted turkey wouldn't be complete without this homemade gravy. You'll also want to drizzle it on your mashed potatoes, dressing, and more.

With a short ingredient list and just 25 minutes of hands-on time, this easy cranberry salad is the perfect companion for your Thanksgiving turkey. Once you get a crunchy bite, you'll never go back to the congealed kind.

To ease cooking time on Thanksgiving Day, you can make the dough the night before and let it chill in the fridge overnight. Serve with softened butter, because we all know that buttery rolls are even better with extra butter.

Sourdough bread is the star of classic bread dressing. It's given plenty of holiday flavor with parsley, thyme, celery, leeks, and garlic.

The consistency of spoon bread is more like a savory pudding, rather than a bread. It makes the ideal side to sweet and savory vegetable casseroles for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Bacon adds plenty of flavor to traditional roasted Brussels sprouts. Look for smaller sprouts at the store for milder flavor that will have Thanksgiving guests eager for seconds.

The dough for these biscuits can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days before baking. You'll be thankful for these at your holiday table.

This old-school favorite makes one of our favorite vegetables into a creamy casserole that everyone will enjoy. Chopped onion and fresh thyme are welcome additions to this classic holiday side dish.

There won't be any leftovers of this cheesy dish that's one of our most popular casserole recipes of all time. Even kids at the holiday gathering will be keen for seconds of this broccoli casserole.

We wouldn't dare leave this family-favorite off of our Thanksgiving table. Be warned, after guests get a bit of this comfort food with cubes of melty cheddar cheese mixed in, you'll have no choice but to make this dish year after year.

Thick-cut bacon packs on the favor in this easy green bean recipe. Follow these steps for green beans just like Grandma's that leave the stovetop available for your other holiday preparation needs.

These potatoes are so rich and creamy, they delight all on their own—no gravy needed. Still, smothering them in homemade turkey gravy can only make them better.

Free up some oven space by cooking your sweet potatoes in the slow cooker. Bacon and garlic ensure that this dish isn't quite as sweet as typical sweet potato casserole, but it's just as delicious.

This top-rated casserole is topped with cornflakes, marshmallows, and pecans. It wouldn't be a Southern Thanksgiving without a hefty scoop of this sweet casserole.

To ensure your squash casserole is perfect, get as much of the water out of the squash as you can when cooking. Otherwise, that extra water will end up in your casserole.

This classic casserole recipe opts for a homemade mushroom cream sauce rather than a canned soup. With creamy and savory flavors and crispy fried shallots, this recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, but too good to only be eaten once a year.

Instead of serving cranberry sauce from a can, impress your guests with this hands-off slow-cooker recipe. A hint of ginger gives this sweet sauce just the right amount of zing.

Making this pecan pie in a cast-iron skillet gives it even more Southern flair, if that's possible. Though it only takes 10 minutes of prep time before going in the oven, this Utterly Decadent pie will prove decadent enough to live up to its name.

In addition to sweet potato casserole, we think your meal also needs a sweet potato pie. The seasonal flavors and flaky pie crust might just give your usual pumpkin pie a run for its money.

Sweet potato rolls are sweet enough already, right? Wrong. Let's go all out this Thanksgiving and dress those already picture-perfect rolls with a cane syrup glaze.

If you ask us, there's not an occasion where deviled eggs aren't welcome. This recipe promises classically delicious deviled eggs that are straightforward yet special enough for a spot in your holiday spread.

Candy roaster squash is a regional North Georgia specialty, but you can find it throughout the Southeast too. This delicious squash doesn't need too much dressing up and simple fall flavors from walnuts and cranberries, as well as a syrupy sorghum drizzle, do just the trick.

Your trusty cast-iron skillet is key to making this double-crust apple pie. Better than your typical pie plate, baking in a skillet will ensure a crisp and golden bottom crust rather than that disappointing soggy finish.

Skip the oven-space struggle and take the turkey to the fryer this year. Just make sure the bird is completely defrosted first.

Sweet flavor dresses up these colorful carrots. Serve up a platter of earthy, glazed carrots in an assortment of fall hues, sweet and fun enough to be enjoyed by even the usual anti-veggie suspects.

We're updating our classic collard greens prep with a decidedly fresher version with less cook time. The best part? We kept all the flavor and topped with torn snippets of sour dough bread. The result is a new take on a beloved Thanksgiving favorite.

What could be more comforting than a big scoop of macaroni and cheese alongside the Thanksgiving turkey and dressing? A macaroni and cheese recipe that's topped with bacon, of course.

Here's a dish no one will soon forget. We called on Arkansas Black apples for this recipe, but you can use any firm apple variety you prefer.

Instead of our typical sliced-style sweet potato casserole, we shredded the potatoes to create a lighter side that still packs in all the flavor. This new take on classic flavors is baked in a cast-iron skillet—so you know it's good—and topped with lots of chopped pecans.

Traditional cornbread dressing gets a crunchy, seasonal upgrade with toasted pecan halves. The perfect addition of nutty and earthy flavors to your classic dressing will leave you wondering why you didn't think of this sooner.

Dress up the season's best veggies with a spicy pecan topping. Maple syrup, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne give this Thanksgiving side dish a just-right dose of heat.

We love a little spice-even when it comes to our Thanksgiving dressing. Mexican chorizo, green bell pepper, fresh cilantro, and a jalapeño chile give our Spicy Cornbread Dressing a big dose of Southwest flavor.

Our cranberry sauce is a classic through and through. Now, it's been updated with a time-saving hack thanks to a little help from our trusty Instant Pot.

Saving space on the stovetop is a real challenge for day-of Thanksgiving prep. This classic mashed sweet potato recipe calls on all the same flavors we love but without monopolizing an in-demand burner.

Once you find a homemade cranberry sauce you love, you'll never strictly serve the canned version again. Every year will be a duel of the cranberry sauces: store-bought versus homemade. We think this version will come out on top.

Cubed sweet potatoes, dark brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla extract get piled into the slow cooker with the sweetest result. Top with marshmallows and cook for another 15 minutes. You won't be disappointed.

We absolutely drenched green beans in a delicious, flavorful glaze before sprinkling the top with crispy, salty bacon. They're an absolute dream achieved in just one pan.

Of course this sweet potato pie gets a little hit of bourbon—we couldn't call it Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie otherwise. Before spooning the orange filling into your pie crust, bake the sweet potatoes; Don't boil or microwave them. You'll taste the difference.

If Baked Corn Casserole isn't already a staple on your Thanksgiving table, let this recipe change that. It's a savory delight that friends and family will request year after year.

Here's what every Thanksgiving hostess needs: more make-ahead recipes. This Sweet Potato Casserole gets all the prep out the way ahead of time, so you have one less thing to check off your to-do list the day of.

What sets our Texas Pecan Pie apart from a traditional pecan pie? Calling on the highest quality pecans you can get your hands on. Texans don't mess around when it comes to their pecans.

While the presentation of this dish is oh-so pretty, it couldn't be easier to make. Rainbow carrots guarantee an eye-catching spread, but classic orange ones are just as delicious.

This silky smooth and rich pie will be a hit on the dessert table. Your guests will never guess that this decadent dessert is as easy as heating milk, cocoa powder, and instant coffee on the stove.

Serve cranberry bake alongside Thanksgiving pies for a complete dessert spread. We've loved this recipe since 1992 and you'll taste why.

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Our Favorite Traditional Recipes To Serve on Thanksgiving

A traditional Thanksgiving menu wouldn't be complete without the star of the meal: a roasted bird. Coated in herb-infused butter, it's no wonder why this dish remains a long-time favorite.

Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy

If you thought homemade pumpkin pie was difficult to pull off, think again. This easy pie can be prepared and stored in the fridge up to two days before serving.

Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever

Classic Candied Yams

This traditional cornbread dressing recipe can be made up to a month ahead of time and stored in the freezer. Who knew that delicious Southern-style dressing could be so stress-free come Thanksgiving?

Cornbread Dressing

Your roasted turkey wouldn't be complete without this homemade gravy. You'll also want to drizzle it on your mashed potatoes, dressing, and more.

Turkey Gravy

With a short ingredient list and just 25 minutes of hands-on time, this easy cranberry salad is the perfect companion for your Thanksgiving turkey. Once you get a crunchy bite, you'll never go back to the congealed kind.

Classic Cranberry Salad

To ease cooking time on Thanksgiving Day, you can make the dough the night before and let it chill in the fridge overnight. Serve with softened butter, because we all know that buttery rolls are even better with extra butter.

Yeast Rolls

Sourdough bread is the star of classic bread dressing. It's given plenty of holiday flavor with parsley, thyme, celery, leeks, and garlic.

Classic Bread Dressing

The consistency of spoon bread is more like a savory pudding, rather than a bread. It makes the ideal side to sweet and savory vegetable casseroles for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Buttermilk Spoon Bread

Bacon adds plenty of flavor to traditional roasted Brussels sprouts. Look for smaller sprouts at the store for milder flavor that will have Thanksgiving guests eager for seconds.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

The dough for these biscuits can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days before baking. You'll be thankful for these at your holiday table.

Angel Biscuits

This old-school favorite makes one of our favorite vegetables into a creamy casserole that everyone will enjoy. Chopped onion and fresh thyme are welcome additions to this classic holiday side dish.

Savory Corn Pudding

There won't be any leftovers of this cheesy dish that's one of our most popular casserole recipes of all time. Even kids at the holiday gathering will be keen for seconds of this broccoli casserole.

Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole

We wouldn't dare leave this family-favorite off of our Thanksgiving table. Be warned, after guests get a bit of this comfort food with cubes of melty cheddar cheese mixed in, you'll have no choice but to make this dish year after year.

Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

Thick-cut bacon packs on the favor in this easy green bean recipe. Follow these steps for green beans just like Grandma's that leave the stovetop available for your other holiday preparation needs.

Slow-Cooker Green Beans

These potatoes are so rich and creamy, they delight all on their own—no gravy needed. Still, smothering them in homemade turkey gravy can only make them better.

Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Free up some oven space by cooking your sweet potatoes in the slow cooker. Bacon and garlic ensure that this dish isn't quite as sweet as typical sweet potato casserole, but it's just as delicious.

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

This top-rated casserole is topped with cornflakes, marshmallows, and pecans. It wouldn't be a Southern Thanksgiving without a hefty scoop of this sweet casserole.

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

To ensure your squash casserole is perfect, get as much of the water out of the squash as you can when cooking. Otherwise, that extra water will end up in your casserole.

Old-School Squash Casserole

This classic casserole recipe opts for a homemade mushroom cream sauce rather than a canned soup. With creamy and savory flavors and crispy fried shallots, this recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, but too good to only be eaten once a year.

Old-School Green Bean Casserole

Instead of serving cranberry sauce from a can, impress your guests with this hands-off slow-cooker recipe. A hint of ginger gives this sweet sauce just the right amount of zing.

Slow-Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Making this pecan pie in a cast-iron skillet gives it even more Southern flair, if that's possible. Though it only takes 10 minutes of prep time before going in the oven, this Utterly Decadent pie will prove decadent enough to live up to its name.

Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

In addition to sweet potato casserole, we think your meal also needs a sweet potato pie. The seasonal flavors and flaky pie crust might just give your usual pumpkin pie a run for its money.

Sliced Sweet Potato Pie with Molasses Whipped Cream

Sweet potato rolls are sweet enough already, right? Wrong. Let's go all out this Thanksgiving and dress those already picture-perfect rolls with a cane syrup glaze.

Sweet Potato Rolls

If you ask us, there's not an occasion where deviled eggs aren't welcome. This recipe promises classically delicious deviled eggs that are straightforward yet special enough for a spot in your holiday spread.

Basic Deviled Eggs

Candy roaster squash is a regional North Georgia specialty, but you can find it throughout the Southeast too. This delicious squash doesn't need too much dressing up and simple fall flavors from walnuts and cranberries, as well as a syrupy sorghum drizzle, do just the trick.

Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries

Your trusty cast-iron skillet is key to making this double-crust apple pie. Better than your typical pie plate, baking in a skillet will ensure a crisp and golden bottom crust rather than that disappointing soggy finish.

Skillet Caramel Apple Pie

Skip the oven-space struggle and take the turkey to the fryer this year. Just make sure the bird is completely defrosted first.

Deep Fried Turkey with Creole Spices

Sweet flavor dresses up these colorful carrots. Serve up a platter of earthy, glazed carrots in an assortment of fall hues, sweet and fun enough to be enjoyed by even the usual anti-veggie suspects.

Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

We're updating our classic collard greens prep with a decidedly fresher version with less cook time. The best part? We kept all the flavor and topped with torn snippets of sour dough bread. The result is a new take on a beloved Thanksgiving favorite.

Collard Greens with Garlic and Sippets

What could be more comforting than a big scoop of macaroni and cheese alongside the Thanksgiving turkey and dressing? A macaroni and cheese recipe that's topped with bacon, of course.

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

Here's a dish no one will soon forget. We called on Arkansas Black apples for this recipe, but you can use any firm apple variety you prefer.

Fried Arkansas Black Apples

Instead of our typical sliced-style sweet potato casserole, we shredded the potatoes to create a lighter side that still packs in all the flavor. This new take on classic flavors is baked in a cast-iron skillet—so you know it's good—and topped with lots of chopped pecans.

Grated Sweet Potato Pudding

Traditional cornbread dressing gets a crunchy, seasonal upgrade with toasted pecan halves. The perfect addition of nutty and earthy flavors to your classic dressing will leave you wondering why you didn't think of this sooner.

Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing

Dress up the season's best veggies with a spicy pecan topping. Maple syrup, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne give this Thanksgiving side dish a just-right dose of heat.

Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

We love a little spice-even when it comes to our Thanksgiving dressing. Mexican chorizo, green bell pepper, fresh cilantro, and a jalapeño chile give our Spicy Cornbread Dressing a big dose of Southwest flavor.

Spicy Cornbread Dressing with Chorizo

Our cranberry sauce is a classic through and through. Now, it's been updated with a time-saving hack thanks to a little help from our trusty Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Saving space on the stovetop is a real challenge for day-of Thanksgiving prep. This classic mashed sweet potato recipe calls on all the same flavors we love but without monopolizing an in-demand burner.

Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Once you find a homemade cranberry sauce you love, you'll never strictly serve the canned version again. Every year will be a duel of the cranberry sauces: store-bought versus homemade. We think this version will come out on top.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Cubed sweet potatoes, dark brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla extract get piled into the slow cooker with the sweetest result. Top with marshmallows and cook for another 15 minutes. You won't be disappointed.

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole