Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Table of Contents
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Honey-Glazed Turkey Duo Tater Bake Chocolate-Caramel Pumpkin Torte Cranberry Ricotta Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sauce Chocolate Pecan Piecaken Cranberry Ambrosia Salad Slow Cooker Mushroom Potatoes Pecan Pie Cookies Classic Stuffed Turkey Cranberry Sauce with Maple Syrup Roasted Fall Vegetables Sweet Potato Pie Cranberry Apple Stuffing Oh-So-Good Creamy Mashed Potatoes Tastes Like Thanksgiving Casserole Spiced Cranberry Sauce Holiday Creamed Spinach Golden Butternut Squash Tart Pumpkin Spice Cake Pumpkin Fudge Butter Pecan Cheesecake Crumb-Topped Apple Pie Praline-Topped Apple Bread Autumn Pork Roast Pumpkin Apple Pie Cauliflower Gratin Pots de Creme Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream Turkey with Sausage-Cornbread Stuffing Sweet Potato Casserole Party Potatoes Elegant Green Beans Triple Cranberry Sauce Angel Biscuits Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes No-Bake Chocolate-Pecan Tartlets Billie’s Southern Sweet Potato Cake Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie Cranberry Jalapeno Cheese Spread Spiced Toffee Cookies Butternut Squash Oven Risotto Cranberry Cornmeal Dressing Roasted Green Beans with Lemon & Walnuts Maple-Sage Brined Turkey Mini Apple Pies Orange-Glazed Pork Loin Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake Taste-of-Fall Salad Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash Butternut & Portobello Lasagna Pumpkin Bars Potluck German Apple Cake Never-Fail Scalloped Potatoes Pumpkin Ice Cream Roll Honey Cornbread Cranberry Bundt Cake Deep-Dish Apple Pie Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese FAQs

Home Holidays & Events Holidays Thanksgiving

Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (1)Lauren Jarvis-GibsonUpdated: Feb. 13, 2024

    Enjoy these gorgeous Thanksgiving recipes, like slow-roasted turkey, mouth-puckering cranberry sauce, creamy mashed potatoes and more. Time to dig in!

    Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

    With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s time to start planning what you’re going to make your loved ones. What better way to show them your love than through your food?

    While turkey is usually the star of the show, we have everything from stuffing dishesto macaroni and cheese recipes to classicpotato recipes. Oh, and if you’re worried about cooking a turkey this year, we have fabulous roasted turkey recipes too. For the sweet tooths in your family, they will be pleased to find dessert superstars like pumpkin cheesecake and gorgeous pies.

    Time to start planning and get ready for the best fall holiday.

    1/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2)

    Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

    Gravy is essential for any Thanksgiving meal. You can never have enough of this make-ahead turkey gravy on hand for a holiday dinner. It’s easy to whip up in no time. Just make sure you don’t eat it all before serving.

    2/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (3)

    Honey-Glazed Turkey

    The sweet and spicy turkey glaze gives the bird a wonderful flavor. It’s the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving meal.

    3/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (4)

    Duo Tater Bake

    This is a creamy and comforting Thanksgiving recipe that is sure to become a classic. It’s great for kids, too!

    4/59

    Chocolate-Caramel Pumpkin Torte

    If you’re tired of the same old Thanksgiving desserts, try this one out. It’s not only stunning to look at, but each bite is full of chocolate, caramel and pumpkin pie goodness.

    5/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (6)

    Cranberry Ricotta Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sauce

    These pillowy dumplings are a fun and exciting way to make Thanksgiving taste brand new. It’s a touch sweet thanks to the cranberry ricotta and brown butter sauce.

    6/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (7)

    Chocolate Pecan Piecaken

    Why fight over whether cake or pie is better when you can combine the two? This Thanksgiving Piecaken is a real stunner!

    7/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (8)

    Cranberry Ambrosia Salad

    This creamy and refreshing salad is a delightful dessert to have if you’re tired of all things pie. It’s also a great palette cleanser after eating a heavy meal. Having a small Thanksgiving this year? Find scaled-down versions of your holiday favorites in these Thanksgiving recipes for two.

    8/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (9)

    Slow Cooker Mushroom Potatoes

    This savory Thanksgiving recipe jazzes up potatoes with mushrooms, onions, canned soup and cheese. This dish tastes amazing with turkey and ham.

    9/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (10)

    Pecan Pie Cookies

    These sweet cookies are the perfect bite-sized treats everyone will love. Plus, they’re easy to send home with family and friends (if there are any left!).

    10/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (11)

    Classic Stuffed Turkey

    This Thanksgiving recipe might be our most moist and tender turkey ever!

    11/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (12)

    Cranberry Sauce with Maple Syrup

    It’s not a proper Thanksgiving without a great cranberry sauce! This version with maple syrup is simple, quick to make and sure to become a family favorite in your household. It’s also delicious as a garnish for turkey.

    12/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (13)

    Roasted Fall Vegetables

    Roasted fall vegetables are a wonderful and delicious way to get some more veggies on your plate. Even kids will enjoy this Thanksgiving recipe!

    13/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (14)

    Sweet Potato Pie

    This creamy sweet potato pie is subtly spiced and slices beautifully! We suggest baking up a few sweet potato pies around the holidays to give to friends and family. — North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission

    15/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (16)

    Oh-So-Good Creamy Mashed Potatoes

    When it comes to mashed potato recipes, you can’t ever go wrong with a simple recipe like this. We promise you, it tastes anything but boring.

    16/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (17)

    Tastes Like Thanksgiving Casserole

    This hearty and filling casserole is Thanksgiving in a bowl! This dish is full of turkey, potatoes and plenty of herbs. Dig in!

    17/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (18)

    Spiced Cranberry Sauce

    This spiced cranberry sauce will fill your home with sweet and spicy fragrances. It’s just the thing your turkey and stuffing need.

    18/59

    Holiday Creamed Spinach

    This rich, delicious creamed spinach is going to be inhaled by kids, too. It pairs well with classic Thanksgiving recipes.

    19/59

    Golden Butternut Squash Tart

    This savory and flavorful butternut squash tart is perfect for the holiday season. It’ll warm you right up on chilly November nights.

    20/59

    Pumpkin Spice Cake

    You can’t go wrong with a pumpkin spice cake for dessert. Everyone will love every sweet bite they can have before calling it a night!

    21/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (22)

    Pumpkin Fudge

    Combining the creamy richness of traditional fudge with the warm essence of pumpkin, this treat offers a perfect balance of sweetness and seasonal spice.

    22/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (23)

    Butter Pecan Cheesecake

    This pecan cheesecake is sure to be a hit at this year’s Thanksgiving dinner. It’s creamy, rich and hard to resist.

    23/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (24)

    Crumb-Topped Apple Pie

    This apple pie with crumb topping is gorgeous and delicious. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an added layer of sweetness.

    24/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (25)

    Praline-Topped Apple Bread

    Apples, toasted pecans and a praline glaze make this bread a fall favorite. Pair it with coffee or even ice-cream for a real treat!

    25/59

    Autumn Pork Roast

    This Thanksgiving recipe captures the fabulous flavor of fall perfectly. It’s a soothing roast that will have you warmed up in no time.

    26/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (27)

    Pumpkin Apple Pie

    Apple and pumpkin flavors come together to make a sweet and delectable pie. It has all the flavors of autumn in one single bite.

    27/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (28)

    Cauliflower Gratin

    Cauliflower gratin is a lower-carb side dish that pairs well with turkey, ham or pork. It’s so creamy and delicious that even the pickiest eaters in your family will ask for seconds (or thirds).

    28/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (29)

    Pots de Creme

    This chocolatey and rich custard is the perfect way to end a wonderful holiday with your loved ones. It’s not overly sweet and is light enough to have after your meal.

    29/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (30)

    Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream

    If you’re an avid pumpkin lover, you really need to try this spiced pumpkin ice cream recipe. But be prepared to make more!

    30/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (31)

    Turkey with Sausage-Cornbread Stuffing

    Your turkey will taste even better alongside this sausage cornbread stuffing. Even skeptics of stuffing will want to devour this Thanksgiving recipe.

    31/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (32)

    Sweet Potato Casserole

    This dish artfully combines tender sweet potatoes with a buttery brown sugar pecan topping, creating a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.

    32/59

    Party Potatoes

    These creamy, tasty potatoes can be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to pop them in the oven for the big day. The garlic powder and chives add nice flavor to the dish and the shredded cheese adds mouthwatering color.

    33/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (34)

    Elegant Green Beans

    Mushrooms and water chestnuts give new life to the ordinary green bean casserole. It’s a perfect mix of creamy and comforting.

    34/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (35)

    Triple Cranberry Sauce

    With the needed addition of orange and all spice, cranberry fans will ask for this sauce again and again.

    35/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (36)

    Angel Biscuits

    These light biscuits are the perfect side dish to have at your Thanksgiving table. They are soft and taste wonderful with a spoonful of gravy on top.

    36/59

    Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    When it comes to Thanksgiving, prepping is everything. This mashed potato recipe is easy, creamy and comforting. If you want to ease the holiday rush, then check out our collection of make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes.

    37/59

    No-Bake Chocolate-Pecan Tartlets

    This Thanksgiving recipe is so easy to make because it’s no bake! Hooray, finally a recipe where you don’t have to use your oven.

    38/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (39)

    Billie’s Southern Sweet Potato Cake

    Tired of pie? Try out this Thanksgiving recipe! It’s sweet as pie, but the cake gives you a fluffier and creamier texture from the icing.

    39/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (40)

    Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie

    If you want to make something a little different this Thanksgiving, why not try this decadent caramel-pecan apple pie? It’s even better with some ice cream or whipped cream on top.

    40/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (41)

    Cranberry Jalapeno Cheese Spread

    This easy Thanksgiving recipe is equal parts savory and sweet. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a cheesy spread. You can dip bread, cornbread or rolls into this dip.

    41/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (42)

    Spiced Toffee Cookies

    These cookies are thin and chewy with a crispy exterior. The toffee bits make it even more fun to eat. Expect these treats to be gone before you can say, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

    42/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (43)

    Butternut Squash Oven Risotto

    Squash and beer make this risotto unique. If you’re looking for an ultra-comforting side, this is the one to make.

    43/59

    Cranberry Cornmeal Dressing

    This moist dressing is perfect when paired with poultry or even pork. You won’t regret trying this recipe out for Thanksgiving this year.

    44/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (45)

    Roasted Green Beans with Lemon & Walnuts

    Roasted green beans are not only scrumptious, but they will look beautiful on your Thanksgiving table. This version of green beans with lemon and walnuts will be a crowd pleaser.

    45/59

    Maple-Sage Brined Turkey

    Maple-sage brine helps to brown your turkey while also making the meat incredibly juicy. This is a lovely Thanksgiving dish that screams “fall”.

    46/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (47)

    Mini Apple Pies

    If you don’t want to make a whole pie, why not make sweet mini apple pies? They’ll surely be a hit with your guests.

    47/59

    Orange-Glazed Pork Loin

    This bright and flavorful Thanksgiving recipe is perfect for meat lovers. The glaze adds a touch of sweetness too.

    48/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (49)

    Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake

    A gorgeous topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade crust make this Thanksgiving recipe a definite showstopper. We love this because it’s not too sweet or overpowering.

    49/59

    Taste-of-Fall Salad

    For Thanksgiving, it’s nice to get some greens in and take a break from rich entrees. This salad is perfect for Thanksgiving, thanks to the nutty pecans and sweet pear slices.

    50/59

    Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash

    With a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, this Thanksgiving recipe becomes pleasantly sweet. This pairs well with savory ham, turkey or chicken.

    51/59

    Butternut & Portobello Lasagna

    For a vegetarian main dish, you’ve got to try this butternut and portobello lasagna. It’s unexpected, yet totally delicious.

    52/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (53)

    Pumpkin Bars

    Indulge in these soft, sweet pumpkin bars with a cup of hot coffee after your stomach has settled from the big feast.

    53/59

    Potluck German Apple Cake

    This dessert unites the richness of a moist, spiced apple cake with the sweetness of a cream cheese frosting, making it a potluck favorite.

    54/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (55)

    Never-Fail Scalloped Potatoes

    Never fail is right! This savory Thanksgiving recipe is easy to make on the first try.

    55/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (56)

    Pumpkin Ice Cream Roll

    This wonderfully light Thanksgiving recipe will surely be a staple for you for many years. The pumpkin and the cold ice cream makes this dessert extra refreshing.

    56/59

    Honey Cornbread

    The addition of honey gives this cornbread a slight sweet taste that pairs well with turkey.

    57/59

    Cranberry Bundt Cake

    Cranberry sauce gives this bundt cake a beautiful holiday feel. It’s great for leftovers, too, when you want something sweet for breakfast or brunch.

    58/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (59)

    Deep-Dish Apple Pie

    This deep-dish apple pie is a real winner! The filling is oh-so sweet without being too over the top. It tastes even better with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

    59/59

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (60)

    Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

    Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without this ooey-gooey classic. A little ground mustard and hot pepper sauce give this baked macaroni and cheese just the right amount of spice.

    Originally Published: November 21, 2022

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (61)

    Lauren has spent more than eight years writing lifestyle, health and wellness content for publishers like Allure, Teen Vogue and Thought Catalog. As Taste of Home's assistant editor, she ran the Holiday, Healthy and Desserts newsletters, and wrote and edited everything from recipe tutorials to healthy eating tips.After work hours, you can find Lauren trying out new pasta recipes, obsessing over her dog, Andre, and working on her third book of poetry.

    Our Absolute Best Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    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 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 is America's least favorite dish at Thanksgiving and what percentage? ›

    "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.

    What was the original Thanksgiving meal? ›

    Although turkeys were indigenous, there's no record of a big, roasted bird at the feast. The Wampanoag brought deer and there would have been lots of local seafood (mussels, lobster, bass) plus the fruits of the first pilgrim harvest, including pumpkin. No mashed potatoes, though.

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

    Turkey. Turkey is the most common main dish of a Thanksgiving dinner, to the point that Thanksgiving is sometimes colloquially called "Turkey Day."

    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 are the 3 traditional foods Americans eat during Thanksgiving? ›

    Millions of people across the United States will sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes, squash, corn, and cranberries. These foods have become synonymous with Thanksgiving, but how did they end up on tables from Maine to California?

    What are 3 main foods on Thanksgiving? ›

    The traditional roasted turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are on almost every modern Thanksgiving menu, in some form or variation. This menu has evolved over time and continues to evolve today. President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.

    What food was present at the first Thanksgiving but is rarely eaten now? ›

    Seafood. Seafood is a rare sight on a modern Thanksgiving table, but the colonists most likely had fish, eel, and shellfish, such as lobster and mussels, at their feast.

    What is the least popular food in the USA? ›

    What is America's Most Hated Food?
    • The most hated food title goes to the anchovy, with 50% of those polled saying they hated the fish. ...
    • With Halloween coming up, it might be prudent to stock up on any candy other than black licorice. ...
    • Coming in a close third for hated foods is the oyster.
    Aug 30, 2023

    How much does the average American family spend on Thanksgiving dinner? ›

    Terms may apply to offers listed on this page. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people is $61.17. This year's average Turkey Day feast cost is slightly more affordable than in 2022, when the total average cost to feed 10 people was $64.05.

    What president refused to declare Thanksgiving a holiday? ›

    Thomas Jefferson was famously the only Founding Father and early president who refused to declare days of thanksgiving and fasting in the United States.

    What was missing from the first Thanksgiving dinner? ›

    Lasting three days with no turkey or pie, and very few women, the first Thanksgiving was a political gathering focused on cementing an Indian-Pilgrim military alliance, and nothing like what we celebrate today.

    What president made Thanksgiving a holiday? ›

    President Abraham Lincoln had declared Thanksgiving a national holiday on the last Thursday in November in 1863 and tradition dictated that it be celebrated on the last Thursday of that month.

    What is usually on a Thanksgiving table? ›

    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.

    How do you make a Thanksgiving table special? ›

    A mixture of gourds and mini pumpkins running down the length of your table makes for a charming, autumnal table display. Flank your pumpkins with navy blue plates, linen napkins, and natural wood-accented silverware for a different take on Thanksgiving tablescapes.

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5629

    Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

    Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

    Birthday: 1993-08-23

    Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

    Phone: +9958996486049

    Job: Sales Manager

    Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

    Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.