You can't beat the classics.
As soon as we put away our Halloween costumes, one thing is on our mind: what to serve at the Thanksgiving table (obviously). Thanksgiving only comes once a year (or twice if you count all those leftovers the next day). And it's hard to beat a traditional Thanksgiving feast, from turkey to stuffing to allllll the potatoes with enough gravy to top it all off. And you must save room for dessert. We see a whole lot of pecan pie cheesecake and pumpkin pie in your near future, so definitely save some room (or just take one of those amazing post-turkey naps before digging in again). Be sure to make this Thanksgiving the best one ever with the 50 classic Thanksgiving recipes.
On turkey duty this year? No matter if you're a newbie to roasting up a whole bird or a seasoned pro looking for new inspiration, we've rounded up turkey seasoning, how to dry brine a turkey, how long to thaw out a turkey, as well as a handy size chart for how much turkey to cook per person. We're pretty partial to using our best-ever turkey brine, which makes roasting a whole turkey (without drying it out) super-easy.
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. Speaking of Thanksgiving sides, we tested (and tested, and tested) our recipes so you can rest assured you'll be digging into the most perfect mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and sweet potato casserole ever. Let's just say you'll be very happy you have these leftovers for one of these giant Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches.
Still hungry? Round out your meal with plenty of our favorite Thanksgiving desserts (especially this clever Thanksgiving pie board).
1
Sweet Potato Casserole
This recipe is for everyone who hates sweet potato casseroles with marshmallows—in this recipe, we replace them with a buttery, brown sugar pecan topping that is still perfectly sweet and dessert-worthy.
Get the Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.
2
Cranberry Brie Bites
Our love for crescent roll recipes is no secret. Why make dough from scratch when everyone loves the canned stuff?! These are a fan favorite every fall. They always disappear within minutes, probably because the combo of salty, creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy pecans is PERFECT.
Get the Cranberry Brie Bites recipe.
3
Dry Brine Turkey
A Thanksgiving meal is not complete until the turkey is on the table. Turkeys are large, so we get it, but they don't have to be intimidating. The one thing you can do to ensure a bird that stays juicy and doesn't dry out in the oven: Brine it!
Get the Dry Brine Turkey recipe.
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4
Green Bean Casserole
For this recipe, we ditched the canned cream of mushroom soup and went for fresh instead. By sautéing mushrooms with sliced onion in butter, you're building a base with some serious depth of flavor. Cook the mushrooms enough that they get a little caramelized, and you'll be good to go.
Get the Green Bean Casserole recipe.
5
Easy Pumpkin Pie
Every Thanksgiving dessert table needs pumpkin pie. It's basically the law. We've got tons of tips and tricks for how to bake your best pie ever. We're big fans of making our own pumpkin spice blend too!
Get the Pumpkin Pie recipe.
6
Mashed Potato Casserole
Mashed potato casserole is the ultimate holiday side dish we’ve all been waiting for. It's bound to find its way onto your holiday dinner table at some point during the season, but it makes a great side dish any time of the year. It's creamy, fluffy, and oh so cheesy.
Get the Mashed Potato Casserole recipe.
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7
Creamed Brussels Sprouts
We'll take Brussels any which way, but we especially love giving them the traditional Thanksgiving treatment—with plenty of butter, cream, and cheese. This method upgrades even the most humble vegetables while still allowing them to be the star of the show—even skeptics will be asking for seconds.
Get the Creamed Brussels Sprouts recipe.
8
Classic Stuffing
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.
Get the Classic Stuffing recipe.
9
Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Bites
These are a great finger food to pile onto a platter for your Thanksgiving dinner or holiday celebration. You’ll be amazed at how easy they are to make and how impressed people will be when they eat one.
Get the .
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10
Perfect Gravy
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.
Get the Perfect Gravy recipe.
11
Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Quick: Name one thing better than creamy, buttery, steamy, perfect mashed potatoes! See? You can't! So put down the instant potatoes, grab your favorite spuds, a large pot, a masher, and get ready for comfort in a bowl.
Get the Perfect Mashed Potatoes recipe.
12
Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
Pull-apart bread reaches a whole new level, thanks to brie and cranberry sauce. Use your favorite homemade sauce recipes, but store-bought works too if you're short for time.
Get the Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread recipe.
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13
Stuffed Mushrooms
Baby bella mushrooms stuffed with garlicky, herby bread crumbs and plenty of cheese... Honestly, what could be better? Stuff them ahead of time and bake them off when you're ready to serve!
Get the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
14
Homemade Mac & Cheese
In our book, the perfect e recipe has to nail three things: be extra creamy, plenty cheesy, and paired with a golden, crunchy topping. This recipe nails all three with flying colors.
Get the .
15
Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots
This recipe made us wonder, Why don’t we roast carrotscarrot more often? When they roast, their flavor concentrates and sweetens. Pair that with copious amounts of umami-packed Parmesan and just a touch of lemon, and you’ve got a super-irresistible side.
Get the Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots recipe.
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16
Smashed Potatoes
If you usually only roast your potatoes, you've got to try smashing them—it makes them super crispy while also having an unbelievably buttery, tender center. 😍
Get the Smashed Potatoes recipe.
17
Brussels Sprout Salad
When we want to incorporate this veggie into our Thanksgiving dinner, we turn to this fresh, seasonal salad. With toasted almonds, shaved Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds, this is the holiday side that will convert even the biggest Brussels sprout haters.
Get the Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.
18
Cheesy Kale Orzo With Herbed Bread Crumbs
To make this side dish, we treat orzo like risotto, then top it with crunchy herbed breadcrumbs for added texture. The orzo soaks up the cheese sauce, and you get an incredible sauce to pasta ratio with multitudes of creaminess in every bite.
Get the Cheesy Kale Orzo With Herbed Bread Crumbs recipe.
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19
Best Corn Casserole
This classic Southern side is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. If you prefer, drained and rinsed canned corn can be used instead of frozen, and you could substitute more milk in for the heavy cream. The finished casserole won't be quite as decadent, but it will still be delicious.
Get the Classic Corn Casserole recipe.
20
Cranberry Sauce
This sweet-tart sauce is almost as easy as opening up the canned stuff, and you know your Thanksgiving spread deserves better. This is one of the Thanksgiving dishes you can make up to a week in advance. (Bonus: The flavors will meld and deepen while it hangs out in the fridge.)
Get the Cranberry Sauce recipe.
