50+ Must Have Thanksgiving Dishes
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Your Thanksgiving sides deserve just as much love as the turkey. This lineup of 50+ crowd-pleasing recipes has everything from classic garlic mashed potatoes and green bean casserole (no mushrooms!) to show-stealing twists on the traditional like cornbread stuffing and spiced cranberry sauce. Whether you stick to tradition or try something new, these dishes are guaranteed to earn a spot on your holiday table.
Whether you like a traditional spread or like to throw some unexpected twists out there, honing in on tried-and-true Thanksgiving recipes can be tricky with the whole internet at your fingers. In this collection, though, you’ll find the recipes that my family and I (and so many thousands of readers!) rely on year after year to complete our spread.
From reliable classics like traditional bread stuffing and my favorite easy dinner rolls to the best pumpkin pie in my favorite flaky pie dough for dessert, you’ll find a solid collection on our menu that keeps things simple while also tasting absolutely delicious.
TURKEY
We are a “small turkey” family, so if you’re looking for something that’s so much easier than making a whole bird, my turkey tenderloin recipe is for you. Don’t forget to make my baked turkey and cheese sliders with your leftovers!
BREAD
We’re big bread fans around these parts! My easy yeast rolls are my go-to. That recipe is great for beginners and a blank canvas for any butter or gravy or whatever it is you like about bread + Thanksgiving. If you’re a sourdough fan, those sourdough rolls should make it onto your list.
SWEET POTATOES
Sweet potatoes are my potato love language, so you have choices around these parts! Don’t miss my mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato crunch, and hit up that brown sugar sweet potato pie for dessert (don’t forget the whipped cream or the pumpkin spice whipped cream).
TRADITIONAL POTATOES
While my garlic mashed potatoes (in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop) are the classic, we’ve also been known to make roasted red potatoes, too. In our house, there’s no wrong way to ‘tater, so “make them all” is often the party line here.
STUFFING
Stuffing is admittedly my favorite part of Thanksgiving sides, so we usually make traditional bread stuffing as well as cornbread stuffing. The latter is made using my homemade cornbread, but you can keep things simple by using a box mix for that portion of it.
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
Confession time: I love green beans, and I love green bean casserole, but mushrooms are not my favorite thing. This green bean casserole without mushrooms has been gracing Thanksgiving tables among my readers for years, and it always gets rave reviews from folks who share my same sentiment.
CRANBERRY SAUCE
The recipe for cranberry sauce on the back of the Ocean Spray bag is pretty standard, and my spiced cranberry sauce is a mulled take on that one. If you’re not into the spices, follow that recipe and just leave out the spices. Feeling fun? My blueberry cranberry sauce is a remix you will adore and my cranberry salsa (dipped or spooned) is even more off-the-beaten-path and you’ll have a hard time putting that one down!
CORNBREAD
This is another personal favorite of mine, and you can find my go-to cornbread made in a skillet or an adapted version in blueberry cornbread.
PUMPKIN PIE
There is no shortage of pumpkin pie in my recipe index. My perfect pumpkin pie is the foundation for my pumpkin pie with graham cracker crust as well as the framework for my pumpkin chiffon pie. Don’t forget to garnish with whipped cream and sugared cranberries!
More Thanksgiving Baking FAVS
BREAKFAST: if you’re hosting overnight guests and need some easy breakfast ideas that feed a crowd, this make ahead breakfast casserole recipe always goes wild around Thanksgiving and Christmas among folks who are doing the same. Looking for something sweet? These homemade sticky buns, homemade cinnamon rolls, or pumpkin French toast casserole are great options.
WHIPPED CREAM: aside from the classic whipped cream, you might consider a pumpkin spice whipped cream or coffee whipped cream to keep things fun and interesting.
PUMPKIN DESSERTS: looking for some more pumpkin recipes? My pumpkin mousse, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cookies, frosted pumpkin cookies, and brown butter pumpkin layer cake are some of our favorites. Here are all of my pumpkin recipes!
LEFTOVER TURKEY: find yourself with leftover turkey? Make this chicken pot pie, buffalo chicken chili, or creamy chicken and wild rice soup by using turkey instead of chicken.
PIES: I’ve already mentioned my pumpkin pies, so you can peruse my whole pie (and tarts) collection, the most popular recipes among my readers (below), or go right to simple pumpkin hand pies and apple hand pies. Want to get fancy with a lattice? I’ve got you covered there, too.
MORE THANKSGIVING SIDE DISH RECIPES
Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
Whether it’s to serve with breakfast or with dessert, this homemade pumpkin coffee creamer is a must!
ASPARAGUS QUICHE
This quiche is one of my favorites, and it’s perfect for feeding any guests you might be hosting overnight. It can also serve as a main option for those who don’t want turkey.
STRAWBERRY GOAT CHEESE BRUSCHETTA
A fun twist on the classic, this is such a tasty appetizer/side dish that your guests will love.
MINI PHILLY CHEESESTEAK STUFFED PEPPPERS
These are so good, you might want them instead of turkey! You can prep them ahead of time and chill them until you’re ready to bake them.
BACON WRAPPED DATES WITH GOAT CHEESE
Poppable and delicious! Another recipe you can prepare ahead of time. They even make a great topping for salads if you have leftovers.
SPINACH DIP
What is a meal without a dip? Serve with the rolls for the meal itself or plate with crackers before the big meal even starts.
SOUTHWEST CORN DIP
This one is really easy to whip up and gets corn on the table if corn is a staple for your spread. Serve it with corn or tortilla chips or as a side dish.
PUMPKIN DEVILED EGGS
No, they’re not made with pumpkin in them, they just look like pumpkins! This recipe is marketed for Halloween, but they make a festive addition to the Thanksgiving vibe, too.
CAPRESE FOCACCIA
Flavorful and packed with herbs and spices that will complement your meal so nicely.
JENNIFER ANISTON CHICKPEA SALAD
This salad is easy to throw together and makes a meat-free option for a main or as a hardy side dish. You can throw leftover turkey into it long after the guests have gone!
APPLE, QUINOA, AND ALMOND KALE SALAD
We make this salad so much (and the blueberry version!) and I can tell you that you can really use pretty much any fruit you like. It’s a fresh take on a side salad!
STOVETOP MAC & CHEESE
Macaroni and cheese is a staple for our Thanksgiving spread (Easter, too) and this version is so quick and easy. We make it during the week for dinner quite often.
FLAKY BUTTERMILK BISCUITS
Not feeling traditional rolls? These biscuits will have you going back for more again and again!
SAVORY PUMPKIN BISCUITS
These herbed pumpkin biscuits are a fun way to use up leftover pumpkin or just to change up the classic roll situation. We love using the leftovers for breakfast sandwiches!
THE EASIEST GARLIC KNOTS
These simple garlic knots start with store-bought pizza dough, so they come together in a snap.
ZESTY CUCUMBER SALAD
This is one of my favorite easy side dishes, as it uses a ranch dressing packet to amp up the flavor of a simple vinegar base. We like it with chips but also just as a standalone side.
HOMEMADE BASIL PESTO
Though a non-traditional side for Thanksgiving, it makes a great option to serve with rolls. You can also use it in the next recipe below…
PESTO PULL-APART BREAD
I love this bread so much, it’s worth it for the extra elbow grease to get it done. It’s a perfect herbed side that showcases warm flavors and that cozy feel of homemade bread in every bite.
STRAWBERRY FETA SPINACH SALAD
Another crowd-pleaser is this strawberry salad. Throw some turkey in it to round it out as a main, or just serve it on the side, assembled or as a DIY salad option.
CHEESE TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD
Here’s a reader-favorite for a vegetarian option. With store-bought tortellini as the main element, the rest is just a matter of chopping some vegetables. This one makes ahead great, too!
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD
Maybe it’s more of a dessert, but I love a good reason to have dessert with my meal. Make it with the chips or leave them out for a simpler treat. Don’t forget the cinnamon honey butter!