75 Of Our All-Time Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

In November 1966, Southern Living magazine celebrated our first Thanksgiving with a foil-baked turkey, fluffy sweet potatoes, savory string beans, and pumpkin and pecan pies. Years later, the SL Test Kitchen continues to dream up delicious new ways to bring the storied dishes that have graced our tables for generations to life. To reminisce on Thanksgivings past and keep in mind the Thanksgivings of the future, we have pulled our best recipes. From appetizers to desserts, here are the top picks, pulled together from our favorite Southern Living Thanksgiving dishes over the years.

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This roasted turkey was made with turkey traditionalists in mind. With a crispy, buttery skin and homemade gravy, every bite of this turkey will be delicious and perfectly seasoned.

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Don’t forget the gravy! Perfect for pouring on mashed potatoes, dressing, and, oh yes, the turkey itself, we love this homemade recipe that helps use up the whole bird.

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Wonderfully simple yet incredibly delicious, this flavor-packed two-bite snack is the perfect appetizer that won’t bust your appetite for Thanksgiving dinner.

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A little salad never hurt anybody, and this salad packed with apples, sweet potatoes, cranberries, pistachios, and sorghum hits the spot for fall. It’s sure to make everyone at your Thanksgiving table grateful.

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Start your Thanksgiving feast out right with this bubbly, super-Southern twist on the classic French 75 cocktail.

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In this recipe, we roast our apples for a deeper, more caramelized version of this classic treat. For an easier Thanksgiving day, you can roast your apples and make your pie crust in advance, so you only have to focus on the assembly the day of.

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The candied, textured, slightly spicy pecan topping on this recipe beautifully complements the root vegetables. A beautiful side dish that tastes just as good as it looks, everyone will be asking for seconds.

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For a smaller Thanksgiving gathering, or just for people who adore white turkey meat, a roasted turkey breast is a fantastic option. It’s quick to cook and still results in juicy, tender meat with the crispiest skin.

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The key to the ultimate cornbread dressing is the chicken broth. It helps ensure your dressing is perfectly moist and not dried out. Cook until the top is golden brown and you’ll have a crowd-favorite side dish ready to serve.

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When cooking for a crowd, sometimes it’s great to have personal-sized desserts for each guest. These treats will have everyone happy for the holidays in just one bite.

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This flavorful twist to the classic cranberry chutney has a little something extra, thanks to the addition of cayenne pepper, fresh ginger, cloves, and mustard seeds.

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Let’s face it, when it comes to Thanksgiving, it’s the sides that usually take center stage, and this simple carrot soufflé (more like a casserole) masterpiece is no exception. Loaded with good-for-you carrots, cheese, onion, and saltine crackers it’s a breeze to throw together while light and fluffy from the well-wisked eggs.

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Just when you thought mac and cheese couldn’t get any better, we added bacon. Comforting and indulgent, everyone will love this classic side dish coated in crispy breadcrumbs and bacon throughout.

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There’s nothing sweeter than a homemade pecan pie baked in a cast iron skillet. You may never go back to your pie plate again.

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We let the oysters do all the talking in this recipe. Butter, cream, crackers, oysters, and seasonings are the only ingredients you need to make this classic recipe really sing.

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There are few things in life better or more buttery than a Parker House Roll. Garnished with flaky sea salt, these savory bites will not make it through your entire Thanksgiving meal.

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Are you stressed about this season? Stick to the classics, like this tried-and-true recipe, to help you get through the holiday season stress-free. You can even make this dish ahead to really help free up your time.

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If you want to have something retro and festive on your table, nothing beats this cranberry mold salad. It might even get you out of the age-old debate of canned versus fresh cranberries.

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Mashed sweet potatoes can do glorious things. Warm, light, and rich in flavor—this sweet potato roll recipe will be the talk of the Turkey Day buffet line.

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Everyone should be able to enjoy a piece of pie during the holidays, but with food allergies and intolerances, it can be hard to please everyone. The filling of this pie is dairy free, so it is perfect for your friends and family who cannot consume dairy. Just be sure to use a refrigerated or homemade crust that will suit your guests.

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Sometimes, baking and basting an entire bird is more trouble than it’s worth. A turkey breast is a crowd-pleasing way to get that turkey taste without all the trouble. This smoked meat is bursting with apple cider, fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage.

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In the South, no Thanksgiving menu is truly complete without some form of a sweet potato casserole. And while we love the marshmallow topped versions too, this savory herb and pecan version is also a crowd-pleaser.

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It’s hard to beat a creamy, cheesy, crunchy onion-topped green bean casserole during the holidays.

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There’s a reason there is always room for the classics on the table. You can’t beat a serving of South’s favorite green slow cooked with ham hocks.

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If you’re team homemade cranberry sauce, you won’t want to miss out on this orange infused version made with fresh-squeezed orange juice, orange zest, and grated ginger.

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No holiday is complete without deviled eggs, so here is our recipe to bring to the table. If you are not hosting Thanksgiving this year, bring a dish of these and your host will be mighty grateful.

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The perfect cross between a custard and a soufflé, this fluffy corn pudding recipe is sure to impress. Sautéing the corn, onion, and herbs first helps ensure plenty of flavor.

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This unique squash dish deserves a spot on your Thanksgiving dinner table. Perfectly paired with seafood, this side is sure to impress your guests.

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Elevate your side dish game with this roasted carrots recipe that uses rainbow carrots for an extra splash of color. Everyone will eat their veggies if you make this, we promise!

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Broccoli and cheese might just be one of the most delicious combinations out there, and this recipe takes it to the next level. You will love every bite of this dish from the crispy, cheesy crust to the rich, gooey rice.

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At first glance, this pie looks like your everyday, classic pecan pie, but slice the pie open and you will see it is so much more. We’ve combined the two favorites of pecan pie and cheesecake in this recipe that never disappoints.

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If you are in need of a pre-Thanksgiving dinner pick-me-up, look no further than this delightful appetizer. With just a handful of ingredients, this easy recipe is the perfect snack to get your guests ready for the greatness of the dinner to come.

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Thanksgiving is one of the few times of the year when covering your vegetables in cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, butter, parmesan, and French fried onions is not only acceptable but expected. We love this very classic take on one of our favorite hearty casseroles.

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It’s not stuffing, y’all; it’s called dressing. This cornbread dressing recipe has all the flavors you expect around Thanksgiving with the welcome addition of lots of fresh herbs.

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We love homemade, but we also love easy. You can get the best of both worlds with this pie recipe. With just seven ingredients, you will have the simplest and best pumpkin pie you can dream of.

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This is one of those recipes that you will just fall in love with. Adapted from cookbook author Sally Ann Robinson, this dish is inspired by dishes found in the Lowcountry and Sea Islands.

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Sometimes you want something that warms your heart and taste buds at the same time. This traditional corn casserole does just that with its creamy, cheesy corn filling and crunchy, buttery cracker topping.

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With caramelized edges and an intricate presentation, this Thanksgiving side is pretty enough to stand in as the table’s centerpiece.

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What can we say? A little cinnamon and sugar make everything taste better, and this recipe for baked apples is truly delicious. Ready in 20 minutes, this is a sweet Thanksgiving side that will wow without too much work.

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Tee’s corn pudding is a classic we, and our readers, truly love to put on the table each year. This recipe gives you the rich, airy texture of soufflé for the price of cornbread casserole.

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Mashed potatoes are the one staple we never plan to alter when it comes to our Thanksgiving menu. In this recipe, we add a little bit of cream cheese to give these mashed potatoes a little more savory goodness.

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Bless you if you have been waiting for a biscuit recipe. These biscuits truly taste like they were sent from heaven and will make even your youngest guests happy.

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It is not a Southern get-together without some kind of retro salad. We love this pink stuff for its festive color and its homage to holidays past.

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For some people, you cannot have Thanksgiving without spoon bread. This Buttermilk Spoon Bread is a delicious cross between a skillet cornbread dressing, cornmeal soufflé, and hot cornbread.

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If pumpkin pie isn’t for you, try our equally orange- hued sweet potato pie. Brown sugar and spices lends a deep, nutty flavor to this Southern classic. Top with a dollop of whipped cream to serve.

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Crispy on the outside and tender and creamy on the inside, these are the best baby potatoes around. To really bring the flavor to the potatoes, we boil them with rosemary, garlic, and salt to make sure that every bite is full of flavor.

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Having a Thanksgiving potluck or friendsgiving? You might want to whip up this staple. Rich whipping cream and golden, bubbly parmesan cheese make this dish divine.

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This sweet potato casserole is top-rated, and we’re guessing it’s because of the toppings, which include crunchy pecans, crispy cornflakes, brown sugar, butter, and more. This recipe is a fan favorite, even if some just spoon the marshmallows off the top.

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This green bean recipe frees up precious stove-top space and reminds us of the traditional green beans our grandmothers used to make. Plus, if you have not caught on already, we firmly believe bacon belongs in nearly every Southern side.

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We are sweet on these biscuits. They freeze beautifully and bring a little extra fall flavor to your Thanksgiving meal. Pair with a little orange marmalade and some thinly sliced salty ham for the perfect bite.

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These candied yams can be made up to three days in advance. Just make them up to step three, put them in the fridge, and bake them on Thanksgiving day.

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Since Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season, why not bring the holiday cheer with a beautiful cake? While the traditional Thanksgiving dessert is pie, there is always room for holiday cake.

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Any recipe that calls for pimiento cheese and broccoli is a dream come true. You can put this delightful mixture into ramekins for a personalized touch or prepare it in a 2-quart baking dish.

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It’s time to add a new pie to your Thanksgiving dessert lineup. This recipe is similar to a traditional apple pie, but topped with a nutty streusel in lieu of pie crust.

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This pie is the perfect fall bite. Just one taste will make you glad you switched things up this year and decided to do something a little bit different than your usual pumpkin pie.

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Use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey to make this delicious turkey salad recipe. We think we’ve mastered this simple salad to make it the best ever.

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If you love Thanksgiving food, you can savor it a little bit longer with this casserole. Made with canned cream of mushroom soup, pasta, and many other heart-warming ingredients, you can never go wrong with this staple.

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No holiday is complete without sausage balls somewhere in the mix! We love these pimiento cheese sausage balls because pimiento cheese makes everything just a bit more Southern.

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Traditional cornbread dressing is an expected dish on many Thanksgiving tables. In this version, grits replace corn meal in the bread that’s then baked in a cast-iron skillet. The result is crisp and fantastic.

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We’re pretty sure it’s an unspoken rule of Thanksgiving that two types of potatoes are always required in the buffet line.

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Get a head start on the turkey feast with these make-ahead rolls that can be formed in almost any shape. This recipe first appeared in the November 1995 issue of Southern Living. Make the dough, refrigerate, and let it rise at room temperature before baking.

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It’s not a Southern Thanksgiving without collard greens. Use the slow cooker to free up the stovetop while these cook low and slow. You can also make these ahead of time and reheat in the slow cooker.

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This crowd-favorite cornbread dressing keeps it simple with just a few ingredients. The classic version is a favorite among Southern Living readers.

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This dish is just what our Southern hearts desire. Fall vegetables are served in a crispy, smoky bacon.

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It’s not Thanksgiving without our favorite classics, and this ham and cheese ball is a throwback to all of the holiday parties of our youth. Smoky cheese, ham, and pecans combine for this ultra-pleasing retro app.

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It’s not a party without dip, and this creamy recipe reinvents beloved spinach dip with collard greens. For those who can’t get enough collards at Thanksgiving (and who can?), this dip is sure to satisfy.

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What holiday gathering is complete without brie on the appetizer display? These bite-size snacks are warm, creamy, and tart thanks to cranberry sauce. Have these ready to go in minutes.

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A bowl of these are sure to go quickly at a big family gathering. With a little cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and salt, they’re downright addictive.

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We know that your mothers and grandmothers have spoonbreads they swear by, but this recipe using fresh corn might just be your way to make the classic your own. With fresh herbs throughout, this is a light, new take on a very beloved classic.

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There’s always room for more than one pie on the dessert buffet—and this is one not to be left out. Creamy and dreamy, this decadent chocolate dessert scores points for being easy and delicious.

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It’s essentially a requirement for all Southern Thanksgiving gatherings to have a some form of pecan pie on the menu, and this one lives up to its name.

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If you’re not a turkey person, this maple-bourbon glazed ham is the perfect main dish for your feast. With only six ingredients and a three hour cook time, even a novice cook can pull of this ham.

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Take your go-to deviled egg recipe up a notch with this recipe. A little bit of butter added to the filling makes these bite-sized snacks extra creamy while cornichons add an unexpected, briny flavor addition.

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The only thing better than pumpkin pie is chocolate pumpkin pie! Need we say more?

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A five-star rated side dish that looks simple, but is bursting with festive flavor. Bonus points for this recipe that takes minutes to make.

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Frequently asked Questions

What is the most popular Thanksgiving side dish?

According to Zippia, mashed potatoes are the favored side dish in nine states, making it the most popular choice. Other favorites include rolls and stuffing in four states.

What is the difference between stuffing and dressing?

Stuffing and dressing are interchangeable terms. In the South, Thanksgiving dressing uses cornbread as its foundation.

Read the original article on Southern Living