53 Thanksgiving Recipes We Turn to Year After Year
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
For just one day a year, we feast on roast turkey, jellied cranberries, and marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole—dishes so synonymous with Thanksgiving, they earn the exclusive designation of “Thanksgiving food.” Preparing and hosting a literal feast is difficult enough without having to scour the web for the best Thanksgiving recipes, which is why we did that work on your behalf. Tragically, we can’t cook the turkey for you, but we can give you everything you need to craft the perfect Thanksgiving dinner menu.
While you could stick with a vegetarian Thanksgiving menu and not worry about the turkey at all, for some, the bird is nonnegotiable. For those, this collection includes several turkey recipes, smoked versions, grilled versions, and those roasted in parts. If you want to do some light extracurricular reading, we’ve also got guides on how long to cook a turkey and how to carve that bird.
Still, everyone knows the day’s real highlight will be the Thanksgiving side dishes: cornbread stuffing, dinner rolls (ideal for mopping up turkey gravy), and lemony green beans are always bound to steal the show. And if you’re wondering what to sip and nosh on throughout the day, we highlight a few Thanksgiving cocktails and Thanksgiving appetizers here, but click through to those collections for more.
Thanksgiving desserts? Glad you asked. Again, we’ve henpecked some top choices, but that link you just read right past has all the sweets you could possibly want. As for the next day, our turkey leftover recipes promise much more than your average sandwich. Ready to dive in? Let’s go.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman1/53Ultra-Creamy Mashed Potatoes
No list of Thanksgiving food ideas would be complete without a pile of perfect, velvety mashed potatoes. As for how long to boil potatoes before mashing, we’ve got the lowdown on that too.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling Tim Ferro2/53Maple-Butter-Glazed Turkey
“My kids told me to stop trying new methods,” lamented one holiday fussbudget. But “everyone said this was the best turkey they ever had.” The victor went on: “I didn't realize until serving how much deconstructing the turkey ahead of time reduces stress levels when carving—it is SO much easier.” Watch Chris make it here.
Photograph by Jenny Huang, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Martha Bernabe3/53Sweet Potato Tian
Thin rounds of sweet potato—not yam!—baked until tender and crispy-edged in a warming five-spice brown butter might be our new favorite way to serve this holiday favorite.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne4/53Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
We love traditional pumpkin pie as much as the next holiday-starved food obsessive. But eating this lighter-than-air alternative is like biting into a pumpkin-spiced cloud.
Photograph by Carl Ostberg, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Andrea Bonin6/53Creamy Butternut Squash and Plantain Soup
Alex Lau7/53BA’s Best Green Bean Casserole
This may be BA’s Best, but that doesn’t mean we’re opposed to a few shortcuts. Store-bought fried onions are astonishingly delicious, which means one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving day.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni, gravy boats by Base Ceramics8/53Make-Ahead Gravy
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht9/53BA’s Best Pecan Pie
In this rendition of the Thanksgiving dinner favorite, we focused on the things that matter most: the deep flavor of toasted pecans, a caramelly custard, and the flakiest, most buttery pie crust ever.
Photograph by Joe Lingeman, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco10/53Festive Red Cabbage and Radicchio Salad
.jpg)
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Gerri Williams11/53Buttery Milk Buns
These fluffy buns combine the classic folded-over shape of Parker House Rolls and pillowy texture of a milk bread dough—perfect for your holiday table.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriot12/53BA’s Best Apple Pie
This is not your average apple pie. Reducing the liquid from macerated apples with apple cider and a vanilla bean makes a syrup that delivers huge flavor to the filling. Looking for more intel? Read all about the best apples for apple pie.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni13/53Sour Cream and Onion Hasselback Potatoes
Generous swooshes of homemade onion dip provide a soft landing for tiny, crispy Hasselback potatoes. Is it a side dish or a Thanksgiving appetizer? You decide.
Photograph by Joe Lingeman, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco14/53Tadka Turkey and Gravy
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi15/53Mulled Wine
We love a good Thanksgiving cocktail. Throw this one in the slow cooker on warm while you go about your prep work and let the masses help themselves.
Photography by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco16/53Pumpkin Basque Cheesecake
This fall-flavored take on Basque Cheesecake integrates a can of pumpkin purée and a handful of warming spices—perfect for a holiday table.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Gerri K Williams17/53Arroz Verde With Spiced Mushrooms
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski18/53Dry-Rubbed Turkey Breast
Consider this a companion to our classic Dry Brined Turkey recipe for folks needing extra white meat for large crowds or Thanksgiving leftovers. But it also works well for smaller holiday gatherings, for groups who prefer white meat only.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser19/53Beets and Farro With Honey-Garlic Goat Cheese
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards20/53Cinnamon Apple Crumb Pie
“I make this recipe all the time,” declared one maker of this absolute showstopper. “It is definitely my favorite pie of all time!” Another deemed it “superb!” And said it was “visually beautiful and [they would be making this [their] go-to apple pie recipe.” Want to find out what they’re on about? You gotta click through.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni21/53Almost-Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Ines Anguiano22/53Cornbread Cheddar Biscuits
Sure, you could make the world’s best buttermilk biscuits. Or, you could make these cheddar cornbread ones. Or how about garlic-bread-inspired biscuits? Or stuffing-flavored biscuits? So many holiday flavors, so little time.
Photograph by Joe Lingeman, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco24/53Loaded Scalloped Potatoes
Give classic French potatoes au gratin the old heave-ho in favor of this mash-up, which borrows from the twice-baked potato canon for its hefty dressings.
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio25/53Smashed Green Beans With Lemony Sumac Dressing
Photography by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco26/53Bourbon-Date Pecan Pie
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni27/53Cheesy Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Leng28/53Green Beans and Mushrooms With Crispy Shallots
Looking to opt out of the traditional casserole but still want a recipe for green beans on the menu? This lighter, brighter take is made entirely on the stovetop.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman30/53BA’s Best Mac and Cheese
This homemade macaroni and cheese is our Platonic ideal: Deeply cheesy and creamy, with a crunchy, flavor-packed panko topping. But maybe you like an extra gooey version? Or one that’s all crispy edges. We each have our proclivities.
Photography by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco31/53Apple-Cranberry Tarte Tatin
Bookmark this apple tart for Christmas dessert. With its ruby-red glow courtesy of fresh (or frozen) cranberries, you’ll certainly want to make it again so you can have another slice around the yule log.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni32/53Smoked Turkey With Spicy BBQ Rub
Looking for some new ideas for your Thanksgiving meal? Consider the smoker. Cooking your turkey outdoors has some serious benefits—freeing up precious oven space, for one. Not to mention, the smoker imbues a notoriously bland bird with big BBQ flavor.
Photograph by Jenny Huang, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Martha Bernabe33/53Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Gochujang Brown Butter
Crispy brussels sprouts, sweet-spicy gochujang, and nutty brown butter make this the side dish everyone will come back to.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Shuai Wang, Prop Styling by Megan Forbes and Christina Hussey34/53Miso-and-Maple-Pecan Butter Mochi Cake
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio35/53Brown Butter and Sage Parathas
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio36/53Tahdig With Cranberries and Herbs
Dress up the classic Persian crispy rice dish with cranberries and woody herbs for a festive feel. Saffron gives it a vibrant yellow color.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Christina Allen37/53Sweet Potato Pecan Pie
Can’t pick between sweet potato pie and pecan pie? Combine the Southern favorites into one ultimate Thanksgiving pie. Corn syrup gives the topping a glossy sheen.
Photograph by Kelly Marshall, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio38/53Raw and Crispy Kale Salad With Ginger and Coconut
Let half the kale crisp in the oven while you toss the rest with a ginger-soy-tahini dressing for this hearty Thanksgiving salad. Or, if you prefer your holiday greens cooked, go for Instant Pot Braised Collard Greens and get one more thing out of oven range.
Photo by Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski39/53Banana Cream Pie
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Suzie Myers41/53Pumpkin Spice Crumb Cake
This fun addition to your Thanksgiving menu is half brown sugar streusel, half spiced pumpkin cake, and all kinds of delicious. Using canned pumpkin purée makes it a breeze.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro42/53Make-Ahead Sausage and Caramelized Onion Stuffing
The best food for Thanksgiving includes plenty of components you can prepare in advance. This make-ahead stuffing, which is chock full of sausage and melty caramelized onions, can be baked a day before serving.
44/53Pull-Apart Sour Cream and Chive Rolls
Looking to impress? Take it from one reviewer of these pillowy dinner rolls: “This is probably the most professional-tasting thing that ever came out of my kitchen.” It’s simply one of our best Thanksgiving recipes. Need flavor options? How about Squishy Garlic Dill Rolls?
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski46/53Squash and Radicchio Salad With Pecans
Photo by Marcus Nilsson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski47/53Glazed Leeks With Pine Nut Salsa Verde
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski48/53Fancy Jellied Cranberry Sauce
Thought you couldn’t improve on canned cranberry sauce? This homemade version is just as sliceable and jiggly and fun, with deep fruit flavor and a pretty topping. Or, if you’re feeling less-than-extra this year, our easiest cranberry sauce is always a hit.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova49/53Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart
For a vegetarian Thanksgiving main that can hold its own at the center of the table, look no further than this fall veggie tart.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Carla Gonzalez-Hart50/53Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Go a step beyond basic roasted brussels sprouts. A toss in balsamic vinegar helps these achieve a burnished color and savory-sweet tang.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski52/53Expertly Spiced and Glazed Roast Turkey
If you’re willing to forgo the big roast turkey presentation, you can’t do better than this recipe. Breaking down the bird into parts ensures each section cooks to its optimal doneness.
Photo by Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski53/53Lemon Meringue Pie
