Our 71 Best Thanksgiving Recipes Of All Time

Rectangular Thanksgiving Table Setting
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

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. And while we always welcome new additions to the holiday feast (the skillet cornbread, a new spin on mashed potatoes), Southerners always leave room on the table for the tried-and-true classics that have been passed down for generations and served on our holiday tables for decades. They have stories that are meant to be told (and retold) year after year.

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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Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy

50 Best Thanksgiving Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy
Greg Dupree

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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Turkey Gravy

Turkey Gravy
Greg Dupree

Don't forget the gravy! Perfect for pouring on mashed potatoes, dressing, and, oh yes, the turkey itself, we love this homemade, three-ingredient recipe.

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Buttermilk Spoon Bread

Buttermilk Spoon Bread
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Sweet and Tangy Roasted Pumpkin Salad

Sweet and Tangy Roasted Pumpkin Salad
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

A little salad never hurt anybody, and this salad is full of fall flavors that are sure to make everyone at your Thanksgiving table grateful. Part of Thanksgiving is celebrating the bounty of food available during the holidays, and this recipe really shines in that department.

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Roasted Turkey Breast

roasted turkey breast - southern living

Rob Culpepper; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

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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Spiced Cranberry Mold

Spiced Cranberry Mold
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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

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Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing

Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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 nutty pecans.

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Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Southern LIving Utterly Deadly Pecan Pie in the skillet to serve

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

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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Parker House Rolls

Parker House Rolls
Photographer: Alison Miksch / Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn / Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

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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Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Granny Smith Apple Pie

Granny Smith Apple Pie
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

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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Fluffy Corn Pudding

Fluffy Corn Pudding
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

The perfect cross between a custard and a souffle, this Fluffy Corn Pudding recipe is sure to impress. The secret is pureeing some of the corn to create a velvety texture.

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Sorghum-Pecan Monkey Bread Muffins

Sorghum-Pecan Monkey Bread Muffins
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

The South and sorghum have a history just as rich and deep as the flavor itself. Prepare these muffins the night before Thanksgiving for an easy, stress-free morning.

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Fried Arkansas Black Apples

Fried Arkansas Black Apples
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

What can we say? Frying makes everything taste better, and this recipe for fried apples is truly delicious. Ready in 15 minutes, this is a Thanksgiving side that will wow without too much work.

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Mini Cranberry-Cheesecake Pies

Mini Cranberry-Cheesecake Pies
David Malosh; Prop Styling: Robyn Glaser; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

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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Collard Greens with Garlic and Sippets

Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Sometimes, it's a good thing to change up the classics. In this modern collard green recipe, the South's favorite green gets a major update with garlic, bits of sourdough, and a quick boil.

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Deep Fried Turkey with Creole Spices

Deep Fried Turkey with Creole Spices
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Dare to do it deep fried? This is the only recipe you will ever need for a deep-fried turkey. Full of Creole seasonings, this Turkey is a winner, winner turkey dinner.

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Scalloped Oysters

Scalloped Oysters
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Baked Brie with Pecans

Baked Brie with Pecans
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

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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Grated Sweet Potato Pudding

Grated Sweet Potato Pudding
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Let's face it, when it comes to Thanksgiving, it's the sides that usually take center stage, and this simple sweet potato masterpiece is no exception. Throw raw grated sweet potatoes into a cast-iron skillet with your usual casserole components, and you have a simple side that will not disappoint.

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Old-School Green Bean Casserole

13x9 casserole, green bean casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Sweet Potato Rolls

Sweet Potato Rolls
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Herbed Wild Rice Dressing

Cornbread Dressing with Kale and Bacon
Iain Bagwell

Is your Thanksgiving menu in need of a bit of freshening up? You might want to think about trying this dressing, which is a bounty of wild rice stuffing loaded with crisp apples and celery, pungent red onion, toasted walnuts, fresh parsley and sage, and buttery sourdough bread cubes.

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Pear Pie

Pear Pie
Micah A. Leal

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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Shrimp-Stuffed Mirlitons

Shrimp-Stuffed Mirlitons
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Tee's Corn Pudding

50 Best Thanksgiving Tee's Corn Pudding
Jennifer Davick

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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Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Bread Puddings
Jim Franco

These top-rated, individual desserts taste like a combination of pecan and pumpkin pies. Double the caramel-pecan sauce to drizzle on ice cream and other sweet treats if you want.

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Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries

Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Unique candy roaster squash is the perfect veggie addition to your Thanksgiving spread. Available across the Southeast, if it's available in your region, you need to try this cold-weather heirloom.

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Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole Recipe
Photo: Hector Sanchez

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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Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie Recipe

Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie Recipe Image
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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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Easy Squash Casserole

Squash Casserole
Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy

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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Sea Island Crab Fried Rice

Fried Arkansas Black Apples
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Skillet Squash Blossom

Thanksgiving Side Dish: Skillet Squash Blossom
Iain Bagwell

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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Classic Deviled Eggs

Classic Deviled Eggs
Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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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Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever

easy pumpkin pie
Greg DuPree

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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Smoked Turkey Breast

50 Best Thanksgiving Smoked Turkey Breast
Jody Horton

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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Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Fennel

Cornbread Dressing with Kale and Bacon
Iain Bagwell

Fennel lovers, rejoice: this Italian-inspired cornbread dressing will certainly earn its spot on your Thanksgiving menu. Using a whole lot of day-old cornbread and a little added sweetness from apples and maple syrup, there is a little something for everyone in this recipe.

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Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Diana Miller

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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Spicy Cornbread Dressing with Chorizo

Spicy Cornbread Dressing with Chorizo
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Sometimes you want something that warms your heart and taste buds at the same time. Add a little kick to your Thanksgiving meal this year with a bit of chorizo.

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Angel Biscuits

angel biscuits
Emily Laurae/Southern Living

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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Cranberry Fluff Salad

Cranberry Fluff Salad
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

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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Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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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Smashed Baby Red Potatoes

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Smashed Baby Red Potatoes
Southern Living

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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Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie

50 Best Thanksgiving Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie
Hector Sanchez

Browned butter with spices lends a deep, nutty flavor to this Southern classic. This recipe makes two pies, so it's perfect for a crowd or great to give to a friend who might need a little more love during the holidays.

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Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Emily Laurae/Southern Living

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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Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Thanksgiving Sides: Root Vegetable Gratin
Iain Bagwell

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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Sweet Potato Biscuits

Sweet Potato Biscuits
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

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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Pimiento Cheese Sausage Balls

Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls
Southern Living

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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Classic Candied Yams

Classic Candied Yams
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

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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Simple Roasted Turkey

Simple Roasted Turkey
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Turkey is a necessity for Thanksgiving. You really cannot have one without the other, and this recipe is a classic, simple take that even novice cooks can ace. We will also make sure you make just enough for everyone at the table.

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Cranberry-Orange Cake with Orange Buttercream

Cranberry-Orange Cake with Orange Buttercream
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

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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Fresh Corn Spoonbread

Fresh Corn Spoonbread
Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

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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Pimiento Cheese Creamed Spinach

Pimiento Cheese Creamed Spinach
Hector Sanchez

Any recipe that calls for pimiento cheese and creamed spinach 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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Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole

Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole
Hector Sanchez

Three of our favorite sides got together to revolutionize Thanksgiving dinner. With a delightful cheese sauce to hold everything together, this recipe is one that will stick around long after the holidays.

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Classic Bread Dressing

Cornbread Dressing with Kale and Bacon
Iain Bagwell

It's time to ditch your boxed stuffing and make this homemade dressing instead. This easy recipe is made from scratch with high-quality sourdough bread, fresh parsley and thyme, celery, leeks, and garlic.

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Sliced Sweet Potato Pie With Molasses Whipped Cream

Sliced Sweet Potato Pie with Molasses Whipped Cream
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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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Turkey Salad

Turkey Salad - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

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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Leftover Turkey Hash

Leftover Turkey Hash
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Too much turkey? Leftover turkey hash is the perfect recipe to serve for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving. With bright bell pepper, onion, vinegar, and so much more, this recipe is a refreshing way to use your turkey leftovers in a way that isn't tired.

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Leftover Turkey Casserole

Leftover Turkey Casserole
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

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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Grits Dressing

Grits Dressing Recipe
Laurey W. Glenn

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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Mini Pumpkin Pies

Mini Pumpkin Pies
Micah A. Leal

These bite-size pumpkin pies will delight guests who want to sample every dessert. And the individual size makes serving easy. Perfect for after the big meal when guests want to visit with everyone.

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Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls

Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls
Laurey W. Glenn

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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Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
Victor Protasio

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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Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin

Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This dish is just what our Southern hearts desire. Fall vegetables are served in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s good enough to serve as the main course for vegetarian guests.

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Ham Cheese Ball

Southern Living Ham Cheese Ball

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

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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Collard Dip

Collard Dip
Hector Manuel Sanchez

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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Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites
Southern Living

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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Spicy-Sweet Pecans

Spicy-Sweet Pecans
Helen Norman

A bowl of these is sure to go quickly at a big family gathering. With a little cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cayenne, and rosemary, they’re downright addictive.

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Chocolate Pudding Pie

Chocolate Pudding Pie
Micah A. Leal

There’s room for more than one pie on the dessert buffet. Don’t leave out this classic chocolate pie. Creamy and dreamy, this decadent dessert scores points for being easy and delicious.

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.

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