The Perfect Thanksgiving Recipes {My Top Favorites}
The way I see it, you’re either an obsessive Thanksgiving menu planner or you’re not. You’re either a sweet potato casserole lover or you’re not. You’re either a dress up for Thanksgiving dinner family or you’re not. You’re either a dark turkey meat fan or you’re not. You’re either mooching off your in-laws Thanksgiving spread or you’re not.
My answers: I am. I am not. I am not. I am. I am not (but I am mooching off my aunt and uncle’s hosting generosity this year).
Whether you are planning the entire Thanksgiving menu spread yourself or you’ve been tasked with bringing a pie (gotta make it a good one!), here’s a little recipe inspiration for you.
Thanksgiving happens to be my favorite holiday, and I think about the food options all year long. I love it so much. Below, I’ve picked my top favorite recipes for all the main categories, but if you want even more recipe inspiration, here’s the Recipe Index here or this specific Thanksgiving link.
In the meantime, I’d love to know what YOU are making for the big day!
Turkey + Ham
Do you serve both turkey and ham? Something else entirely? Below are my favorite recipes for the Thanksgiving meat options! (I like to do the slow cooker turkey the day before for extra leftovers and to use the drippings/sauce for gravy on Thanksgiving.)
Potatoes
Options, options, options! That’s what I like about potatoes. So many ways to make them – just promise you’ll include the humble mashed potato in some form.
Side Dish
It pains me to have to narrow down the options here because THERE ARE TOO MANY RECIPES TO CHOOSE FROM. But these ones are definitely my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes – you just can’t go wrong with any (or all) of them!
Rolls
I mean, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without them, right??
Pie, Pie, Pie
Don’t worry, I’m including a whole other section for non-pie desserts. But pie is essential, and these are a few of my favorites! And I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but include two extra recipes.
Other Desserts {Not Pie}
Because you just can’t have too much dessert!
Mel, It’s been a few years since I was able to host thanksgiving. So I thoroughly enjoyed picking out recipes from this post and cooking. Loved being able to make many recipes days ahead. We had garlic potatoes, sweet potato casserole, confetti corn, make ahead crescent rolls, mini pumpkin pies, and chocolate cheesecake mousse pie. Wow, that’s a lot of Mel recipes, thank you very much! The winner of all those was definitely the confetti corn, closely followed by the sweet potato casserole. Hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving with your family!
Thank you so much, Bethany!!
Thanks for the recommendation, Bethany!
I just had to leave a comment…. I made your carrot cake and I just had to say, I have never tasted a more delicious cake in all my life…..It was so moist and the icing was to die for….. I actually froze half of it and the next week it was still amazing….. I actually hid the last piece for myself and I ate the whole piece….I do have a question…. have you ever made macaron cookies?…. people say they are a little tricky….. thank you for all your delicious recipes
I’m so happy you like that cake, Kari! And yes, I’ve been battling macarons for the last little while. I’ve posted about some of my fails on Instagram. They are super tricky!!
Hi Mel! Do you prefer the stuffing with egg recipe linked above over the other version on your site without eggs? Also I like mine soggy so would 2 c be enough or 2.5?
Sorry ignore this one! My first comment wasn’t posting. Thank you for your reply below!
Hi Mel! You are amazing! I love your site so much. I noticed two similar classic stuffing recipes on your site – the one listed above (with eggs) and this one (with no eggs).
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/homemade-stovetop-stuffing/
Do you prefer the one with eggs? How different is it from the other one?
This is my first time bringing stuffing to thanksgiving so I’m nervous about experimenting but luckily every recipe of yours is delicious!
Last question – if I like my stuffing … soggier … if I add 2 full cups broth should it turn out soggier? Or should I do 2.5. Thank you for all your help.
I actually think I prefer the one without eggs (and I just asked Brian and he definitely prefers the one without eggs). it’s easier, too, so that’s a bonus! I think you should probably add 2.5 cups if you want it softer! Good luck!
Hi Carly, I prefer the non-egg stuffing but both are good. And I’d suggest probably 2 1/2 cups for a softer stuffing.
Hi Mel –
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your tried & true recipes, insights, humor and love.
You. Are. Totally. Awesome! I’ve been a fan since 2011.
Thank you for enriching our family meals. There are two recipe sources I go to: Cook’s Illustrated/ATK and MKC. Mostly the later, especially this entire year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh wow…thank you so much, Sheila!
I’m in charge of potatoes this year, for our family of 25. Would you recommend doing your IP mashed potatoes in multiple batches? Or just using the stove?
I would probably do the IP ones because they are so delicious. You could keep the cooked ones warm in a slow cooker.
Thanks for putting all of your Thanksgiving recipes in one place. Makes the meal prep much easier and I always love your recipes. It was fun to see the one for the Lion House rolls as I was just in Salt Lake City this weekend and we ate at the Garden Restaurant. They served the Lion House rolls and they were amazing! Beautiful setting for a restaurant with the view of the Tabernacle and Temple Square.
I would love to eat there! Sounds amazing!
For the last eight or more years, my four kids and I have made decorated cut out sugar cookies. You know, a turkey with candy corn tail feathers, an acorn with a cap of chocolate chips, and maple leaves covered in orange sugar sprinkles. We make over 10 dozen cookies, take half to Grandma’s to be devoured by the fifteen cousins (and an aunt or uncle or two), and give the other half away to friends. Last year was the first year I only had to sweep twice during the process! Ages 13, 11, 8, and 7 were finally able to keep the majority of flour and sprinkles on the counter. Yay!!!
This year, two of my kids will be gone for several days before Thanksgiving and returning the day before, so I thought we’d skip the cookies and make something less time consuming. When I mentioned it, my kids just about staged a revolt!!! So…. sugar cookies again. All in one day. But, I’m determined to make something else, too. Your pies look delicious and my 8 year old votes for the Raspberry Ribbon Salad.
So funny how those traditions mean so much. Don’t mess with tradition!! Haha. Sounds like so much work but so fun!
I make your Creamy Spinach Gratin every Thanksgiving! It’s so good!!
I need to make that one more!
I’ll be 38 weeks pregnant on Thanksgiving day. I’m 100% mooching off my in-laws! I love this recipe line up, and can’t wait to try some I haven’t yet (I’m looking at you chocolate chip cookie pie!) – next year.
You deserve a thanksgiving off!!
My brother in law told his co-workers that he is coming to our house for Thanksgiving because at the ranch the turkeys say MOO. We have turkey, ham, and brisket or prime rib for meat. Mock Pecan Pie is a family favorite dessert.
Haha, love that! What is mock pecan pie?
We will be happily mooching off my parents this year on Thanksgiving. I’m taking mashed potatoes and your dark chocolate cheesecake! And some drinks but those are coming straight from Target.
Sounds perfect (and I’m all about mooching…no guilt!). Wish I was there just for the cheesecake. 🙂
We serve a lot of your recipes…my sister makes the confetti corn and I make your green bean casserole. I am usually in charge of dessert, and I always make your pumpkin pie sheet cake (my favorite…I will never make a regular pumpkin pie again!) and the chocolate chip cookie pie, and then usually a fruit pie. I will probably make your cherry pie again, because when I made it this summer everyone loved it. Thank you for all of your recipes, I’m so thankful I found your blog almost 7 years ago now when I was searching for a recipe for pita bread:) Happy Thanksgiving!!
I’m so happy to hear this, Jill! Those are all favorites of mine, too, in fact I can’t believe I left out the pumpkin pie sheet cake from the lineup in today’s post!
This all looks so good! I love Thanksgiving dinner! However, this year my husband and I are part living in CA and in our new home in Kuna! We are driving up to Kuna two days before and even though we are closer to our family they are all working or attending a family-in-law wedding, so we will be alone! Because of that we are having Harvest Chicken Bake (chicken layered with monterey jack cheese, cream of mushroom (or chicken), stovetop stuffing, with a dab of butter on top of that. It really is yummy and has hints of Thanksgiving so we’re okay! Next year… bring on the turkey and trimmings!!!
Oh man, that sounds like a lot of transition, Sandy! Good luck with all of that (and welcome to the Treasure Valley area!)
Thanks! We are super excited to be there permanently!
Your pumpkin cheesecake with the white chocolate topping has been a go to for thanksgiving the past few years!
Oh yes, that’s a good one! (As in, I’m thinking I need to re-edit this list to include it!)
Mel, have you ever shaped your French Bread Rolls into crescent shapes for baking? That’s the recipe I almost exclusively make now (just as round rolls), but for many years I’ve been the person assigned to bring rolls and your Fluffy Honey Butter, among other things. I’ve always made Lion House Rolls for Thanksgiving, and think there might be a revolt if the rolls look different.
I haven’t ever shaped the French bread rolls in a crescent shape…I’m guessing it should work – they are a bit fluffier than the Lion House rolls so they might not hold the crescent shape quite as well, but worth a try for sure!
Mel, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without this fabulous recipe for Sweet Potatoes with Baked Apples–no marshmallows involved (not a fan)!
http://www.fransfavs.com/2011/12/sweet-potatoes-with-baked-apples/
Last year, I made your crustless pumpkin pie cupcakes, and they were a huge hit–so, a belated thank you! 🙂
Thanks, Fran!
We are traveling this year and staying in a condo with Family. SO exited. We decided to order a turkey so we didn’t have to cook one to save on time and oven space in the condo. My question: Do you have a recipe to make gravy ahead of time and then heat up?? What do I do to have yummy gravy for you amazing Instant Pot potatoes??
Yes! You can definitely make gravy ahead of time. This is my favorite gravy hack without using actual drippings for the turkey (it’s still really delicious and is my go-to for making any kind of gravy, just change up the broth/drippings):
Melt 1/2 cup butter in saucepan and add 1/2 cup flour. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until the mixture cooks and darkens to a golden brown (or even a deep brown is ok as long as it isn’t burned) – this step is critical for flavor! Slowly add 3 cups broth (beef or chicken depending on flavor you want) while whisking constantly and quickly. Let each addition of broth fully incorporate into the gravy before adding more. Continue stirring with a whisk and bring the gravy to a simmer. Cook until thickened, 5-6 minutes. (It will thicken a crazy amount once it’s cooled and refrigerated but will thin once it’s warmed up again)
This can be increased as needed. And you can change up the broth amount for thicker or thinner gravy. And at the very end add salt and pepper to taste. Ok, I’m done now. 🙂
Thank you Thank you!
How is your chocolate caramel pie not listed here???? It is our absolute FAVORITE pie EVER!!!!!
Wait, wait, which caramel chocolate pie do you speak of? The tart or the pecan pie?
The pecan pie (how did I leave out that word– NEVER try to type comments on your phone!). It’s to die for. And I’m not even a great lover of pie, generally speaking.
Oh I agree! I just won 2nd love in a pie contest with it! I love it!!!
What roll recipe would you say is the best for make ahead, or even bake and then freeze?
All of the roll recipes listed above freeze super great – and actually each of them are really good for a make-ahead option (shape and refrigerate and then take out the day of, let rise and then bake)
Grateful for this! Is there a Brand of turkey you and readers recommend?
I’ve used Hoka but curious to hear other choices.
My favorite turkey (reasonably priced) is the one sold at Trader Joe’s. I’ve had the best luck in terms of flavor and juiciness!
very cool post, thank you so much for sharing.
It isn’t thanksgiving for our family if we don’t make cranberry salsa (with jalapeños and green onions and such…yum!). We prefer it over regular cranberry sauce or jelly.