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The Ultimate Thanksgiving Recipe Guide

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Published: Nov 18, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links.

This is your ultimate Thanksgiving Menu Guide- all the Thanksgiving recipes you need in one, convenient place! Categorized with an easy table of contents that lets you browse side dishes, appetizers, main dishes, breads and butters, drinks, salads and desserts, everything you need to whip up and serve your Thanksgiving dinner has been organized and put right at your finger tips!

This is your ultimate Thanksgiving Menu Guide- all the Thanksgiving recipes you need in one, convenient place!  Categorized with an easy table of contents that lets you browse side dishes, appetizers, main dishes, breads and butters, drinks, salads and desserts, everything you need to whip up and serve your Thanksgiving dinner has been organized and put right at your finger tips!

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time, the hundredth time or bringing a special side dish or dessert, this list of Thanksgiving recipes is your new best friend!

Be Thanksgiving Ready: How to Set An Inviting Buffet Table, Cozy Thanksgiving Table with Copper

Find all the Thanksgiving classics– like Chicken and Dressing, Sweet Potato Casseroles with Pecan or Marshmallow Toppings, Green Bean Casserole, even Ambrosia and Jello Salads, plus a few new dishes your friends and family are sure to enjoy- organized and ready to make your Thanksgiving preparations simple and convenient!

Table of Contents

  • Thanksgiving Appetizers
  • Thanksgiving Drinks
  • Thanksgiving Salads
  • Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Thanksgiving Turkey + MORE!
  • Thanksgiving Breads & Butters
  • Thanksgiving Desserts

Thanksgiving Appetizers

TIP: No matter at what time you are serving your Thanksgiving meal, your family and friends will love a little bite or two to nibble as they wait. Nothing invites gathering ’round, settling in and catching up like a seasonal appetizer or two.

Consider that guests will eat 2-3 finger food servings before a meal. This will help you decide how many appetizers and how much of each you will need to make.

Whipped Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey Drizzle

Favorite Southern Pimento Cheese Ball

Honey Spiced Pecans

Best Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs

Louisiana Shrimp & Crab Deviled Eggs

Homestyle Deviled Eggs

Air Fryer Natchitoches Meat Pies

Easy Italian Marinated Olives

Sweet Heat Bread & Butter Pickles

Whipped Feta with Honey Dip

Whipped Feta Dip with Apples, Honey & Walnuts

Green Chile Sausage Balls

BEST Creole Sausage Balls

Fall Apple Cider Cheese Fondue

Southern Cranberries & Cheddar Skillet Dip

Southern Cheese Straws

Creamy Peppercorn Parmesan Cheese Dip

Thanksgiving Drinks

TIP: Having a signature drink for the day is one way to make this Thanksgiving stand out from all the rest. Serve these sippers with your apps or save the hot drinks for dessert! Either way, your guests will feel special.

Sparkling Rosemary Apple Cider

Spiced Caramel Apple Cider in Your Crock Pot

Ruby Grapefruit Punch

Apple Spice Mint Tea with Blackberries

Pumpkin Mocha Coffee Creamer

Thanksgiving Salads

TIP: No southern holiday meal is complete without a fruit salad. But don’t forget to throw in a green salad too. With all of the rich, starchier traditional holiday side dishes, your guests will welcome the balance!

Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream Dressing

Cranberry Jello Salad

Apple, Cheese, Celery Salad

Autumn Pear Salad with Figs & Ginger Molasses Vinaigrette

Classic Fruit Salad with Old Fashioned Century Sauce

Strawberry Jello Salad: A Southern Tradition

Broccoli Slaw with Apples & Brussel Sprouts

Southern Macaroni Salad

Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Strawberries

Apple, Pear, Pomegranate Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad

Crisp Apple Coleslaw with Homemade Buttermilk Dressing

Hot Bacon Dressing for A Spinach Salad

Red & Green Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Orange Dressing

Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes

TIP: Whether you’re wanting to recreate a family favorite or looking for something special that will fit in with what your family expects, there’s always room for another side dish on the Thanksgiving table . To create a delicious meal, consider including different colors and textures when choosing side dishes.

Learn 3 Tips for Successfully Adding New Foods to You Holiday Meal here.

Southern Chicken and Dressing

Cornbread & Squash Dressing

Southern Oyster Dressing

Sausage Apple Cranberry Dressing

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

Fluffy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Stovetop Candied Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole (no canned soup)

Louisiana Dirty Rice

Homemade Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce

Creamy Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin

Parmesan Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Southern Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas & Ham

Southern Cornbread Pudding

Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Soup

Sauteed Green Beans with Bacon & Mushrooms

Fried Cinnamon Apples

Garlic Honey Glazed Carrots

Easy Carrot Soufflé- The Best Carrot Side Dish

Ultimate Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese

Southern Pimento Mac and Cheese

Creamy Seafood Mac and Cheese

Easy, Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole (no canned soup)

Horseradish Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese & Garlic

Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes

Thanksgiving Turkey + MORE!

Tip: A bone-in turkey breast or pork tenderloin is a great option for small gatherings or when you need extra but not enough to cook a 2nd ham or turkey.

How much turkey per person? Consider whether or not leftovers are a part of your Thanksgiving plan. Provide 1 ½ lbs turkey per person if you’d like leftovers. 1 lb per person if leftovers aren’t on the menu.

Cranberry Bacon Walnut Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Collard Greens

Creole Roasted Turkey Breast

Southern Pecan Crusted Ham

Holiday Prime Rib

Pineapple Mustard Glazed Ham

Thanksgiving Breads & Butters

TIP: A little extra special touch here is another one of those details that can really set this year apart from others! Want to bring a fun hostess gift? Make one of these easy whipped butters. They make a wonderful, thoughtful surprise!

Cranberry Holiday Butter

Whipped Pumpkin Honey Butter

Easy Sweet Potato Cornbread

Savory Rosemary Cheddar Biscuits

Shortcut Pull Apart Rolls

Thanksgiving Desserts

TIP: My go-to dessert rule is to serve something that’s easy to pick up and nibble, like cookies, bars or a candy, along with the main dessert, like a cake or a pie.

This is a great option for kids and for that someone who just wants “a little something sweet,” but not a whole serving of dessert. Also, as the evening wears on, everyone loves a grab a little sweet treat to snack on!

Southern Salted Caramel Cake

No Bake Pumpkin Pie Bites

Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifles

Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie with Molasses Bourbon Whipped Cream

Cozy Apple Pear Crisp

Classic Louisiana Pralines

Pumpkin Butterscotch Dip

Hello Dolly Magic Cookie Bars

Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Old Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie

Best Ever Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Mamaw's Old Fashioned Fresh Apple Cake

Gooey Black Bottom Pecan Pie Brownies

Pumpkin Chocolate Delight with Pretzel Crust

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

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Filed Under: Holidays, Recipe Collections Tagged With: Thanksgiving

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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