These top 10 Thanksgiving recipes are the most popular and well-loved dishes for families around the United States. In fact, you may not be surprised by the recipes on this list because they are all tried and true holiday classics. When in doubt, serve this traditional Thanksgiving menu and it will surely be a hit.
Jump to:
- Most Popular Thanksgiving Recipes
- Holiday Recipes For A Classic Thanksgiving Dinner
- 1. Roast Turkey
- 2. Mashed Potatoes
- 3. Stuffing
- 4. Turkey Gravy
- 5. Mac and Cheese
- 6. Pumpkin Pie
- 7. Cranberry Sauce
- 8. Green Bean Casserole
- 9. Sweet Potato Casserole
- 10. Dinner Rolls
- 🦃 More Thanksgiving Recipes
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Top 10 Thanksgiving Recipes: Classic Turkey Gravy (+More Best Loved Recipes!)
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
Most Popular Thanksgiving Recipes
If it's your year to host Thanksgiving dinner, you can't go wrong with any of these recipes. They are the dishes you expect to see on the table every holiday!
From turkey to pumpkin pie, the most popular Thanksgiving menu items can be found right here. Throw a legendary get-together by adding them to your holiday spread.
Whether you're a pro at hosting Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties or giving it a try for the first time this year, you're sure to find my ultimate guide to planning Thanksgiving a help! Don't forget to safely thaw your holiday turkey early, too!
Holiday Recipes For A Classic Thanksgiving Dinner
These recipes are served on thousands of Thanksgiving tables every year. They are guaranteed to help you pull off the perfect holiday spread for your family.
1. Roast Turkey
It should be no surprise that a roasted turkey is on this menu. In fact, it is the symbol of Thanksgiving.
This oven-roasted recipe is one of the easiest ways to turn out a perfectly cooked turkey. The skin is delectably crispy while the meat stays moist and tender.
2. Mashed Potatoes
I'm a fan of mashed potatoes year-round, but there's something special about them on Thanksgiving. Potatoes make the perfect base for building your plate.
Mix them with some gravy or turkey, I even mix them with veggies like peas and carrots (on my own plate, of course). Thanksgiving dinner would not be complete without mashed potatoes on the menu.
You might also love my easy make ahead mashed potato casserole or the tasty bacon cream cheese mashed potatoes. Yum!
3. Stuffing
Whether you stuff your turkey or serve it on the side, stuffing is another Thanksgiving must-have. This easy recipe is perfect for cutting back on prep time.
You can use your favorite prepared stuffing cubes instead of slicing and dicing bread. Try my fantastic cornbread stuffing too.
4. Turkey Gravy
Savory brown turkey gravy is delicious on everything from turkey to potatoes to rolls. Save the drippings from your roasted turkey to make this rich and creamy sauce.
It only takes a few minutes to make. Plus, it's incredibly better than the store-bought kind.
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
5. Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is an indulgent side dish that kids and adults love. There are a million ways to make it, but this white cheddar version pairs wonderfully with other thanksgiving flavors.
It's incredibly easy to make on the stovetop and the flavor is unmatched. Save the stove top for other cooking if needed, and make my crockpot mac and cheese instead.
6. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is another classic symbol of Thanksgiving. Yes, you can buy it at the store, but a homemade pie is much more delicious.
I like to decorate mine with autumn leaves cut from the dough. It looks beautiful on the table and tastes even better.
7. Cranberry Sauce
Every family has its own version of cranberry sauce. My favorite is this apple cider cranberry sauce because adding fresh apples softens the tart cranberry flavor.
It's optional, but a sprinkle of orange zest on top really makes this cranberry sauce pop. Give it a try at your family Thanksgiving this year.
8. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is another Thanksgiving tradition. Particularly the classic recipe made with cream of mushroom soup, canned green beans, and crispy fried onions.
I add in some crispy bacon and cheddar cheese. It's an easy upgrade that adds so much flavor.
9. Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is a sweet side dish that I look forward to every year. Creamy sweet potatoes with a gooey toasted marshmallow topping and crunchy pecans make for an irresistible addition to any table.
Check out my list of classic Thanksgiving side dishes for more recipe ideas.
10. Dinner Rolls
Last, but certainly not least, is fluffy dinner rolls. Perhaps the most inexpensive and easy to make on this list, these rolls really help tie the other dishes together.
Butter them up, load them with turkey and make sliders, or use them to sop up potatoes and gravy. Dinner rolls are so versatile!
I hope your family enjoys these traditional Thanksgiving recipes. Come back and let me know how they turned out by commenting below.
🦃 More Thanksgiving Recipes
- Apple Cider - This warm spiced drink is perfect for sharing with family and friends on the holidays!
- Granny Smith Apple Pie - Thanksgiving is the ultimate cheat day and this homemade apple pie makes it all worth it!
- Baked Cinnamon Apples - These sweet and tender cinnamon apples can be a side dish or dessert!
- Sweet Potato Tart - Try a creamy sweet potato filling in a flaky shortcrust pastry topped with a toasted marshmallow meringue!
- Pumpkin Flan - Pumpkin flan is velvety smooth with a decadent homemade caramel sauce. It's an impressive and elegant holiday dessert!
- Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars - These pie bars are perfect for sharing at Thanksgiving potlucks, work parties, or church!
- Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas
- Mashed Potato Recipes
- Easy Thanksgiving Breakfasts
- Thanksgiving Turkey Cake Pops
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📖 Recipe Card
Top 10 Thanksgiving Recipes: Classic Turkey Gravy (+More Best Loved Recipes!)
Ingredients
- turkey neck and giblets (from turkey - remove the liver and discard)
- 6 cups chicken broth or turkey stock (combine with drippings to make a total of 8 cups liquid)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2-3 sprigs thyme (fresh, or ½ tablespoon dried - rosemary and/or sage would work)
- 2 cups drippings from oven roasted turkey (separate fat, then combine with broth to make a total of 8 cups liquid)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon butter (salted)
- salt & white pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Remove turkey neck and giblets (discard the liver) from raw, thawed turkey before roasting. Place in a saucepan with 2 cups from the 6 cups chicken broth or turkey stock and add water to cover the neck and giblets with 2 inches of liquid.
- Add 1 bay leaf, 2-3 sprigs thyme, and seasoning (salt, pepper, plus thyme, rosemary, and/or sage, peppercorns if desired) and simmer on low while the turkey is roasting.
- When the turkey is out of the oven, remove to a cutting board or serving platter, cover and allow to rest. Drain off the 2 cups drippings from oven roasted turkey (which includes 2 cups broth when we roast our turkey) from the roasting pan into a de-greasing cup or a 4-cup Pyrex glass liquid measuring cup. Make sure to scrape all of the browned bits from the roasting pan, using a wooden spoon, and into the cup with the drippings.
- Allow the drippings and fat to separate, the fat will rise and start to solidify. So even if you don't have a de-greasing cup, you can spoon the separated fat from the top of your measuring cup (after about 10 minutes).
- Bring a large saucepan to medium-high heat. Add about ½ cup of the separated fat to the heated saucepan and sprinkle the ½ cup all-purpose flour into the pan, stirring constantly, to make your roux. Keep stirring as your roux darkens, approximately 3-4 minutes. *You can enhance your gravy flavor by allowing the roux to get darker, however, the darker the roux gets the less thickened your resulting gravy will be.
- For your liquid: combine the simmered broth from the turkey neck and giblets (strained) to the liquid portion of the turkey drippings (after the fat has been removed) to make 8 cups of liquid, add turkey stock or chicken broth as needed to reach the 8 cup portion.
- Reheat the liquid, if needed, as the liquid should be hot when added to your roux. Gradually whisk in the liquid (whisking constantly to prevent lumps) until all of the liquid is added.
- Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Simmer until thickened, whisking occasionally, for about 10 minutes. *You can add the chopped giblets and shredded meat from the turkey neck before simmering, if desired.
- Remove from heat and finish with 1 tablespoon butter, salt & white pepper to taste. Add optional ¼ cup heavy cream for a super creamy gravy, or to thicken your gravy (without using additional flour or cornstarch).
Notes
- Whatever herb or herbs I have on hand, I like to add to my simmering turkey neck and giblets. Thyme, rosemary, or sage - or a combination are great!
- Some people really enjoy having the giblets finely chopped and included in the resulting turkey gravy. Feel free to add them to your gravy!
- This recipe is using two cups of drippings. I have never had any issue with being short of drippings (especially when I use 2 cups of chicken broth in the roasting pan of my turkey - to baste the turkey with while cooking).
- To store: Store your homemade turkey gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Pour your leftover gravy into a saucepan, add some broth (the more you add, the thinner it will be), and then cook over medium-low heat until warmed all the way through.
Angela Latimer says
I love all of the family favorite Thanksgiving recipes. Each of these dishes are must-haves for our holidays and I hope you enjoy them too. ~ Angela