These traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipes are perfect for hosting, or bringing a dish to pass, for your holiday dinner! From the turkey all the way to the pies, here you will find every traditional dish you would have at Thanksgiving dinner all in one place.
All of these delicious Thanksgiving dinner recipes will have everyone you are sharing this special family meal with asking for more. So get ready for a fun filled, loving and thankful day with good food and even better company!
The Heritage of Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
Thanksgiving is a holiday steeped in tradition, emanating the essence of family, unity, and, of course, feasting. The food we serve on this special day is more than just a meal; it’s a tapestry of cultural heritage, individual family traditions, and a celebration of the bounty of the harvest season. Here, we delve into some quintessential recipes that have stood the test of time, gracing Thanksgiving tables year after year.
The Centerpiece: The Turkey
Nothing screams Thanksgiving quite like a golden, succulent turkey at the center of the table. The tradition of turkey dates back to the early 17th century, though whether it was actually served at the first Thanksgiving is up for debate. However, its status as the star of the show is undisputed.
**How to Cook It**: The most traditional way to cook a turkey is to roast it. A simple brine of water, salt, and various spices for 24-48 hours ensures that the meat remains juicy. After brining, pat the turkey dry and rub it down with a mixture of softened butter, salt, and herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. Roast at 325°F, basting every 45 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
The Sides: More than Just Support Acts
Sides are the unsung heroes of Thanksgiving dinner, often stealing the show with their complex flavors and textures.
Mashed Potatoes
This dish is pure comfort food. Boil peeled and cubed potatoes until tender, then mash them with butter, cream, salt, and a hint of garlic if desired. The result is a creamy, fluffy cloud that pairs perfectly with turkey and gravy.
Cranberry Sauce
Tangy and sweet, cranberry sauce is the perfect palate cleanser. It’s incredibly easy to make, usually requiring just cranberries, sugar, and water. Some prefer to add a hint of orange zest or a splash of Grand Marnier for extra complexity.
Stuffing
Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this dish is a must. Made from stale bread, onions, celery, and a melange of herbs like sage and thyme, stuffing can be cooked inside the turkey or baked separately for a crispy top.
Green Bean Casserole
A mid-century creation, this dish has found its place on the Thanksgiving table. It’s a simple combination of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions, baked to perfection.
Sweet Endings: Pies and More
Pumpkin Pie
A symbol of the harvest season, pumpkin pie is rich, spiced, and everything nice. The filling usually consists of pumpkin puree, sugar, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, all enveloped in a flaky pie crust.
Apple Pie
As American as it gets, apple pie is another favorite. Tart apples are tossed in sugar and spices and encased in a buttery crust, creating the perfect ending to a lavish meal.
A Toast to Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes Old and New
While these dishes are considered traditional, the beauty of Thanksgiving is that each family can put their own spin on them, fusing old traditions with new innovations. This creates a unique patchwork of culinary delights that not only celebrate the past but also pave the way for future gatherings. Whether it’s incorporating a special ingredient passed down through generations or experimenting with modern cooking techniques, the goal remains the same: to bring loved ones together in a celebration of gratitude, unity, and of course, delicious food.
20 Amazing Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
Thanksgiving is such a great time to enjoy food with family and friends. Make sure you have the right dishes for your meal with this awesome list of traditional dishes.
Simple and Fuss Free Roast Turkey Recipe For Thanksgiving
This flavorful roast turkey recipe is fool proof and easy to make!
Sausage Stuffing That Will Impress
A delicious homemade flavorful sausage stuffing with vegetables and the perfect seasoning. A side dish that will stand out!
Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe
This is the classic traditional stuffing recipe that everyone loves! It's so simple, easy, and delicious – a must on everyone's Thanksgiving dinner table.
Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe (Video)
These herb-infused garlic mashed potatoes are the best mashed potatoes you will ever eat. They are creamy, fluffy buttery and so insanely delicious you will never make another mashed potatoes recipe again. Plus they're easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time!
Slow Cooker Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe
Super easy and delicious cheesy potatoes recipe that you can use as a side dish!
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole is the scrumptiously perfect complement to all your savory holiday dishes. With a crunchy streusel topping it satisfies with a great combination of textures, too.
Buttermilk Biscuits
These homemade buttermilk biscuits have fluffy, flaky layers and a sweet honey butter topping. They take just 35 minutes to make with just 6 ingredients!
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes With Cheddar and Garlic
A super easy and yummy cheddar garlic mashed potatoes recipe perfect for any dinner party or family meal.
Easy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
Potatoes are delicious and very nutritious, but they can take a long time to cook. With an air fryer you can cut cooking time by a lot so you can enjoy these little baby potato wedges as a snack or as a side dish.
The BEST Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce Recipe
This is the best Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce that is made with fresh cranberries and goes perfectly with roast turkey for the holidays.
Amazing Coconut Cream Pie + 8 Must Know Holiday Baking Hacks
This coconut cream pie recipe features a yummy and creamy coconut filling, can be used with your favorite pie crust, and topped with coconut shavings. Perfect for Thanksgiving and anytime.
Easy Crustless Pumpkin Pie
A holiday favorite, crustless pumpkin pie! All of the amazing delicious flavors of pumpkin pie without the crust!
Sage Butter Turkey Gravy
Sage Butter Turkey Gravy is an amazing gravy made with drippings and a delicious roasted garlic sage butter. Easy to make even without drippings.
Green Bean Casserole
This Green Bean Casserole is so delicious. It's a combination of down-right-tasty, but also a recipe that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.
Roasted Butternut Squash w/ Apples and Kale
A true favorite, this roasted butternut squash is mixed with apples and kale for a wonderful sweet and savory balance. It’s truly a match made in heaven!
Easy Pecan Pie Recipe (Best Old Fashioned Pecan Pie!)
Classic pecan pie recipe with buttery pecans, ooey gooey filling, flaky crust with a beautiful crunch on each bite!
The Best Instant Pot Cornbread Recipe Recipe
Make this easy and moist Cornbread in the Instant Pot without worrying that it might get undercooked or burnt. A perfect side dish for Thanksgiving dinner!
Glazed Carrots
Simple, delicious, and very pretty to look at, glazed carrots are a classic side dish and a great addition to any holiday table.
Easy Apple Cider Thanksgiving Punch
This tasty Apple Cider thanksgiving Punch is so good and easy to make for the holidays!
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Plate For Appetizers
This thanksgiving turkey cheese plate is great for a holiday appetizer!
Pin it for later!
If you use this list feel free to tag and follow me on Instagram for more recipes!
If you liked these fun traditional thanksgiving dinner recipes, be sure to check these out too!
20 Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes You Need This Year
20 Fantastic Thanksgiving Appetizers To Serve This Year
20 Healthy Desserts To Serve For Thanksgiving
20 Easy Instant Pot Recipes For Thanksgiving
15 Must Have Cooking Tools For Thanksgiving Dinner
Hi! I’m Nellie. I am a busy mama of three, wife to my high school sweetheart who loves to cook, workout and stay organized! I love to share helpful printables, the best recipes and fitness tips for the modern mom. I strongly believe that every mom can feed their family well, take proper care of themselves and have fun along the way! Read my story.
Get comfortable and be sure to come hang out with me on social. Don’t grab your free fitness journal before you go!
Chris
Saturday 13th of November 2021
It was perfect, and I did not use bay leaves (don’t like them). Still the dish was amazing. And the gremolata….i love raw garlic and had no problem with it. Visit us: https://www.beckandbulow.com