Only the Best of the Best: Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Updated on 11/23/2016 at 3:00 PM

Cran-Limoncello Spritzer

Spiced Pecans

Salty, full of rosemary flavor, and sweet with demerara sugar, these toasted pecans double as a great party appetizer and holiday gift idea.

Cognac Sparkler

If you are not a fan of Champagne drinking during the day, opt for this Cognac Sparkler made from fizzy cider and a splash of brandy.

Cheese Ball

Few are strong enough to resist diving into a spicy, garlicky cheese ball while the ovens are occupied with bubbling casseroles.

Cranberry Vodka

Bright in color and flavor, a cranberry vodka will help cut through any fatty Thanksgiving foods.

Brie With Caramel and Almonds

The Normandy

Apple brandy, cranberries, and brown sugar: The Normandy is the Fall co*cktail to serve after the Thanksgiving feast is over.

Mushroom and Brie Bruschetta

Big families with large appetites will appreciate mushroom and brie bruschetta, seasoned with fresh thyme and garlic.

Sage and Citrus Sipper

Turkey Stock

Many recipes will call for turkey stock, so be sure to make an easy one ahead of time!

Celery Parmesan Salad

Reserve some of your celery stalks to make this celery Parmesan salad. Since no tender greens are involved, it can be made and refrigerated several hours before guests arrive.

Butternut Squash Soup

Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad

Don't bake them; serve them raw! Shred brussels sprouts and kale, and toss them with maple vinaigrette in a Fall salad that won't wilt.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Roast pumpkins, then blend them in an easy curried pumpkin soup. The yogurt garnish provides tart creaminess, the roasted pumpkin seeds add a nice crunch, and parsley freshens up the flavor.

Pomegranate-Hazelnut Winter Greens Salad

Toss together a kale and hazelnut salad with pomegranate dressing ahead of time to let the vinegar tenderize the hearty greens.

Southern Biscuits

Make authentic, buttery Southern biscuits to serve with the turkey, because the dough is quick and easy (no rising required) and the little biscuits freeze incredibly well. We recommend preparing them now and freezing them until the main day. Toasting them a second time in the oven gives them a crumbly, crunchy crust that is truly unbeatable.

Buttermilk Feta Biscuits

Green Beans With Caramelized Onions

If green bean casseroles are not your thing, go for a simple sautéed green bean dish topped with sweet, golden-hued caramelized onions.

Roasted Chestnut Cornbread Stuffing

Once you've made this cornbread dressing, complete with plenty of bacon and chestnuts, you'll agree there's no competition.

Squash Casserole

A Southern recipe meets Western ingredients in this cheesy squash casserole, topped with gremolata breadcrumbs.

Millet, Lentil, and Pomegranate Salad

Add something healthy to your table. This pomegranate, millet, and lentil salad will surprise you with its buttery flavor and easily chewable texture.

Green Bean and Mushroom Casserole

Caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, and panko breadcrumbs are just a few of the ingredients used in this updated green bean casserole.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Rather than mashing your sweet potatoes, roast them with a little brown sugar and sage.

Celery Root Puree With Hazelnuts

For an easy way to get a vegetable on the table, serve celery root puree, topped with earthy, nutty hazelnuts and hazelnut oil.

Classic Mashed Potatoes

It's time you make the creamiest mashed potatoes, seasoned with a few grinds of fresh cracked black pepper.

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Rutabagas

A cross between turnips and cabbage, mashed rutabagas are slightly astringent in flavor, which will help balance all the items on your plate that are full of cream, butter, and cheese.

Mashed Potatoes Add-Ins

Make your mashed potatoes more interesting by adding mix-ins like thyme and roasted garlic, bacon and cheddar cheese, pesto, and sage and goat cheese.

Savory Pumpkin Custard

Dying to serve something out of a pumpkin? This savory pumpkin custard fits the bill, plus it doubles as a great vegetarian main.

Vegetarian Roast

Vegans and vegetarians, rejoice! A Tofurky roast, stuffed with rosemary rice stuffing, basted in sage, soy sauce, and oil, and accompanied with sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions, is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

Roast Turkey

For those who love a flavorful turkey but want to skip the brine, this is a classic herb-roasted turkey that's easy to roast.

Brined and Fried Turkey

With incredible flavor and crisp skin, fried turkey is way, way better than anything roasted.

Gravy

Rich and creamy, you'll want to flood your mashed potatoes and turkey with a hefty spoonful (or two) of homemade gravy.

Cranberry Relish

If you only have five minutes, try this no-cook cranberry relish, which combines cranberries, sugar, Grand Marnier, and an orange together in a food processor. Voilà!

Caramelized Onion Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce

There's nothing less appetizing than can-shaped cranberry gel. Make the real deal with this homemade cranberry sauce with orange zest.

Classic Pumpkin Pie

Cranberry-Swirled Gingerbread Cake

Cranberry sauce over turkey isn't the only appearance it can make. Try this gingerbread cake that is swirled with tangy cranberry sauce.

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Once you've made this bourbon pecan pie, there's no going back to other Thanksgiving desserts.

Sweet Potato Pie

A graham-cracker-crusted sweet potato pie comes with a warning label: it's very addictive due to the souffle-like texture with a crunchy candied nut cream topping. Mmm-hm.

Apple Cobbler

Michelle Obama's apple cobbler is more like an apple pie, because it's made with pie crust. The trick is letting the apples marinate in their juices overnight, then slow baking it for three hours.

Whiskey Bundt Cake

Southerners love adding bourbon in dessert, and the whiskey bundt cake with Jack Daniel's icing will leave you buzzed and with a full belly.

Whipped Cream