Ready to win Thanksgiving this year? There’s no better resource than the time-tested, home-cook-approved collection of holiday mains, sides, and desserts! And to make your Turkey Day as delicious and easy as possible, here are the 10 Most Popular Thanksgiving Recipes, including classic dishes like cornbread dressing, tangy cranberry sauce, and a pumpkin pie recipe with more than 3,000 5-star reviews.
10 Most Popular Thanksgiving Recipes
These beloved holiday classics have earned their place at millions of American tables, delighting generations of families gathering to give thanks. From perfectly roasted turkey to homestyle sides and decadent desserts, these are the tried-and-true recipes that make Thanksgiving memorable. Let’s explore the dishes that bring comfort, nostalgia, and celebration to this cherished feast day.
Basic Mashed Potatoes
A good bowl of mashed potatoes is a Thanksgiving stalwart as well as the epitome of comfort food. And this recipe delivers, earning an average of 4.6 stars. This recipe is also full of potato-buying and prep tips, including heating the milk and butter separately and then slowly adding the liquid to the cooked potatoes: a secret for a super-creamy consistency.
Cranberry Sauce
This three-ingredient essential holiday side dish is so good that even skeptics love it. Allrecipes user Nora says, “I never liked cranberry sauce until I found this recipe last year. I love it.” Skip the can of sauce this year and in just 20 minutes you’ll be enjoying this vibrant homemade version. How can you argue with more than 3,000 ratings with an average of 4.8 stars?
Apple Pie by Grandma Ople
This prize-winning pie is hugely popular year-round, but it’s definitely a strong Thanksgiving dessert standout with more than 9,700 reviews and 12,700 ratings with an average of 4.8 stars. Why is this recipe so popular? Maybe it’s because the ingredient list is so simple: just tart Granny Smith apples, butter, sugar, and pastry crust. Look out, pumpkin pie… you’ve got a challenger here!
Turkey Brine
Are you a brine enthusiast? Brine curious? Here’s the recipe for you: a wet turkey brine that’s an easy way to add flavor and prevent your bird from drying out. Allrecipes user Suzie says, “This is an excellent brine. I’ve used this recipe for several years & my turkey is flavorful & very moist. The brine doesn’t overpower the flavor of the turkey. So glad I found out about brining!”
Grandma’s Cornbread Dressing
With grandma in the very name, you’d expect this recipe to make home cooks nostalgic… and it does just that. Dozens of community members say it reminds them of their holiday tables growing up. Allrecipes user Trinka says, “It was delicious…just like the dressing from my childhood.” You can whip up homemade cornbread to use in the recipe or purchase it pre-made to save time.
Sweet Potato Pie
If you want to mix things up this holiday season, sweet potato pie can be a welcome alternative to pumpkin. While the two custard-based desserts are similar, sweet potato pie generally contains fewer spices and is a bit airier. This version (with more than 3,400 ratings and an average of 4.8 stars) combines fresh sweet potatoes and a creamy custard for the perfect Thanksgiving dessert.
Candied Yams
If you’re cooking for a crowd or don’t have mini marshmallows on hand, this mega-popular side dish is easy to modify. Allrecipes user Tamara Pounds reports, “Easy, fast, yummy. I only had the big marshmallows so I snipped them in half and it worked great. This recipe is super easy to double or triple too.” And since all of the ingredients are pre-cooked, you can get a jump on meal prep and make this a few days in advance.
Best Green Bean Casserole
This green bean casserole requires just four (yes, you read that correctly) ingredients and comes together quickly for a low-stress holiday side dish. The recipe includes lots of ways to modify it and make it your own, but it’s also great as is. Allrecipes user Memphisbelle says, “It’s ALWAYS the first to disappear at potlucks when there are other versions of green bean casseroles.” Now that’s evidence!
Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Even novice bakers will feel comfortable tackling this deliciously easy pumpkin pie recipe. The dish utilizes pre-made crust and canned pumpkin to streamline the process and the pie freezes well, so you can even make it ahead of time. And with more than 3,000 5-star ratings, you know the recipe is tried, tested, and… dare we say… perfect.
Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole
Home chefs rave about this classic Thanksgiving side dish (bestowing more than 3,500 5-star ratings) and it’s easy to see why: Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are baked under a crunchy pecan topping for the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
More Thanksgiving Inspiration
