50 Thanksgiving Recipes Americans Love and Search for Most

What Thanksgiving recipes are most popular in the United States?

The clearest national core is turkey with stuffing or dressing, mashed potatoes, bread or rolls, pie and gravy. In YouGov’s 2025 Thanksgiving survey, 69% of Americans expected to eat turkey, 61% stuffing, 61% mashed potatoes, 60% pie, 58% bread or rolls and 56% gravy. Google’s 2025 Thanksgiving search review separately identified green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, stuffing, pecan pie and corn casserole as the five top-trending recipes. This collection puts those dishes first while preserving room for regional traditions and different dietary needs. ^{[1] [2]}

Every recipe provides a yield, preparation and cooking times, exact ingredient quantities, numbered directions, make-ahead advice, substitutions and storage guidance. Open dishes 1–25 through the turkey-to-gravy collection and dishes 26–50 through the appetizers, desserts and holiday favorites collection linked in the citations to this sentence. ^{[5] [6]}

Turkey, ham and a vegetarian centerpiece

1. Herb-Butter Roast Turkey With Crisp Skin. A dependable Thanksgiving turkey recipe with lemon, garlic and fresh herbs, written for even browning, juicy meat and food-safe carving. 2. Dry-Brined Thanksgiving Turkey. Salt and a refrigerator rest season this turkey throughout while drying the surface for deeply browned, crisp skin. ^{[1] [3]}

3. Fast Spatchcock Thanksgiving Turkey. Removing the backbone lets a whole turkey roast flatter and faster, with evenly browned skin and easy access for temperature checks. 4. Maple-Glazed Roast Turkey Breast. This smaller Thanksgiving centerpiece pairs maple, Dijon and thyme with a bone-in turkey breast for a manageable holiday main. ^{[1] [3]}

5. Mushroom Wellington for Thanksgiving. A crisp puff-pastry centerpiece filled with deeply browned mushrooms, spinach, walnuts and herbs for a vegetarian Thanksgiving main. 30. Brown-Sugar Glazed Ham: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. A mustard, cider and brown-sugar glaze gives a fully cooked spiral ham a glossy crust for an American Thanksgiving main dish or turkey alternative. ^{[1] [3]}

Stuffing, potatoes, bread, macaroni and gravy

6. Classic Sage Thanksgiving Stuffing. Toasted bread, celery, onion and sage bake into a crisp-topped, tender-centered stuffing that can be assembled ahead. 7. Cornbread Sausage Thanksgiving Dressing. A savory baked dressing with crumbled cornbread, browned sausage, celery, sage and a crisp golden top. ^{[1] [2]}

8. Wild Rice and Mushroom Thanksgiving Stuffing. Wild rice, mushrooms, pecans and dried cranberries make a naturally gluten-free Thanksgiving stuffing with savory depth. 9. Creamy Roasted-Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Roasted garlic, butter and warm cream turn Yukon Gold potatoes into a smooth Thanksgiving side that reheats well. ^{[1] [2]}

10. Pecan-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole. Mashed sweet potatoes bake beneath a crisp pecan-oat topping in a balanced Thanksgiving casserole that can be prepared ahead. 11. Creamy Scalloped Potatoes for Thanksgiving. Thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes bake in a garlic-thyme cream sauce under a browned Parmesan crust in this make-ahead Thanksgiving side. ^{[1] [2]}

19. Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese With a Crisp Topping. A sharp-cheddar cheese sauce and buttery breadcrumb crust make this baked macaroni and cheese suitable for a crowded Thanksgiving table. 20. Soft Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls for Thanksgiving. These buttery pull-apart rolls use milk and an egg for a tender crumb and can be shaped the night before Thanksgiving dinner. ^{[1] [2]}

21. Golden Skillet Cornbread: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. A crisp-edged, tender skillet cornbread for Thanksgiving, made with buttermilk, browned butter and just enough honey to balance savory dishes. 22. Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. A smooth Thanksgiving turkey gravy built from roasted wings and vegetables, so the sauce is finished before the holiday rush. ^{[1] [2]}

23. Savory Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. Deeply browned mushrooms, thyme and vegetable stock make a meat-free Thanksgiving gravy with enough body for mashed potatoes and stuffing. ^{[1] [2]}

Vegetables, cranberry dishes, soup and salad

12. Crispy Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts. High-heat roasting gives Brussels sprouts deeply browned edges before a warm balsamic-honey glaze adds brightness and balance. 13. Green Bean Casserole From Scratch With Crispy Onions. Fresh green beans, savory mushroom sauce and crisp onions deliver the familiar Thanksgiving casserole without canned soup. ^{[1] [2]}

14. Honey Glazed Carrots With Orange and Thyme. Tender carrots simmer and glaze in one skillet with honey, orange and thyme for a colorful 30-minute Thanksgiving side. 15. Classic Corn Casserole for Thanksgiving. Sweet corn, cornmeal and sour cream bake into a tender, scoopable casserole with crisp golden edges for the American Thanksgiving table. ^{[1] [2]}

16. Maple Roasted Butternut Squash With Sage. Caramelized butternut squash gets a restrained maple glaze, browned butter and crisp sage in an easy sheet-pan side. 17. Classic Homemade Cranberry Sauce in 20 Minutes. Fresh cranberries simmer with orange and just enough sugar for a bright, spoonable sauce that can be made days ahead. ^{[1] [2]}

18. Fresh Orange Ginger Cranberry Relish. A no-cook cranberry relish combines whole orange, fresh ginger and toasted pecans for a sharp, textured alternative to cooked sauce. 24. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. Caramelized squash, apple and sage blend into a silky Thanksgiving starter that can be made dairy-free and frozen ahead. ^{[1] [2]}

25. Apple-Pecan Harvest Salad: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. Crisp apples, toasted pecans, dried cranberries and sharp cheddar meet a cider-Dijon vinaigrette in a bright Thanksgiving salad. ^{[1] [2]}

Thanksgiving appetizers

26. Classic Deviled Eggs: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. A mustardy, paprika-dusted deviled egg filling makes a reliable chilled appetizer that can be prepared in stages before Thanksgiving. 27. Cranberry-Pecan Baked Brie: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. Warm brie topped with tart cranberry sauce, maple-toasted pecans and orange zest makes a five-ingredient Thanksgiving appetizer. ^{[1] [4]}

28. Herb-Stuffed Mushrooms: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. Cremini caps filled with garlic, herbs, Parmesan and crisp breadcrumbs make a savory two-bite Thanksgiving appetizer. 29. Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Meatballs: A Complete Thanksgiving Recipe. Tender turkey meatballs in a glossy cranberry-orange glaze bring a savory-sweet, make-ahead appetizer to the Thanksgiving table. ^{[1] [4]}

Pumpkin, pecan, apple and other Thanksgiving desserts

31. Classic Pumpkin Pie With a Silky, Spiced Filling. This make-ahead Thanksgiving pumpkin pie pairs a crisp pastry shell with a smooth pumpkin custard seasoned with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. 32. Maple Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup. Pure maple syrup and brown sugar create a glossy Thanksgiving pecan pie filling with toasted nuts and a clean caramel flavor. ^{[1] [2]}

33. Deep-Dish Apple Pie With a Flaky Lattice Crust. A mix of tart and sweet apples produces a tall Thanksgiving pie with concentrated fruit flavor, warm spice and a crisp lattice top. 34. Southern-Style Sweet Potato Pie With Brown Sugar and Spice. Roasted sweet potatoes give this Thanksgiving custard pie a naturally rich texture balanced by brown sugar, citrus and warm spices. ^{[1] [2]}

35. Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake With a Gingersnap Crust. This make-ahead Thanksgiving cheesecake combines pumpkin, cream cheese and warm spices over a crisp gingersnap base. 36. Easy Apple Crisp With a Brown Sugar Oat Topping. This crowd-friendly Thanksgiving apple crisp layers tender cinnamon apples beneath a buttery oat and pecan crumble. ^{[1] [2]}

37. Salted Pecan Pie Bars With a Shortbread Crust. These portable Thanksgiving pecan bars deliver a buttery press-in crust, maple-brown-sugar filling and a restrained finish of flaky salt. 38. Cranberry-Orange Bundt Cake With a Citrus Glaze. Fresh cranberries and orange zest brighten this moist Thanksgiving Bundt cake, finished with a simple tart-sweet glaze. ^{[1] [2]}

39. Bourbon Bread Pudding With Vanilla Custard. Day-old brioche absorbs a vanilla-bourbon custard in this warm Thanksgiving dessert, with crisp edges and a tender center. 40. Pumpkin Roll With Cream Cheese Filling That Does Not Crack. A flexible spiced pumpkin sponge and smooth cream cheese filling make this make-ahead Thanksgiving roll easier to slice than it looks. ^{[1] [2]}

Recipes for Thanksgiving leftovers, brunch and drinks

41. Creamy Leftover Turkey Pot Pie: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. Turn Thanksgiving turkey and vegetables into a golden, creamy pot pie with a flaky top and a filling reheated safely to 165°F. 42. Hot Turkey-Cranberry Thanksgiving Sandwiches: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. Layer turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and cheese into crisp skillet sandwiches that turn holiday leftovers into lunch in 20 minutes. ^{[3] [4]}

43. Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. A clear, vegetable-rich turkey noodle soup uses the holiday bird efficiently and reaches the table in about 45 minutes. 44. Crispy Stuffing Waffles With Turkey and Gravy: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. Press leftover stuffing into a waffle iron for crisp edges, then top it with hot turkey, gravy and a bright spoonful of cranberry sauce. ^{[3] [4]}

45. Cranberry-Orange Thanksgiving Muffins: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. Fresh or leftover cranberry sauce gives these orange-scented muffins tart pockets and a tender crumb in under 40 minutes. 46. Fluffy Leftover Sweet Potato Pancakes: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. Mashed sweet potatoes make warmly spiced breakfast pancakes with crisp edges, soft centers and a practical use for holiday leftovers. ^{[3] [4]}

47. Cheesy Leftover Turkey Enchiladas: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. Roll shredded Thanksgiving turkey into tortillas with black beans and smoky red sauce for a family-size casserole ready in 50 minutes. 48. Crispy Thanksgiving Mashed-Potato Cakes: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. Turn cold mashed potatoes into crisp skillet cakes with scallions and Parmesan for a 25-minute side or brunch plate. ^{[3] [4]}

49. Apple-Walnut Leftover Turkey Salad: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. Crisp apple, celery, toasted walnuts and a lemony yogurt dressing make a fresh turkey salad for sandwiches or lettuce cups. 50. Sparkling Cranberry-Rosemary Thanksgiving Punch: An Easy Thanksgiving Recipe. This nonalcoholic cranberry-citrus punch uses a rosemary syrup and sparkling water for a make-ahead holiday drink that serves a crowd. ^{[3] [4]}

How to plan and store a 50-recipe Thanksgiving menu safely

No household needs to cook all 50 dishes. For a balanced dinner, choose one centerpiece, one stuffing or dressing, two potato or vegetable sides, cranberry sauce, bread, gravy and one or two desserts. Add an appetizer only when guests will arrive well before dinner. Pew Research found that smaller gatherings are common, so scale recipes to the number of diners instead of producing every traditional dish by habit. ^[4]

For turkey and other poultry, use a food thermometer and verify 165°F in the required locations. Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours, divide large quantities into shallow containers and use or freeze most leftovers within four days. Reheat leftovers to 165°F. The linked recipe pages repeat the safety instruction that applies to each dish so cooks do not have to rely on one general note. ^[3]

What should a first-time Thanksgiving cook make? Start with the herb-butter turkey or turkey breast, classic sage stuffing, roasted-garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, soft rolls, make-ahead gravy and pumpkin pie. That smaller menu covers the dishes most consistently associated with U.S. Thanksgiving while keeping oven scheduling and last-minute work manageable. ^{[1] [2]}