10+ Thanksgiving Recipes to Make Your Holiday Feast Extra Special

Thanksgiving recipes bring friends and family together for a meal that feels a little more special than most. You might want some ideas that fit your tastes and traditions, but also make cooking a bit easier and, honestly, more fun.

The best Thanksgiving recipes help you pull off a delicious, memorable dinner without losing your mind. Whether you’re after the classics or itching to try something new, there’s a recipe here to make your table feel complete.

1) Roast Turkey with Herb Butter

Roasting a turkey with herb butter is an easy way to pack in flavor and keep the meat juicy. You rub a mix of butter and fresh herbs under the skin, which really helps the turkey stay tender and gives it a lovely, savory taste.

Herb butter usually means rosemary, sage, thyme, and garlic. Make sure to season the turkey inside and out before roasting. A roasting pan with a rack lets the heat move around evenly.

Roast your turkey at 325°F (163°C) until the thickest part hits 165°F (74°C). Let it rest before carving, or you’ll lose all those tasty juices.

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (10-12 lbs)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Mix butter, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Gently loosen the skin and spread herb butter under the breast skin.
4. Rub the rest of the butter all over the turkey.
5. Set turkey on a rack in a roasting pan.
6. Roast until internal temp hits 165°F (74°C), about 3–3.5 hours.
7. Let it rest 20 minutes before carving.

2) Sausage and Sage Stuffing

Sausage and sage stuffing is a classic for a reason. The savory sausage and earthy sage just work together. It’s moist, flavorful, and honestly, a perfect side for turkey or chicken.

Start with dried bread cubes. Sauté sausage, onions, and celery for a great base. Fresh herbs and broth keep the stuffing tender as it bakes.

You can make this ahead, which is a lifesaver. Bake it inside your bird or in a separate dish if you want those crispy edges.

Ingredients

• 1 pound breakfast sausage
• 10 cups dried bread cubes
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown sausage in a large skillet; set aside.
3. Sauté onion and celery in the same skillet until soft.
4. In a big bowl, combine bread cubes, sausage, onion, celery, and sage.
5. Beat eggs and mix with broth, then pour over the bread mixture.
6. Stir until moistened but not soggy.
7. Move to a greased baking dish and cover with foil.
8. Bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 minutes more for a golden top.

For a similar recipe, check out Classic Sage and Sausage Stuffing.

3) Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving must-have. You want them creamy, smooth, and full of buttery flavor. Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes work best for that classic texture.

Boil potatoes in salted water until they’re soft. Mash, then add butter and cream for richness. You can make these ahead and reheat, which is honestly a relief on a busy day.

Heat the cream and butter before mixing them in. That trick keeps everything warm and extra velvety. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper.

Ingredients

• 5 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Scrub and chunk potatoes.
2. Cover with cold water and add kosher salt.
3. Boil until tender, about 15–20 minutes.
4. Drain, then mash until smooth.
5. Warm the cream and butter together.
6. Stir into the potatoes.
7. Season to taste.
8. Keep warm or reheat at 350°F (175°C) before serving.

For more tips, check out The Kitchn’s guide to creamy mashed potatoes.

4) Classic Turkey Gravy

Classic turkey gravy really ties the whole meal together. Start with the drippings from your roasted turkey—they’re packed with flavor.

Mix those drippings with broth and a bit of butter or oil. Whisk in flour to thicken it up. You can make this while your turkey rests, so it’s ready when you are.

This gravy is perfect over mashed potatoes and stuffing. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Ingredients

• Pan drippings from roasted turkey
• 2 cups low-sodium turkey or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour drippings into a pan and skim off extra fat.
2. Add butter or oil, heat on medium.
3. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes until golden.
4. Slowly add broth, whisking constantly.
5. Simmer and stir until thick, about 5 minutes.
6. Season and serve warm.

More tips at The Kitchn.

5) Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest

Cranberry sauce with orange zest brings a fresh, tangy pop to your plate. The orange juice and zest brighten up the tart cranberries.

Just simmer cranberries with sugar, orange juice, and a hint of cinnamon. It’s quick and makes the kitchen smell amazing.

Serve the sauce warm or chilled, whichever you prefer.

Ingredients

• 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• Zest of one orange
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine orange juice, sugars, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir until sugars dissolve and it starts to simmer.
3. Add cranberries and orange zest, cook 10–15 minutes until the cranberries burst.
4. Remove from heat and let cool before serving.

6) Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is an old-school favorite that’s still going strong. You mix tender green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce and top it all with crispy onions.

Stick with the classic or toss in extras like bacon or cheese if you’re feeling adventurous. Using fresh or crisp-tender green beans really makes a difference.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) so everything melds and the topping gets golden and crunchy.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh or frozen green beans
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/3 cups crispy fried onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil green beans 3–5 minutes, then drain.
3. Mix soup, milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Stir in green beans and half the onions.
5. Pour into a casserole dish.
6. Bake 25 minutes, then top with remaining onions.
7. Bake 5 more minutes until the onions are golden.

7) Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is pure nostalgia. It’s creamy, sweet, and topped with gooey, golden marshmallows that get just a little crunchy.

Bake or boil the sweet potatoes until soft, then mash with butter and brown sugar. Spread in a casserole dish, add a pecan-brown sugar topping, and cover with marshmallows.

Bake until the marshmallows are toasted and the topping bubbles. It’s simple and honestly, most folks look forward to it.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds sweet potatoes (about 8 medium)
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups mini marshmallows

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Peel and bake sweet potatoes until soft, about 45 minutes, then mash.
3. Stir in butter and brown sugar.
4. Spread in a greased casserole dish.
5. Mix pecans, flour, and 1/4 cup butter until crumbly.
6. Sprinkle pecan mix on top.
7. Bake 25 minutes, then add marshmallows.
8. Bake 10 more minutes until marshmallows are golden.

Check out Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows for more details.

8) Dinner Rolls with Honey Butter

Dinner rolls with honey butter make the table feel extra welcoming. They’re soft, a little sweet, and that honey butter on top is just… well, it’s hard to stop at one.

The dough comes together with flour, yeast, butter, milk, and honey. After baking, brush the rolls with honey butter for a rich finish.

Serve them warm if you can. You’ll find a clear recipe for honey butter rolls here.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 large egg
• ½ tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the warm milk, yeast, and honey in a bowl. Let it sit until it looks bubbly.

2. Add flour, egg, melted butter, and salt. Knead everything together until the dough feels smooth.

3. Cover the dough and let it rise somewhere warm for about an hour.

4. Shape the dough into rolls and set them on a baking tray.

5. Let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes.

6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-18 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.

7. Brush the warm rolls with softened honey butter. Serve them while they’re still warm.

9) Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

Pumpkin pie just screams Thanksgiving, doesn’t it? A slice with a big cloud of whipped cream on top is hard to beat.

That whipped cream? It makes the pie feel lighter and gives a creamy contrast to the rich pumpkin filling.
If you want to make the whipped cream a little fancier, toss in a pinch of cinnamon or a drizzle of maple syrup.

It adds a warm, sweet note that really matches the spices in the pie.
Baking the pie is pretty straightforward.

Once the filling sets and the crust looks golden, let it cool down before you add the whipped cream.
That way, the topping stays fluffy and doesn’t melt all over.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 1 can (12 fl oz) evaporated milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar (for whipped cream)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional for whipped cream)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. In a bowl, mix together the sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

3. Beat the eggs in a separate large bowl.

4. Stir in the pumpkin and the sugar-spice mixture.

5. Gradually pour in the evaporated milk while stirring.

6. Pour the filling into your pie crust.

7. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes.

8. Lower the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for another 40-50 minutes.

9. Let the pie cool completely before topping it.

10. Whip the heavy cream with sugar (and cinnamon if you like) until you get soft peaks.

11. Spread the whipped cream on the pie and serve it up.

If you’re curious for more twists, check out pumpkin pie with whipped cream recipes.

10) Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is basically Thanksgiving on a plate, right? The gooey, sweet filling and crunchy pecans just work.

You get a caramel-like filling that sits in a flaky crust.
Making one isn’t as hard as it looks.

Mix eggs, corn syrup, sugar, and melted butter to make the filling.
Pour that into an unbaked pie crust, then scatter the pecans on top.

Bake it until it’s set and smells amazing.
The best part is the combo of smooth filling and crunchy nuts.

Honestly, it’s even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Ingredients

• 1 cup corn syrup (light or dark)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups pecan halves
• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grab a bowl and whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, both sugars, melted butter, and vanilla.

3. Toss in the pecans and give it a good stir.

4. Pour everything into the pie crust.

5. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. The filling should be set but still have a slight jiggle in the center—don’t stress if it looks a little wobbly.

6. Let it cool down before you slice and serve.

If you want more tips or ideas, check out Sally’s Baking Addiction pecan pie recipe page.