Must-Have Thanksgiving Dishes

Planning your Thanksgiving menu? Don’t let your family down! These must-have Thanksgiving dishes are some of my favorite recipes to serve during the holiday season.

A perfectly roasted Thanksgiving turkey served on a white platter, garnished with orange slices, fresh parsley leaves, and a small bowl of cranberry relish on the side.

We have officially entered holiday planning mode! It’s that time of year when we cook and bake non-stop and show people exactly how we get down in the kitchen.

Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ve already started planning or already HAVE planned your Thanksgiving dinner menu. I know some of y’all are reading this and thinking, “But Cousin Rosie, Thanksgiving is WEEKS away?!” Child, please! An amazing host ALWAYS plans in advance! For me, planning is easy because I always include my staple Thanksgiving dishes.

Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, Done Southern Style

When Thanksgiving day rolls around, y’all know my holiday table will be packed with everyone’s favorite dishes. From traditional Thanksgiving foods to Southern specialties, my menu has it all. These must-have Thanksgiving dishes are easy and affordable to make (so I can always make several versions of them), and my family and friends look forward to them every year.

Now, here’s the thing… doing Thanksgiving day Southern-style means a whole TON of food. That’s why we plan so early, fam! We’re talking casseroles, multiple desserts, and plenty of sides. The fam will be lining up for second and third plates before you know it! To make planning your Thanksgiving spread as easy as possible, I’m breaking down my must-have Thanksgiving recipes into five main categories:

Must-Have Mains
Simple Sides
Classic Casseroles
Southern Staples
Crowd-Pleasing Desserts

These Thanksgiving dishes never fail me, and that’s exactly why I’m sharing them with y’all – cause we’re family, Cousins!

Before I jump right on into the best Thanksgiving dishes ever, I have to let you know that I made a whole holiday cookbook called A Cousin Rosie Holiday. It’s packed with tons of my favorite recipes – some I’ve never shared online before – that would all be perfect for your Thanksgiving spread. Pick it up, page through it, and start planning your perfect holiday dinner!

Now that I’m done yappin’ at ya, let’s dive right on into my must-have Thanksgiving dishes!

Must-Have Thanksgiving Mains

Everyone knows the turkey is the star of the show. But turkey isn’t your only main course option! Of course, you can’t beat a classic Thanksgiving turkey, but keep an open mind and open stomach for these main menu options.

Classic Thanksgiving Turkey

A whole roasted turkey rests in a roaster pan.

If you’re set on a traditional Thanksgiving feast, don’t skip out on the bird! The perfect roast turkey is moist and juicy, with crispy skin and succulent turkey gravy made from those golden pan drippings. If you want your turkey to be the star of your Thanksgiving table, here are some killer recipes:

Holiday Ham

If you’re not a fan of turkey (or poultry in general), you can always serve a holiday ham! My family usually enjoys ham at Christmas, but I have some pretty simple holiday ham recipes that would make for the perfect Thanksgiving meal!

Beef Roast

A perfectly cooked medium-rare prime rib roast resting in a roasting pan.

Beef is another protein option that’s less traditional for Thanksgiving but still the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Sometimes, a beef roast large enough to feed a holiday crowd might be a little out of budget, and that’s okay! It’s just another option. Here are some recipes you can try:

Simple Thanksgiving Sides

Now, on to MY favorite part of any holiday dinner: the side dishes! These are the recipes I typically double (or triple) to make sure I have PLENTY of leftovers. I’ll send containers home with the fam, I’ll snack on leftovers for days! Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipes.

Macaroni and Cheese

Homemade macaroni and cheese will always and forever be on my list whenever I have a special gathering. The ONE TIME I forgot to make my Southern-baked mac and cheese for a family gathering, I didn’t hear the end of it! I heard everything from, “How could you forget to make the mac and cheese?!” to, “Damn, really?!” Y’all, people don’t hold back when you forget the macaroni and cheese! Don’t make the same mistake I did… make one of these HELLA good mac and cheese recipes:

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

A close up image of creamy homemade mashed potatoes, garnished with parsley flakes and a pat of melting butter.

I think everyone knows how to make mashed potatoes. If not, follow the recipe for my garlic cheddar mashed potatoes and just skip adding the cheddar! (Or… definitely add the cheddar.) Mashed potatoes are truly a staple when it comes to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but they MUST have gravy. Not just any gravy either! It has to be that good old-fashioned homemade turkey gravy, Boo! Believe it or not, the homemade turkey gravy recipe is easy to make.

Green Bean Casserole

Does it get much more classic than green bean casserole?! You get creamy goodness, fresh green beans, and the best part – crispy onions! I have a recipe for classic green bean casserole, or you can make more appetizer-friendly green bean casserole cups, too!

Mixed Vegetables

An overhead image of a cast iron skillet filled with roasted brussels sprouts and bacon -- the perfect Thanksgiving side dish.

Of course, we have to keep it healthy with some vegetables! We’re indulging in just about every other dish on this list, so keep your guests happy with some fresh, healthy, tasty veggie recipes.

Classic Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes

Casseroles are great for many reasons. First, you can assign guests to bring a casserole, potluck style! Less work for you, more food for everyone around. Second, casseroles are just about endless – they feed everyone. Finally… well, who doesn’t love a casserole?! Here are some of my favorite casserole recipes to serve at any holiday dinner.

Cornbread Dressing

I MUST HAVE cornbread dressing on that Thanksgiving table! It’s NOT up for debate! My family loves dressing – both cornbread (a Southern must-have) and classic stuffing. Only one person in my family – my cousin Nicole – doesn’t like dressing. I’m really not sure what her issue is (she’s craaaaazyyyyyyy!), but I just don’t understand how one could not love dressing! It’s so moist and full of flavor. I have several cornbread stuffing recipes to choose from, but here are my favorites:

Sweet Potato Casserole

Yes, yes… sweet potato IS a Southern side dish, but it’s also a casserole, so it belongs in THIS section 😉 But real talk… sweet potato casserole is a true must-have Thanksgiving dish on any table, not just Black folks’ tables, y’all!! My sweet potato casserole is easy, sweet, and topped with a perfect crispy topping.

Southern Thanksgiving Staples

If you’re planning a Southern-style Thanksgiving dinner, then you have to toss out those classic Thanksgiving recipes and make room for some real, full-bodied flavor. Here are some must-have Southern Thanksgiving dishes you have to include this Thanksgiving holiday.

Candied Yams

As many of you know, candied yams are one of my signature dishes, so naturally, it makes my must-have Thanksgiving dishes list! My family simply goes crazy whenever I make them. The recipes I have are ALL fool-proof, so take your pick! Every time I make candied yams (or sweet potatoes, to those less-Southern folks), they are tender and spiced to perfection (thanks to my signature Rosamae Seasonings yams spice). Serve your yams with or without marshmallows; it’s up to you. One thing I WILL tell you is you will need to make at least two pans of candied yams because they go FAST.

Southern Collard Greens

Savory soul food-style collard greens with smoked turkey, served in a white dish.

If you grew up in a “soulful” household, you already know the deal! Southern collard greens are served EVERY holiday (and sometimes every Sunday). I’m talking about those real greens, not those canned sweet and tangy greens! I think a lot of people shy away from making homemade greens because they don’t know the proper technique, from cleaning to cooking. (FYI, did y’all know I have a video on how to properly clean greens?) Making Southern-style collard green is actually super easy, and I have a ton of recipes for you to choose from:

Potato Salad

A creamy potato salad might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to must-have Thanksgiving dishes, but let me tell YOU… ain’t nothing better than a rich, creamy Southern-style potato salad! It’s one of those side dishes that will end up on everyone’s plates, mixin’ in with the gravy and stuffing. It really is a must-have, trust me! You can go with classic potato salad like Grandma used to make, or you can try one of these tasty variations:

Must-Have Thanksgiving Desserts

Okay, fam, we’ve reached the best part of any holiday meal… DESSERT! Every Thanksgiving dinner needs at LEAST 3 dessert options, most of which will likely be pies. So, here’s my list of must-have Thanksgiving desserts you simply cannot forget about.

Holiday Pies

A single slice of homemade apple pie served on a small plate, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. Apple pie is one of those must-have Thanksgiving dishes!

We simply cannot talk must-have Thanksgiving dishes without PIE. If you don’t have at least two pie options, you’re doing holidays wrong, my friends. Pie is the perfect way to end a Thanksgiving meal. Here are some recipes for classic Thanksgiving pies:

Bread Pudding

It’s Southern, it’s sweet, it’s everything you want it to be! Not only is bread pudding the perfect holiday dessert, but it’s also a super simple make-ahead Thanksgiving dish too because it tastes even BETTER the next day! Here are some easy bread pudding recipes that would make the most delicious addition to your Thanksgiving holiday:

Putting Together the Perfect Thanksgiving Feast with I Heart Recipes

Well, there you have it, Cousins! All of my favorite must-have Thanksgiving dishes, from mains to sides and desserts, all in one spot! The holidays are my favorite time of year – not just because I’m a food blogger and love cooking, but because family and friends gather around the dinner table to enjoy the dishes we sweated our BEHINDS off cookin’!

If this is your first Thanksgiving as host and main cook, don’t sweat it. Choose your favorite dishes from this list – they’re all great recipes that won’t let you down! Leave a comment down below to let me know which dishes you tried and loved – and have a happy holiday season!

Share a photo of your Thanksgiving spread by tagging me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube! Don’t forget to check out I Heart Soul Food, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie, and A Cousin Rosie Holiday, with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.