Our 20 Most Popular Thanksgiving Recipes, From Turkey and Sides to Pie

All the classics and more.

Pecan Pie
Credit:

Brie Goldman

A collection of much-loved and much-made classics, our most popular Thanksgiving recipes are the dishes our readers always make for the feast, and ones you should definitely try. Tradition reigns supreme with roast turkey (several ways), mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and more. We've got stuffing, a soup or two, and plenty of desserts, but there are surprises. For a start, the desserts aren't all pie—in fact, they aren't even mostly pie. How can that be? Whether sweet or savory, these cherished recipes are guaranteed to be a hit with your family and friends—this year and every year.

01 of 20

Perfect Roast Turkey

Perfect Roast Turkey with Cheesecloth
Credit:

Grant Webster

It’s our number one turkey recipe, so of course it has a Martha-level twist that brings golden, delicious results. A quadruple blanket of cheesecloth holds the butter-and-wine basting mixture on the skin. This keeps the meat moist while still allowing it to brown. And, the recipe includes gravy and stuffing—it’s the whole Thanksgiving package!

02 of 20

No-Bake Cheesecake

no bake cheesecake slice on plate with cheesecake
Credit:

Andrea Araiza

It’s easy and crowd-pleasing, so you can understand why this creamy dessert has become a must-make for so many readers every Thanksgiving. There’s no pie crust to roll out and fit into the baking dish; a graham cracker crust is much simpler. Then there is the dreamy filling: a no-fail combination of rich cream cheese and condensed milk, flavored with vanilla and lemon.

03 of 20

John Legend’s Macaroni and Cheese

John Legend's Mac and Cheese - slice on a plate
Credit:

Andrea Araiza

This recipe is popular year-round but especially at the holidays—for many people, it’s just not Thanksgiving without mac and cheese on the table. With two kinds of readily available cheese—extra-sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, and evaporated milk—this recipe is a very accessible take on this favorite baked pasta.

04 of 20

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
Credit:

Jacob Fox

A celebratory potato dish and a crowd-pleaser, this rich side features thinly sliced potatoes simmered in milk and cream. The potatoes and creamy mixture are then layered with Gruyère cheese in a casserole dish and baked. They're finished under the broiler, ensuring a delicious, crispy top.

05 of 20

Apple Pie Crust Recipe

Basic Pie Dough for Apple Pie
Credit:

Rachel Marek

Our all-butter crust is a go-to for apple pie bakers everywhere. The recipe makes enough pastry for one double-crusted pie and keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for longer.

06 of 20

Easy Creamed Spinach

easy creamed spinach in red serving bowl
Credit:

Diana Chistruga

What makes our recipe easy? Well, we skip the usual béchamel sauce and instead use one of our favorite shortcut ingredients, cream cheese. Mixed with milk and stirred into sautéed onion and garlic, it creates a creamy foil for the spinach.

07 of 20

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Credit:

Carson Downing

Mashed potatoes are an easy side dish and a real crowd-pleaser. Our foolproof recipe makes it simple to make them for the holiday. We also include how to make mashed potatoes and reheat them.

08 of 20

Dinner Rolls

Dinner rolls
Credit:

Dana Gallagher

Soft, fluffy, and rich with milk and eggs, these dinner rolls are a must for the Thanksgiving table. They use all-purpose flour and active dry yeast, and are made and kneaded by hand. Plus, you can form the rolls ahead of time and freeze the dough balls for up to two months.

09 of 20

Classic Cranberry Sauce

cranberry sauce
Credit: Aaron Dyer

Our homemade cranberry sauce pairs the berries with the zest and juice of an orange, sugar, and a touch of cinnamon. It takes 25 minutes, and you can make it up to a week ahead.

10 of 20

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Cheesecake
Credit:

Jason Donnelly

It’s more popular than any of our pumpkin pie recipes! This pumpkin cheesecake is a silky-smooth and light-as-air dessert packed with autumnal flavors. It has an easy-to-make graham-cracker crust and a creamy, pumpkin cream cheese filling spiced with the perfect amount of pumpkin pie spice.

11 of 20

Roast Turkey With Herb Butter

Roast Turkey with Herb Butter
Credit:

Kelsey Hansen

A simple herb butter flavored with rosemary, sage, and thyme takes this Thanksgiving turkey to the next level. It makes the skin crispy and golden, while the meat is moist and delicious.

12 of 20

Classic Stuffing

stuffing in a blue casserole dish
Credit:

Brie Goldman

Our most popular stuffing is … classic! Our recipe feeds a crowd and is packed with onions, celery, fresh sage, parsley, pecans, and dried cherries.  

13 of 20

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

This comforting, healthy soup captures the flavors of fall and is simple to make: just cut up the pumpkin, onion, and garlic, then roast them. Puree the roasted vegetables, add the stock, and you’re almost there. 

14 of 20

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie
Credit:

Brie Goldman

Is it really Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? We have several recipes, but this is our most popular. The filling can be made with canned pumpkin puree or homemade pumpkin puree. The crust is our favorite all-butter crust, pâte brisée—it contrasts perfectly with the sweet, custardy pumpkin filling.

15 of 20

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows in a baking dish with a portion served on a separate plate
Credit:

Jason Donnelly

A Thanksgiving classic, our version is made with three pounds of sweet potatoes. They’re mashed with milk and butter, and nutmeg adds fragrant warmth. Then there are the marshmallows; they melt in the oven into a gooey, crunchy topping—and set this side apart from all others.

16 of 20

Big Martha’s Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese

mashed potatoes with cream cheese
Credit: Johnny Miller

Martha’s mom’s recipe for mashed potatoes yields a rich and decadent side dish. It uses just six ingredients: white potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes, cream cheese, a generous amount of butter, a little milk, and some heavy cream.

17 of 20

Perfect Pie Crust

Perfect Pie Crust
Credit:

Rachel Marek

It really is perfect! This pie crust recipe is an all-butter dough that uses a few simple ingredients: unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, a little salt, a touch of sugar, and ice-cold water to bring it all together. It’s mixed by hand—no need to dirty the food processor.

18 of 20

Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie
Credit:

Brie Goldman

Along with pumpkin pie and apple pie, pecan is a Thanksgiving mainstay. We use light corn syrup, plus brown and granulated sugars, in the filling with the pecans. It’s sweet and rich and nutty—just how it should be. Perfect with a dollop of whipped cream.

19 of 20

Citrus and Herb Turkey

Citrus and Herb Turkey
Credit:

Brie Goldman

In our citrus turkey recipe, orange, lemon, onion, and garlic, together with fresh sage and thyme, infuse the bird with delicious flavor from the inside out. There’s also an easy pan gravy made with the flavorful drippings.

20 of 20

Chestnut Stuffing

Chestnut Stuffing
Credit:

Rachel Marek

A time-honored recipe, this favorite is a classic bread stuffing packed with meaty chestnuts and fragrant with parsley and sage. We love it baked in a shallow casserole dish so the top gets a little crispy.

Related Articles