This is a great alternative to regular mashed potatoes or to the usual sweet potato casserole at the holidays.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Thanksgiving Recipes: Turkey, Stuffing, Pumpkin Pie
Thanksgiving is celebrated the fourth Thursday in November in the United States. It's a remembrance of the first Pilgrim feast in 1621 where they gave thanks for a bountiful harvest.
This is also one holiday that warrants nearly as many recipes for leftovers as it does the meal itself. In fact, many people claim that the leftovers are their favorite part of the holiday!
Every few years a new trendy fad develops to put a new spin on the traditional fare. For example, deep frying a turkey in place of roasting has become popular over the last few years as has brining the bird before cooking it.
Traditional Thanksgiving food (not to be confused with the food served at the original feast, only some of which is still served today) consists of a roasted turkey, gravy, stuffing (dressing), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin or pecan pie. Of course, many variations are common in different parts of the country and every family has developed their own traditions.
Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October (same as the former Columbus Day in the U.S.). Many of the same foods are eaten on both US and Canadian Thanksgivings.
jump to the recipes
mashing the potatoes
Learn the tricks of the trade for keeping your potatoes lump free and preventing them from turning gluey
gravy basics
Lose the lumps, brown your flour, and other handy gravy tips
storing leftovers
A handy guide on how long to safely store those leftovers.
cooking the turkey
Tips for a perfectly juicy and tasty turkey every time
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar
If acorn squash isn't available you can substitute another winter squash like butternut, buttercup, or even small pie pumpkins. For an added treat, drizzle a little...
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Green Beans With Bacon, Shallots And Cider Vinegar
Fresh green beans are cooked in a seasoned broth mixture then given a splash of cider vinegar for flavor.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Shallot Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are mixed with oven-roasted shallots to make an incredible potato side dish, perfect to accompany your favorite main dish.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a holiday staple. This version has a twist in that it's made in the crock pot.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
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Southern Cornbread Dressing
Southerners know their stuff-ing! Some other southern traditions include adding fresh chopped sage, hard boiled eggs, or cooked giblets to the cornbread dressing.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Deluxe Mushroom Green Bean Casserole
What makes this casserole deluxe, you ask? Some might say it's the fresh sliced mushrooms. Others might suggest the crispy fried onions.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Rosemary
For a side dish that stands out, try these roasted garlic mashed potatoes. The unique combination of roasted garlic's depth and the fresh herbal notes...
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
San Francisco Sourdough Stuffing
Here's a stuffing recipe that goes beyond the norm: think sourdough paired with the sweet notes of figs and cranberries, all nestled in savory turkey sausage.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Roast Turkey With Aromatic Herbs
Made with black pepper, whole turkey, onion, lemon, vegetable oil, dried thyme, dried tarragon, dried rosemary, salt
Method: oven
Time: over 5 hours
Soft Potato Bread Stuffing
This soft potato bread stuffing is the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving feast or alongside any poultry or pork dish.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Plymouth Rock Cocktail
A simple and refreshing holiday-flavored cocktail made with gin, cranberry juice, and fresh cranberries for garnish
Time: under 30 minutes
Mashed Potato Candy
Made with peanut butter, mashed potatoes, milk, vanilla extract, salt, powdered sugar
Time: 30-60 minutes
Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer
Make your own pumpkin pie coffee. The ground ginger in there really sends it over the edge. You can take this stuff with you wherever you need a holiday-flavored cup of joe....
Time: under 30 minutes
Celery And Sage Bread Stuffing
This savory stuffing combines the earthy flavors of celery and sage with soft bread cubes. Whether you prefer it slightly crispy on top or tender throughout, this dish...
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Pumpkin Caramel Custard
A decadent, creamy dessert that is perfect for special occasions. It has the classic custard flavors of eggs, milk and nutmeg with the added sweetness of caramel and pumpkin.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Bourbon And Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes
This bourbon and brown sugar sweet potatoes recipe brings a delightful twist to a classic favorite. By incorporating bourbon, you introduce a complex layer of...
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Broth Injected Turkey
If you're looking for an extra flavorful turkey this holiday season, try injecting it with broth! This simple technique can really boost the taste of your bird.
Method: oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce
The perfect way to add a little bit of holiday cheer to your meal. The tart cranberries are balanced perfectly by the sweet orange liqueur, making it a delicious addition...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Traditional Stuffing
This is a simple, traditional stuffing made with white bread, celery, onions, and sage. It is a staple recipe on many holiday tables.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Glazed Carrots And Brussel Sprouts
Made with black pepper, brown sugar, baby carrots, Brussels sprouts, chicken broth, butter
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Slow Cooker Red Wine Cranberry Sauce
Souse up your cranberry sauce this holiday season. Red wine enhances the flavor of the cranberries in ways you won't believe!
Method: crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
Candied Acorn Squash
A little maple syrup and allspice gives these acorn squash some delightful sweetness. Serve them as a side or even as a dessert with some cool vanilla ice cream.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Citrus Roast Turkey
Two lemons, two limes and an orange with fresh bunches of sage, marjoram, and thyme add the herbal notes for a uniquely flavored bird.
Method: oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Dark Chocolate and Pumpkin Cheesecake
Layers of chocolate pecan cookie crust, chocolate cheesecake, pumpkin cheesecake, and chocolate ganache make up this out of this world dessert.
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
This flavorful gravy made from roasted turkey wings can be made up to a week in advance (longer if you freeze the gravy). Perfect time saver over the holidays.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Pumpkin Pie Shot Cocktail
Pumpkin pie in a glass! Vodka is mixed with pumpkin puree, simple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and heavy cream.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homestyle Turkey
A simple roast turkey recipe with some tips and tricks for getting super moist meat.
Method: oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes With Mini Marshmallows
The flesh from baked sweet potatoes is mixed with milk, buttermilk, butter, salt and pepper and stuffed back into the sweet potato shells and topped...
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Apple Glazed Turkey
This apple glazed turkey swaps out traditional savory flavors for a sweeter twist with apple cider and maple syrup, making it a standout choice for any festive occasion.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Baked Creamed Corn With Cheese
A great way to dress up frozen corn. The corn is baked in a creamy sauce with a hint of sugar and a savory dash of Romano cheese.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
So Easy Sweet Potatoes
Transform canned sweet potatoes into a show-stopping side with just butter, sugar, and a little marshmallow magic.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
White Castle Turkey Stuffing
White Castle isn't just for late night burger cravings! Chopped up burgers actually make a great stuffing for your Thanksgiving turkey (or weeknight chicken).
Time: under 30 minutes
Pumpkin Pie Spice With Cloves
Pumpkin pie seasoning with kicks from allspice, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. You'll find uses for it far outside the pie crust. Smoothies, granola, coffee, pancakes -...
Time: under 30 minutes
Garlic Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are good and garlic mashed potatoes are better, but horseradish garlic mashed potatoes are best. The spicy horseradish works great with savory...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Apple Walnut Stuffing
Anyone can open a box of stuffing, but why not take it one step further? Turn that packaged stuffing into a dish that tastes made from scratch.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Sweet Potato Buttermilk Waffles
Use up leftover sweet potatoes in this delicious breakfast recipe. Mashed sweet potatoes are mixed with buttermilk, egg, pancake mix, sugar, and cinnamon and cooked in a...
Method: waffle maker
Time: under 30 minutes
Thanksgiving Maize
Made with margarine, sour cream, corn muffin mix, whole kernel corn, cream corn
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Herb Roast Turkey
The herb roast turkey combines the classic elements of a traditional turkey with the distinct flavors of fresh herbs and aromatic vegetables. This recipe not only promises a moist...
Method: oven
Time: 2-5 hours
3 Layer Pumpkin Pecan Cake
Made with carrot cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, water, powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Sourdough Stuffing With Sage, Thyme, And Marjoram
Turkey may be the star of the Thanksgiving spread but a good herb-packed stuffing is a huge part of the supporting cast, and this sage and sourdough...
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Mini-Thanksgiving Turkey
Want a turkey dinner without all the work? Try this small-scale version made with turkey tenderloins and homemade bread stuffing.
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Pumpkin Flan
A baked pumpkin custard-type dessert that is served chilled.
Method: oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Marinated Thanksgiving Turkey
Ready to spice up your Thanksgiving feast? This marinated turkey recipe uses an intriguing mixture of savory and citrus, which makes it a great option for those seeking...
Method: oven, outdoor grill
Time: over 5 hours
Apple and Sage Stuffing
If you thought stuffing was just a sidekick, think again. This apple and sage version is here to steal the spotlight at your next holiday or dinner gathering.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Cranberry Punch
This festive holiday drink works well with low sugar/diet ingredients as well as regular. Float the cranberries on top for a festive look.
Time: under 30 minutes
Hotel duPont's Marzipan Pumpkins
Made with almond paste, fondant, corn syrup, orange food coloring, powdered sugar
Time: under 30 minutes
Bread And Butter Stuffing With Fresh Sage
Truly a stuffing that pulls all the stops. Fresh sage is an absolute must, of course, but the sweet apples and raisins in this spectacular stuffing help...
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: over 5 hours
Apple Pecan Stuffing
Want to balance out rich dishes with something a bit fruity? This apple pecan stuffing brings the perfect contrast with its savory herbs and sweet apples.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Pie
Made with brown sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, pumpkin puree, eggs, evaporated milk, maple flavoring
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
The name, vodka, comes from the Russian phrase zhiznennaia voda, or "water of life". It can be made from everything from potatoes to beets. It's considered to be fairly flavorless which makes it a great liquor for mixed drinks.
What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!
It may look like a sad little package shoved in the back of your freezer, but frozen spinach actually has a lot of culinary uses (and some may surprise you).