18 Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes That Never Fail

Classic Roast Turkey

This quintessential holiday centerpiece promises a juicy, flavorful turkey every time.

Ingredients:

• 12-14 pound turkey
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 onion, quartered
• 4 cups chicken broth

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and place it on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan.
3. Mix butter, salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary, then rub it all over the turkey, including under the skin.
4. Stuff the cavity with lemon halves and onion quarters.
5. Roast for 3 to 4 hours, basting with chicken broth every 45 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
6. Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing

This rich and savory stuffing is the perfect accompaniment to your roast turkey.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 10 cups cubed stale bread
• 2 teaspoons dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the sausage in a skillet until browned, then remove and set aside.
3. Sauté onion and celery until soft, then combine with sausage, bread cubes, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
4. Moisten the mixture with chicken broth, stirring gently.
5. Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Velvety and buttery, these mashed potatoes are a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Cooking Method:

1. Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Drain, then return potatoes to the pot.
3. Add butter and cream, then mash until smooth.
4. Season with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste.

Green Bean Casserole

A classic side dish with a crunchy twist, this casserole is both creamy and crispy.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 can (6 oz) French-fried onions

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Parboil green beans for 5 minutes, then drain.
3. Mix soup, milk, and soy sauce in a baking dish, then add green beans and half the onions.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, then top with remaining onions and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Cranberry Sauce

This tangy and sweet sauce provides the perfect contrast to your savory dishes.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest

Cooking Method:

1. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, and orange juice.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
3. Cook until cranberries burst and sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
4. Stir in orange zest and cool before serving.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet and spiced, this dish is topped with a crunchy pecan streusel.

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup flour

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil sweet potatoes until tender, then mash with brown sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
3. Spread into a greased baking dish.
4. Mix pecans, flour, and a little more melted butter to form a streusel, then sprinkle over potatoes.
5. Bake for 30 minutes until topping is golden.

Cornbread

This fluffy and moist cornbread is a staple that pairs well with all Thanksgiving dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, and oil.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
5. Pour into a greased baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.

Gravy from Turkey Drippings

Rich and savory, this gravy is the perfect finishing touch for your Thanksgiving meal.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup turkey drippings
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Cooking Method:

1. Heat turkey drippings in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk in flour until smooth and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Gradually add broth, whisking continuously.
4. Simmer until thickened, then season with salt and pepper.

Pumpkin Pie

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without this creamy, spiced dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 pie crust

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg until smooth.
3. Pour into pie crust and bake for 15 minutes.
4. Reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35-40 more minutes until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Pecan Pie

This sweet, nutty pie is a delightful end to your Thanksgiving feast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups pecans
• 1 pie crust

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk corn syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla in a bowl.
3. Stir in pecans and pour mixture into pie crust.
4. Bake for 50-55 minutes until filling is set.