Best of the Best Thanksgiving Recipes

Best of the Best Thanksgiving Recipes – A roundup of my best recipes for your Thanksgiving menu planning.

Thanksgiving. My favorite holiday! Are you ready? Just in case you need some ideas, I’ve put together my Best of the Best Thanksgiving Menu Planner.

I started with a few of my favorite pre-dinner nibbles and then went on to the main event – the turkey and cornbread dressing! Or if you prefer stuffing, I’ve also included a recipe for you.

And if turkey isn’t your “thing,” there are a few recipes for alternatives. You’ll also find a selection of great side dishes from salads to vegetables.

And no Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without a few fabulous desserts. I even included some of my favorite recipes for using up the leftovers.

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At the end of the post there are links to several other bloggers’ recipe suggestions for Thanksgiving. Hopefully, together, we can help you fill out your menu.

I’d love to know what you’re planning to cook for the big day and if you have any questions at all, feel free to ask away!

Best of the Best Thanksgiving Recipes

Appetizers

Phyllo Cups with Pepper Jelly and Brie

Some of my favorite southern ingredients in one simple little bite!

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Bacon Wrapped Sausage Balls

If you're a bacon or sausage fanatic, this recipe is for you! You'll get the best of both in this recipe for Bacon Wrapped Sausage Balls with Peach and Dijon dipping sauce!

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Puff Pastry Cheese Straws

Recipe for the famous Rich’s Department Store (Atlanta) Puff Pastry Cheese Straws. Sharp cheddar and Parmesan encased in light, flaky puff pastry.

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Hot Artichoke Dip

This cheesy, Hot Artichoke Dip will have everyone asking for your recipe. Serve it with crackers or crostini and it will be the hit of your holiday parties!

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Spicy White Bean Dip

A spicy white bean dip great for enjoying along with your favorite college football game!

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Main Dishes

Oven Roasted Turkey with Gravy

A simple method for cooking a beautifully moist Oven Roasted Turkey with golden, crispy skin and instructions for making the best pan gravy.

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Southern Cornbread Dressing

My cherished family recipe for Southern Cornbread Dressing is wonderfully moist and seasoned with onions, celery, and sage.

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Stuffed Turkey Breast

A stuffed, rolled turkey breast filled with Italian bread, dried cranberries, shallots, celery, pine nuts, and Italian sausage. Perfect for a smaller Thanksgiving gathering.

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The BEST Marinated Pork Loin

A simple, savory marinade creates a roasted pork loin that is moist and flavorful every time!

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Pork Loin with Creamy Celery Sauce

Pork Loin with Creamy Celery Sauce – A lovely pork loin served with a luscious creamy celery sauce is perfect for a special occasion dinner.

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Apricot and Prune Stuffed Pork Loin

Succulent dried fruits make this Apricot and Prune Stuffed Pork Loin a great choice for a dinner party or an alternate entree for holidays!

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Side Dishes – Vegetables

Sweet Potato and Pecan Stuffing

This Sweet Potato and Pecan Stuffing with sausage, raisins, celery, and onions is a perfect choice for your Thanksgiving table.

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Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

This southern heritage recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole has a layer of buttery, cooked sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar streusel.

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Butternut Squash with Pecans and Blue Cheese

Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans and Blue Cheese is a delicious flavor combination and a perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving menu.

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Old Fashioned Copper Pennies

This delicious vintage recipe for Old Fashioned Copper Pennies is a sweet-sour combination of carrots, onions, and peppers that will keep your guests coming back for more!

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Old Fashioned Southern Style Green Beans

These Old Fashioned Southern Style Green Beans will have your house smelling amazing and your mouth watering with anticipation.

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Baked Acorn Squash

Baked Acorn Squash – tender, sweet acorn squash baked with butter and brown sugar is the perfect side dish for your Fall dinner.

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Side Dishes – Vegetable & Fruit Salads

Apple Cranberry Salad

This refreshing Apple Cranberry Salad highlights beautiful autumnal flavors with a counterpoint of blue cheese drizzled with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette (recipe included).

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Carrot Cranberry Salad

This 15-minute Carrot Cranberry Salad will please even the pickiest eaters. It's packed with healthy crunch from carrots and toasted pecans.

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Broccoli Salad

Pure vintage comfort food and the perfect side dish for any summer party. Guests always ask for the recipe!

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Pear Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Fresh, sliced pears topped with tangy blue cheese dressing and toasted slivered almonds.

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Not Quite Classic Waldorf Salad

Not Quite Classic Waldorf Salad – my version of the classic waldorf salad using apples, pecans, celery, and dried cranberries.

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Sunshine Salad

Sunshine Salad is a traditional gelatin salad, or congealed salad, made with lemon jello, pineapple, carrots, and chopped nuts.

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Lime Congealed Salad

An old fashioned southern favorite, Lime Congealed Salad stands in as a fantastic salad, side dish, or dessert.

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Blueberry Pineapple Congealed Salad

This Blueberry Pineapple Congealed Salad is topped with sweetened cream cheese, sour cream, and walnuts for a wonderfully sweet and tart dish.

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Strawberry Banana Jello Mold

A refreshing summer jello mold with strawberries, bananas, pineapple, sour cream, and nuts.

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Polly’s Pink Stuff (Raspberry Jello Mold)

A retro recipe for a festive raspberry jello mold. My grandmother's holiday specialty served for every Christmas and Easter dinner.

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Side Dishes – Other

Kumquat and Dried Cherry Chutney

Kumquat and Dried Cherry Chutney is an elegantly delicious accompaniment for your Thanksgiving dinner. Perfect with turkey!

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Spiced Slow Cooker Applesauce

Spiced Slow Cooker Applesauce – The recipe couldn't be easier. Pop everything in the slow cooker and six hours later you have applesauce!

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Desserts – Cakes

Old Fashioned Southern Caramel Layer Cake

This old fashioned southern Caramel Layer Cake with an easy homemade caramel frosting tastes like a little slice of heaven!

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Chocolate Little Layer Cake

This heritage recipe for Chocolate Little Layer Cake consists of tiny layers baked individually and topped with a boiled chocolate icing.

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Chocolate-Chocolate Cake

Light chocolately cake layers with a luscious, rich cocoa frosting.

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Glazed Pumpkin Pound Cake

This Glazed Pumpkin Pound Cake is made with a rich, buttery batter of pumpkin and warm fall spices, topped with a sweetened buttermilk glaze.

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Classic Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling

A spiced pumpkin roll with sweet cream cheese filling. Perfect dessert for any fall dinner.

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Desserts – Pies & Cobblers

Pecan Cheesecake Pie

A delicious grand finale for any holiday meal! Two all-time favorite desserts combine in a luscious Pecan Cheesecake Pie with a cheesecake layer on the bottom and pecan pie on top.

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Apple Patchwork Cobbler

This taste tempting Apple Patchwork Cobbler is made with fresh fall apples, cinnamon, cardamom, and orange liqueur topped with a patchwork style crust.

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Gingerbread Apple Cobbler

This gingerbread apple cobbler takes advantage of a boxed mix and canned pie filling for one of the easiest, tastiest desserts of the fall!

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Desserts – Other

Charlotte Russe

A light, creamy, combination of eggs, whipping cream and whiskey. A traditional Southern dessert typically served for Christmas holidays

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Hot Curried Georgia Peaches

Peaches spiced with curry, cinnamon, and cloves, served with butter pecan ice cream.

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Old Fashioned Gingerbread with Lemon Glaze

You'll love this Old FashionedGingerbread with Lemon Glaze, an old-fashioned moist gingerbread with warmspices topped with a sweet-tart lemon glaze.

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Leftovers

Asian Inspired Turkey Noodle Bowl

Use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey to create this Asian Inspired Turkey Noodle Bowl – a brothy bowl full of noodles with turkey, lime, hot chili sauce, cilantro, green onions, and soy sauce.

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Old Fashioned Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole

Turn those Thanksgiving leftovers into one of the most delicious casseroles ever! Combine chopped roasted turkey and pasta with a creamy, cheesy mushroom sauce to create a hearty dinner your whole family will be excited about!

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Easy Leftover Turkey Soup

This delicious, hearty, and easy leftover Turkey Soup with potatoes and mushrooms is topped with a generous amount of cheese and served with crusty bread on the side.

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Apple Cranberry Quesadillas

A fantastic use for your Thanksgiving leftovers! Apple pie filling, cranberry sauce, pecans, and jack cheese combine for a delicious treat.

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