30 Best Recipes for a Homestyle Southern Thanksgiving Menu
Turkey and all the fixin's.
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You can certainly get fancy on Thanksgiving or you go homestyle route with pure comfort food that you'll find all over the South. Collard greens, sweet potatoes, and pecan pie—these are the makings of a comforting Southern Thanksgiving menu. Of course, don't forget the roast turkey and holiday ham, and there’s way more where that came from. Ahead, you'll find everything you need for a Southern-inspired feast that will feed a crowd with all the fixin's... and then some.
To start, you can kick things off with deviled eggs and a retro cheeseball that will surely delight everyone. Then, fill up your table with some down-home comfort foods like cheddar biscuits, mashed potatoes, collard greens, and so much more. There are also some Southern Thanksgiving desserts like sweet potato pie topped with bourbon whipped cream for a sweet ending.
While these Southern comfort foods are practically required, you can also make space on the table for new, original recipes featuring Southern ingredients like chicken fried turkey and pimento cheese crackers filled with pepper jelly that's sure to become a Thanksgiving tradition. So whether you grew up eating these stick-to-your-ribs dishes or you just have a hankering for something new to add to your Thanksgiving shopping list, these recipes are the best way to show off your Southern hospitality. Now, go ahead and pass the gravy and biscuits!
Cheddar Biscuits
Ree's flaky biscuits are even better than the original because she added lots of shredded cheddar cheese! You'll want to serve them up in a basket on Thanksgiving and for breakfast the next day.
Get Ree's Cheddar Biscuits recipe.
Dry Brined Roast Turkey
A big, roast turkey is the show-stopping centerpiece of any Southern holiday menu. Just be sure to use a brine like this for all that delicious flavor.
Get Ree's Dry Brined Roast Turkey recipe.
Sweet Potato Cake
In the South, you won't find a Thanksgiving menu without sweet potatoes of some kind. Here, they're used for making sheet cake to feed a crowd. It's warm, spiced, and topped with sweet marshmallow creme frosting.
Get the Sweet Potato Cake recipe.
Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon
This comforting casserole is packed to the brim with a creamy sauce, melty cheese, buttery crackers, and salty bacon. It'll make even picky eaters forget they're eating vegetables.
Get Ree's Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon recipe.
Pimento Cheese Thumbprint Crackers
Classic pimento cheese meets sweet-and-spicy pepper jelly in this fun appetizer idea. It's a twist on a down-home Southern bite that's a little bit dressed up for the holidays.
Pecan Tassies
This Thanksgiving treat is like a classic pie and shortbread cookie in one bite! It's made with a sweet and sticky pecan filling that's spiked with bourbon for that unmistakeable taste of the South.
Get the Pecan Tassies recipe.
Giblet Gravy
A good gravy is "absolutely everything," Ree says. And you only need four ingredients to make it! Drizzle it over the turkey, mashed potatoes, or heck, the whole plate for the ultimate Thanksgiving experience.
Get Ree's Giblet Gravy recipe.
Grit Cakes
Creamy, cheesy Southern grits are totally transformed into a crispy side dish that'll surprise your guests. They would taste delicious with a drizzle of gravy, too!
Get the Grit Cakes recipe.
Apple Cranberry Sauce
This vibrant cranberry sauce gets a pop of texture from crisp apples and tangy orange zest. It's the perfect side dish for your roast turkey.
Get the Apple Cranberry Sauce recipe.
Pimento Cheese
Add a bowl of this classic dip to any menu and it'll instantly feel more Southern! Ree's version has a smoky twist thanks to adobo sauce that makes it utterly irresistible.
Get Ree's Pimento Cheese recipe.
Slow Cooker Ham
If you're hosting a crowd for Thanksgiving, turkey might not be the only main course on the table. Consider adding this easy ham that's cooked in a slow cooker for another holiday centerpiece. Thanks to the Dr Pepper glaze it's sure to be a hit!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Ham recipe.
Potato Rolls
These pull-apart rolls are lighter and fluffier than your average dinner rolls, which makes them perfect for serving up with a heavy meal like Thanksgiving dinner. They'd also make for great turkey sliders the next day!
Get the Potato Rolls recipe.
Sweet Potato Pie
This Southern favorite is silky and sweet on its own, but you can also dress it up with a homemade bourbon-spiked whipped cream. If that doesn't say Southern dessert, nothing will!
Get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe.
Collard Greens
This Southern veggie gets a Thanksgiving spin by using smoked turkey legs to impart that rich, meaty flavor. Of course, you can also use more traditional smoked ham hocks if you prefer.
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
Slow Cooker Green Beans
Whether you use fresh or frozen green beans, this easy side dish is always a hit. The veggies cook low and slow to soak up all that tomato and bacon flavor in the sauce.
Get the Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe.
Chicken Fried Turkey
You can't have a Southern menu without something fried and this twist on chicken fried steak is the real deal. It's made with turkey cutlets to give it a Thanksgiving twist.
Get the Chicken Fried Turkey recipe.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
To doctor up these twice-baked sweet potatoes, the filling is mixed with maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and butter. It's delicious on its own, but add a crumbly pecan topping and a drizzle of hot honey for a downright delectable side.
Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Buttermilk Pie
Buttermilk pie holds a special place in the hearts of many Southerns. It's a buttery, vanilla custard that's baked into a flaky pie crust.
Get the Buttermilk Pie recipe.
Deviled Eggs
For the Drummond family, no holiday get-together would be complete without classic deviled eggs. They're great to snack on while you put the finishing touches on the turkey!
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Sausage Dressing
This classic holiday side is made with two types of bread: white sandwich bread to keep it soft and fluffy, along with French bread for added texture. It's the best of both worlds!
Get the Sausage Dressing recipe.
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