Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and with it comes plenty of time to indulge in your favorite traditional Thanksgiving foods.
After all, there’s no such thing as too much turkey and pumpkin pie when you’re gathering with family and friends.
This year, consider adding some new items to your Thanksgiving spread to make your meal more fun and memorable—all while keeping within classic Thanksgiving food traditions.
Here’s the thing about traditional Thanksgiving foods: they are delicious but can get boring after so many years of eating the same foods, just in different ways each year.
You should try these traditional Thanksgiving foods to freshen up your old favorites.
Also, make your holiday meal something new and exciting every year! Also, don’t forget to add a fall cocktail or two; you will surely be the most popular house on the block if you do!
1. Stuffing
Stuffing is the first on this list of traditional Thanksgiving foods to make your mouth water. This dish is usually a mixture of bread, herbs, and seasonings baked with the turkey.
The stuffing can be made from scratch or store-bought. Also, it’s typically served at dinner time after the meal with cranberry sauce on top.
There are many different variations to stuffing, but most include bread and herbs like sage, thyme, parsley, rosemary, and various types of dried fruits.
Modern versions include nuts, celery root (celeriac), sausage, and cornbread. Most people prepare their stuffing days in advance so that they have time to let it sit overnight in the refrigerator. After this, it is cooked with turkey.
2. Yeast Rolls
These are second on this list of traditional Thanksgiving foods. They are made by following these steps:
- Prepare the dough by mixing all ingredients until it forms a ball.
- Let the dough rise for about an hour or two in a warm place (around 85 degrees).
- Roll out the dough and cut it into squares.
- Place the squares on baking sheets.
- Cover with melted butter.
- Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit 7.
- Optional: sprinkle with sugar or cinnamon.
3. Buttermilk Spoon Bread
So, what do you need for this traditional Thanksgiving recipe? Buttermilk spoon bread is the perfect dish for a chilly fall day.
Warm and soft, it’s perfect for breaking out of the side dishes and getting your hands dirty with something different.
You only need an oven-safe bowl, some buttermilk, butter, eggs, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. You’ll also need to preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 Celsius).
Once the oven is heated, take a bit of butter and coat the inside of your bowl before pouring in your batter.
Next, you bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown on top. Finally, cool slightly before serving with honey or maple syrup on top!
4. Cornbread Dressing
What is cornbread dressing? It’s a savory side dish that combines a cornbread crust with stuffing, and it’s often served at the dinner table during the Thanksgiving feast.
The base of this dish is made from seasoned cornbread crumbs. These are mixed with butter or bacon fat, celery, onion, eggs, and milk to form a batter.
Once it’s cooked and cooled, you can add all sorts of tasty ingredients, such as butternut squash, sausage, and apple cider.
Cornbread dressing is cooked by baking or boiling in water or stock until moist and soft. It is one of the traditional Thanksgiving foods.
5. Old-School Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is one of the most popular dishes at any Thanksgiving feast. You can find a recipe for this dish online or make your family favorite.
Traditional Thanksgiving foods include sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Continue reading this article for more information about them.
6. Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy
The smell of roasted herb turkey and gravy will make your mouth water. This dish is one of the best Thanksgiving dishes because it is so traditional and tastes amazing.
However, you must consider other traditional Thanksgiving foods when preparing a meal.
Meanwhile, many people like different meal parts to be served at different times. I recommend that you serve the following dishes in this order: cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and green beans with bacon.
Then, cranberry sauce, oven-roasted butternut squash soup, green salad with vinaigrette dressing (optional), macaroni and cheese casserole (optional), and sweet potato pie.
7. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are one of the most traditional Thanksgiving foods on a dinner table. They’re usually made by boiling potatoes and then mashing them with a fork or hand mixer until they’re smooth and creamy.
Further, you can mix in butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste for extra flavor. Some people like to add other things to their mashed potatoes, like cheese, sour cream, chives, or garlic.
8. Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is a dish that always appears on the Thanksgiving table. There are many different variations of this dish on the list of sumptuous traditional Thanksgiving foods.
However, the most traditional recipes usually consist of mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and milk.
Sometimes, it is topped with marshmallows or pecans, but these toppings are unnecessary. The casserole is baked in a pan until the top becomes golden brown, and then it’s done!
9. Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving food for most dinners. They’re creamy, comforting, and go with just about anything on your plate.
Classic mashed potatoes are made with butter, buttermilk, salt, pepper, and potatoes. The secret to the best mashed potatoes is using the right potato type.
Russet or Yukon gold work best because they have a high starch content, which makes them perfect for mashing. Start by boiling water in a pot and adding salt.
Next, peel the skins off of some peeled russet or Yukon gold potatoes and add them to the boiling water. Boil until fork tender. Then, drain any excess water from the pot using a colander.
10. Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
Collard greens are traditional Thanksgiving foods typically prepared with smoked ham hocks.
The collard greens will taste better if the leaves are cooked for about two hours and added to the pot of other ham hocks.
If you want to make your own collard greens, you should have a slow cooker with at least four quarts of capacity.
You must also season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, onion powder, and liquid smoke.
11. Slow-Cooker Green Beans
This dish is a crowd-pleaser and can be made in large quantities. Beans are an important part of traditional Thanksgiving foods and are often served with a side of bacon or ham to add flavor. They’re easy to make, too!
The ingredients are green beans (trimmed), butter, salt, and water. The directions are to melt the butter in a skillet on medium heat.
Add salt and green beans and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender but still crisp. Next, pour water into the slow cooker insert and add green beans.
Then, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. The longer you cook them, the softer they will become.
12. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots is a traditional Thanksgiving food that will make your mouth water.
The Brussels Sprouts are cooked in bacon fat, giving them a crispy outer layer while the inside remains soft and tender.
Serve with shallots and toasted hazelnuts for an amazing side dish or a stand-alone meal.
The ingredients to make this delicacy on the list of traditional Thanksgiving foods are:
- Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved.
- Olive oil (optional).
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Butter.
13. Angel Biscuits
Angel biscuits are a traditional southern side dish served during the Thanksgiving holiday. These lightly sweetened buttermilk-based biscuits are made with flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, and butter. The angel biscuit dough is cut into strips and rolled out.
Then, they are placed on a baking tray and brushed with melted butter or cream before being baked until golden brown.
These delicate little treats can be eaten as they are or served alongside gravy or cranberry sauce. Angel biscuits are the perfect accompaniment to any meal, especially turkey at Christmas!
So, if you are looking for the perfect traditional Thanksgiving foods, here’s one of them!
14. Savory Corn Pudding
Savory Corn Pudding is one of my favorite traditional Thanksgiving foods. It is a creamy mixture of milk, eggs, butter, and cornmeal. I always serve it with roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
Furthermore, the dish is cooked in a single casserole dish for about 45 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is done until the top has browned and the center has set. This dish is so easy to make, but it’s a must-have on your Thanksgiving menu!
15. Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole
Broccoli-and-rice casserole is one of the most traditional Thanksgiving foods and delicious dishes on a Thanksgiving table.
This dish is extremely easy to make and can be made in large batches, so it makes an excellent side dish for any family gathering.
Further, the casserole consists of broccoli, rice, milk, eggs, butter, salt, and pepper with cheese sprinkled on top.
You can add bacon or ham to make this dish even more delectable. After that, bake it in the oven for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
16. Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese has been around for centuries—the first recorded use dates back to the Middle Ages in England.
Macaroni and cheese dishes were traditionally made with cheddar, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and buttermilk.
The key to making a great macaroni and cheese is using top-quality cheeses like sharp cheddar, Gruyere, or Gouda.
It’s also important not to neglect the pasta, as it needs to be cooked al dente to retain its shape in the oven.
You’ll want to boil your pasta separately from your sauce so you can get them mixed before putting them into an oven-safe dish.
Topping with breadcrumbs for a crunchy layer on top makes this dish one of the most amazing traditional Thanksgiving foods ever!
17. Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
This procedure should be followed to combine one of the sumptuous traditional Thanksgiving foods: Start by cooking a few strips of bacon. Cut them into small pieces. Place these pieces in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Then, peel medium-sized sweet potatoes, cut them into 1-inch cubes, and place them in the slow cooker over top of the bacon.
Next, pour pumpkin puree over the top, add salt, and mix everything with a spatula or spoon. Cook on low for 6 hours, occasionally stirring to ensure the sauce doesn’t stick to the bottom.
18. Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce has been a traditional dish served on Thanksgiving since the early 1800s.
There are many recipes for cranberry sauce, but the most common ingredients are sugar, lemon juice, water, and fresh cranberries.
Equally important to note is that this is a delicious traditional Thanksgiving food. Plus, it is so easy to make that it doesn’t need more ingredients to add flavor.
It can be eaten as a side dish or used in desserts like a trifle or upside-down cake. The tartness of the cranberries balances out the sweetness of these desserts, making it a perfect pairing!
19. Old-School Squash Casserole
This dish is a Southern classic and an old-school favorite. The squash casserole has been around since at least the 1950s when it was featured in the first edition of The Joy of Cooking.
You’ll need butternut squash, butter or margarine, brown sugar, eggs, salt, and ground cinnamon. Be sure to use fresh or frozen squash.
To prepare: First, boil the peeled and seeded butternut squash in salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Then, drain the cooked squash and mash it with a potato masher or an electric mixer.
Then, add butter, brown sugar, and eggs to create a creamy mixture with a sweet flavor. Finally, add salt and ground cinnamon for extra spice. There, you have one of the delectable traditional Thanksgiving foods!
20. Green Beans
Green beans are a staple of traditional Thanksgiving foods. They are typically cooked with butter, onion, and salt and then finished with bacon or ham for added flavor.
Green beans are a popular side dish for traditional Thanksgiving dinners and one of the cheapest vegetables to buy in bulk.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to feed your family this Thanksgiving, try green beans as a delicious side dish!
21. Turkey Gravy
Turkey gravy is one of the traditional Thanksgiving foods that you’ll find on many tables. It’s made by simmering the pan drippings from the roasted turkey and whisking in cream, butter, or whole milk.
Add your favorite herbs, like sage or thyme, to make it special. Serve it with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce for a dish that will be on everyone’s table!
22. Ham
Of the traditional Thanksgiving foods, Ham is the quintessential dinner food. It’s the most popular dish at the table, and for a good reason: it’s flavorful, filling, and perfect to add some protein to your meal.
Plus, you can cook it ahead of time and then reheat it when you need to. It has one of the few recipes that will make your mouth water this holiday season!
23. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a staple on the Thanksgiving table. They’re often served as a side dish but can also be used to make sweet potato pie, mashed potatoes, and candied potatoes.
There are many ways to make these wonderful tubers traditional Thanksgiving foods. And you’ll never get bored of them!
Additionally, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of potassium. This is needed for muscle contraction, blood flow regulation, and function.
In fact, just one baked sweet potato can provide up to 580 mg of potassium. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of Vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), iron, and fiber.
24. Classic Cranberry Salad
A classic cranberry salad is a Thanksgiving staple that everyone loves. The tartness of the cranberries and a sweet and tangy dressing make this dish hard to pass up.
Like other traditional Thanksgiving foods, there are many variations of this dish. However, I prefer it with just cranberries, oranges, sugar, and mayonnaise. It takes just 15 minutes to whip up, perfect for your holiday table.
25. Apple Pie
Apple pie is a classic American dessert and one of the popular traditional Thanksgiving foods during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Pie crust is made from butter, flour, and shortening, often mixed with salt, sugar, and vanilla extract. Vinegar or lemon juice is added to give the dough more flavor.
Before it’s baked, the pie crust is filled with an apple filling made of peeled and cored apples stewed with water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
This mixture is often thickened with cornstarch or tapioca starch for texture before being poured into the pastry shell.
26. Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie
The next one on the traditional Thanksgiving foods list is Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie. This pie has a crust of pecans, brown sugar, and butter ground into a paste.
It’s then pressed into the pan and baked for about 10 minutes to get it crispy, like a cookie.
Once the crust is set, the filling consists of eggs beaten with corn syrup, sugar, and butter until light and fluffy. Then, it’s poured over the crust and baked again until golden brown.
27. Slow-Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Slow-Cooker Cranberry Sauce is a delicious side dish for your holiday table. Just throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and return when it’s done!
You can make this as sweet or tart as you want with honey or apple cider vinegar.
Mix in some orange zest to give it that extra flavor. The ingredients to make this delicacy on the traditional Thanksgiving foods list are:
- Water.
- Sugar (or brown sugar).
- Cinnamon.
- Fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over.
- Honey (or apple cider vinegar).
- Zest from orange.
28. Sweet Potato Rolls
These rolls aren’t left out of this delicious traditional Thanksgiving food list. The directions to make:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked, mashed sweet potatoes with water, butter, sugar, eggs, and salt until fully mixed in; set aside.
- Combine flour, yeast, and spices in a large bowl.
- Mix well, then form the dough into a ball.
- Knead for about 5 minutes or until smooth and elasticity is achieved.
29. Sliced Sweet Potato Pie with Molasses Whipped Cream
The sweet potato pie with molasses whipped cream is a Southern dish that can be made easily at home.
First, bake the sweet potatoes whole, then scoop out the flesh and mash it. Add sugar and salt to taste, as well as butter, eggs, ginger, and cloves.
Also, you can add cinnamon or nutmeg if you like. Use your favorite pie crust recipe and spread it over the bottom of a pan before filling it with the mashed sweet potatoes.
Next, bake for about an hour or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the pie.
Lastly, let it cool before adding the whipped cream topping. Whip heavy cream until stiff. Then, fold in the confectioner’s sugar until thick but not stiff.
These are simple steps to create one of the delectable traditional Thanksgiving foods!
30. Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries
These are not excluded from our list of traditional Thanksgiving foods. They have some steps to follow, too!
They are:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wash squash thoroughly under cold water and cut it into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Combine squash, sorghum, cranberries, black walnuts, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl.
- Toss gently until well combined.
31. Skillet Caramel Apple Pie
Skillet Caramel Apple Pie is one of the numerous traditional Thanksgiving foods you can serve your guests!
To prepare this special pie, Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add sugar, stirring until caramelized.
Next, stir together with apples, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the apples are tender but not mushy.
After that, remove from heat and pour into a 9-inch pie plate lined with one of the prepared pie crusts.
You can also follow your favorite recipe for pie crusts by rolling out the dough and lining the dish with it. Then, top with the remaining crust (or use a lattice top), sealing the edges well.
32. Collard Greens with Garlic and Sippets
In the Southern United States, collard greens are traditionally cooked with a ham hock or bacon.
The meat is cooked first, and then the greens are added with some water to cover.
Collards must be boiled for about an hour until they’re soft enough to eat with a fork.
Also, this dish can be prepared by using water instead of stock and adding vinegar, sugar, and salt to taste. Still not sure which of the traditional Thanksgiving foods to serve your guests? There’s more coming up!
33. Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon
Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon is likewise one of the traditional Thanksgiving foods that will make your mouth water. It’s creamy and cheesy, and the bacon adds a salty component that completes this dish.
What’s more? The macaroni noodles are covered in a velvety béchamel sauce made from butter, flour, whole milk, salt, and pepper.
It has just the right amount of cheese to make it decadent but not overbearing. The bacon on top adds another dimension of flavor, being both crispy and salty.
34. Sweet Potato Rolls
One of the most popular traditional Thanksgiving foods is an old-fashioned sweet one: Sweet Potato Rolls.
These rolls are made with mashed sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon to give them a rich taste.
In addition, they’re fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, perfect for dipping in gravy or cranberry sauce.
The best part? You can make these rolls the day before your celebration, so they’re ready to be popped in the oven when needed!
35. Deep Fried Turkey with Creole Spices
This is a family recipe that I have been told has been passed down for generations. Deep-fried turkey with Creole spices is a Southern dish that will make your mouth water and your stomach growl. It is the ultimate way to celebrate this holiday season.
I am so excited to share this recipe with you because it is one of my favorite traditional Thanksgiving foods! If you want something new to try this Thanksgiving, this might be what you want!
36. Pumpkin Pie
The pumpkin pie is the star of every Thanksgiving dinner, and with good reason.
This traditional dessert contains various spices and flavors, including ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice.
The pumpkin pie is usually topped with whipped cream or a thick layer of cool, sweetened, condensed milk sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
Furthermore, the most popular recipe for this dish requires a 9-inch pie crust that is pre-baked.
After that, it is filled with homemade pumpkin puree mixed with sugar, eggs, milk, butter, salt, and vanilla extract.
Other recipes call for evaporated milk or half-and-half in place of whole milk. We aren’t done with our list of sumptuous traditional Thanksgiving foods. Read on!
37. Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots
What’s a Thanksgiving without some delicious vegetables? The carrots in this dish are seasoned with honey and cinnamon.
Then, they are glazed with a little butter to give them that perfect sweet-and-salty flavor. If you’re not feeling the whole carrot thing, try slicing up some parsnips or another root vegetable instead.
This recipe feeds four people as a side dish. This is one of the traditional Thanksgiving foods you shouldn’t miss out on!
38. Collard Greens with Garlic and Sippets
I’m sure this is the most underrated vegetable dish in American cuisine. The flavor is mild, but it’s one of those perfect dishes when looking for something light.
Collard greens can be tough to find, but I have a recipe for them. It’s all about the garlic and snippets!
These are great options if you are looking for amazingly awesome traditional Thanksgiving foods that will satisfy your guests’ palates!
39. Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon
We are still on this list of traditional Thanksgiving foods. Macaroni and cheese is a dish that will never go out of style.
It’s creamy, comforting, and can be made with bacon to add a smoky flavor.
To make this dish, you’ll need elbow macaroni, butter, flour, salt, pepper (add more spices if desired), milk, or cream (or both!).
Also, you’ll need sharp cheddar cheese (or any other cheese), bacon bits (optional), and breadcrumbs.
Directions: Start making a roux by melting the butter in a pot. Next, stir in the flour until it forms a paste-like consistency.
Then, add the salt and pepper and cook for about two minutes on low heat. Lastly, add the milk or cream and whisk until mixed in completely.
40. Fluffy Corn Pudding
The quintessential Southern corn pudding is made from yellow or white cornmeal, buttermilk, whole milk, and butter. The resulting dish is a velvety, creamy side perfect for the holidays.
A step-by-step recipe for Fluffy Corn Pudding, which is equally one of the traditional Thanksgiving foods:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
- Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Whisk together eggs and sugar in a large bowl until they blend well.
- Add in milk and continue whisking until sugar dissolves.
- Add the cornmeal, salt, baking powder, and flour and mix thoroughly to form a thick batter.
41. Fried Arkansas Black Apples
The Arkansas black apple is a variety grown in the state for over 200 years.
This year, Arkansans will be able to fry them up with a spicy seasoning and dip them in an even spicier dipping sauce.
You’ll need the following to make this delicacy on our list of scrumptious traditional Thanksgiving foods: flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, water, and oil for frying.
The procedure: First, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Next, beat the eggs until light and fluffy. Then, add water gradually while whisking. Gradually stir in dry ingredients.
42. Grated Sweet Potato Pudding
Compared to other traditional Thanksgiving foods, this dessert recipe is a classic that never goes out of style.
It is a simple, easy-to-make dish that will be a favorite for everyone at your table.
All you need is a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and an oven to bake it in.
You have no problems with this one on the traditional Thanksgiving foods list!
43. Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing
Traditional Thanksgiving foods? Herby Pecan-cornbread dressing is one! To prepare:
- Place the onion, celery, and butter in a large skillet.
- Cook over medium-high heat until the vegetables are soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute or two.
- Add chicken stock, water, dried thyme, and parsley to the skillet and cornbread crumbs.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the pan with a lid and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes until the cornbread crumbs have absorbed all the liquid.
44. Spicy Cornbread Dressing with Chorizo
This recipe might sound unusual, but the bacon and chorizo add a delicious smoky flavor to the cornbread dressing.
The addition of jalapeno peppers will help bring some heat to your table. If you’re not worried about any more heat, you can always add in some cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Meanwhile, you’ll need to start this dish the day before so that it has enough time to cook and absorb all the flavors while baking.
If you don’t have time, use store-bought cornbread mix instead! We can’t discuss the traditional Thanksgiving foods you can serve guests without mentioning this special one!
45. Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
To make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce, one of the traditional Thanksgiving foods, combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer until the cranberries pop, about 10 minutes. Allow the sauce to cool before storing it in jars or containers with lids.
Refrigerate for up to one month or freeze for up to six months. It’s time for the feast! As you have probably already guessed, many traditional Thanksgiving foods are quintessentially Thanksgiving dinners.
They include sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, stuffing (though often not prepared in a bird), creamed corn…the list goes on.
If you don’t want to take on the overwhelming task of cooking everything from scratch this year, stock your fridge with some frozen items.
These will allow you enough time to assemble a filling dinner after work or school is done!
46. Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
This one-pot dish is an easy and healthy way to get your fiber and vitamin A. It’s also a great option if you’re trying to make a vegetarian dish or keep things dairy-free.
- Sweet potato, peeled and cubed.
- Water.
- Unsweetened almond milk (or another non-dairy milk).
- White miso paste (optional).
- Maple syrup or honey (optional).
To make these traditional Thanksgiving foods, Cook the potatoes in the Instant Pot with water on high pressure for five minutes.
Before opening the lid, allow the pressure to release naturally after the cooking time is up.
Then, add the remaining ingredients and mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy.
47. Smothered Green Beans
There are many traditional Thanksgiving foods you can serve at dinner. Green beans are a staple at Thanksgiving and for a good reason.
They’re one of the only vegetables that can take on many flavors and stay crispy. Also, it’s relatively easy to cook them on the stovetop, in the oven, or in a deep fryer with just a few minutes of prep time.
48. Gravy
Gravy is the foundation for many traditional Thanksgiving foods. It can be served as a side dish or topped with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green beans.
The key ingredients are panning drippings from cooked meat, flour or cornstarch, and milk. Add seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.
The gravy can be boiled or simmered for hours to make it rich and flavorful. When the gravy is done, let it cool before pouring it on your favorite dishes!
49. Baked Corn Casserole
Do you want the best traditional Thanksgiving foods that are tasty and highly nourishing? This article has you covered.
The perfect side dish for any Thanksgiving dinner, this corn casserole is easy to make and even easier to eat! Ingredients are:
- Cream-style corn.
- Eggs, beaten.
- Milk.
- Butter or margarine melted (optional).
The instructions to make: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Next, grease an 8×8 baking dish. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well blended.
Lastly, pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
50. Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole
Making a make-ahead sweet potato casserole is one of the easiest things to prepare for Thanksgiving.
This dish is delicious, and your guests will never know it was made beforehand! So why not try this specialty on the list of traditional Thanksgiving foods?
Moving on, you’ll need grated sweet potatoes, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and eggs. To begin with, mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Then, pour the mixture into a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish. Finally, bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until the top slightly browns.
51. Texas Pecan Pie
A traditional Texas Pecan Pie is typically made with a buttery crust filled with pecans, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
Sometimes, it’s also flavored with bourbon or whiskey. While the pie can be served warm or cold, it tastes best at room temperature.
The filling should be rich but not too sweet. This pie is usually baked on a 9-inch plate and cut into 12 servings.
This is one of the traditional Thanksgiving foods, and the ingredients to make it are:
- All-purpose flour.
- Salt.
- Granulated sugar.
- Cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces.
- Chopped toasted pecans (or walnuts).
52. Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Roasting these vegetables will bring out their natural sugars and make them sweet and delicious. Roasted carrots are a favorite Thanksgiving dish because they are inexpensive, accessible, and easy to prepare.
To roast the carrots, peel off the outer skin with a vegetable peeler or knife. Next, cut the carrot in half lengthwise and place it onto a baking sheet with the flat side down.
Then, drizzle some olive oil over the top and toss so that all pieces are evenly coated. Bake for about an hour at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until tender but not soggy.
Serve as a side dish, or dip them into some roasted parsnips! Parsnips can be slightly more difficult to find than carrots, but their flavor is worth it!
So, if you are seeking traditional Thanksgiving foods that will make your guests return for more, these are perfect!
53. Chocolate Pudding Pie
If you’re looking for something a little different this year on this list of traditional Thanksgiving foods, try this chocolate pudding pie.
It’s easy to make, and everyone loves it. Preparation: Melt the chocolate chips and butter together in the microwave or on the stovetop until smooth.
Next, add sugar and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Add the egg mixture to the melted chocolate and stir until everything is well combined.
Afterward, pour into an unbaked pie crust sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper (or use a pre-made crust). Finally, bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until set in the center but still soft.
54. Hot Cranberry Bake
Lastly, the Hot Cranberry Bake is on our list of delectable traditional Thanksgiving foods. The instructions to make this delicacy:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Add the sweetened condensed milk and the cranberry sauce to the apple mixture, stirring until thoroughly mixed.
Pour the apple mixture into an 8×8-inch square baking dish and top with vanilla wafers or graham crackers cut into small pieces.
Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned on top and bubbling around the edges of your baking dish (or, if desired, broil for 1-2 minutes to give it a crispier texture). This winds up the list of delicious traditional Thanksgiving foods!
