Recipes
All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Preparing and hosting a literal feast is hard enough without scouring the internet for the best Thanksgiving recipes—so we’ve done the work for you. From classic roast turkey, cranberry sauce, and marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes to modern sides and desserts, this collection has everything you need to build the perfect Thanksgiving dinner menu.
If turkey is nonnegotiable, you’ll find roasted, grilled, and smoked options here, along with guides on turkey cooking times and turkey carving. Prefer a vegetarian Thanksgiving? We’ve got menus for that too. Of course, no holiday table is complete without the real stars: Our top-line Thanksgiving side dishes include buttery dinner rolls for soaking up gravy, tangy green beans, and golden cornbread stuffing.
We didn’t forget about holiday cocktails, appetizers, or desserts either—our pies, cakes, and other sweets ensure the meal ends on a high note. And when the day is done, our turkey leftover recipes guarantee more than just sandwiches. Ready to plan your ultimate Thanksgiving? Let’s dig in.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling Tim Ferro
Recipes Maple-Butter-Glazed Turkey
“My kids told me to stop trying new methods,” lamented one holiday fussbudget. But “everyone said this was the best turkey they ever had.” The victor went on: “I didn’t realize until serving how much deconstructing the turkey ahead of time reduces stress levels when carving—it is SO much easier.” Watch food director Chris Morocco make it here.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi
Recipes Simple Is Best Stuffing
This easy stuffing recipe is flavored with the melodic combo of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. It’ll be a staple at your Thanksgiving feast for years to come.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
Recipes Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
We love traditional pumpkin pie as much as the next holiday-starved food obsessive. But eating this lighter-than-air alternative is like biting into a pumpkin-spiced cloud.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni
Recipes Almost-Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Lean into nostalgia with this marshmallow-topped side dish; it’s an American classic for a reason. We call her “Almost” because the cornflakes add inspired crunch. Feel free to go all in on one topping or the other.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriot
Recipes Best-Ever Apple Pie
This is not your average apple pie. Reducing the liquid from macerated apples with apple cider and a vanilla bean makes a syrup that delivers huge flavor to the filling. Looking for more intel? Read all about the best apples for apple pie.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman
Recipes BA’s Best Mac and Cheese
This homemade macaroni and cheese is our Platonic ideal: Deeply cheesy and creamy, with a crunchy, flavor-packed panko topping. But maybe you like an extra gooey version? Or one that’s all crispy edges. We each have our proclivities.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
Recipes Expertly Spiced and Glazed Roast Turkey
If you’re willing to forgo the big roast turkey presentation, you can’t do better than this Thanksgiving recipe. Breaking down the bird into parts allows you to cook everything on a sheet pan with ease and ensures each section cooks to its optimal doneness.
Photograph by Joe Lingeman, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco
Recipes Tadka Turkey and Gravy
Thanks to its high smoke point, ghee is an ideal fat for basting Thanksgiving turkey; pair the golden bird with both tadka (a spiced clarified butter sauce) and peppery gravy for maximum flavor boost.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni, gravy boats by Base Ceramics
Recipes Make-Ahead Gravy
If you loathe the idea of the gravy being the last thing you do before serving, let this pre-made turkey gravy recipe give you some peace of mind.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht
Recipes BA’s Best Pecan Pie
In this rendition of the Thanksgiving dinner favorite, we focused on the things that matter most: the deep flavor of toasted pecans, a caramelly custard, and the flakiest, most buttery pie crust ever.
Photograph by Aaron Barton, food styling by Drew Aichele, prop styling by Alexandra Massillon
Recipes Colossal Crème Brûlée
This oversized crème brûlée can easily steal the spotlight on your Thanksgiving dessert spread, so pies: be warned. Since it’s served in one big dish, there’s no fussing over individual ramekins.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks
Recipes Rice Pilaf With Lemony Brown-Butter Mushrooms
Caramelized mushrooms turn this classic rice pilaf into something so much more. If you want to bulk it up for the Thanksgiving table, nestle in planks of feta and toss some extra fresh herbs on top.
Photograph by Jenny Huang, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Martha Bernabe
Recipes Sweet Potato Tian
Thin rounds of sweet potato—not yam!—baked until tender and crispy-edged in a warming five-spice brown butter might be our new favorite way to serve this holiday favorite.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards
Recipes Cinnamon Apple Crumb Pie
“I make this recipe all the time,” declared one maker of this absolute showstopper. “It is definitely my favorite pie of all time!” Another deemed it “superb!” And said it was “visually beautiful and [they] would be making this [their] go-to apple pie recipe.” Want to find out what they’re on about? You gotta click through.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley, Food Styling by Thu Buser
Recipes Upside-Down Cornbread
This surprising side is a reinvented take on classic cornbread, with salty cheddar cheese in the batter, a caramel corn topping, and hot honey butter for a finishing touch.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea
Recipes Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow Whip
Marshmallows and sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving power couple. So it makes perfect sense to add marshmallow creme to the whipped cream topping. It lends body and sweetness while complementing the spiced filling.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
Recipes Cranberry Orange Sauce With Cinnamon
Bright citrus and warming cinnamon are the complements cranberries look for this time of year, and navel oranges conveniently come into season just in time for the holiday. What’s even better is that this cranberry sauce can be made and refrigerated up to a week in advance.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni
Recipes Smoked Turkey With Spicy BBQ Rub
Looking for some new ideas for your Thanksgiving meal? Consider the smoker. Cooking your turkey outdoors has some serious benefits—freeing up precious oven space, for one. Not to mention, the smoker transforms the dry brine into a fabulous “bark,” imbuing a notoriously bland bird with big BBQ flavor.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
Recipes Cornbread Dressing With Sausage and Corn Nuts
Finely ground corn nuts pump up the flavor in this atypical cornbread dressing, which is laced with sage-rich breakfast sausage, jalapeños, and herbs. You may never go back to your old recipe again.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi
Recipes Hot Spiced Apple Cider
Simmering store-bought apple cider with spices concentrates its flavor and sweetness, so there’s no need for additional sweetener. Serve with a big ladle and bottles of bourbon and rum alongside for folks to spike as they wish.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Gerri Williams
Recipes Buttery Milk Buns
These fluffy buns combine the classic folded-over shape of Parker House Rolls and the pillowy texture of a milk bread dough—perfect for your holiday table.
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio
Recipes Tahdig With Cranberries and Herbs
Dress up the classic Persian crispy rice dish with cranberries and woody herbs for a festive feel. Saffron gives it a vibrant yellow color.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca
Recipes Brussels Sprouts Stir-Fry With Cheddar and Golden Raisins
This speedy side has a lot going on. Sweet and sour pickled raisins cut through the earthy savoriness of brussels sprouts, shaved sharp cheddar lends nutty flavors, and lemon zest keeps everything bright.
Alex Lau
Recipes Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Brown butter and rosemary are a timeless pairing for mashed roasted sweet potatoes that never fails. Either make your own breadcrumbs or use store-bought to save time.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Suzie Myers
Recipes Pumpkin Spice Crumb Cake
This fun addition to your Thanksgiving menu is half brown sugar streusel, half spiced pumpkin cake, and all kinds of delicious. Using canned pumpkin purée makes it a breeze.
Recipes Pull-Apart Sour Cream and Chive Rolls
Looking to impress? Take it from one reviewer of these pillowy dinner rolls: “This is probably the most professional-tasting thing that ever came out of my kitchen.” It’s simply one of our best Thanksgiving recipes. Need flavor options? How about Squishy Garlic Dill Rolls?
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
Recipes Squash and Radicchio Salad With Pecans
Big shavings of Parmesan cheese ground this butternut squash and radicchio salad with savory punch, while toasted nuts add crunch, and an orange-mustard dressing offers sweetness and spice. Too many pecans on the menu? Trade them for walnuts, hazelnuts, or pistachios.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop styling by Sophie Leng
Recipes Chorizo and Calabrian Chile Stuffing
Spicy-tangy Mexican-style chorizo and a handful of fiery fermented chiles bring subtle heat to this stuffing, keeping things interesting in between bites of roast turkey and green bean casserole.
Recipes Grilled Vinegar Turkey With Chiles and Rosemary
Free up oven space by taking your turkey outside. Grilled in halves for optimal maneuverability, the bird is brushed with a zippy chile-spiked vinegar sauce. It might not be a traditional Thanksgiving dish, but it sure will be good.