This is homestyle comfort food at its best!
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Nobody does a traditional Thanksgiving dinner better than they do in the South. With comfort foods, soulful side dishes, and show-stopping Thanksgiving pies, it's no wonder so many families look forward to preparing a Southern Thanksgiving menu. In the South, planning for Thanksgiving usually consists of turkey and ham with all the fixin's, including cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, and sweet potato pie. Sometimes, you'll find Thanksgiving side dishes like collard greens and corn pudding; other times, you'll see potluck recipes like deviled eggs and buttermilk biscuits. But no matter which recipes you choose, you can count on The Pioneer Woman to help you create a Southern-style holiday meal.
Not sure where to begin? Start with the traditional dishes that you know your family will love: candied sweet potatoes, okra recipes, or mac and cheese. And while these Southern comfort foods are practically required, we're also making space on the table for new, original recipes featuring Southern ingredients like air fryer okra, pecan pie bars, and Ree Drummond's twist on cornbread made with bacon and cheddar 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.
1
Sweet Potato Pie
Silky, sweet, and loaded with warm spices—this Southern favorite gets a fun new spin when topped with bourbon-spiked whipped cream!
Get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe.
2
Collard Greens
Stewed collard greens are typically cooked with bacon fat or ham hocks, but this variation uses smoked turkey legs for even more Thanksgiving flavor.
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
3
Buttermilk Ranch Angel Biscuits
Angel biscuits are basically a mash-up of buttermilk biscuits and yeast rolls, so they're light, fluffy, and buttery all at once. Plus, we've added ranch seasoning mix for that extra pop of flavor.
Get the Buttermilk Ranch Angel Biscuits recipe.
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4
Chicken Fried Turkey
Inspired by a Southern classic (chicken fried steak), this recipe uses thin turkey cutlets that are marinated in buttermilk, breaded, and fried. It's all served up with mashed potatoes and gravy!
Get the Chicken Fried Turkey recipe.
5
Sausage Dressing
Do you call it stuffing or dressing? In the South, there's only one right answer: dressing! But if you ask us, it doesn't matter what the name is as long as it's fluffy, savory, and loaded with sausage.
Get the Sausage Dressing recipe.
6
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.
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7
Maple Bacon Butter Fan Rolls
These warm dinner rolls are dripping with sweet and savory flavor. But the best part is, we used a supermarket shortcut to make them: frozen white bread dough!
Get the Maple Bacon Butter Fan Rolls recipe.
8
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.
9
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.
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10
Corn Soufflé
You might know this dish as corn spoonbread—it's a fluffy combination of corn kernels, creamed corn, sour cream, corn muffin mix, and jalapeño peppers for added spice.
Get the Corn Soufflé recipe.
11
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Everything about this recipe is simple and southern! All you need are slices of sweet potatoes and the most delicious warm spiced maple and bourbon glaze bake them with.
Get the Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe.
12
Maple-Rosemary Roast Turkey
This impressive main course is packed with seasonal flavor thanks to rosemary, orange peel, apples, and maple syrup. You'll receive all the ooh's and ahh's when you bring it to the table!
Get Ree's Maple-Rosemary Roast Turkey recipe.
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13
Jalapeño Cornbread
This crisp, golden cornbread gets an instant upgrade when you add slices of spicy jalapeño, but to take it one step further, there's also chili powder in the mix!
Get Ree's Jalapeño Cornbread recipe.
14
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
This is a simple Brussels sprouts recipe with a few hints of sweet and salty surprises. You'll love each bite with dried cranberries and bacon.
Get the Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts recipe.
15
Mushroom Gravy
Mushrooms give this gravy a satisfyingly meaty flavor, but if you also like your gravy creamy, you can always stir in two tablespoons of heavy cream at the end.
Get the Mushroom Gravy recipe.
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16
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Here's a fun way to switch up your typical mashed potatoes, while still staying true to your Southern roots. The sweet potato mash is cozy, comforting, and simple.
Get the Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
17
Pecan Sandies
Southern pecans make the best nutty cookies. They're rich, crumbly, and extra buttery.
Get the Pecan Sandies recipe.
18
Cajun Green Bean Casserole
Add a bit of Louisiana flavor with this twist on green bean casserole loaded with Cajun flair! It's definitely on the spicier side.
Get Ree's Cajun Green Bean Casserole recipe.
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19
Buttermilk Biscuits
These flaky, layered biscuits deserve a spot at the center of the table. Everyone will be reaching for them to scoop up all your turkey gravy.
Get the Buttermilk Biscuits recipe.
20
Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese
You oven and stovetop will be working overtime on Thanksgiving so why not make this mac and cheese in the Crock-Pot instead? It comes out warm, creamy, and cheesy every time.
Get the Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
