In this post I’ll be sharing over 50 of my Best Southern Thanksgiving Recipes!
It’s that time of year, Friends! It is a great time to start planning your traditional Southern Thanksgiving menu for your family’s holiday meal.
Well…as it turns out, I happen to be somewhat of an expert on the Southern Thanksgiving meal. It is my favorite meal of the year. I love every part of it from planning the menu, cooking all of the food and fellowshipping with my friends and family around the dining room table.
Thanksgiving is an important tradition for me and I’ve vowed to make it an annual gathering for the family just as my grandmother did before me.
Southern Thanksgiving Menu
What is a typical Southern Thanksgiving dinner? Traditionally the Southern Thanksgiving meal will consist of turkey, cornbread dressing, a potato dish, a vegetable side, plenty of deviled eggs and dessert options.
There is usually an abundance of food and you’ll want to sample every bit of it. The baked macaroni and cheese is always a favorite dish and you would have to fight me to keep me away from the old fashioned soul food sweet potato pie.
You can count on eating leftovers for a few days after this delicious feast of food. Bellies will be full, laughter will fill the air and somebody will be nodding off for a nap.
Southern Thanksgiving Dinner
Cornbread dressing would likely rank as the most popular side dish at Thanksgiving. Deviled eggs are also a must and it is an unwritten law that you’ll have them or else.
I’m not sure how serious that unwritten law is but I have never risked it and always make a double batch of deviled eggs.
Traditional Southern Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Planning your holiday meal menu is really simple. To begin it depends on how many you’ll be serving dinner to so you can plan for enough food, although that is rarely an issue at Thanksgiving. It is more difficult not to make too much food. So, will you be having a small Thanksgiving dinner or a big one?
I’ve got you covered with plenty of delicious options no matter what size you gathering will be.
Plan out your cooking over several days so that you do not get over-whelmed. This is a big meal and if you’re cooking it yourself then you’ll need a few days.
What Will I Find in this Recipe Collection?
Southern Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes
Southern Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
Thanksgiving Main Course Options
Southern Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
So now that you mouth is watering thinking about all of this delicious food, let’s get to the Best Southern Thanksgiving Recipes, shall we? There is a printable recipe card for each recipe.
Best Traditional Southern Thanksgiving Recipes
Planning your Southern Thanksgiving menu will be a breeze with this collection of traditional Southern Thanksgiving recipes. Each one is tried and true delicious.
Southern Thanksgiving Appetizers
Have a few tasty bites available for your family and guests is always a good idea as they wait on the big meal. Not too many though! You don't want everyone pigging out and risking not eating that delicious dinner you've been working on for days.
Everything Bagel Cheese Log
A delicious and flavorful cheese log appetizer coated in everything but the bagel seasoning.
Southern Fire Crackers Recipe
Southern fire crackers are saltines marinated in a ranch and spice mix. These amazing spicy crackers are delicious as party appetizers or a snack.
Easy Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Sausage balls are an easy and delicious appetizer that is a favorite at special occasion gatherings
Spicy Sausage Tarts
Spicy Sausage Tarts are an easy and delicious appetizer with a creamy savory filling with crunchy phyllo shells...the perfect finger food for any occasion.
Holiday Brie en Croûte
Baked Brie en Croute with fresh cranberry sauce is an easy and elegant holiday appetizer
Southern Jezebel Sauce and Cream Cheese Appetizer
A sweet and spicy sauce that is the South's favorite condiment. Use it for appetizers, dipping or cooking!
Southern Grape Jelly Meatball Appetizers
Grape jelly meatballs are a Southern classic party food. Guests love them.
Southern Thanksgiving Side Dishes
We all know that the side dishes are the real star of the Thanksgiving meal. Sorry, Turkey!
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Southern homemade cornbread dressing, the official side dish of the holiday table
Aunt Betty's Famous Ham Dressing Casserole
Y'all will love my Aunt Betty's signature holiday dish of Ham Dressing.
Julia's Southern Potato Salad
Creamy and delicious old fashioned Southern style potato salad with a tangy mayonnaise mustard dressing.
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole is the sinfully delicious side dish everyone will love. Serve it on occasion as a special treat or for holiday meals
Green Olive Potato Salad Recipe
Delicious potato salad side dish with green olives and pimentos rather than the traditional pickle versions.
Country Green Beans
Classic Southern green beans cooked with ham and potatoes are a favorite side dish
Ultimate Green Bean Casserole
The ultimate delicious green bean casserole for holiday gatherings and celebrations
Tangy Green Bean Bundles
Tangy green beans bundles are an easy and elegant side dish for family meals and holidays.
Green Beans with Mushrooms
Fresh green beans and mushroom side dish recipe with garlic and a tasty sauce, perfect for family dinners or holidays
Southern Candied Yams | Sweet Potatoes
Candied yams are a Southern classic. This side dish is delicious for family meals as well as a holiday tradition.
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
A delicious sweet and creamy sweet potato casserole side dish that is perfect for holiday meals.
Easy Crock Pot Creamed Corn Recipe
Rich and delicious creamed corn made easily in the slow cooker for an amazing side dish.
Southern Corn Pudding
Delicious classic sweet and savory Southern corn pudding casserole is the perfect side dish for family and holiday meals.
Classic Southern Broccoli Casserole
Classic recipe for easy broccoli casserole that is creamy, cheesy and delicious with a butter cracker topping.
Pineapple Casserole
Baked Pineapple Casserole is an old fashioned recipe, just like grandma used to make. Some consider it the perfect side dish with ham, while others may call it a dessert.
Watergate Salad - The Green Stuff
Classic Watergate Salad, a sweet side dish that is popular at gatherings.
Southern Ambrosia Coconut Salad
Southern Ambrosia Coconut Salad is a true classic at holiday gatherings, luncheons and other special occasions.
Sausage and Pear Stuffing
Sausage Pear Stuffing with Pecans is the perfect addition to your holiday menu
Whipping Cream Biscuits
Light, airy, and slightly sweet whipping cream biscuits are the perfect bread option for holiday meals.
Baked Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Easy sweet potato side dish prepared Hasselback style and oven roasted.
Southern Style Collard Greens
Southern Style Collard Greens are a savory soul food meal and a new year's day tradition throughout the South.
Basic Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Easy recipe for a basic homemade cranberry sauce to accompany your holiday meal
Thanksgiving Main Course Option
While turkey is customary at Thanksgiving it is not the only option for a delicious holiday main course.
Glazed Ham with a Honey Orange Glaze
Southern style holiday ham with a delicious honey orange glaze. This glaze adds just the right touch and is not sweet blending perfectly with the smokiness of the ham.
Crock Pot Turkey Breast Recipe
Delicious juicy turkey on a smaller scale for holiday meals with this bone in turkey breast cooked in your Crock Pot.
Slow Cooker Ham & Pineapple Glaze
Easy slow cooker ham recipe with a pineapple cooking glaze. This delicious ham recipe is perfect for family meals or small holiday gatherings.
Grilled Turkey Breast
An easy grilled bone in turkey breast that is moist and delicious, perfect for intimate holiday gatherings.
Roasted Turkey Breast Tenderloin
Delicious, tender and juicy roasted turkey tenderloins are great for family meals and smaller holiday gatherings. Turkey tenderloins are perfect for Thanksgiving for 2 with plenty leftover for delicious turkey sandwiches.
Breaded Turkey Breast Cutlets
Have an easy turkey dinner using boneless turkey breast cutlets, pan fried and delicious.
Pork Roast with Orange Sauce
A delicious and juicy marinated pork roast with a fresh orange sauce. This is an easy main course for weekday meals and elegant enough for holidays.
Herb and Garlic Boneless Pork Roast
A simple and elegant crusted pork roast with herbs and garlic, easy enough for weeknight meals and special enough for the holiday table.
Southern Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
Here are a few options for your holiday sweet tooth.
Frosty Cranberry Pie Recipe
A frosted cranberry pie is a delicious no bake holiday dessert that is made with just a few simple ingredients.
Hummingbird Cake
Classic scratch made Southern Hummingbird Cake is an old fashioned favorite in the South with it's unique mix of pineapple, banana, pecans and rich cream cheese frosting.
Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
Classic banana pudding from scratch with a delicious vanilla custard layered with bananas and vanilla wafers
Apple Pie Pinwheels
A simple elegant dessert of apple pie pinwheels served with ice cream and caramel sauce
Holiday Cranberry Apple Bake
If you need a break from rich holiday desserts, this cranberry apple bake is perfect. A sweet and tart crisp with festive colorful fruits that is delicious warm or chilled.
Pecan Pie Bubble Up
Pecan pie bubble up is an easy dessert for a crowd. With delicious classic flavors of pecan pie combined with refrigerated cinnamon rolls, this dessert is sure to satisfy those sweet tooth cravings.
No Bake Pumpkin PIe
An easy no bake pumpkin pie dessert that is perfect for holidays or anytime of the year.
This this recipe for Coca Cola Glazed Ham from South Your Mouth.
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Thank you so much for stopping by! I’m so glad that you did. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving. May your holidays be filled with happiness and love!
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Meet Julia
Author of Julia's Simply Southern
About Julia
Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Carlee
Thursday 12th of November 2020
These all look so good, I want to try them all!
Julia Jordan
Saturday 14th of November 2020
That would be a wonderful feast and I'd help ya taste everything!