Food Holidays & Occasions Thanksgiving 26 Thanksgiving Recipes Our Editors Make Every Year We've tested hundreds of Thanksgiving recipes over the years and these are our favorites. By Sean Flynn Sean Flynn Sean Flynn has spent the past 17 years working across digital, print, broadcast, and radio, covering food and drink, travel, architecture, and immigration. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Edible, Afar, Travel + Leisure, and Condé Nast Traveler, among others. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on November 21, 2023 Close Photo: Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer & John Somerall / Prop Styling by Christine Keely If you're anything like us, planning for your Thanksgiving spread starts days (sometimes weeks) in advance. And after trying out many successful, and some unsuccessful, recipes, we've narrowed down a list of our absolute favorites that always make an appearance at our holiday tables. These are the Thanksgiving recipes our editors swear by. 01 of 26 Citrus-and-Butter Turkey © Nicole Franzen The recipe holds a secret tip for the crispiest turkey skin you'll find, and it's guaranteed to be a go-to for years to come. The trick? Butter-soaked cheesecloth that's draped over the bird while roasting. The addition of three different citrus fruits makes for a bright and moist bird that's packed with flavor. Get the Recipe 02 of 26 Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Photo by Noah Fecks / Food Styling by Drew Aichele / Prop Styling by Ethan Lunkenheimer No one can resist perfectly baked mac and cheese that's creamy, rich, ooey-gooey, super cheesy, with those crispy browned cheese edges — and this recipe delivers. Get the Recipe 03 of 26 Anthony Bourdain's 'Mashed Potatoes, Kind of Robuchon-Style' Diana Chistruga Anthony Bourdain’s version of chef Joël Robuchon's famous mashed potatoes is even creamier than the original — and it comes together in just an hour. Get the Recipe 04 of 26 Cranberry-Walnut Stuffing Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Prissy Lee Tart cranberries and toasted walnuts add flavor and a crunch to this crowd-pleasing holiday side dish. Rustic hunks of toasted bread form the backbone of this stuffing; a buttery sautéed mixture of onion, celery, herbs, and cooked sausage fills it out with rich flavor. Get the Recipe 05 of 26 Potatoes au Gratin Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Kay Clarke This elegant take on au gratin potatoes features red potatoes, onions, and two types of melty cheese. Get the Recipe 06 of 26 Simple Smoked Turkey Marcus Nilsson Smoking a turkey yields juicy and tender meat. The keys to success are seasoning the bird with a dead-simple saltwater brine, then controlling the temperature of the smoker for even cooking. The added bonus of smoking the Thanksgiving turkey? It frees up the oven for sides and pies. Get the Recipe 07 of 26 Herb-Scented Mashed Potatoes Con Poulos To make these creamy, rich, and delicious potatoes, steep fresh rosemary, sage, and garlic in a combination of milk and cream, then add that fragrant mixture into boiled and riced potatoes. To take it to the next level, brush the mashed potatoes with butter and broil before serving, creating a deliciously light and crispy potato crust on top. Get the Recipe 08 of 26 Roasted Carrots with Preserved Lemons and Dates Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Fresh herbs, two kinds of citrus, and a honey-za'atar vinaigrette give this charred carrot salad bright flavors. Get the Recipe 09 of 26 Shredded Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Ali Ramee / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis Shredded brussels sprouts become delightfully caramelized in the oven, then get taken to the next level when tossed with Parmesan. Get the Recipe 10 of 26 Roast Turkey with Chestnut-Apple Stuffing © Con Poulos This classic turkey is rubbed with an aromatic shallot-sage butter, then stuffed with a nutty chestnut-apple stuffing. It's the perfect blend of savory and sweet, and is guaranteed to be a hit. Get the Recipe 11 of 26 Best-Ever Turkey Gravy Victor Protasio This simple, silky-smooth gravy stays lump-free with a trick of loosening the roux with a splash of broth before whisking it into the pot. Get the Recipe 12 of 26 Chocolate Pecan Pie with Bourbon Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen This is a pie that has it all. Fragrant toasted pecans, rich chocolate, and caramel-y bourbon come together in harmony for a beautifully balanced dessert. Get the Recipe 13 of 26 Deep-Fried Turkey Brined in Cayenne and Brown Sugar Petrina Tinslay Make this beautifully moist, crispy deep-fried turkey recipe and you may never roast your bird again. Get the Recipe 14 of 26 Port-Cranberry Sauce © William Meppem In this version of cranberry sauce, the sweet-tartness of the cranberries is enhanced with the addition of port, orange juice, and orange zest. Get the Recipe 15 of 26 Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli with Cranberry Agrodolce Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Prissy Lee A quick, high-temperature oven roast yields crispy, golden brown brussels sprouts and almost-charred, smoky broccoli — and the dish comes together in less than 30 minutes. Get the Recipe 16 of 26 Spatchcocked Smoked Turkey Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer & John Somerall / Prop Styling by Christine Keely Sweet, tangy, and succulent thanks to Rodney Scott's smoky dry rub and spicy mopping sauce, this turkey is easy to tackle. Get the Recipe 17 of 26 Chocolate Pie Julia Hartbeck This chocolate pie is a favorite, no matter the time of year. So it only makes sense to bring out this crowd-pleaser for Thanksgiving. It's a simple, cozy recipe that can be dressed up for extra flare. Get the Recipe 18 of 26 Red Skin Potato Mash Julia Hartbeck No need to peel potatoes here! Keeping the skin intact gives this fluffy, creamy potato mash a nice added crunch alongside thinly sliced scallions. Get the Recipe 19 of 26 Pecan Pie Bars Julia Hartbeck Pecan pie bars have all the virtues of pecan pie without the need to roll out a crust — and we're here for any ways to save on steps this Thanksgiving. Plus, you can cut them as you like and serve them as part of a dessert spread. Get the Recipe 20 of 26 Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Onions with Mushroom Lardons David Malosh A duo of alliums — shallots and pearl onions — become irresistibly sweet when roasted, making them the ideal partner to slightly bitter brussels sprouts. Bacon, the usual star in recipes like this, is replaced with lardons made from king oyster mushrooms, making this an ideal vegetarian side dish that even meat lovers will enjoy. Get the Recipe 21 of 26 Roasted Beets and Charred Green Beans Eva Kolenko Top Chef star, Kristen Kish, pairs roasted beets and cast-iron-charred haricots verts with vinegar and hearty herbs (oregano and thyme) to make this salad. It is an homage to the jarred pickled beets and green bean salad she ate as a kid. Get the Recipe 22 of 26 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Stuffing David Malosh Swiss chard lends a pleasant earthiness to this hearty stuffing; meaty chestnuts add texture and richness. Choose high-quality crusty bread for this recipe to ensure a fluffy texture and crisp top. Get the Recipe 23 of 26 Whole Roasted Carrots with Garlic © FREDRIKA STJÃRNE Simple, yet delicious, this whole-roasted carrot recipe can be made for any occasion and is the perfect pairing for Thanksgiving dinner where rich dishes usually take center stage. Get the Recipe 24 of 26 Brussels Sprouts with Bacon © Bobby Fisher Thick, meaty slab bacon turns these brussels sprouts into a hearty side; the spritz of lemon juice at the end adds brightness. Get the Recipe 25 of 26 Green Beans with Cremini Mushroom Sauce © William Meppem This green bean casserole has been a favorite in the Food & Wine Test Kitchen for over 20 years for a reason. First published in 2001, this simple recipe uses cremini mushrooms for an added level of savory flavor. Get the Recipe 26 of 26 Classic Pumpkin Pie © Frances Janisch A must at every Thanksgiving table, this Classic Pumpkin Pie recipe is the perfect way to end your meal. It's simple and delicious, and the pie crust recipe can be used for a variety of different pies. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit