As you're reading this, we're probably packed into the car, driving to my sister's house in Virginia for our annual Thanksgiving week. The backseat is loaded with snacks and table decor, Kip is curled up and very suspicious that we're on our way to the vet (we're not), and the whole trip already feels like the start of the holiday. Actually, my mom always says this road trip feels so festive, and thankfully, there's no snow in the forecast.

Once we all pile into my sister's house, things get loud fast: my nieces and nephew pop into the kitchen, last-minute groceries need to be purchased, and everyone is excited about the week to come. It's a little chaotic, but that's exactly what I love about this time: the stories we've told a hundred times, the familiar recipes we can't skip, and the new ones that just might become tradition.

However your Thanksgiving looks this year, whether it's a big crowd, small gathering, or something in between, I hope you have a table filled with good food and people you love (pets absolutely count, so Kip says hello 🐾).

If your menu isn't quite set, or you're still looking for "just one more side" or a showstopper dessert, I've pulled together some of my go-to Thanksgiving recipes for you.

Scroll down to click through, save your favorites, and round out your Thanksgiving menu with dishes you'll be excited to serve.

Turkey Recipes

Turkey roulade with apple & sage A brand new recipe this year from my 2025 holiday guide! Get the recipe

Cowboy butter turkey Juicy, golden centerpiece with lemon, garlic, and herbs. Get the recipe

• ​Orange spiced turkey​
• ​Classic dry-brine turkey​
• ​Turkey roulade with bacon and kale stuffing​
• ​Citrus dry-brine turkey​
• And make sure to make the cranberry marmalade​

Side Dish Recipes

Caramelized onion & croissant stuffing Caramelized onions and croissants make for a stuffing with buttery flavor. Get the recipe

Parmesan roasted Brussels sprouts A crispy side dish with Parmesan crumbs and tangy vinaigrette. Get the recipe

• ​Cheese, bacon, and sausage stuffing​
• ​Garlic butter Hasselback potatoes​
• ​Cauliflower au gratin​
• ​Traditional stuffing​
• ​Homemade green bean casserole​
• ​Easy sweet potato casserole​
• ​Apple and sausage cornbread stuffing​
• ​Stuffed acorn squash casserole​
• ​Easy slow cooker stuffing​
• ​Corn spoon bread​
• ​Grandma Alice's mashed potatoes – a fan favorite!
• ​Roasted carrots with dates and pistachios​
• ​Cranberry relish​
• ​Cranberry sauce​

Salad Recipes

Pecan, apple & sweet potato salad Roasted sweet potatoes, apples, and pecans in a tangy vinaigrette. Get the recipe

Wild rice & pear salad Pears, candied pecans, and citrus dressing in a festive recipe. Get the recipe

• ​Apple cider quinoa kale salad​
• ​Fig, walnut, and squash kale salad​
• ​Hearty kale salad with lentils and pears​

Bread Recipes

The best buttermilk biscuits Fluffy, golden buttermilk biscuits with perfect flaky layers. Get the recipe

Honey oat dinner rolls Soft dinner rolls with sweet honey and hearty oats. Get the recipe

• ​Brown butter jalapeño cornbread​
• ​Herb and cheese popovers​
• ​Butterhorns – the ones my mom and grandma always made

Dessert Recipes

French silk pie A silk chocolate filling topped with light whipped cream and chocolate curls. Get the recipe

Burnt Basque pumpkin cheesecake When you combine Basque cheesecake and pumpkin, you get something magical. Get the recipe

• ​Cranberry tart – a new one this year from my holiday guide!
• ​Pumpkin pie with chocolate crust​
• ​Classic apple pie​
• ​Pecan pie bars – like a pecan pie without the pie part!
• ​Pumpkin roll​
• ​Chocolate bourbon pecan pie​
• ​Frozen pumpkin cheesecake​
• ​Pumpkin pie cookies​
• ​Caramel apple pie​
• ​Pumpkin pudding pie​
• ​Simple pecan pie​
• ​Classic pumpkin pie​

I hope you and your family have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!