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This Southern Thanksgiving menu features classic recipes that no Thanksgiving dinner in the South would be complete without! From deep-fried turkey to comforting side dishes, we have it all. If it's your turn to host the Thanksgiving get-together, you can't go wrong with any of the recipes on this list!
Best Southern Thanksgiving Recipes
If it's your turn to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year, don't stress over the menu. These Southern classic recipes are tried and true, you can't go wrong!
Whether you live in the South, used to, or just enjoy comfort food, these recipes will leave you totally satisfied. From fried turkey to mac and cheese, we have it all!
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- Best Southern Thanksgiving Recipes
- Thanksgiving Menu Ideas For A Southern-Inspired Holiday Dinner
- 1. Green Bean Casserole
- 2. Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
- 3. Baked Mac and Cheese
- 4. Buttermilk Cornbread
- 5. Apple Pie
- 6. Deviled Eggs
- 7. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- 8. Potato Salad
- 9. Candied Yams
- 10. Corn Casserole
- 11. Collard Greens
- 12. Creamed Corn and Honey Cornbread
- 13. Butternut Squash Soup
- 14. Sausage Stuffing
- 15. Oyster Dressing (Oyster Stuffing)
- 16. Deep Fried Turkey
- 🤠More Southern Classics
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Southern Thanksgiving Menu: Candied Yams With Marshmallows (+ More Southern Classics!)
- IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric
- Instructions
- 💬 Reviews
Whether you're a pro at hosting Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties or giving it a try for the first time this year, you're sure to find my ultimate guide to planning Thanksgiving a help! Don't forget to safely thaw your holiday turkey early, too!
Thanksgiving Menu Ideas For A Southern-Inspired Holiday Dinner
These Thanksgiving recipes are Southern comfort food at its finest. You'll be lucky to have any leftovers with any of these dishes on the menu!
1. Green Bean Casserole
No Southern Thanksgiving menu is complete without a green bean casserole! Particularly one made using cream of mushroom soup and crispy fried onions.
This savory, cheesy, crunchy casserole is always a hit. Everyone will fight over who gets to take home the leftovers (if there are any)!
Bacon Cheddar Green Bean Casserole
Serve this amazing bacon cheddar green bean casserole for a tasty upgrade to the easy classic recipe that everyone is sure to love! The traditionally used cream of mushroom is enhanced with grated cheddar then topped with crisped bacon along with the fried onions - and it's so tasty!!
Check out this recipe
2. Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
One of my all-time favorite sides for any meal is also a fantastic side dish at any holiday table! It's exceptionally suited to serving with your Thanksgiving roasted turkey!!
Plus, no Southern-themed meal would be complete without these deliciously spiced sweet potatoes. Yum!
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern candied sweet potatoes are a traditional holiday side dish that kids and adults love because it almost tastes like dessert! The sweet potatoes are cooked until delectably tender in a sweet cinnamon and nutmeg syrup that is hard to resist. This classic recipe will surely make its way onto your list of holiday traditions.
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3. Baked Mac and Cheese
All mac and cheese is good mac and cheese, but nothing compares to baked Southern mac and cheese! It's ooey-gooey and cheesy inside but the top gets nice and brown for added texture.
This recipe features 3 kinds of cheese and heavy cream, so it's extra rich and indulgent!
Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This Southern baked macaroni and cheese is a wonderfully creamy and extra cheesy side dish that everyone will love! Made with a minimum of three kinds of cheese to make the best mac and cheese that is sure to be a family favorite! You'll be bringing it along to every potluck, cookout, and holiday!
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4. Buttermilk Cornbread
Buttermilk cornbread is a Southern classic year-round. It's great for sopping up gravy or scooping up mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving in particular!
The combination of buttermilk and sour cream keeps this cornbread delightfully moist. Add some butter and enjoy!
Sour Cream (and Buttermilk) Cornbread
Sour cream cornbread is a delicious and super moist side dish perfect for sharing with the family on any occasion! Once you make this homemade cornbread with sour cream, you will never want to use a cornbread mix again! The crispy golden edges and soft buttery center in this cornbread will have everyone wanting seconds!
Check out this recipe
5. Apple Pie
It's not uncommon to see an apple pie (or 2!) on a Southern Thanksgiving table. This apple pie is made with fresh Granny Smith apples and homemade apple pie spice!
Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla Blue Bell ice cream for a true Southern experience.
Granny Smith Apple Pie
My granny smith apple pie is chock full of freshly sliced apples, rich brown sugar, and homemade apple pie spice for a truly unforgettable dessert! This classic, fall favorite pie tastes great any time of the year! Don't worry about mushy apples or soggy crust, this recipe is fool-proof!
Check out this recipe
6. Deviled Eggs
People call deviled eggs an appetizer but in the South, they are a well-loved part of the meal! Every plate will have a few stacked on top of their piles of turkey and potatoes.
You can't go wrong with this classic deviled eggs recipe. Trust me, you'll want to make extra!
Deviled Eggs
These deviled eggs are a classic, time-honored recipe that is supremely easy to make and quite simply the best ever! Some things just don't need improving, and these yummy deviled eggs are one of those things! Of course, you can always change them up with stir-ins or add-ons, but these eggs will be just like the ones from your childhood!
Check out this recipe
7. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes add just enough sweetness to add some diversity to the Thanksgiving spread. Add a few pats of butter and that's all you need!
It doesn't matter if you already have traditional mashed potatoes or a sweet potato casserole on the menu. These mashed sweet potatoes can hold their own!
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect sweet side dish to accompany all of your favorite holiday meals! They are creamy, rich, and have just the right amount of added sweetness to make them completely irresistible! This is going to become your new favorite sweet potato side dish!
Check out this recipe
8. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a great side dish, or sometimes it can be offered up as an appetizer while everyone waits on the full meal. This recipe features all of your favorite baked potato toppings mixed right in!
It's cool and refreshing, yet hearty and filling. It's also surprisingly easy to make!
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
My loaded baked potato salad includes all of your favorite baked potato toppings mixed together, and it's so easy to make! This potato salad makes for a wonderful summer side dish to bring to potlucks and cookouts. However, you can serve it year-round, and you won't hear any complaints!
Check out this recipe
9. Candied Yams
Thanksgiving can't go on without a casserole dish full of candied yams with marshmallows. It looks like a dessert, it tastes like a dessert, yet everyone will be slapping it on their plate right next to the turkey!
Butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows make up this heavenly sweet side dish. The slightly browned tops of the baked marshmallows are the best part!
Candied Yams With Marshmallows
These easy candied yams with marshmallows combine canned or fresh yams that are baked with butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows. They're exactly how my family and I have been making this classic holiday favorite for decades! This easy vegetable side dish is sure to be a winning holiday side dish your family loves too!
Check out this recipe
10. Corn Casserole
Corn casserole, corn souffle, corn pudding, or spoon bread, no matter what you call it, this recipe is a Thanksgiving must-have! Using Jiffy baking mix and canned corn is not only tradition, but it makes the recipe 10x easier!
Jiffy Corn Casserole
This Jiffy corn casserole is a sweet and savory side dish with creamy corn mixed into every bite of your cornbread! Best of all, you only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time to put it together. Whether you call it corn casserole, corn pudding, or spoon bread, it's a side that goes with practically anything!
Check out this recipe
11. Collard Greens
Collard greens are a must-have Southern side dish at any get-together, Thanksgiving included! You can make them with bacon, ham hocks, or even black-eyed peas!
Collard greens are savory and salty. They are totally delicious next to a heaping pile of turkey and mashed potatoes!
Collard Greens with Bacon
This super easy and delicious collard greens with bacon is a slightly lighter version than many collard greens recipes and it tastes so good! It's an amazing southern side dish that can be paired with almost anything that you're planning for dinner!
Check out this recipe
12. Creamed Corn and Honey Cornbread
When it comes to cornbread in the South, you have options. This honey cornbread made with creamed corn is soft and moist while also slightly sweet!
Bits of corn are speckled throughout the cornbread, which adds a delightful texture. It's an easy, must-try side for your next family Thanksgiving.
Creamed Corn Cornbread
Once you try this easy creamed corn cornbread recipe you will want to make cornbread without using a cornbread mix from here on out! The canned creamed corn, butter, and a touch of honey give it plenty of sweetness while the bits of corn throughout the fluffy bread add great texture. This creamed corn cornbread is a must-try side dish this summer!
Check out this recipe
13. Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash is a classic fall ingredient and it makes a fabulous soup! This soup is thick, rich, and creamy.
Butternut squash is healthy with tons of flavor. As a soup, it makes a great starter before Thanksgiving dinner!
Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is a rich, flavorful, and creamy soup that takes roasted butternut squash to the next level of deliciousness! The butternut is first roasted in the oven, then blended with chicken stock, honey, nutmeg, garlic, heavy cream, and more seasonings! It's the perfect starter or side dish to serve with hearty fall recipes!
Check out this recipe
14. Sausage Stuffing
Fluffy stuffing full of savory sausage is almost as important as the turkey in any Southern household. Add some sage and celery for flavor and texture, it doesn't get any better!
For a truly Southern experience, mix in some chopped pecans. Though it is delicious either way!
15. Oyster Dressing (Oyster Stuffing)
Oysters add a briny depth of flavor to traditional stuffing (without making it taste like seafood). This old-school recipe is still around for a reason!
If you have any guests that are wary of oysters in their dressing, just let them try a bite. It will surely change their mind!
16. Deep Fried Turkey
You can roast, smoke, or bake a turkey, but in the South, fried turkey is king! Deep frying a whole turkey gets the skin delectably crispy while the inside stays tender and moist.
If you want to truly have a Southern-style Thanksgiving dinner, use the giblets to make homemade turkey gravy!
With this Southern Thanksgiving menu, your house may be hosting Thanksgiving dinner from here on out! Tell us if your Turkey Day was a success by dropping a comment down below!
🤠More Southern Classics
- Southern Shrimp and Grits - Shrimp and grits are the ultimate Southern comfort meal that you can eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
- Egg Salad - Egg salad is cool and refreshing. Serve it on bread as sandwiches or just dig in with a fork!
- Southern Fried Corn - Fried corn with bacon is an easy side dish that is savory, buttery, and delicious!
- Southern Coleslaw - It's cool, creamy, and fresh. Perfect for eating on its own or topping sandwiches!
- Deep Fried Catfish - Have your own Southern fish fry with this delightfully crispy deep-fried catfish recipe!
- Gumbo Soup - This New Orleans style gumbo is warm and comforting, just like gumbo should be!
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5 from 2 reviews
Southern Thanksgiving Menu: Candied Yams With Marshmallows (+ More Southern Classics!)
This Southern Thanksgiving menu features classic recipes that no Thanksgiving dinner in the South would be complete without! From deep-fried turkey to comforting side dishes, we have it all. If it's your turn to host the Thanksgiving get-together, you can't go wrong with any of the recipes on this list!
Author | Angela
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 344kcal
Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cooking 25 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 40 oz canned yams (or sweet potatoes)
- 1 pinch salt
- â…“ cup butter (cut into slices)
- â…” cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows (or more, as needed to cover the yams)
Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and butter or spray your 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Open and drain your can(s) of canned yams then spread the yams in the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the yams, then top with butter slices. Crumble the brown sugar over the yams next, followed by a generous layer of mini marshmallows.
Bake in the center of your oven's middle rack at 400°F (205°C) for 20-25 minutes until the yams are bubbling and the marshmallows are melted and toasted.
Equipment You May Need
Notes
To use a single 29-ounce can of yams, place the drained yams in an 8x8 baking dish and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Top with ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) sliced butter, ½ cup brown sugar, and about 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows. Bake as directed above.
Nutrition
Calories: 344kcal (17%) | Carbohydrates: 68g (23%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 8g (12%) | Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg (7%) | Sodium: 100mg (4%) | Potassium: 1184mg (34%) | Fiber: 6g (25%) | Sugar: 26g (29%) | Vitamin A: 432IU (9%) | Vitamin C: 24mg (29%) | Calcium: 42mg (4%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
holiday side dishes, menu ideas for a southern-inspired Thanksgiving dinner, Southern Thanksgiving Menu, Thanksgiving dinner
Course Christmas dinner, Side Dish, Thanksgiving
Cuisine American
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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