Southern Dishes That Belong on Thanksgiving Tables

Jenny deRemer

Nov 26, 2025

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This collection of Thanksgiving recipes brings Southern comfort and old-fashioned charm to your table! From creamy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes to Brown Butter Green Beans with Toasted Pecans, every dish delights. Make-ahead casseroles, irresistible ham glazes, the turkey itself, and desserts like Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake or Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding with warm cinnamon syrup add a touch of holiday magic!

Table of Contents

A Bacon Scallion Cheese Wreath

A close-up of a savory salad ring on a red plate, topped with parsley and diced red bell peppers. The dish appears creamy, with visible chunks, possibly containing vegetables or seafood.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Thanksgiving feels like the moment the curtain lifts, revealing the start of the Christmas season! I like to sneak in a touch of Christmas during Thanksgiving, and this Bacon Scallion Cheese Wreath is my go-to. Its festive wreath shape captures the holiday spirit, making it a perfect addition to your holiday spread!

Get the Recipe: A Bacon Scallion Cheese Wreath

Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese deviled eggs on a white plate, each topped with paprika and herbs.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

In the South, deviled eggs are a non-negotiable—guaranteed to make an appearance at weddings, funerals, and just about every holiday meal where ham or turkey takes center stage. These Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese are a flavorful upgrade, blending savory aromatics with tangy pickled fixins that take this beloved classic to the next level.

Get the Recipe: Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese

3 Ingredient Ham Glaze

A brush glazes a cooked ham resting in a metal roasting pan.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

My three-ingredient glaze adds sweet, tangy flavor and a glossy finish to your ham, transforming it into a stunning centerpiece for any holiday table.

Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze

Thanksgiving Turkey (Easy!)

A delightful Thanksgiving Turkey (Easy!)
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This is the easiest Thanksgiving turkey recipe you’ll ever make! Follow a few simple steps to make a juicy, flavorful, and easy roast turkey.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Turkey (Easy!)

Dry Brined Turkey

A delightful Dry Brined Turkey
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This year, forget the traditional bird and try a Dry Brined Turkey instead. It’s a great way to add flavor and juiciness!
Get the Recipe: Dry Brined Turkey

Honey Baked Turkey

Scrumptious Honey Baked Turkey photo
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This honey baked turkey recipe might just be my new favorite centerpiece for Easter. It’s deliciously sweet and savory!
Get the Recipe: Honey Baked Turkey

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole {Make Ahead}

The image shows baked mashed potatoes in a white oval dish with a serving spoon. The top is covered with melted cheese and garnished with chopped green onions. Nearby, a piece of the dish is served on a plate.
Image credit: Not Entirely Average

Make this Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole ahead for a stress-free holiday meal. Easy to prep, packed with cheesy goodness, and the perfect side dish for any celebration!

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin

The image shows a casserole dish with sliced potatoes and melted cheese, topped with herbs. A portion has been served, revealing its creamy texture.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin blends the comforting charm of Southern sweet potatoes with the richness of a classic French gratin. This decadent bake is so delicious, it might just steal the spotlight from your main course.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin

Brown Butter French Green Beans with Toasted Pecans

A close-up of a dish featuring cooked green beans topped with roasted pecan pieces. The vibrant green beans are glossy, and the pecans add a touch of brown, creating a visually appealing contrast.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This simple brown butter technique transforms everyday green beans into something extraordinary. To make it even more special, I toss in lightly toasted Southern pecans, turning this humble veggie into a comfort food masterpiece!

Get the Recipe: Brown Butter French Green Beans with Toasted Pecans

Autumn Cranberry Apple Chutney

A bowl filled with a colorful mix of fruit salad, including chunks of pineapple, cherries, grapes, and other assorted fruits. A spoon rests inside the bowl, which is placed on a rustic wooden surface.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

The perfect complement to turkey and stuffing, Autumn Cranberry Apple Chutney features fresh fruits, ginger, cinnamon, and star anise. It doesn’t replace cranberry sauce but enhances flavors in ways traditional sauce can’t, adding depth to every bite.

Get the Recipe: Autumn Cranberry Apple Chutney

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts With Cipollini Onions

A close-up of a bowl containing grilled onions, bell peppers, and charred greens.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Maple-flavored bacon and sweet, roasted Cipollini onions elevate crispy pan-fried Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts to a whole new level of deliciousness!

Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts With Cipollini Onions

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

The image shows a close-up of macaroni and cheese topped with golden-brown breadcrumbs.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

It wouldn’t be a holiday in the South without good ole mac ‘n cheese! This creamy stovetop mac is baked to perfection, delivering the ultimate cheesy comfort whenever the craving strikes. To make portioning easier (and ensure everyone gets a share), the recipe also includes instructions for individual Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese Muffins!

Get the Recipe: Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes topped with butter and chives, served in a bowl on a checkered kitchen towel.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes take ordinary spuds to the next level with rich, nutty, buttery flavor—pure comfort in every scoop!

To learn more: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Creamed Pearl Onions

A bowl of caramelized pearl onions with a spoon, served in a decorative dish.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

In honor of Anthony Bourdain, who inspired me to explore culture through food, I often revisit my handwritten recipes influenced by his methods. One cherished scrap of paper holds the directions for a classic: pearl onions in cream sauce.

Get the Recipe: Creamed Pearl Onions

Baked Stuffed Sugar Pumpkin

A baked pumpkin with its top removed, filled with a creamy cheese and herb mixture, surrounded by slices of bread.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

A family favorite in my home, Baked Stuffed Sugar Pumpkin is a savory autumn dish filled with garlic, herbs, sourdough, and tangy Gruyère cheese. Each bite will have your guests guessing what’s inside this clever, bubbling-over ‘icon of Harvest.’

Get the Recipe: Baked Stuffed Sugar Pumpkin

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A baked casserole dish filled with a golden-brown mixture of diced vegetables, corn, and herbs, topped with fresh thyme and green onions, on a wooden surface.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average

Baked to a gorgeous golden brown, this creamy corn pudding brings a touch of Southern comfort to the table. It pairs perfectly with everything from holiday ham to turkey.

Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding

Easy Squash Casserole

A baking dish with a golden-brown casserole topped with bread pieces and vegetables. Whole onions and a kitchen towel sit beside it.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

My family has looked forward to this dish every Thanksgiving and Christmas, proudly featured on my mom’s Groaning Board for as long as I can remember.

Get the Recipe: Easy Squash Casserole

Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze

A slice of fruit cake with visible nuts and dried fruits on a white plate, accompanied by a fork.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Sugared glaze cascades over the peaks and valleys of this Apple and Butternut Squash Cake with Buttermilk Glaze—a sure sign that autumn is here. Paired with French vanilla or rum raisin ice cream, this dessert is an absolute standout!

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze

Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

A close-up of a pecan praline cheesecake on a wooden platter, topped with chopped pecans and caramel sauce.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This fall-inspired cheesecake features a ginger snap crust, bourbon caramel apples, and a creamy cheesecake filling. After chilling overnight, it’s topped with sweet pecans in a rich bourbon brown sugar glaze.

Get the Recipe: Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

Country Apple Pie {Recipe Yields 3 Bake Now or Bake Later Pies}

A baked pie with a golden-brown crust and decorative leaf-shaped cutouts is on a table near a fork and a patterned cloth.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This Country Apple Pie recipe saves you hours during the busy holiday season. It yields three pies, perfect for multiple gatherings and they don’t all need to be baked at once!

Get the Recipe: Country Apple Pie

Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake

The image shows a golden-brown cake in a skillet on a wooden board, with a spoon next to it and cranberries scattered nearby.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake is a perfect fall and winter dessert. This classic upside-down cake boasts a tangy, well-balanced topping and is ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday gathering.

Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake

Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding with Warm Cinnamon Syrup

A rectangular baking dish filled with baked bread pudding, topped with pieces of bread and visible raisins.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This easy Bread Pudding Dessert is sure to earn rave reviews and plenty of “ooohs” and “ahhhs.” Perfect for busy hosts, it’s a make-ahead treat you can bake just before serving.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding with Warm Cinnamon Syrup

Christmas Charcuterie Board

A circular charcuterie board arranged on a wooden platter, featuring an assortment of grapes, cheeses, meats, nuts, berries, and garnishes with herbs. Slices of bread are layered on the side, creating a decorative and appetizing presentation.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Assembling a show-stopping charcuterie board for your holiday party—like this festive wreath of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and irresistible nibbles—is a surefire way to make your celebration unforgettable!

Get the Recipe: Christmas Charcuterie Board

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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