15 Southern Thanksgiving Meal Recipes to Elevate Your Feast

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Celebrate Thanksgiving with these 15 delightful Southern holiday meal recipes that bring comfort and flavor to your table. From the creamy richness of Creamy Baked Cheddar and Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese to the sweet indulgence of Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie, these dishes showcase the best of Southern cooking. Whether you’re preparing Southern Corn Pudding or Stuffed Deviled Crab, each recipe is designed to create memorable moments around the dinner table during the Thanksgiving.

Orange Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Sugared Cranberries

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Orange Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Sugared Cranberries
Photo credit: Baking A Moment

Want something a little different and really beautiful for your holiday table? Look no further than this lovely cream cheese pound cake! It’s infused with sunny orange and subtly spiced with ginger and clove for a flavor that’s unmistakably “holiday.” Fill the cavity of the Bundt with sweet and seasonal sugared cranberries for a presentation that will make your guests ooh and ahh!
Get the Recipe: Orange Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Sugared Cranberries

Creamy Baked Cheddar and Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

The image features small cast iron skillets filled with macaroni and cheese, topped with toasted breadcrumbs, placed on a light surface next to forks.
Image Credit: Little Black Skillet

Creamy Baked Cheddar and Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese is a crowd-pleaser at any Thanksgiving gathering. This cheesy dish combines three types of cheese for a rich flavor that pairs beautifully with other Southern holiday classics.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Baked Cheddar and Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Sauteed Carrots

Mouthwatering Sauteed Carrots
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These Sauteed Carrots are a wonderful quick and easy vegetable side dish perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond. Simple and vibrant.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Carrots

Caramel Pear Charlotte

Caramel Pear Charlotte
Photo credit: Baking A Moment

This Caramel Pear Charlotte will be the centerpiece of your holiday table! Layers of moist brown-sugar vanilla cake surround a salted caramel pear mousse, wrapped with sweet and delicate lady fingers and tied with a bow. A crown of caramel-dipped pears is the icing on this beautiful and seasonal dessert!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Pear Charlotte

Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic

A utensil spreading sauce on baked seafood, topped with breadcrumbs and garnished with diced red peppers and chives.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Stuffed Deviled Crab brings the flavors of the Lowcountry to your Thanksgiving table. This dish showcases rich crab meat and spices, creating a delightful appetizer that enhances the Southern holiday experience with its coastal charm.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic

Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie

A slice of pecan pie with whipped cream sits on a blue-patterned plate beside a fork.
Image Credit: A Southern Soul

Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie adds a touch of sophistication to any Thanksgiving meal with its rich maple flavor and hint of bourbon. This easy pie creates a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for celebrating Southern holiday traditions.
Get the Recipe: Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie

Butternut Squash Casserole

Yummy Butternut Squash Casserole picture
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This creamy and cozy Butternut Squash Casserole is so easy to make, and it checks off all the comforting side dish boxes for holiday feasts!
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Casserole

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Delicious Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes ready to be enjoyed
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These make ahead mashed potatoes are so creamy and easy to make! They’re the perfect Thanksgiving side because all the prep work is done.
Get the Recipe: Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Pecan Pie Recipe

Yummy Pecan Pie Recipe picture
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This easy pecan pie recipe is a must for your Thanksgiving dessert. This fall pie is perfect for serving during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Recipe

Southern Corn Pudding Recipe

A round casserole contains a baked corn dish with a slightly browned edge. A spoon holds a portion of the creamy, textured yellow dish.
Image Credit: Quiche My Grits

Southern Corn Pudding Recipe captures the essence of family gatherings with its creamy, sweet flavor. Made with fresh corn and simple ingredients, this dish brings a nostalgic touch to your Thanksgiving menu, making it an unforgettable Southern choice.
Get the Recipe: Southern Corn Pudding Recipe

Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

A slice of pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream on top, served on a white plate with a fork beside it. The pie has a flaky crust and a smooth, spiced filling.
Image Credit: Cooks with Soul

This Southern Sweet Potato Pie is all about a buttery, silky-smooth texture and simple, classic ingredients like fresh sweet potatoes, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s an easy soul food dessert made even quicker with a store-bought crust. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream!
Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Southern Cornbread Biscuit Dressing

A cast iron skillet filled with cornbread dressing and a colorful wooden spoon lifting a portion.
Image Credit: Quiche My Grits

Southern Cornbread Biscuit Dressing features a delightful mix of homemade cornbread and fluffy biscuits. This traditional side dish makes a wonderful addition to Thanksgiving feasts, celebrating the heart of Southern cooking.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread Biscuit Dressing

Easy Southern Dressing (Stuffing) in the Air Fryer

A baking dish with golden-brown stuffing, a serving spoon, and fresh sage leaves.
Image Credit: Little Black Skillet

Easy Southern Dressing in the Air Fryer brings comfort to the table without the fuss. This recipe allows for a crispy texture and delicious flavor, making it a great choice for Thanksgiving gatherings filled with Southern favorites.
Get the Recipe: Easy Southern Dressing (Stuffing) in the Air Fryer

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A spoonful of corn casserole is on a plate, garnished with a sprig of fresh herbs.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Best Southern Corn Pudding serves up a taste of home that complements various dishes. This versatile recipe enhances any Southern holiday spread, making it a cherished favorite at Thanksgiving and other festive occasions.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding

Cranberry Fluff Salad

Cranberry Fluff Salad in all its glory
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This fruity Cranberry Fluff Salad with marshmallows, cream cheese, and pineapple is the easiest side dish you’ll make this holiday season!
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Fluff Salad

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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