The Thanksgiving Recipe Box

As soon as the days get shorter and the leaves begin to change, we turn our thoughts to Thanksgiving. With visions of turkeys and freshly baked pies dancing in our heads, we pull out the trusty recipe box. Packed with well-stained recipes passed down through the generations plus some new family favorites, these are recipes just waiting to be celebrated at a big holiday meal.

From classics that we make every single year to quirky family recipes we can’t seem to quit to carefully crafted pies, Simply Recipes has Thanksgiving down to a T. Use these stories and recipes as a jumping-off point for your own special meal, adding and swapping traditions at will to make a meal that’s uniquely you.

— Senior Editor Laurel Randolph and Senior Editor Megan Scott

Remember That One Thanksgiving?

Does your family have a story that’s told and retold every Thanksgiving? Whether it ends in a good belly laugh, warm hugs, or everyone awkwardly backing out of the room, it’s what reconnects and shapes our families in meaningful ways. Writer Alice Levitt retells her family’s Thanksgiving in 1993, featuring a whole fish, artist James Henderson Boyd in a kilt, and a Russian.

READ THE STORY: Alice Levitt on the Thanksgiving That Colored All Future Celebrations

Greatest Hits

Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be the same without these classic dishes. A perfectly bronzed turkey is a must. Elise makes her mom’s tried-and-true recipe, which has a clever but simple trick for extra juicy white meat. You’ll need some gravy to go with the bird, and we have the best-ever recipe ready to go. You can even make it ahead of time, freeing you up on meal day. And Thanksgiving without ultra-creamy mashed potatoes? No way! We make these recipes year in and year out, and we hope you do, too.

Let the Stuffing Begin

The name for arguably the best Thanksgiving dish is also the activity of the day—stuffing. And while you can use a boxed mix and go the classic route, there’s a whole world of possibilities. Add some Greek flavors with beef, rice, and raisins, or do it the Wisconsin way by adding beer, sausage, and aged cheddar cheese. And that’s only the beginning. Why not make a couple of stuffings and stuff your face?

Yes, You Need a Salad

Salad tends to get an unfair wrap at Thanksgiving. Many home cooks don’t even make one, afraid the fresh veggies will end up wilting on the end of the table while guests attack their carby favorites. But hear us out! All of those rich dishes cry out for something fresh and bright, and a salad is a low-lift way to balance out the plate. This ramen salad is ultra crunchy, a perfect counterpoint to Thanksgiving dishes.

GET THE RECIPE: Crunchy Ramen Salad

Nana’s Soul-Soothing Thanksgiving Potatoes

Ross Mathews reveals, “I have eaten at some great restaurants and met some of the best chefs in the world, and Nana’s Potatoes are still the best thing I’ve ever, ever eaten in my life.” For him, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without the star of the show, something his family calls Nana’s O’Brien Potatoes.

READ THE STORY: Ross Mathews on His Nana’s Soul-Soothing Thanksgiving Potatoes

Canned and Boxed: Just Like Grandma Used to Make

There’s nothing wrong with leaning on a store-bought convenience or two when preparing a Thanksgiving meal. In fact, dishes like corn pudding and green bean casserole wouldn’t be as delicious without canned goods like canned corn and cream of mushroom soup. For an appetizer, whip up a batch of Triscuit thingies, a uniquely delicious retro recipe passed down through the generations.

Passed Down Pies

End Thanksgiving on a sweet note with a homemade pie. These recipes are lower lift than your average pie, calling for store-bought crust or a no-bake filling. Our writers return to these family-favorite recipes every holiday and special occasion, bringing back memories of past meals and good times. Make them part of your delicious family traditions, too.