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Southern Thanksgiving food recipes are classic dishes that remind you of Grandma’s table! These Southern sides and desserts are staples for your Thanksgiving menu.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and I love making Southern Thanksgiving food because it’s so satisfying and indulgent. Gathering with family and friends, sharing gratitude, and indulging in some mouthwatering Southern comfort food is just the perfect combination.
If you’re looking for amazing Southern options for planning your Thanksgiving dinner menu, I’m about to take you on a delectable journey through the heart and soul of Southern Thanksgiving food. Grab a glass of sweet tea, sit back, and prepare to be tantalized by the flavors of the South.
1. Deep-Fried Turkey
We’re kickin’ things off with a showstopper – deep-fried turkey. The bird is brined and then submerged in a bubbling cauldron of hot oil, resulting in a crispy, golden-brown skin and tender, juicy meat perfect for serving with homemade turkey gravy without drippings.
2. Cornbread Dressing (Stuffing)
Southern cornbread dressing is a perfect side dish for a Southern Thanksgiving meal. Made from crumbled cornbread, savory herbs, onions, and sausage, this side dish is the epitome of comfort food.
3. Collard Greens
This popular side dish is a classic Southern side! Collard greens are slow-cooked with a bit of bacon or ham hock, yielding a rich, smoky flavor. They’re the perfect balance to the other rich dishes on your Thanksgiving plate.
4. Sweet Potato Pie
If you haven’t tried a Southern sweet potato pie, you’re in for a treat. It’s a soul-warming dessert made from creamy, spiced sweet potato filling in a flaky pie crust.
It’s sweet, fragrant, and has just the right amount of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect finishing touch.
5. Green Bean Casserole
This classic dish features fresh green beans smothered in a cream of mushroom soup sauce and crowned with crispy fried onions. These delicious flavors make a nostalgic favorite that always makes an appearance on Southern Thanksgiving tables.
Make the classic version above or try this from-scratch green bean casserole recipe.
6. Buttermilk Biscuits
Light, flaky, and oh-so-buttery, buttermilk biscuits are the ideal vessel for sopping up gravy and enjoying with a dollop of homemade butter or honey. When it comes to Southern sides, you don’t skip the buttery biscuits, unless you’re serving dinner rolls or drop biscuits instead.
7. Cranberry Sauce
In the South, homemade cranberry sauce is the way to go. Fresh cranberries are simmered with orange zest and a touch of sugar to create a tangy, sweet condiment that complements the rich dishes on the table. For a more grown-up taste, try our cranberry relish made with Grand Marnier too!
8. Pecan Pie
No Southern Thanksgiving dessert table would be complete without a pecan pie. It’s a gooey, nutty masterpiece with a sweet, buttery filling that’s set atop a flaky pie crust.
9. Oyster Dressing
Oyster dressing is a coastal Southern specialty that combines the briny goodness of fresh oysters with cornbread, celery, onions, and a medley of herbs and spices. It’s the perfect blend of land and sea, and it’s bound to surprise and delight your taste buds.
10. Macaroni and Cheese
Southern mac and cheese is a cheesy, gooey masterpiece. Made with a blend of sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese, this dish is always creamy and full of flavor. You can’t have a list of Southern comfort foods without including homemade mac and cheese.
11. Sweet Potato Casserole
A classic sweet potato casserole is Creamy sweet potatoes whipped with brown sugar and topped with a crunchy, buttery pecan and marshmallow topping.
sweet and savory sweet potato side dish
12. Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a Southern classic, featuring hard-boiled eggs filled with a creamy, tangy mixture of egg yolks, mayo, mustard, and a sprinkle of paprika. This easy recipe with simple ingredients is one of those Southern Thanksgiving recipes that always show up for holidays.
13. Corn Pudding
Creamy corn pudding is a classic recipe that’s a cross between a custard and a soufflé and is perfect for a holiday dinner. It’s made with fresh corn kernels, eggs, butter, and just a touch of sugar with a cheesy, buttery cracker crust. The result is a sweet, creamy, and slightly savory concoction that’s sure to please.
Creamed corn is another classic Southern Thanksgiving recipe that has a similar taste without the cheese and butter toppings.
14. Spoonbread
Spoonbread is like a hybrid of cornbread and a soufflé, known for its light, soufflé-like texture and slightly sweet corn flavor. It’s a true Southern delicacy.
15. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie, with its smooth, spiced pumpkin filling in a buttery pie crust, is another beloved Southern Thanksgiving dessert. The flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg come together to create that signature taste of autumn. A classic slice of pumpkin pie is like a warm hug for your taste buds.
16. Candied Yams
No list of Southern Thanksgiving food would be complete without candied yams! This dish is very similar to our sweet potato casserole but topped with golden toasted marshmallows! This is one side dish the kids will be sure to finish, making it a staple on our list of kid-friendly Thanksgiving foods.
Your Southern Thanksgiving feast will be easy to plan with this list of typical Southern Thanksgiving dinner foods. Whether you’re a Southerner celebrating at home or just craving a taste of the South, these dishes are sure to satisfy your cravings and make your holiday meal a hit. So gather around the table, share some gratitude, and enjoy the mouthwatering flavors of a Southern Thanksgiving day.
