10 Traditional Dishes That Belong on Your Thanksgiving Menu

Our Classic Roast Turkey

No need for deep-frying or spatchcocking. A classic roast turkey is the only preparation for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu. This beautiful bird requires only a handful of ingredients and a couple hours of hands-off roasting time to be table-ready.

Perfect Turkey Gravy

No truly traditional Thanksgiving meal would be without gravy. This classic recipe and tips will help you master this must-have menu addition.

Test Kitchen Tip: You can make this easy gravy recipe up to three days ahead of serving.

Silky Pumpkin Pie

Don't forget to save room for the ultimate traditional Thanksgiving dessert—pumpkin pie! Sweetened condensed milk gives this pumpkin pie a smooth, creamy texture. Serve the lightly spiced fall dessert with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream to end your Thanksgiving meal on a sweet note.

Cranberry-Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole

Your traditional Thanksgiving isn't complete without a sweet potato casserole. The brown sugar crumb topping is what makes this dish extra special. Rather than sprinkling marshmallows on top, this casserole incorporates marshmallow crème in the mix.

Buy It: 2pc Embossed Rectangular Bakeware Set Aqua ($25, Target)

Buttered Stuffing with Mushrooms

After one bite of this Thanksgiving stuffing, you'll be tempted to fill your plate exclusively with this hearty dish. Ample butter, traditional stuffing veggies—mushrooms and leeks—a splash of wine, and fresh herbs bring all the stuffing flavors you love.

Buttermilk-Sage Dinner Rolls

Elevate your menu with these savory dinner rolls, made extra tender with buttermilk. They're simply a classic yeast dinner roll with a few sage leaves for flavor.

Test Kitchen Tip: Always give buttermilk a good shake before adding to recipes because it tends to settle in the carton.

Pecan Pie

We know you're serving more than one type of pie at a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Here's the classic pecan pie your loved ones expect, complete with a homemade piecrust.

Florence Mama's Candied Yams

Here's one for the traditional Thanksgiving meal ideas file: candied yams. The dish couldn't be easier. Simply slice the veggie, make a sweet-spiced syrup to pour over the slices of sweet potatoes (ahem, yams), and bake. This traditional side will be your most-requested for years to come.

Crusty Corn Bread

If you want something for sopping up all that gravy, you can't go wrong with an easy cornbread recipe. Crusty bread made with buttermilk, cornmeal, and cheese is a classic complement to all the other traditional Thanksgiving food.

Brown Sugar-Glazed Carrots

When you face a long day in the kitchen preparing a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner, you'll be pleased to know that these sweet carrots take only 25 minutes.