20 Southern Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

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Planning a classic Southern Thanksgiving Day menu? This collection of 20 tried-and-true recipes is everything you need for an authentic holiday feast. From smoky, savory mains to sweet potato casserole with that irresistible praline topping, these dishes represent the best of Southern cooking traditions. Whether you’re serving up classic collard greens, cornbread stuffing, or flambéed bananas foster, this menu celebrates the flavors that make Southern Thanksgiving so special!

Collage of six Southern Thanksgiving dishes including sliced turkey with gravy, corn casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, swamp potatoes with green beans, cornbread squares, and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream surrounding text that reads 20 Tried and True Favorites Southern Thanksgiving Menu

Main Dishes

Overhead view of thick slices of turkey, smothered in gravy, on top of cooked stuffing and green beans in a Crockpot.

Crockpot Turkey and Stuffing

This Crockpot Turkey and Stuffing is pure genius for anyone who wants all the flavors of a full holiday meal without heating up the entire kitchen! Tender, juicy turkey breast, stuffing dotted with dried cranberries, and green beans all cook together in your slow cooker. The gravy recipe included means you get the full spread with just a tiny fraction of the work.

bacon wrapped pork tenderloin on a plate with brown sugar glaze being spooned over the top

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Brown Sugar Glaze

This Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin is incredibly flavorful and juicy! The brown sugar glaze strikes that perfect balance between savory and slightly sweet. Bacon releases plenty of moisture, which gets absorbed by the pork tenderloin, so every bite is exploding with flavorful juices–super delicious and will be popular with your guests!

Smoked Turkey Breast

Simply the best Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe! It starts with a quick and easy 2-hour brine for the most flavorful, juiciest meat, then the breast is seasoned and smoked to perfection. The brine transforms everything, keeping the turkey incredibly moist and infusing every bite with herb and garlic flavors, and smoking at 275°F gives you that perfect balance of crispy, golden skin and succulent interior. Don’t forget that amazing gravy either!

Stuffings and Dressings

Cornbread stuffing in a large blue casserole dish

Savory Southern Cornbread Stuffing

This Savory Southern Cornbread Stuffing is a must-have on any Thanksgiving table. Cornbread, savory sausage, and plenty of herbs are everything you want in a traditional dressing. The cornbread gives it that distinctly Southern flavor and crumbly texture that pairs perfectly with turkey and gravy.

Pineapple Stuffing

This sweet-and-savory Pineapple Stuffing side dish combines crushed pineapple with bread cubes and a hint of sweetness for a uniquely Southern flavor. It’s the perfect balance to all the savory dishes on your holiday table and a conversation starter among your hungry guests!

Sauces and Gravies

Close-up of whole berry rosemary cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a garnish of fresh rosemary.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Rosemary and Orange

This delicious Cranberry Sauce with Rosemary and Orange is so easy to make and tastes a million times better than canned. The fresh rosemary and bright orange zest elevate this classic condiment into something truly special. Plus, it comes together in about 15 minutes!

Red eye gravy poured over country ham on an oval platter with fluffy biscuits.

Red Eye Gravy with Country Ham

This traditional Southern Red Eye Gravy is made with country ham drippings and strong black coffee. It might sound unusual, but this savory, slightly salty gravy is absolutely delicious served over biscuits, grits, or even your Thanksgiving turkey. I promise you’ll looove it!

Vegetable Sides

Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole

A classic Southern Thanksgiving menu has to include a Green Bean Casserole! You can prep the components of this beauty up to three days in advance, which means one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving day. It has all the classic flavors you love – tender green beans, creamy sauce, and crispy fried onions on top.

Dark trimmed white plate full of roasted brussels sprouts and bacon

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is one of those sides that converts even the biggest brussels sprouts skeptics! The bacon adds a smoky, savory element that pairs perfectly with the slightly sweet, caramelized brussels sprouts. It’s easy to pull off and looks and tastes impressive.

Instant Pot Collard Greens

No Southern holiday table is complete without a big pot of Collard Greens. Cooking them in the Instant Pot means they’re tender and flavorful in a fraction of the time it would take on the stovetop, while still delivering all that yummy flavor. Seasoned with bacon and a little heat, they’re the perfect savory side dish!

More Recipes You’ll Love

Easy Skillet Pork Chops and Rice

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Healthy Enchilada Skillet

Weeknight Skillet Banh Mi Rice Bowls

Candied Carrots

These Candied Carrots are warm, sweet, and absolutely delicious. Tender carrots smothered with a butter and brown sugar glaze make for an easy side. They’d make a delightful addition to any Thanksgiving spread.

Carrot Raisin Salad

Though this is served in the warmer months, this Carrot Raisin Salad would add a nice crunch to your Thanksgiving meal! With shredded carrots, sweet raisins, and a creamy dressing, it’s the perfect balance to all the rich, heavy dishes on the table. Plus, it’s super easy to make ahead.

Fried Apples

Fried Apples is an old-fashioned Southern favorite that features tender apple slices cooked in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until they’re soft, sweet, and absolutely delicious. It’s like down-home comfort, and it pairs well with pork, turkey, or ham–whatever you’ve chosen to serve for this special day!

Potato and Casserole Sides

Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

A simple but perfect sweet potato mash is topped with an absolutely delicious praline pecan topping. The first time I had Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole, I fell in LOVE. Each bite is so comforting and has the perfect amount of sweetness. Your family will trash the marshmallow-topped classic the moment you bring out this wonderful dish, I promise!

White slow cooker filled with cooked swamp potatoes showing tender red potatoes, green beans, and sliced sausage with serving spoon

Crockpot Swamp Potatoes

Crockpot Swamp Potatoes are made with tender baby potatoes, crisp green beans, and smoky sausage, slow-cooked together with Cajun seasoning, making one incredibly savory side dish. It’s hearty enough to serve an army and ideal for Thanksgiving when your oven is packed with other dishes. The smoked sausage adds that rich, meaty depth, making this way more interesting than plain old sides!

Corn Souffle

This Corn Souffle is the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors with whipped egg whites for a fluffy, light texture and a handful of shredded cheddar for richness. Sweet corn baked into a creamy, dreamy breading creates a side dish that basically melts in your mouth. This is the kind of Southern comfort food that reminds you of holiday gatherings and family potlucks!

Breads

Gluten-Free Cornbread with Honey

Cornbread is a Southern staple that’s been gracing tables for centuries, and even if you’re not gluten-free, you’ll love this Gluten-Free Cornbread version. Serve it warm with butter and honey drizzled on top for the ultimate Southern bread experience. It’s the perfect accompaniment to all your Thanksgiving dishes!

Bonus Recipe: If you’re looking for an extra special bread option, check out our Sweet Potato Cornbread with Cinnamon Honey Butter – it combines two Southern favorites into one amazing side dish!

Appetizers

Nashville Hot Chicken Dip

This Nashville Hot Chicken Dip is spicy, creamy, and cheesy, and has all the flavors of Nashville hot chicken in appetizer form. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’ll disappear fast, so you might want to make a double batch!

Desserts

Keto Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie is about as Southern as it gets – it’s practically the official dessert of the South. An almond flour crust and Swerve-sweetened filling keeps this pie low-carb and keto-friendly, but I’ve served it to countless non-keto friends and family, and they all loved it. It has every delicious element you’d want in a classic pecan pie – a sweet, gooey filling inside a buttery, flaky crust. That delightful crunch from the pecans and the keto pie crust is truly unmatched!

Rich bananas foster topped with scoops of vanilla ice cream in a large pan.

Bananas Foster from Brennan’s New Orleans

A classic, this Bananas Foster from Brennan’s New Orleans is one of the most iconic Southern desserts you can serve. With rich flavors of banana, brown sugar, and a touch of rum served over creamy vanilla bean ice cream, every bite of this dish is pure Southern decadence. The tableside flambé presentation will seriously impress your guests and bring that Big Easy magic right to your dining room!