5 Must-Have Thanksgiving Dishes

Don’t let your family down! You MUST HAVE these 5 Thanksgiving dishes on your table!

We have officially entered the Holiday Season!! It’s that time of the year when we cook and bake nonstop, and show people exactly how we get down in the kitchen. If you’re anything like me, you are already planning OR have already planned your Thanksgiving dinner. I know someone is reading this and is thinking, “But Thanksgiving is weeks away?!!”. Child Please! An amazing host ALWAYS plans in advance! For me, planning is easy, because I always include 5 of my staple Thanksgiving dishes. These 5 dishes never fail me! They are dishes that are easy and affordable to make, so I can make several pans of them – AND my family and friends love them and look forward to them every year. Here is a list of 5 MUST HAVE Thanksgiving dishes that you should have on your table. With these 5 dishes all you need is a turkey, or an alternative, and your dessert(s).

5 Must-Have Thanksgiving Dishes

#1 Candied Yams

A panful of candied yams topped with melted marshmallows.

As many of you know, My BEST EVER Candied Yams are one of my signature dishes. My family simply goes crazy whenever I make these yams. The recipe I have for these yams is foolproof. Every time these yams are made, they are tender and spiced to perfection. You can serve these yams with or without marshmallows (I’m a marshmallow fan!). One thing I will tell you is: You will need to make at least 2 pans of these yams, because they go fast!

#2 Cornbread Dressing

A silver spoon is scooping a serving of Down Home Cornbread Dressing from a glass bake dish. One of the 5 Must Have Thanksgiving dishes recipes!

I MUST HAVE cornbread dressing on that Thanksgiving table! It’s not up for debate. My family LOVES dressing. There is only one person in my family, my cousin Nicole, that doesn’t like dressing. I’m really not sure what her issue is (She’s craaaaazyyyyyyy!), but I just don’t understand how one could not love dressing! It’s so moist and full of flavor. I personally could eat it all day and not getting tired of it. I have several cornbread dressing recipes to choose, but these two are my favorites:

Down Home Cornbread Dressing (pictured above)
Italian Sausage Cornbread Dressing

#3 Southern Collard Greens

Southern collard greens served in a white bowl.

If you grew up in a “soulful” household you already know the deal! Southern Collard Greens are served EVERY holiday (and sometimes every Sunday). I’m talking about those real greens, not those canned sweet and tangy greens. I think a lot of people shy away from making homemade greens because they don’t like or know how to properly clean greens. FYI, I actually have a video on how to clean greens!

Making Southern Collard Greens are actually easy! Check out my recipe and video!

#4 Southern Macaroni and Cheese

Golden and cheesy Southern style macaroni and cheese served in a white bake dish.

Southern Macaroni and Cheese will always and forever be on my list any time I have a special gathering. I once forgot to make macaroni and cheese for one of my gatherings, and I didn’t hear the end of it! I heard everything from “how could you forget to make mac n cheese?” to “Damn man, really?!”. I tell you, people don’t hold back when you forget to serve them macaroni and cheese! Don’t have to cuss anyone out on Thanksgiving… Make this Southern Macaroni and Cheese !

#5 Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Garlic cheddar mashed potatoes are a delicious thanksgiving must-have side dish that the whole family will love

I think everyone knows how to make mashed potatoes. If not, follow the recipe for my garlic cheddar mashed potatoes, and just skip adding the cheddar! Mashed potatoes are truly a staple when it comes to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but they MUST have gravy. Not just any gravy either! It has to be that good old fashioned homemade turkey gravy, Boo! Believe it or not, homemade turkey gravy is easy to make.

So those are my 5 MUST HAVE Thanksgiving dishes! Now that you have your dinner pretty much taken care of, you may want to decide which beverages you want to serve. How about a Homemade Apple Cider?! I have an amazing recipe available, definitely check it out.

I’ll see ya REAL soon!