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Thanksgiving Recipes: An Easy Southern Holiday Menu

By Matt Price

Oct 09, 2026

Planning the holiday meal? Start with a centerpiece, add the sides your people look forward to, and save room for pie. These Thanksgiving recipes are already live on Mr. Make It Happen, so you can open each full recipe for its ingredients and step-by-step directions.

Choose one main or serve both, then build your plate from the Southern-style sides below. For more ideas, browse the Thanksgiving recipe collection.

Thanksgiving Main Dishes

Holiday Turkey with Herb-Lemon Butter

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Make the turkey the centerpiece with Matt’s holiday preparation, built for tender meat and a well-seasoned, golden finish. Get the holiday turkey with herb-lemon butter recipe →

Holiday Ham for a Second Main

A ham gives the table another crowd-pleasing main and makes the menu feel generous without asking everyone to choose turkey. Get the holiday ham recipe →

Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer

Classic Deviled Eggs with Sweet Relish

Set these out while the main course finishes. The creamy filling and sweet relish make them an easy first bite for a holiday gathering. Get the classic deviled eggs with sweet relish recipe →

Southern Thanksgiving Sides

Sweet Honey Butter Cornbread

This tender, sweet cornbread belongs beside the savory sides. Serve it warm so the honey-butter finish has its moment. Get the sweet honey butter cornbread recipe →

Seafood Dressing with Shrimp, Crab and Scallops

For a coastal twist on the holiday dressing, this recipe brings seafood to a classic place on the plate. Get the seafood dressing with shrimp, crab and scallops recipe →

Baked Southern Mac and Cheese with Egg

A bubbling pan of baked mac and cheese gives the menu its rich, comforting anchor. Get the baked southern mac and cheese with egg recipe →

Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey

Collard greens bring a savory counterpoint to the sweeter sides and earn their place on a Southern holiday table. Get the southern collard greens with smoked turkey recipe →

Southern Candied Yams

Sweet, buttery yams add color and a familiar holiday flavor to the spread. Get the southern candied yams recipe →

Green Bean Casserole

Add a classic green-bean side for a little variety among the hearty dishes. Get the green bean casserole recipe →

Thanksgiving Desserts

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Finish with a rich, silky Southern favorite that feels right at home after turkey and dressing. Get the southern sweet potato pie recipe →

Easy Pumpkin Pie

If you want a second pie without making the crust from scratch, this pumpkin pie keeps dessert simple. Get the easy pumpkin pie recipe →

Build Your Thanksgiving Menu

For a smaller table, pair the holiday turkey with cornbread, mac and cheese, one vegetable side, and a pie. For a larger gathering, add the ham and deviled eggs so guests have something to enjoy before dinner.