Name: Traditional Simple Thanksgiving Recipes
Cuisine: Italian, American
Ingredients: Classic Roast Turkey with Herb Butter; 1 whole thawed turkey (12–14 pounds); 1 cup butter, softened (2 cups); 2 tablespoons each and chopped: fresh parsley, fresh basil, fresh thyme; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; salt and pepper evenly over the bird and in the cavity; 1 cup chicken broth; Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Butter and Cream; 5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed; 1 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 8 ounces (1 stick) salted butter; 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder; salt and pepper to taste; Optional 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing; 10 cups of cubed stale day-old bread; 1 cup unsalted butter; 3 tablespoons finely minced onion; 4 cloves of finely minced garlic; 1 cup chopped celery; 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning; 2 teaspoons sage; 1 teaspoon thyme; 2 1/2 cups chicken broth; salt and pepper to taste; Sweet Potato Casserole; 3 cups peeled, boiled, then mashed sweet potatoes; 1/3 cup of brown sugar; 4 tablespoons of melted butter

Holidays are all about the food and Thanksgiving, family, friends, and making great memories.

This is a time for beautiful stories that have been shared over the generations.

These retro, timeless holiday recipes have stood the test of time for good reason; they are tried and true and continue to be loved.

Turkey, being the star of and centerpiece of the table, plus we can't leave out those delicious creamy mashed potatoes.

A traditional homemade pumpkin pie recipe is added to complete the menu.

These are just a few of our picks for the classics everyone looks forward to year after year. We look forward to Thanksgiving and Our Favorite Recipes.

Why You’ll Love These Classic Thanksgiving Recipes

Comforting & Familiar: These are classic, easy recipes to capture that warm, cozy feeling of holiday gatherings.
Time-Tested Favorites: Memories that will be cherished for decades and continue to be a conversation piece at the table.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: No fancy tools needed or hard-to-find pantry items all are old-fashioned ease of cooking.
Perfect for Family Traditions: Traditions to last from generation to generation, shared, remembered, and passed down.

Tips for a Successful Thanksgiving Meal

Turkey: Brine or Dry Brine for Juiciness: Soak the turkey in a saltwater brine for 12–24 hours, or rub with salt and refrigerate uncovered overnight. It helps lock in moisture. Butter Under the Skin: Mixing butter with herbs and gently spreading it under the turkey skin gives deep flavor and a perfectly crisp skin. Roast until the breast, which is the thickest part, hits 165 degrees. Use an instant-read meat thermometer. Let the turkey rest for 20 - 30 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute.
Creamy Potatoes: Choose the Right Potato: Yukon Golds give a creamy texture; Russets make them fluffy. Always place potatoes in cold water before boiling so they cook evenly. Drain them well. Watery potatoes turn sticky; let them steam off for a minute before mashing. Warm your milk first, it will absorb better for a silky smooth texture. Mash gently. Overbeating the potatoes makes them have a sticky texture. Add garlic or sour cream for extra flavor and a gourmet flavor.
Old Fashioned Stuffing: Slightly dried bread cubes soak up broth without turning mushy. Cook onions and celery in butter before mixing for a rich flavor. Seasonings such as sage, thyme, and poultry seasoning are the classic stuffing flavors. Add the broth and stop when the bread just holds together to prevent sogginess. Baking the last 10 minutes uncovered will give a crispier topping.
Sweet Potatoes: Mash the potatoes while still warm. Top with pecans and coconut for a crunchy topping. Add a pinch of cinnamon for fall flavor. Watch carefully when using the marshmallow topping; they don't burn.
Pumpkin Pie: Whisk the filling together to distribute the mixture evenly. Only use puree, not pie filling. For a crispier, not soggy crust, slightly bake the crust before filling and completing the baking process.

Final Thoughts: Making These Classic Thanksgiving Recipes

Holiday meals are all about tradition, flavor, and togetherness.

These retro Thanksgiving recipes bring back the memories we cherish and remember throughout our lives from generation to generation.

The delicious aroma, the tastes we crave every November from childhood through adulthood.

Whether you’re hosting your first feast or carrying on family traditions, these classic Thanksgiving dishes will always have a place at the table.

These simple recipes will make your celebration the most delicious one yet, and one they will talk about for years to come with fond memories made for years to come!

Pin for later Classic Thanksgiving Recipes

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Italian, American

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Traditional Simple Thanksgiving Recipes

These retro, timeless holiday recipes have stood the test of time for good reason; they are tried and true and continue to be loved

Ingredients

Classic Roast Turkey with Herb Butter
1 whole thawed turkey (12–14 pounds)
1 cup butter, softened (2 cups)
2 tablespoons each and chopped: fresh parsley, fresh basil, fresh thyme
1 tablespoon minced garlic
salt and pepper evenly over the bird and in the cavity
1 cup chicken broth
Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Butter and Cream
5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces (1 stick) salted butter
1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Optional 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing
10 cups of cubed stale day-old bread
1 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons finely minced onion
4 cloves of finely minced garlic
1 cup chopped celery
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
2 teaspoons sage
1 teaspoon thyme
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
Sweet Potato Casserole
3 cups peeled, boiled, then mashed sweet potatoes
1/3 cup of brown sugar
4 tablespoons of melted butter
1/2 cup of whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: maraschino cherries and shredded coconut for the top as a garnish before baking
1 cup mini marshmallows
Classic Pumpkin Pie
1 (15-ounce) real canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of ground ginger
pinch of ground cloves
1 unbaked (I prefer frozen) deep-dish 9-inch pie crust

Instructions

Turkey Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and lightly grease a turkey roasted pan that fits your bird.
In a medium-sized bowl, add the butter, herbs, and garlic and stir together to blend evenly.
This mixture needs to go under the skin, pulled back gently, and rubbed all over.
Add the turkey to your prepared baking pan, then pour in the chicken broth into the bottom under the bird.
Roast the turkey 30 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees in the thickest part.
Rest the turkey 20 minutes before slicing.
Tip: Tent with foil halfway through cooking to prevent over-browning.
Mashed Potato Directions
Add the peeled and cubed potatoes to a large pot of water, boil until a fork pierces through them easily.
Drain the potatoes, then mash them with a potato ricer or electric mixer.
Add the milk, garlic, herbs, cream, and butter together and beat until thick and creamy. Add more milk if needed for a smooth consistency.
Tip: For the fluffiest texture, use a potato ricer or hand mixer.
Old Fashioned Stuffing Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9 x 13 baking casserole dish lightly.
To a deep frying pan on low heat, melt butter, then add the garlic, onion, and celery.
Sauté for around 3 minutes, watching carefully not to overcook the garlic.
Stir in herbs, salt, and pepper.
Add the bread cubes to a large bowl, then add broth, stirring to combine with the garlic, onion herb mixture.
Transfer to the buttered baking dish; bake 30–35 minutes uncovered until slightly crispy on top.
Tip: Fold in chopped apples, mandarin orange, cooked boiled chestnuts, cooked crumbled Italian sausage, or chopped pecans for a retro flavoring.
Sweet Potato Casserole Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 4-quart casserole dish, and set that aside.
Combine the mashed sweet potatoes with the sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla and stir together until evenly blended.
Pour into a baking dish and top with marshmallows, sprinkle with coconut, and add cherries randomly on top if using.
Bake for 30 minutes until you see it puff up.
Tip: Add some toasted pecans for crunch for a Southern flavor.
Pumpkin Pie Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly oil spray a 9 deep dish pie plate if using refrigerated dough or homemade.
In a large bowl, add the canned pumpkin puree, condensed milk and blend the two.
Beat in the eggs with all the spices until evenly combined.
Bake the prepared pie crust in a preheated oven for 6 minutes (this is to prevent a soggy crust).
Remove from the oven and pour the pumpkin into the crust.
Pour into the pie crust.
Bake 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake until the middle is set, around 40 minutes.
Cool completely before slicing.
Tip: Serve topped with real whipped sweetened cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream with caramel sauce.

Notes

Tips for a Successful Thanksgiving Meal

Turkey: Brine or Dry Brine for Juiciness: Soak the turkey in a saltwater brine for 12–24 hours, or rub with salt and refrigerate uncovered overnight. It helps lock in moisture. Butter Under the Skin: Mixing butter with herbs and gently spreading it under the turkey skin gives deep flavor and a perfectly crisp skin. Roast until the breast, which is the thickest part, hits 165 degrees. Use an instant-read meat thermometer. Let the turkey rest for 20 - 30 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute.
Creamy Potatoes: Choose the Right Potato: Yukon Golds give a creamy texture; Russets make them fluffy. Always place potatoes in cold water before boiling so they cook evenly. Drain them well. Watery potatoes turn sticky; let them steam off for a minute before mashing. Warm your milk first, it will absorb better for a silky smooth texture. Mash gently. Overbeating the potatoes makes them have a sticky texture. Add garlic or sour cream for extra flavor and a gourmet flavor.
Old Fashioned Stuffing: Slightly dried bread cubes soak up broth without turning mushy. Cook onions and celery in butter before mixing for a rich flavor. Seasonings such as sage, thyme, and poultry seasoning are the classic stuffing flavors. Add the broth and stop when the bread just holds together to prevent sogginess. Baking the last 10 minutes uncovered will give a crispier topping.
Sweet Potatoes: Mash the potatoes while still warm. Top with pecans and coconut for a crunchy topping. Add a pinch of cinnamon for fall flavor. Watch carefully when using the marshmallow topping; they don't burn.
Pumpkin Pie: Whisk the filling together to distribute the mixture evenly. Only use puree, not pie filling. For a crispier, not soggy crust, slightly bake the crust before filling and completing the baking process.

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