Bake the Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com
Updated August 18, 2020

These 11 Thanksgiving recipes hew to tradition, but a handful of small changes—orange zest in the biscuits, cider in the gravy—transform familiar dishes. Try our recipes for Thanksgiving turkey, side dishes, soup, casseroles, and dessert.

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1 of 11

Cider-Brined Turkey with Roasted Apples

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Even better than the pretty glazed fruit and crazy-juicy bird? The appley gravy made from the drippings.

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2 of 11

Lemony Green Beans

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Garlic, shallots and lemon brighten crisp-tender beans. Save time by parboiling the green beans a day early.

3 of 11

Calico Corn Bread Dressing

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Homey corn bread meets woodsy sage, thyme and shitake mushrooms. Carrots and apricots add color and sweetness.

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Maple-Butternut Puree

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Roasting brings out squash's natural sugars. Blending with maple syrup, butter and nutmeg makes it utterly addictive. Bonus: This dish reheats beautifully.

5 of 11

Cauliflower Gratin

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Tossing cauliflower with bread crumbs, Dijon, cheddar, herbs and almonds makes this humble veg holiday-special.

6 of 11

Sweet Potato Biscuits

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Orange zest, nutmeg and smoked paprika add layers of flavor to these tender biscuits.

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7 of 11

Cranberry Chutney

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Cranberries and apple simmer with red onion, ginger and mustard seeds for a spiced variation on traditional sauce. Try it on a sandwich with leftover turkey.

8 of 11

Pumpkin Parsnip Bisque with Hazelnut Toasts

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Puree wintry vegetables like potato, leek and parsnip into a velvety soup. Don't skip the crisp, buttery dippers. They're delicious dunked in the soup.

9 of 11

Chocolate Cream Pie

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The filling of this chocolate-crust pie is luscious, but not too rich. (Think old-fashioned chocolate pudding.) A bit of sour cream in the whipped topping balances the chocolate perfectly.

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10 of 11

Triple Pear Pie with Walnut Crust

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You can't mistake the fruit in this cardamom-spiced beauty. Pear nectar and dried pears complement thick slices of fresh, juicy Bosc pears.

11 of 11

Cornmeal Pumpkin Cake with Dried Fruit Compote

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Riesling-poached fruit and billowy whipped cream crown a dense spice cake inspired by ingredients from the first Thanksgiving.

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By The editors of MidwestLiving.com