Our Staffers' Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

By Midwest Living editors
November 18, 2020

Our editors and writers share the Midwest Living recipes they love to make. We hope you’ll make some of these part of your holiday at home in 2020, too!

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1 of 14

Pumpkin Spice Icebox Cake

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"I love a good pumpkin remix recipe, and this is perfect for busy family kitchens that require multiple people using the oven. 😊  It’s no-bake and you should make it the evening ahead. The best part is that the leftovers just get better, if you have any."—Erin Keeffer, Senior Graphic Designer

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Maple-Butternut Puree

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"This is a crazy simple and really delicious side dish that you can make ahead and reheat. I usually skip the pumpkin seeds if I’m honest though." — Hannah Agran, Executive Editor 

3 of 14

Wild Rice Stuffing With Squash and Mushrooms

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"We made this when it was first published in November/December 2018 and it was an instant hit! It’s a main dish for the vegetarians in the family (with vegetable broth subbed for the chicken broth) and a side dish for the rest." — Ginger Crichton, Senior Editor

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4 of 14

Pecan't Pie

Credit: Adam Albright
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"For my Thanksgiving recipe, it is hands-down the Pecan’t Pie!" — Diane Penningroth, Copy Editor 

5 of 14

Cheese Straws

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"These are a delicious holiday party app. They never last long." — Hannah Agran, Executive Editor 

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Crumb-Topped Apple Pie Trio

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"Our family holiday dessert pick is always an apple pie (or two), and we especially love the Crumb-Topped Apple Pie Trio! Jonathan, Braeburn and Granny Smith make up our perfect combo,  but really you can’t go wrong." — Kylee Krizmanic, editor in chief

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Common Cornbread Dressing

Credit: Adam Albright
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"I love all the sides. I’ve been looking forward to trying this Common Cornbread Dressing ever since seeing it in our November/December 2020 issue." — Madelaine Jerousek-Smith, Copy Editor 

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Roast Chicken with Pan Gravy

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"Since it’s a year people might not be making a whole turkey, I’ll also cast a vote for a really great roast chicken that’s perfect for if there’s only a couple people around your table!" — Hannah Agran, Executive Editor 

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Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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"I’m thinking leftover pie crust scraps + turkey (instead of chicken) would be amazing in this soup." — Allison Zelle, Associate Art Director

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10 of 14

J Cole Cauliflower Mash

Credit: Adam Albright
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"I’m excited to try the J Cole Cauliflower Mash featured in the November/December 2020 issue. I live right down the street from Soul Bowl and can’t wait to give this already-favorite dish a shot at home!" — Jess Hoffert. Projects Editor 

11 of 14

Chocolate Cream Pie

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"This is really phenomenally good. It just tastes old-fashioned and homemade and it always gets oohs and ahh. Even though I can’t make chocolate curls like our food stylists to save my life!" — Hannah Agran, Executive Editor 

12 of 14

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies

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"I like to make these melt-in-your mouth pumpkin cookies—they’re pillow-soft, and the recipe is enough to feed a crowd. Even if folks aren’t getting together IRL this year, you can package several platefuls to gift!" — Allison Vancura, Content Editor 

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13 of 14

Roasted Pears with Lemon Cream and Candied Pine Nuts

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"These pears may not be such an obvious crowd-pleaser, but they are fun and special." — Hannah Agran, Executive Editor 

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Crunchy Cracker Snack Mix

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"Here’s my very favorite recipe for Chex mix which I make every year.  There are lots of variations to this recipe, but I still prefer the traditional one like I grew up with. I do like to use extra mixed nuts and always use real butter." — Brenda Kienast, Administrative Assistant

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