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I love a good food trend and viral TikTok recipe like the rest of us, but after months of being in quarantine, we’re all craving the comfort and familiarity of dishes that remind of us of the past. This holiday season, let’s take a page from Grandma’s recipe book and make one of these easy, retro-inspired Thanksgiving recipes that remind us of home.
Like fashion, certain foods fall in and out of style, but if these old standbys haven’t graced your table lately, it might be time to revive them and create new memories with another generation.
Related: 150+ Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes That Will Make Everyone Happy on Turkey Day
Here now are 24 nostalgic Thanksgiving recipes that we confidently believe deserve a comeback. From candied sweet potatoes, to cranberry fluff and cheesy hash brown casserole, here are some of my favorite, old-fashioned Thanksgiving recipes for Turkey Day.
Tips For Preparing A Stress-Free Thanksgiving
- Keep the size of the meal manageable. Just because you grew up with having two types of stuffing and three desserts, doesn’t mean you need to do the same. You can have all the nostalgic flavors in a handful of simple dishes.
- Skip prepared appetizers and set out nuts, a cheese tray and/or a charcuterie board of prepared meats. This is much easier than making and baking mini bite-sized apps.
- Stick to wine and beer, or make a pitcher of festive cocktails where everyone can serve themselves.
- Decide what to delegate and assign your guests a task. Have your company set the table, peel potatoes or bring dessert. Everyone loves to help.
- Besides the turkey, cook or prepare as much of everything else the day before. So many dishes are easily warmed in the oven and often taste better the next day.
- Pick a streaming station or create a playlist well in advance and be sure to include fun music for when you’re cooking. When Thanksgiving comes, just press play.
- Have readily available containers for everyone to take home their share of the Thanksgiving leftovers.
Related: Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes For an A+ Holiday Dinner
Retro Thanksgiving Recipes
Apple and Butternut Squash Casserole
The Seasoned Mom
The layered make-ahead side dish has been a family favorite for over 40 years, and it’s the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table!
Get the recipe: Apple and Butternut Squash Casserole
Apple Raisin Chutney
Reluctant Entertainer
Make a batch of this Apple Raisin Chutney Recipe, and pair it with meat, with goat cheese, crackers, figs, or nuts!
Get the recipe: Apple Raisin Chutney
Brined Lemon-Herb Aioli Style Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey
Noble Pig
This mayonnaise method to making turkey leads to results full of flavor, so juicy, so moist, it really is off the charts delicious.
Get the recipe: Brined Lemon-Herb Aioli Style Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sally's Baking Addiction
These aren’t your ordinary Thanksgiving sweet potatoes. They’re extra soft, buttery, saucy, caramelized, and sweet.
Get the recipe: Candied Sweet Potatoes
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Shugary Sweets
Made with frozen hash browns and plenty of cheese, this old-school casserole is true comfort food.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Collard Greens
Spend With Pennies
Classic slow-cooked collard greens are the perfect retro Southern-inspired side dish.
Get the recipe: Collard Greens
Cornbread Stuffing with Apples and Pecans
Healthy Seasonal Recipes
A new-fangled twist on the retro stuffing we know and love.
Get the recipe: Cornbread Stuffing with Apples and Pecans
Cranberry Fluff Salad
That Skinny Chick Can Bake
A 5-ingredient vintage sweet side dish that never goes out of style.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Fluff Salad
Cranberry Jello Salad
Dinner at the Zoo
This festive Jello centerpiece combines raspberry gelatin with cranberry sauce, pineapple and orange zest for a delicious side dish or dessert that’s perfect for the holidays.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Jello Salad
Cranberry Waldorf Salad
Spend With Pennies
Fresh tart cranberries, juicy grapes, raisins and crisp fresh apples make this delicious twist on retro Waldorf salad a new fall favorite!
Get the recipe: Cranberry Waldorf Salad
Creamed Vidalia Onions in Pastry
A Family Feast
Cream, onions, pastry. You can’t get more retro Thanksgiving than this recipe.
Get the recipe: Creamed Vidalia Onions in Pastry
Easy Pull-Apart Garlic Rolls
Tidymom
A can of biscuits turns into delicious, flaky, buttery garlic rolls in just a few simple steps. Making these rolls the perfect complement to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pull-Apart Garlic Rolls
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Noble Pig
The secret to make-ahead gravy? Turkey wings!
Get the recipe: Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Mandarin Orange Pretzel Salad
Bellyfull
Pretzel salad is a classic for a reason. Here, the retro treat gets brightened up with a jammy layer of mandarins.
Get the recipe: Mandarin Orange Pretzel Salad
Persimmon Cranberry Pie
The Little Epicurean
Use your best fall fruits for this elegant, layered pie.
Get the recipe: Persimmon Cranberry Pie
Provencal-Style Stuffed Onions
These stuffed alliums are a wonderfully elegant and easy French inspired side dish that goes from holiday feasts to everyday meals.
Get the recipe: Provencal-Style Stuffed Onions
Pumpkin Custard Pie
Striped Spatula
A crisp, flaky all-butter crust meets a light-textured, creamy pumpkin filling, gently spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Custard Pie
Pumpkin Pie Cake
Sugar Apron
All the yummy flavors of a pumpkin pie but stirred into the heartiness of a cake.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cake
Pumpkin Pie Squares
Reluctant Entertainer
Pie in bar form.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Pie Squares
Roasted Beets with Orange and Maple Glaze
Bellyfull
Tender roasted beets are coated with an orange and maple glaze that makes for a fantastic and super easy side dish, great for the holidays and all year round!
Get the recipe: Roasted Beets with Orange and Maple Glaze
Sweet Potato Bread Pudding with Marshmallow Toppings
If a sweet potato casserole and a bread pudding had a delicious baby, it would be this dessert casserole with a gooey marshmallow topping.
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Bread Pudding with Marshamallow Topping
Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue
Noble Pig
If you’ve never tried pies crowned with a sky-high meringue topping, you are really missing out! This sweet potato marshmallow number is creamier than pumpkin pie and it couldn’t be more enjoyable to eat!
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue
The Best Cranberry-Tangerine Chutney
Noble Pig
A dash of curry powder elevates classic cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe: The Best Cranberry-Tangerine Chutney
The Best Duchess Potatoes
A Spicy Perspective
Tired of mashed potatoes? This Thanksgiving, try this retro potato side dish. These golden pillows of potato have moist fluffy interiors and buttery crisp exteriors.
Get the recipe: The Best Duchess Potatoes
Up next: 75 Vintage Recipes and Retro Suppers You Will Definitely Remember From Your Childhood
