Turn up the heat this holiday! Explore our spicy Thanksgiving recipes — big, bold, homemade dishes full of flavor, including zesty mains, fiery sides, and DIY seasoning blends that bring warmth to every bite.
Thanksgiving Mains
Check out my Thanksgiving main dish lineup, filled with flavorful, show-stopping recipes worthy of your holiday feast.
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Roasted Turkey Legs
These oven roasted turkey legs are rubbed with the perfect blend of spices, then baked until plump and juicy, for those who always want the turkey legs!
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Smothered Turkey Wings Recipe
Smothered turkey wings are a southern classic dish of turkey wings smothered and slowly simmered in a rich gravy until tender and flavorful, so comforting.
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Turkey Wings Recipe
This turkey wings recipe is easy to make, rubbed with Cajun spices then oven baked, perfect for the holidays with an optional gravy for serving, a favorite!
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Turkey Rub Recipe (Turkey Seasoning)
This homemade turkey rub is the perfect turkey seasoning to give your bird lots of flavor, just mix, rub down the bird inside and out, and get cooking!
Thanksgiving Sides
Browse my Thanksgiving side dish recipes, featuring everything from classics to creative twists to round out your holiday table.
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Creamy Cajun-Style Mac and Cheese Recipe
Cheesy, ultra-creamy mac and cheese with smoked andouille sausage and Cajun spices is the comfort food of your dreams, easy to make stovetop or baked.
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Roasted Garlic Gravy Recipe
This roasted garlic gravy is silky and full of flavor, perfect for turkey, chicken, mashed potatoes and more, easy to make with pan drippings or stock.
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Easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe (Spiced & Crispy)
Roasted sweet potatoes with vibrant spices and crispy edges. This easy side dish is loaded with big flavor and perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners.
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Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe (Creamy Stovetop or Baked)
Easy mac and cheese recipe that’s extra creamy, cheesy, and comforting. Serve stovetop or bake for a golden crust. Always a favorite. This is the best.
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Butternut Squash Curry with Chickpeas
This one-pot Thai-style butternut squash curry is done in under 30 minutes, spicy and comforting with tender squash and chickpeas simmered in coconut milk.
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Pumpkin Soup Recipe (Creamy & Spiced)
This pumpkin soup is silky, creamy, and brings real deal flavor with the perfect blend of Cajun spices and a simple roux that thickens the whole pot.
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Smothered Green Beans Recipe
Smothered Southern green beans and potatoes with smoky bacon, slow-simmered for rich flavor. Perfect with roast chicken or any Southern meal.
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Hot Honey Roasted Carrots Recipe
Hot honey roasted carrots are the perfect side dish, carrots glazed with oil and hot honey then oven roasted, easy to make and great for the holidays.
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Hot Honey Roasted Pumpkin Recipe
This roasted pumpkin recipe is my favorite, lightly spiced, roasted until richly caramelized, then drizzled with sweet and spicy hot honey, a great side.
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Southern Collard Greens Recipe
Learn how to cook collard greens the ultimate way, simmered low and slow with bacon and smoked ham for the most tender greens and to-die-for pot likker.
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Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
This is the best butternut squash soup recipe with the perfect blend of herbs and spices, nice and creamy, easy to make, plus you can freeze the leftovers.
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Oyster Dressing Recipe
Oyster dressing is a classic savory Southern dish of oysters and seasoned bread, often served as a side dish during Thanksgiving and other holiday meals.
Thanksgiving Appetizers
Explore my lineup of Thanksgiving appetizers, featuring bold, flavorful starters that set the perfect tone for your holiday celebration.
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Easy Creamy White Bean Dip Recipe
This white bean dip is rich and ultra-creamy, always a party hit, ready in minutes with simple white beans pureed with harissa paste, olive oil, and lemon.
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Candied Bacon Recipe
Learn how to make candied bacon! Crispy, sweet, and perfect for brunch, burgers, or Bloody Marys. Easy recipe with spicy options included!
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Crab Cakes Recipe with Creamy Crab Cake Sauce
These crab cakes are easy to make, loaded with lump crab meat, so tender with a crispy coating, drizzled with homemade creamy crab cake sauce, always a hit.
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Pimento Cheese Recipe
This homemade pimento cheese recipe is an iconic taste of the south with shredded cheeses mixed with mayo, pimentos and spices, so easy to make!
Thanksgiving Leftovers
Check out these Thanksgiving leftover dishes, full of clever, tasty ways to reinvent your holiday favorites.
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Butternut Squash Curry with Chickpeas
This one-pot Thai-style butternut squash curry is done in under 30 minutes, spicy and comforting with tender squash and chickpeas simmered in coconut milk.
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Turkey Gumbo Recipe
This is the best turkey gumbo ever made with a rich, dark roux and lots of turkey and andouille sausage, perfect for leftover turkey, a comforting favorite.
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Turkey Stew Recipe
This comforting turkey stew is thick and creamy from a rich roux, loaded with tender turkey, potatoes, and flavorful spices, great for leftover turkey.
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Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash
Smoked Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash is an excellent recipe for using up all of those holiday leftovers!
